6.5 PRC? Well, im sold.

todbartell said:
It's a wonderful powder in many applications, but you're kidding yourself if you don't think PSI is high. Small rifle primer pockets help mask this
Click to expand...

28"-30" barrel and a slow powder you should make 2900 FPS without too much drama. I don't see how you could with a 24"-26" without at best being really hard on the brass.
 
I shoot 46.8grs RL26 with 147gr ELD (2.926" OAL / .030" jump) , 2710 fps from 20" Tikka CTR

Seated to 2.8" (long .156" jump to lands), I could only get 45.1grs in the case (Lapua brass), it did 2550 fps

Both loads shoot very very well



In my 24" 6.5 PRC, with 143gr ELDx, I load around 54grs RL26 for a mild 2925 fps. Shoots crazy good, pressures are super mild and brass will last next to forever
 
wasrupzuk said:
Pardon my ignorance, I don’t shoot PRS or similar rifle games (yet) but I am interested in the sport.
I don’t get the contradictions I’m reading in various threads (or at least my perception of them).
My understanding;
-The sport is really concerned about recoil, which is why 6.5’s and now 6mm’s are popular.
-it is a sport based on stages which have volume firing (I.e.; barrel heat).
-accuracy is important.
-anything which increases bullet performance downrange ultimately sacrifices barrel life.
-other than a select few, cost should play a large role in cartridge selection.
So, what am I missing?
I get the increased performance would offer less wind drift than a slower cartridge, but by how much given the loss of barrel life? And how much does it really make a difference after the beep?
Is it a game changer (all the winners use them) or is it something to spend money on instead of hitting the gym?
As I see it I might have to turn a dial further or use a different hash mark but how much are we taking about?
Wouldn’t practice and familiarity render the downrange differences moot?
And the whole SA / LA concept I don’t get, I thought the SA was to save weight or offer a stiffer action, but wouldn’t that lack of mass increase recoil negating the reason for going to it anyway?
And lastly, what does the short magnums do to magazine capacity, and does that even matter?
So many questions,
Thanks
Click to expand...

6mms are the standard for high level shooters in PRS-style matches for a few reasons but mainly due to them offering the best compromise between down range ballistics and low recoil. In fact most high level guys that aren't shooting BR based 6mms (but "larger" 6mms like creeds, x47, etc) are still running their loads at or near Dasher speeds, sacrificing a bit of ballistic advantage for a reduction in recoil. Other than the ability to build a stable position quickly, PRS is a game of spotting your hits and misses and being able to spot your own trace is a hugely valuable skill. You'd be amazed at what a difference 100fps +/- does to recoil. 0.1 less wind at 1000 yards doesn't mean anything if you can't see where your bullet went.

With regards to SA vs LA no one runs a LA in PRS for very good reason, that being that the calibers that are currently the best compromise all run easily in a SA. Stages also generally require 8-12 rounds and 10 round mags for a Long Action are gigantic.

You can fit less short magnum rounds in a mag than regular short action rounds.

But none of this has to do with the 6.5 PRC which isn't a caliber ideally suited to PRS anyways, other than say PRS ELR matches, in fact, I believe the NF ELR match was one by a guy shooting a 6.5 SAUM last year. PRS ELR matches are an entirely different ball of wax than a standard PRS-typoe match though.
 
todbartell said:
I shoot 46.8grs RL26 with 147gr ELD (2.926" OAL / .030" jump) , 2710 fps from 20" Tikka CTR

Seated to 2.8" (long .156" jump to lands), I could only get 45.1grs in the case (Lapua brass), it did 2550 fps

Both loads shoot very very well



In my 24" 6.5 PRC, with 143gr ELDx, I load around 54grs RL26 for a mild 2925 fps. Shoots crazy good, pressures are super mild and brass will last next to forever
Click to expand...

Very interesting, thanks for posting. Tikka's seem to run a tad slower than others. A calm PRC would be better than a hotrod CM. Once I burn this barrel out with my H4350, If i keep it CM than I will try a load with RL26, actually try RL 26 with either of them would be the plan.
 
todbartell said:
I shoot 46.8grs RL26 with 147gr ELD (2.926" OAL / .030" jump) , 2710 fps from 20" Tikka CTR

Seated to 2.8" (long .156" jump to lands), I could only get 45.1grs in the case (Lapua brass), it did 2550 fps

Both loads shoot very very well



In my 24" 6.5 PRC, with 143gr ELDx, I load around 54grs RL26 for a mild 2925 fps. Shoots crazy good, pressures are super mild and brass will last next to forever
Click to expand...
Tikka’s are notoriously slow, and 20” is 20” is pretty short for such a slow powder.
Is the PRC a Tikka as well?
 
Tokay444 said:
Is the PRC a Tikka as well?
Click to expand...

It's a T3x action with a #3 contour Benchmark barrel. This is a pretty common 300y group

VDX6nw2.jpg
 
remington jim said:
Tokay444 said:
Guys are hitting 2900+ with 147s in 6.5 Creed and RL26.

Hi ! RL26 works WELL ! Have you tried any Win STABAL 6.5 powder yet - I got some from TB and loaded up some Bullets but have yet to shoot them off ! RJ
Click to expand...

I haven’t. Initial reports are that it’s fairly stable for a ball powder, but not nearly as stable as the go to extruded offerings. After I read that, I stopped paying attention, so I don’t know what types of speeds guys are getting from it.
I am wanting to try some VV N560. I think it should be very stable and cleaner than RL16/26.
Click to expand...
 
Just curious as to what this PRC, in real world, offers besides stupid expensive ammo which imo is poor ammo anyway, stupid expensive factory firearms and not any more accurate than any other 6.5 variant (6.5 creed, 260 AI etc.) Heres info with other 6.5's that show the PRC doesn't have all that much on some other 6.5's.

Example: 260 AI with a 147gr ELD-M, 47gr of RL 23 runs 2900 fps with a 26" barrel (and double the barrel life a PRC will)
6.5-284 147gr ELD-M with 54gr of RL26 is 3050fps with a 26" barrel
6.5 WSM with a 147gr ELD-M with 62.7gr of RL26 at 3200fps again with a 26" barrel

I just feel as though this is Hornady attempting their marketing tricks again (the 300 PRC is not any different imo) yes the WSM is overbore BUT 270 WSM brass is common, then run it through your sizer and done. Its also 1/2 price of the Hornady PRC brass.

Yes the PRC might be more "ever so slightly more efficient" but there is sacrifices to be made with anything, I just see this caliber pointless thats all.....not saying I wont own one eventually to play with but newer isn't always better imo.

At the end of the day every cal has its pro's and cons, but handloaders know the true capabilities of other cals, the PRC will be very appealing to the 6.5 needmore aka wanna be snipers crowd who is wanting to go "1 step up" and by saying the PRC is way faster, flatter etc they will succeed and make millions off those individuals. But anyone who is serious into shooting and long range shooting should know better then to hop on the bandwagon. Just my opinion.
 
Super cool cartridge I’d love to experiment with. I think it’s primary usage will be for hunting. I’m not sure how effective the extra speed will be for terminal performance. 6.5 caliber is all the rage but it’s a little small for heavy game.

I really think a 7 PRC would be excellent. 7mm caliber has a huge bullet selection and well setup for hunting. We are seriously lacking 7mm options.
 
coleman1495 said:
I really think a 7 PRC would be excellent. 7mm caliber has a huge bullet selection and well setup for hunting. We are seriously lacking 7mm options.
Click to expand...

But are we? A 7mm-08 with that new Win 6.5 StaBall powder was reported pushin 140's over 2900 fps.
28 nosler is fairly impressive
7mm saum
7mm wsm
284 win
The good ol 7mm rem mag never failed either
7mm-300 win is common enough

There are piles of options out there too, just not as standard as others.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom