Comparing 6.5 PRC Cases, Hornady Vs Gunwerks/ADG

[stubblejumper]

I had worked up loads with Hornady cases, because they were all that I could find, when I purchased my rifle. I used my RCBS #4 shellholder, and a .290" neck bushing in my Redding dies. I was using the 143gr eldx, and R26, and I found a load producing just over 3000fps, and around 1/2" groups. My Gunwerks/ADG cases arrived yesterday, and my first discovery was that they did not fit the #4 shellholder. I drove to my closest store, and purchased an RCBS #38 shellholder, and sized all 104 cases, yes there were 104 in the pouch. Before loading, I weighed several cases, and all were within 1/2grain or so, while the Hornady cases varied over 3 grains. I chronographed some loads and found out that the same load produced around 25fps more with this load. I fired a 100m group measuring under 1/2", and then fired a second group measuring under 3/8". The Gunwerks/ADG cases are much more consistent, and produced slightly more velocity, and accuracy appears to be slightly better. The main thing to keep in mind if you purchase the Gunwerks /ADG cases, is that they won't fit the #4 shellholder. The eldx bullets are very soft, and even with .002" of neck tension, the seating plug left a slight ring on the bullets, even after I deburred the seating plug. I will try .001" neck tension for the next loading.

 

[Defiance28nosler]

Thanks for the post. I have 100 adg brass just sitting. Waiting for dies....

 

[Buckmastr]

Can you also compare the prices of the two types of brass? Hornady was getting close 90$/50 last I saw but most places are sold out.

What did the adg brass case head measure? Saami looks like 0.532-.522"

 

[stubblejumper]

Can you also compare the prices of the two types of brass? Hornady was getting close 90$/50 last I saw but most places are sold out.

What did the adg brass case head measure? Saami looks like 0.532-.522"

I paid $249 for 104 of the Gunwerks , and $150, for 100 Hornady. I am now seeing Hornady at up to $180 per 100. The Hornady have brittle necks that require annealing at least every second firing. A friend just had a Hornady neck break off and jam in the chamber on the third firing. The reason that the Gunwerks/ADG won't fit the #4 shellholder, is that the rim thickness is .004" larger, the rim diameter is about the same, in the .528" range.

 

[Buckmastr]

Nice. Does the difference in rim thickness affect the case extraction from your rifle at all?

 

[stubblejumper]

Nice. Does the difference in rim thickness affect the case extraction from your rifle at all?

The cases function fine in my Christensen.

 

[Buckmastr]

Good news. What is the fired water capacity of the two cases in your chamber?

 

[jerrya]

……..

 

[Defiance28nosler]

I think I paid 135 for 50 Adg brass

 

[todbartell]

Watch for an increase in velocity/pressure using fired brass compared to virgin

I am on 7 firings of 6.5 PRC Hornady brass, I properly anneal after every firing cycle

 

[Buckmastr]

Watch for an increase in velocity/pressure using fired brass compared to virgin

Why is that do you figure Tod?

 

[todbartell]

I feel the virgin case, being undersized in the chamber, soaks up some of the PSI in fire forming

 

[Bridges1982]

That’s weird I use the same brass and caliber and mine fit in my number 4 shell holder

 

[stubblejumper]

That’s weird I use the same brass and caliber and mine fit in my number 4 shell holder

My #4 is likely 40 years old, perhaps they changed the dimensions over the years.