6.5 PRC Reloading

[mountaincarver]

Interesting responses...I'm looking at a rebarrel to get into a 6.5 PRC and this is good helpful info. Tell me, is the 1:8 twist the best choice for a hunting rifle? Mine will have a magazine length out to 3.34" plus, so pointers on where to go with COAL and chambering would also be helpful. For now lets say I'll plan on using both Hornady 143 ELD-X and Nosler 142 LRAB for hunting, and definitely hope for 3k-3100 velocity from a 26" tube. Nosler 129 LRAB is also a choice to consider for PH antelope and deer.

I can tell you with mine, nodes come in at 3080, and 2990. 140ish bullets can get to either one pretty easy. 147 a bit of a challenge to get to upper node. any heavier and I would shoot for the 2900ish speeds. my gun really likes pressure. if I get to velocity without it, groups aren't there. if I can get there a little pressured up, it shoots good. 1-8 works well in my opinion but the barrel had to be seasoned with at least 200 rounds to reach the upper node velocities. I really think you don't need a 26 inch tube to get there with 143s. shorter will get you there easily from what im seeing. Plus, if you want it for hunting, why pack around more barrel.

 

[mountaincarver]

If you're at all interested in the really heavies (150smk or 156 eol) or all copper heavier bullets like 137 Hammer I would look at a 1:7.

Otherwise 1:8

Where are you seeing the 156?

 

[mountaincarver]

I'm doing some load development in mine with the 150 SMKs. Haven't done much or even tried to shoot a group yet. Found a node at 2850(Rl26 54.5-55)and 2958(Rl26 56.5-57). Hit 3033 with 57.9 and haven't been beyond that. 24" barrel.

Have you had a chance to group these yet. im interested in what you find with these bullets. that 2958 node sounds nice.

 

[jwing]

You guys need to try rl 23 I'm bet you get better closer to 3100.. someone needs to try it..lol I don't have one or I would. 6.5 saum it gets over 3100

 

[Weatherby Fan]

You guys need to try rl 23 I'm bet you get better closer to 3100.. someone needs to try it..lol I don't have one or I would. 6.5 saum it gets over 3100

I just picked up a few pounds of R23, works well in my 6.5-284 so going to give a whirl in the 6.5 PRC

 

[stx]

You guys need to try rl 23 I'm bet you get better closer to 3100.. someone needs to try it..lol I don't have one or I would. 6.5 saum it gets over 3100

Or RL26.....it was the velocity/accuracy answer for my 6.5x284 Cooper Backcountry!

 

[Deleted member 103481]

Where are you seeing the 156?

Peasants like me can't get them yet but there are special people out there that have them for testing and what not.

Not that I care I have a 1:8

 

[mountaincarver]

Peasants like me can't get them yet but there are special people out there that have them for testing and what not.

Not that I care I have a 1:8

yea, I wish I had some to throw in too. with my experiences with heavy bergers, I bet they'll shoot. ill be keeping an eye out for em.

 

[mountaincarver]

I just picked up a few pounds of R23, works well in my 6.5-284 so going to give a whirl in the 6.5 PRC

Cool. please report what you find. How many grains in the 6.5 284?

 

[Weatherby Fan]

Cool. please report what you find. How many grains in the 6.5 284?

I had good accuracy with 52.1 grs and 53.1 grs of R23 in the 6.5-284

53.1gr-140gr AB - 2932 avg vel, 52.1gr- 2886 avg vel
53.1gr-143gr ELD-x 2936 avg vel, 52.1gr-2869 avg vel
53.1gr-140 VLDX- 2943 avg vel

 

[mountaincarver]

I had good accuracy with 52.1 grs and 53.1 grs of R23 in the 6.5-284

53.1gr-140gr AB - 2932 avg vel, 52.1gr- 2886 avg vel
53.1gr-143gr ELD-x 2936 avg vel, 52.1gr-2869 avg vel
53.1gr-140 VLDX- 2943 avg vel

Great info, thanks for the post!

 

[rharfo]

Is anybody running a mag primer? The load data provided to me from HS Precision used a standard primer. Same info in the Hornady manual. Wondering what a mag primer might get me.

 

[30calyooper]

I can tell you with mine, nodes come in at 3080, and 2990. 140ish bullets can get to either one pretty easy. 147 a bit of a challenge to get to upper node. any heavier and I would shoot for the 2900ish speeds. my gun really likes pressure. if I get to velocity without it, groups aren't there. if I can get there a little pressured up, it shoots good. 1-8 works well in my opinion but the barrel had to be seasoned with at least 200 rounds to reach the upper node velocities. I really think you don't need a 26 inch tube to get there with 143s. shorter will get you there easily from what im seeing. Plus, if you want it for hunting, why pack around more barrel.

Yeah, that's also been part of the series of questions I've been mulling over. 26" does add a bit of length, and we all know that means more tendency to bang into things, etc. Not much of an issue at the range, but you are correct that it's a point to consider on a hunting rifle.

 

[30calyooper]

Someone commented that 1:7 might do better with heavier bullets...thanks, good advice and very logical if you really want to get into 150+ weight, but I cannot say whether that's a real concern when I can easily go there with both my 7 Remmag and my 7 WSM. To be honest it has been on my mind that while the potential is there, I've also read and heard stories about experienced shooters trying to turn any 6.5mm into a legit elk caliber, only to find out the hard way that here in the less-than-perfect real world a bigger bore might have saved them a heap of trouble. Granted these were guys using the 6.5 Creedmoor, which is not something I want to view as a serious elk caliber...
No qualms with any 6.5 for deer/antelope, but I've been part of the chase crew when another hunter discovered just how tough elk are in comparison to deer. Shot placement is always the first concern, but a 300 or 338 mag definitely gives you a greater margin when things don't work out perfectly, and longer shots have a way of multiplying that possibility. So I'm caught on the horns of dilemma here...6.5 PRC would be a very cool addition to the locker, but the devil whispering in the other ear tells me to remember that there's no magic downrange...only the bullet you just fired and the target you chose.