6.5 PRC Load Data

Kmccord

Kmccord

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I have a 6.5 PRC that I will be setting up for developing a load, I am curious to hear what powder's other members have found to be the most accurate in this cartridge? I plan on using 140gr Elite Hunter for bullets, and I have H1000, H4831SC, H4831, Retumbo, N570. Also have RL26 but wanted to keep it with powder that is not temp sensitive. I am not opposed to purchasing other powder's if they are available, if it is a great combination like the 6.5 Creed with H4350 is to that cartridge. Thanks in advance.
 
I use h4831in my wife's 6.5 prc. Crazy accurate. I'm not by my records now but that's what she shoots steel at 1 mile. We don't do that very often but she has done it. For her elk load I load up re26 and 124 hammer hunter. That runs at 3300+ and is even more accurate in her hells canyon speed. Love the prc. My son it law is using my ruger American 6.5 prc with re26 and 124 hammer next weekend when my sons and him go bear hunting in Colorado. I have 3 prc. Enjoy
 
I used H1000 with the Berger 156's for quite a while with great success. I'm currently using N565 around 57.3 gr with the same bullet and it's holding .5 MOA for me out to 850 yds so far. 2864 fps with a 21" barrel. This target was 3 days ago at 400 yards.
 

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lancetkenyon said:
With a 140 Elite:
1. RL23
2. H1000
3. N565


I found N570 too slow. Full case and low velocity. N568 too.
RL26 produced great speeds, but is too temp sensitive over 84° for me to consider it for anything but a late season only round.
N560 will get good speeds, but it pretty temp sensitive too.
Click to expand...
Yes sir on RL26, I don't use it anymore too hot in TX during summer. I have a lot of RL33 that I used for my 28 Nosler, but that is another one that spikes after it gets Hot. I have never tried RL23, will need to look that up and see if any available, but I do have over 6lbs H1K.
 
This is a crazy stretch, but if you are in the mood for a new powder, Staball HD *may* be interesting. I have run the numbers with Quickload for my 6.5-284 which is a very similar case capacity. It just seems that a lot of the slow powders (N570, Retumbo, H1000 etc) end up being compressed, at least in my long action. In a 6.5 PRC, in a short action that would be only worse. This is with a heavy bullet like the 156 or 150......

So Hodgdon has load data for the 6.5 PRC and Staball HD. You can look it up. I can tell you that you will not run into case capacity problems as soon as with the other powders. I have loaded only a series to find out about pressures thus far, so accuracy is unknown. And I've not shot all that series. BUT, first shots were quite fast, so I am optimistic long term.

Just throwing it out there......

I also have had good velocity with RL-26, but with my 8 lb jug dwindling and all the ?? about temp, I tend to try others first. Pixie dust cannot be wasted......
 
Kmccord said:
I have a 6.5 PRC that I will be setting up for developing a load, I am curious to hear what powder's other members have found to be the most accurate in this cartridge? I plan on using 140gr Elite Hunter for bullets, and I have H1000, H4831SC, H4831, Retumbo, N570. Also have RL26 but wanted to keep it with powder that is not temp sensitive. I am not opposed to purchasing other powder's if they are available, if it is a great combination like the 6.5 Creed with H4350 is to that cartridge. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
My Tikka T3 CTR 6.5 PRC likes H4831 and it absolutely loves H1000. I currently shoot 140gr ELD-M and 143gr ELD-X with 59gr H1000 and I get 3045fps, 4.5 extreme spread and 1.9 SD. ⅜" group at 200 yards and almost never miss a shot 1000 yards and under. I'm at 1900ft elevation.
 
cdherman said:
This is a crazy stretch, but if you are in the mood for a new powder, Staball HD *may* be interesting. I have run the numbers with Quickload for my 6.5-284 which is a very similar case capacity. It just seems that a lot of the slow powders (N570, Retumbo, H1000 etc) end up being compressed, at least in my long action. In a 6.5 PRC, in a short action that would be only worse. This is with a heavy bullet like the 156 or 150......

So Hodgdon has load data for the 6.5 PRC and Staball HD. You can look it up. I can tell you that you will not run into case capacity problems as soon as with the other powders. I have loaded only a series to find out about pressures thus far, so accuracy is unknown. And I've not shot all that series. BUT, first shots were quite fast, so I am optimistic long term.

Just throwing it out there......

I also have had good velocity with RL-26, but with my 8 lb jug dwindling and all the ?? about temp, I tend to try others first. Pixie dust cannot be wasted......
Click to expand...
@cdherman what kind of velocities are you getting with what bullet weight? I'm currently pushing 143gr bullets 3045fps with 59gr H1000.
 
H4831SC works fantastic with the 144 Berger. I would think it should do great with the 140EH. Posted a informative article below.
IMG_4113.jpeg


Part1:

Reloading for 6.5 PRC

Reloading for 6.5 PRC and Hunting with 6.5 PRC
www.rockymountainhunting.com www.rockymountainhunting.com

Part2:

6.5 PRC Reloading

Reloading 6.5 PRC Part 2
www.rockymountainhunting.com www.rockymountainhunting.com
 
Last edited:
JAYgs8163 said:
H4831SC works fantastic with the 144 Berger. I would think it should do great with the 140EH. Posted a informative article below.
View attachment 602308

Part1:

Reloading for 6.5 PRC

Reloading for 6.5 PRC and Hunting with 6.5 PRC
www.rockymountainhunting.com www.rockymountainhunting.com

Part2:

6.5 PRC Reloading

Reloading 6.5 PRC Part 2
www.rockymountainhunting.com www.rockymountainhunting.com
Click to expand...
Thank you for the articles. Once I am done with the 6 Creed, I will be jumping on the 6.5 PRC, I know the few test rounds of Hornady 143 ELDX factory ammo was very accurate right off the start. I have some factory 147 ELD-M as well, but will see what I can do with hand loads first. Then I have a 7PRC I will need to work up a load for customer Rifle. Just test firing it with factory Hornady 180 ELD-M shows a lot of promises.
 

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