16.5” 6.5 prc? build

[jshepherd61]

Hey guys I just acquired a new to me defiance deviant tactical action with an mpa 6.5cm barrel attached to it. I was planning on getting a magnum bolt for the deviant so I could have a 16.5" 6.5prc barrel spun up for it. My few questions are with the prc being a "6.5cm magnum" am I going to get enough velocity to make the short barrel as handy and effective as I think it'd be? I currently have another bolt gun with an 18" 6.5cm barrel and love it aside from the contour because it's only like 12oz lighter than my 26" 300 Norma. Am I going to need a carbon barrel to cut the weight down or can I get by with a heavier steel barrel that's fluted and it be the same weight? Ultimately I'd like the rifle to be around 8lbs scoped. The deviant alone weighs 35oz from what I can gather. I've tried searching for 16.5" barrel weights and tried using a couple calculators but I'm kinda guessing on a couple inputs. I'd like to use a manners eh1 or AG alpine hunter stock and this rifle will get a sub 2 pound scope and more than likely a dbm but I might go bdl. I kinda prefer having a magazine

Kind of a preference situation my concern would be the length for a 6.5 PRC! I don't see any advantage of running anything short of 22"-24" for either of the PRC's. The design of the round is for long range and faster twist for heavier Bullets shortening the barrel May not allow you to stabilize the heavier rounds. Just my opinion

 

[Bob Wright]

I'm hearing good things about the Savage lightweight 6.5PRC. So, my vote would be finding a carbon wrapped barrel short enough to work with a can. I think the Savage my buddy has is ~8 pounds ready to hunt. His only complaint is learning how to hold it steady. It took a lot of practice.

 

[Bud LaRoche]

my 19.5 inch 6.5GAP4's is running 139 Scenars at 3040 if that helps

 

[Odin6]

Just curious why you would go with the 6.5PRC in a shorter barreled rifle? I would figure that your muzzle velocity would drop significantly. Wouldn't using a cartridge with a bigger diameter bullet be easier to obtain decent velocities with? I've never played with a short barreled hunting rifle so I'm far from an expert. Just curious.

 

[simmonzz]

Just curious why you would go with the 6.5PRC in a shorter barreled rifle? I would figure that your muzzle velocity would drop significantly. Wouldn't using a cartridge with a bigger diameter bullet be easier to obtain decent velocities with? I've never played with a short barreled hunting rifle so I'm far from an expert. Just curious.

I already have a long barreled 30cal and don't really have a need or want another 30cal at the moment. I have a bunch of 6.5 bullets and I like having a shorter barreled, short action as a backup/rifle for my girlfriend or whoever or if I'm just tired of carrying my 300norma I can grab that. As for choosing/thinking about doing 6.5 prc - it's just a way to up the velocity of the bullets I already shoot because although my 6.5cm isn't necessarily slow or inadequate for being an 18" I'd like to push the bullets I have faster. I'm not a prc supporter and never even shot it it just outperforms creedmoor as far as ballistics are concerned

 

[Sending156s]

I have 2 GAP custom built 65 PRCs. The 26" gives me 3050 with 156s. The 24" gives me 2950 with same load. If you can get 2840 out of a 18" bbl I'm going to cut my 300 WM to 18" & get 3000 fps with 200 SMKs. SMH

Just hunt with a pistol.

 

[simmonzz]

I have 2 GAP custom built 65 PRCs. The 26" gives me 3050 with 156s. The 24" gives me 2950 with same load. If you can get 2840 out of a 18" bbl I'm going to cut my 300 WM to 18" & get 3000 fps with 200 SMKs. SMH

Just hunt with a pistol.

I'm not sure why my post made you upset? Lol i also didn't plan on shooting 156s nor did I even hope or think I could shoot 156s at those velocities.. to each their own I have a 26" rifle and love it but sometimes having a shorter more handy stick is nice. Maybe tomorrow you'll be in a better mood

 

[Cbass1019]

I have 2 GAP custom built 65 PRCs. The 26" gives me 3050 with 156s. The 24" gives me 2950 with same load. If you can get 2840 out of a 18" bbl I'm going to cut my 300 WM to 18" & get 3000 fps with 200 SMKs. SMH

Just hunt with a pistol.

he mentioned 140s... not 156s

 

[simmonzz]

he mentioned 140s... not 156s

I wouldn't even be opposed to running 120 hammer hunters lol I just have 143s on my bench. I've had really good experiences with the 199 hammer hunters in my 300 Norma. Currently pushing them at 3225. I've got more energy on target at 730 than my buddy does at the muzzle on his 16" 308 lol

 

[Recon$$]

I think you can come up with a good combo on the 16.5. Personally I'd go 18 but thats just my opinion. Sending 156's can get off his high horse. Plenty of 16, 14, 10.5 inchers get it done....

 

[North Idaho Hunter]

Only one way to find out, just build and test it! 16.5 with a can works darn good in our part of the country. Judging from lots of testing with short barreled 6.5 creedmoors I would bet you could reliably hit 2800 fps with 140 class bullets.

 

[simmonzz]

I think you can come up with a good combo on the 16.5. Personally I'd go 18 but thats just my opinion. Sending 156's can get off his high horse. Plenty of 16, 14, 10.5 inchers get it done....

I'll keep the 18 in mind. I wasnt even fully devoted to 6.5prc. I even got to thinking about 22cm a little bit since the heavy 224s are still plentiful right now and with that much powder they'd probably be rippin pretty good

 

[Bob Wright]

I'll keep the 18 in mind. I wasnt even fully devoted to 6.5prc. I even got to thinking about 22cm a little bit since the heavy 224s are still plentiful right now and with that much powder they'd probably be rippin pretty good

You might try the Absolute Hammers. They run best with fast powders you may be able to burn with the shorter barrels. There is a spreadsheet by GL Taylor on this site. Before you go further, research that and I think you will find surprising speed for 24" to 26's that might improve your outlook on shorter barrels with a boost in velocity via AH bullets. Worth a look.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I am shooting a 20" suppressed 6.5SS. With 140/144s, I can get 3000fps pretty easily.

What I am wondering is why you would walk around hunting without your suppressor mounted 100% of the time?

If you want a short pack rifle, keep the suppressor mounted, and just pay the piper with an extra 1# and get a foldable stock option.