20" 6.5prc or 6.5cm with can

[DynamicAVP]

Alright guys. I'm gonna put a gun together for my wife. It's gonna be on a Savage Weather Warrior SA. I want to use a carbon fiber barrel that will eventually have a can on it. Don't know on the can yet as I need to start on the gun 1st. Here's my question; Do I do a 20" barrel (or possibly shorter) with the 6.5PRC or the 6.5CM? Hunting distance will probably be limited to 600yds, target shooting will depend on how far she cares to shoot. Here's my thinking, I believe the CM will be more efficient with powder, however, you can always load down for any reason but you can't always load up. I don't know what the velocity difference will be but if its only a difference of about 100fps then I'll use the CM. If the velocity difference will be closer to 200fps or more, than I'll use the PRC. I plan on using at least 140gr AB as a minimum or the heaviest monolithic. I do understand I'll also use what the barrel chooses too.

Thank you for the help and replies.

 

[sable tireur]

This type of proposition will always be a compromise of one sort or another.

I built one each of these with 20" barrels set up for suppressors. I generally shoot the 130 gr. Norma VLD and the 124 gr. Hammer Hunter. Both kill deer when the shooter handles the bullet placement and has taken bullet construction into account. I can't differentiate between the two bullets I shoot because both provide outstanding performance on larger deer. Both are magazine compatible.

I've never found with all the testing I have done that the heavy for caliber bullets provide the performance necessary to beat out the standard weight bullets in cartridges of this case capacity with standard length barrels. Slightly lighter bullets provide all the energy on target you need along with the faster velocities. You are not giving anything up by using the lighter bullets.

Select your bullets and you'll find that generally the PRC will beat the Creedmoor by 200 fps or 300 (+/-) ft/lbs of energy. But on target the Creedmoor will supply 1050 ft/lbs at 700 yards while the PRC provides the same amount at 850 yards. Given your limits, the Creedmoor is all you need for 600 yards. The Creedmoor is also slightly more efficient than the PRC based on powder consumed vs fps.

I like to use both because I have them but if I switch the parameters to competition, I would run the PRC.

Enjoy the process.

 

[Remmy700]

Perfect response! Or I got a balling 6.5x47 listed, just sayin!

 

[DynamicAVP]

This type of proposition will always be a compromise of one sort or another.

I built one each of these with 20" barrels set up for suppressors.

What's the velocity difference between the two? Is there much difference in the recoil between the two? What cans are you using?

I have a bunch of questions for you but I'll wait for the others.

 

[sable tireur]

What's the velocity difference between the two?

As I stated above it's about 200 fps between the two cartridges using the same bullet in these short barrels.

Is there much difference in the recoil between the two?

The PRC creates a little more recoil from the ejecta (more powder).

What cans are you using?

I have 2- Dead Air Sandman-K suppressors.

 

[DynamicAVP]

sable tireur;

I worded my 1st question incorrectly;
I meant to state what are the velocities of the two with with the same bullet or close to the same weight?

 

[sable tireur]

If I stick with the heavier bullet, say the Berger 140 Hybrid, I get right around 3150 from the PRC and 2950 from the Creedmoor. This will vary with powder selection of course but generally there is a 200 fps gap between the two. These were tested with 26" barrels and full cases of powder, none of these 80 or 90% loads. Two different powder also.

I have lighter Match-type solids that work extremely well in these two cases. In fact, I've been loading the 121 grain Flatlines to use in the PRC with 20" barrel for a competition overseas. They don't treat us like criminals if we bring our suppressors along...

 

[Sflutes]

6.5-284. Runs well in a long action. Factory ammo in a pinch. I am shooting 140's over 3k. Very accurate. Great bullet selection. Barrel life is actually quite good with slower powders (H1000, Retumbo). Lapua brass.

Get an 8 twist long barrel, throated for longer bullets to take advantage of long action. Can do one of the others listed above, but a little more work involved.

That being said, a 6.5 PRC with a long throat for all those new, longer bullets would be great as well.