26 Nosler or 6.5 Prc Hunting

[yorke-1]

26 Nosler every time and I say that as a fan of the 6.5 PRC. In a hunting gun I'd take all the case capacity I could get to move the heaviest bullet I can stabilize as fast as I can get them moving.

If you were just looking for a general purpose LR shooter I'd look at the PRC just to save money on components and barrel life. A properly cared for 26 Nosler would last you a life time of hunting. A couple days of "aggressive" shooting could burn the barrel in under 200 shots though. The PRC would be much more forgiving if you planned to practice fairly often and burn 200+ rounds every year.

 

[Deleted member 103481]

I own a PRC and would totally take a 26 Nosler for 300$ less

 

[Deleted member 25294]

26 Nosler every time and I say that as a fan of the 6.5 PRC. In a hunting gun I'd take all the case capacity I could get to move the heaviest bullet I can stabilize as fast as I can get them moving.

I get what you're saying but a hot rod 6.5 won't out perform his 7mm on big game.
And even if the OP plans on shooting 20 rounds a year there's still load development, and load tweaking to keep up with throat erosion.

I've played with super over bore chamberings and it's not worth it in my opinion, practice and precision are are what really counts.
To each his own though.

I own a PRC and would totally take a 26 Nosler for 300$ less

Why is that? To save money?
Once you buy the more expensive brass, torch off 1/3 more powder, and wear out your barrel 3 times faster than the PRC there's really no saving any money..

 

[Skidoo]

I find it odd that the reply's don't match the poll. Everybody seems to be explaining why the 26 is the better choice but the poll shows more people would choose the prc. I happen to own a CA 6.5prc and like it but have no experience on the 26

 

[Deleted member 103481]

I get what you're saying but a hot rod 6.5 won't out perform his 7mm on big game.


Why is that? To save money?
Once you buy the more expensive brass, torch off 1/3 more powder, and wear out your barrel 3 times faster than the PRC there's really no saving any money..

Because after those things are said and done it's essentially free horsepower.

 

[hunter67wa]

If your itching to spend money and it is a want then it doesn't matter as money is not the issue. I would build a 6.5 Sherman

 

[Edd]

Does anyone happen to know what the freebore specs are for 6.5-300 vs 26 nosler? That would be relevant in comparing the two.

The SAAMI throat on a 6.5-300 is a 2 step design. It is like what some call a bore rider throat. The actual freebore is .188" but, from there, the throat doesn't angle down to bore diameter. It angles down to a diameter that is about halfway between the groove and bore diameter. Then .600" later it angles down again to the bore diameter. The distance from the beginning of the freebore to the actual bore diameter is about .886".

The SAAMI freebore on a 26 Nosler is .118".

 

[JAYgs8163]

I just had a custom 6.5 PRC built. I'm currently working up a load for it, but it'll easily shoot .5" groups with the factory Hornady ammo. What I like most is it's pushing the factory stuff to about 2950fps and it kicks about like a 6.5 creed.

I get 2992 with a 140 Berger and RL26 out of my Creedmoor and about 2970 with the 143 ELDX. I just have not seen or read of any real advantage at this point with the PRC. Maybe that will change as heavier bullets become available??

 

[smokepoler]

Had one. The 26 Nosler is a barrel burner. As long as your range work is one and cool, you'll get some life out of it. Pound it three at a time and you're looking at 500 rounds chasing the lands. Accuracy though is outstanding, resale value is zilch. Recoil? Put a brake on it for the range. You'll want an 8 twist to get full BC out of the heavier bullets.

 

[jshepherd61]

Hi,

I currently shoot a Remington 700 7mm rem mag but I am getting the new gun itch. I was looking at the 6.5 PRC in a Christensen arms ridgeline but found a 26 Nosler for $300 off. With this money I could buy dies, brass and bullets. For a gun that will be strictly used for hunting is there any reason to get the PRC over the 26 Nosler? I handload and would be using the gun for everything up to elk in which I would probably use the 7 mag. Also barrel life is of little concern as I would shoot 20 rounds a year max with this gun.

Thanks

6.5 prc barrel will outlast the Nosler by a mile.. I've replaced my 6.5 Nosler barrel twice in three years average 700 rounds on Bartlein match barrels 28". But then again I'm pushing a 142gr ABLR over 3,500 fps

 

[Deleted member 103481]

I get 2992 with a 140 Berger and RL26 out of my Creedmoor and about 2970 with the 143 ELDX. I just have not seen or read of any real advantage at this point with the PRC. Maybe that will change as heavier bullets become available??

Lean on it like that and you'll be over 3100 from what I'm seeing on others loads. 3k in a Creedmoor case seems borderline scary to me personally. Lucky barrel I guess.

 

[rugers]

I personally own a 26 nosler it is a very good hunting rd. I have personally never had a deer move when shot with it out to 800 yards, it punches steel real well at 1200 yards as well,
Now to the draw backs it will burn a barrel rather quickly, factory rds are expensive if you can find them, if you reload no problem, if buying used I'd be very careful and inspect throat very thoroughly, it is not a take it to the range and throw 100 rds threw it rifle
Get it to 1/2 moa and leave it alone. That's the facts on that round devastating hunting round with alot of draw backs.

 

[JAYgs8163]

Lean on it like that and you'll be over 3100 from what I'm seeing on others loads. 3k in a Creedmoor case seems borderline scary to me personally. Lucky barrel I guess.

Actually running under RL26 max powder charge from what I've seen other guys running. Can only get there with RL26 though so that's where the limitations are I guess. Good luck with the PRC.

 

[Arneson]

Hi,

I currently shoot a Remington 700 7mm rem mag but I am getting the new gun itch. I was looking at the 6.5 PRC in a Christensen arms ridgeline but found a 26 Nosler for $300 off. With this money I could buy dies, brass and bullets. For a gun that will be strictly used for hunting is there any reason to get the PRC over the 26 Nosler? I handload and would be using the gun for everything up to elk in which I would probably use the 7 mag. Also barrel life is of little concern as I would shoot 20 rounds a year max with this gun.

Thanks