26 Nosler or 6.5 Prc Hunting

[Aimsmall]

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

The prc has almost twice the ballistics if the 26 nosler

 

[J Doss]

I understand your gun itch, have em quite regular myself.
You said you have a 7 Rem Mag that you've hunted with for a while. You are comfortable with it. A "go to" gun by all accounts for big game.
I have a old model 70 in 7RM that I bought used in the early 80's that has been my primary hunting rifle.
If you are looking to get something new to play with why not go with the 6.5 PCR over the deal on the Nosler?
You already have a flat shooting heavy rifle in your 7mm. By going with the 6.5, you won't have to deal with the extra recoil of the 26, the throat issues, the larger case capacity and having to get rid of it at some later date.
Me, I like playing with a rifle that shoots well but didn't punish me for playing.
If your wanting a backup for your 7mm, then the 26 might be my choice.
I haven't got into the newer 6's and 6.5's much. I have bought and traded for some of the newer LR caliber rifles but never kept one long enough to play with it a lot.
It all depends on what you might use it for, hunting, backup, targets or dual purpose.
Good Luck on your choice.

 

[Deleted member 103481]

The prc has almost twice the ballistics if the 26 nosler

 

[Elk Hunter 338]

View attachment 134334

This is AWESOME I about fell out my chair!!!

 

[DesertDweller62]

A buddy of mine have been hashing out the 6.5 options... I was leaning towards the 6.5 SAUM, but the avilibility of good factory ammo has changed my mind. My next rifle will be in the 6.5 PRC because of that fact. The factory ammo in the Weatherby and Nolser 6.5's are very pricy... I don't always have time to reload, so having affordable factory ammo is important to me.

Over 100 years ago the explorers of the Yukon, Alaska and other remote regions were carrying 6.5x55's and killing everything that walked... funny how we have "rediscovered" the 6.5's...

 

[freddiej]

I have seen the bulk of the 6.5 whatevers being shot, shot them myself at the range with other gunsmiths after they built the rifles. the Nosler is one flat shooting long range heavy slug flinging cartridge. UNHOLY recoil! I personally do not like it. I do not like any of the 6.5's out there. I am just not a 6.5 fan. but, and this is a big but; I have a soft spot for the 264 Win Mag and the 6.5-06. Just a little factoid about the 7MM rem and the 264 Win.. they are the same case. I forget whom stole the case from whom, but they share the same case minus the neck. I believe from all the 6.5's I have shot that the two I would own are the 264 win and the 6.5-06. I have a Winchester 70 custom chambered in 6.5-06 in shop ready to finish but this is a 1,000 yard target gun. not a hunting rifle. Personally I would probably just rebarrel your 7MM rem mag and resize all your cases and make a really great 264 Win Mag with a 1:8" or 1:7" twist to fling heavy slugs long distances. it will be cheaper, you have all the brass you will ever need, the only thing you will changes you will have are bullet, and reloading dies. This is just my 2 cents worth of advice. later tatters.

 

[Harvey Durham]

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

Honestly, I think the 26 nosler is a better gun than the 7 mag. I have both. I would advise you to look at the energy on each one. As long as you don't get the barrel hot it's going to last you a long time.
Happy Hunting!!

 

[trevorn]

6.5 PRC gets my vote. Push a 140 vld to 3100 fps and itll kill no problem. Or run a 147 eldm to 3000+. For handloading the PRC will burn a lot less powder than the 26 and will be very well behaved compared to the 26 nosler which I've heard can be finicky. Plus the support the PRC has and will have when it comes to ammo and brass will be all the more reason to go with it. You'll enjoy shooting the PRC enough you'll be grabbing it more than you think! I have a 6.5 PRC CA Ridgline and it's a great shooting rifle.

I too have the Ridgeline in PRC barrel life isn't even comparable with the 26 mine shoots the factory 147's in one hole at an average of 3020ish and I haven't got the hand loaded 143eldx threw the Chrono but they are also a ragged hole! Going to chase pressure with rl26 and find the final click! Downfall to the PRC is brass and or factory ammo no doubt but that's the only downfall I've found

 

[Sykes]

Downfall to the PRC is brass and or factory ammo no doubt but that's the only downfall I've found

Not for too much longer I bet, others will start making ammo eventually
It was hard for me to buy dies because my rifle shot the factory Hornady 143 ELDX so well. Havent tried the 147s yet but plan too.

 

[Rjrhino88]

I am leaning towards the PRC for recoil and life but am now looking at other rifle options as well. I am thinking I might try a Bighorn SR3 with a pre fit shouldered proof barrel.

 

[raider1v1]

is it true the 6.5-300 wby's are hard to load for?

From reading this thread, id opt for the 26 nosler.

 

[JimmyCP]

If one wanted maximum perfomance and only shooting 20 rounds a year, why not the 6.5-.300 Weatherby? You can buy in a Vanguard version for $497 from buds right now. Less efficient than even the 26 Nosler; can't believe I am saying that, but you would have max speed and with a $16 trigger spring have a super trigger that would break cleanly as low as 1.5 lbs and fully adjustable upwards. Could upgrade the stock at a later date, but start out with under 1 MOA accurracy..

We've sent 2 of these back that they ended up rebarrel. May have been double bad luck but 1 of the 2 owners still isn't happy with it and went back to the 264 win mag

 

[JDD]

I have a 6.5x280 ackley Which is right in between the two. I also have a 280 ackley. By far the 280 is my favorite. With rl 26 I Easly reach 3000 FPS with a 30 " barrel shooting 180 gr eldm Very accurate and hits a lot harder than the 6.5. That said of the two you mentioned the 26?nosler

 

[Andrew Massi]

is it true the 6.5-300 wby's are hard to load for?

From reading this thread, id opt for the 26 nosler.

Not 1 bit, it's easy as long as the loader is realistic about the balistics. Each barrel has a sweet spot and it may not be smoking fast
My first factory 6.5-300 didnt shoot the lrx well over 3450. Capacity easily would hit 3600 but groups, sd and es suffered. So just backed the reloads down and viola easy 1/2 moa load.
in fact I find weatherby calibers easier to load for than their standard brethren. Could be I'm just lucky.
Once I shot that barrel out, I rebarreled with a pac nor and this barrel absolutely loves velocity and 140 bergers.