6.5 PRC Build

[CUTTER1]

Was never a 6.5 fan at all. Built a really nice custom 6.5-06AI several years ago. Was a one hole gun but 4350 and only nosler partition shot well in it. Powder and projectile options are much better now. Then built 2 custom 6.5x284 with plans to shoot F-class....never happened then converted one to a light rifle and it trashed accuracy. Have a newer Benchmark barreled 6.5x284 and it's a great gun to 1000yards
Then ended up with a 6.5 PRC by a shop that I have several of there guns and I absolutely love it, enough that I'm going to build a second one with a carbon barrel. 6.5 PRC would be my #1 choice for antelope,sheep,deer rifle. Still not an elk caliber IMHO, but it is a joy to shoot and load for, not anything MAGIC but just a really nice addition to hunt with and shoot.

 

[FEENIX]

Was never a 6.5 fan at all. Built a really nice custom 6.5-06AI several years ago. Was a one hole gun but 4350 and only nosler partition shot well in it. Powder and projectile options are much better now. Then built 2 custom 6.5x284 with plans to shoot F-class....never happened then converted one to a light rifle and it trashed accuracy. Have a newer Benchmark barreled 6.5x284 and it's a great gun to 1000yards
Then ended up with a 6.5 PRC by a shop that I have several of there guns and I absolutely love it, enough that I'm going to build a second one with a carbon barrel. 6.5 PRC would be my #1 choice for antelope,sheep,deer rifle. Still not an elk caliber IMHO, but it is a joy to shoot and load for, not anything MAGIC but just a really nice addition to hunt with and shoot.

Good on you! When my .300 WSM is due for a re-barrel, might go the 6.5 PRC route.

 

[FEENIX]

I totally agree! I was referring to the fact that you never see a 6.5x284 on the shelf. The small number of loaders versus the masses of store buyers is what drives sales.
Years ago, I had Jarrett ready to chamber for the 6.5x284 for a trip until I was told I couldn't bring my own ammunition. That reamer was replaced with a store shelf friendly version.
My point is the PRC will exceed the popularity of the 284 simply based on availability.
Reloading means nothing to a guy who has never seen a set of dies.
Now to contradict myself:
George Gardner has a video where he describes the intended velocity of the PRC to meet the PRS maximum velocities. I'd take the word of the developer, especially him, over anyone trying to figure a recipe out given that we are in the age of public call outs. I honestly believe that Hornady does their homework before they run their mouths.
What do I know? I buy off the shelf.

Today I stopped by at a couple of LGS that I frequent. Neither North 40 and Scheel's carry 6.5-284 and has been in a long time. Only Scheel's have the 6.5 PRC on their shelves, North 40 cannot keep them long enough to stay on the shelf.

Pictured is from Scheel's and their last ones until their next shipment.

 

[SO92]

New to 6.5 prc and looking for starting data.

Looks like fed 210's are net preferred primer. I have Bertram brass and a slew of vld 140's, 147's and new 153 a-tips. I'm not hunting with this rig and purely target shooting.

Looking at forums and load data via net it appears h1000, rl 26, 4830 and retumbo are all viable options. I'm motivated to start loading first with the 153's so has anyone used these in PRC with any data?

I have N570, h4350, h1000, re33, H322, H4198 on hand. N560 is listed on Hornady's site for load data. What are your thoughts on using n570 ilo n560 Or should I utilize one of the other powders mentioned above.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[jpope02]

Is anyone other than Hornady making 6.5 PRC brass? I ended up going with a 6.5 Rem Mag. It does have about 100 FPS more than the 6.5/284. It also feeds better than the 284 cartridge.
If other companies start making 6.5 PRC I probably will rechamber it.

where are you finding 6.5 Rem Mag brass?

 

[Truc]

where are you finding 6.5 Rem Mag brass?

I also have a 350 Remington mag. I just size them down.
I also have a form die if I needed to make from 7 Remington mag. Norma works well and is decent brass

 

[Truc]

I had bought 200 of the 350 brass.

 

[victorc]

Good on you! When my .300 WSM is due for a re-barrel, might go the 6.5 PRC route.

So can we use a WSM or SAUM action and magazine as the base for a 6.5 PRC?

 

[rj112275]

300WSM magazine should work for PRC short actions

 

[Troutslayer2]

All this Hornady bashing and nobody wants to throw stones at Nosler for doing essentially the exact same thing? I dig these family cartridges. You can have one shell holder, one case holder for your Wilson case trimmer, the same follower for a down the road change of cartridge. I'm not one to pick up range brass but it seems a frugal reloader could get a ton of once fired brass off any range in the country and that's got to be another benefit of a popular cartridge.

 

[WildRose]

All this Hornady bashing and nobody wants to throw stones at Nosler for doing essentially the exact same thing? I dig these family cartridges. You can have one shell holder, one case holder for your Wilson case trimmer, the same follower for a down the road change of cartridge. I'm not one to pick up range brass but it seems a frugal reloader could get a ton of once fired brass off any range in the country and that's got to be another benefit of a popular cartridge.

I somehow doubt you're going to find a lot of PRC shooters leaving their brass at the range. There's also a lot of issues in that many ranges will not allow you to harvest leftover brass as they make a lot of money on it.

 

[FEENIX]

So can we use a WSM or SAUM action and magazine as the base for a 6.5 PRC?

Yes, but since I just built a .264 WM, I'll think I'll go with .375 Ruger/.375-.300 WSM instead.

 

[WildRose]

Yes, but since I just built a .264 WM, I'll think I'll go with .375 Ruger/.375-.300 WSM instead.

Wouldn't take much to fix that.

 

[FEENIX]

Wouldn't take much to fix that.

Time is my only problem at the moment.