6.5 PRC or 6.5 SAUM?

[SealT5]

You reload making it a no brainer. Go SAUM!

Joe S.

 

[Clarkw]

What are you thinking for your elk hunt?

My comfort zone on game is 400 at this point. I know the caliber and bullet are plenty able well beyond that as stated by others.

 

[Okanogan]

I went SAUM after ADG brass became available. It may take a little planning to get but if you are doing a build then you should have time and there are places like Precision Reloading out of South Dakota that take back orders.
Hornady brass is available in both but I gave up entirely on Hornady brass. It just seems to be too soft. If you are a fan of Hornady brass then perhaps that will help swing your decision. I have pretty much settled on Norma, Lupua or ADG for my precision reloading, so while I may agree with the idea that brass selection should be a key factor in selecting the chambering, I came to a different conclusion than some of those who posted previously.

 

[Deleted member 25294]

I'm looking into the saum, what yardage are guys taking elk comfortably? I understand this is somewhat of a loaded question for some, but I'm hoping to get answers from guys that have actually seen the results... I dont own a 6.5 currently. I normally hunt with the ultras and an edge.

I've killed 3 bulls with my 6.5 SAUM,
One at 200 yards with a 140 partition, one at 375 with a 147 ELDM, and one at 940 with a 147 ELDM.
The 940 yard shot was a stretch for the 6.5, it killed the bull but not quickly and the shot was right in the lungs...Not much room for shot error at that range
I personally wont use it on elk past 700 yards anymore.

 

[Alwinearcher]

I had one of each, both on defiance actions, proof barrel, carbon stocks.

Was going to keep the PRC until I got ADG brass for the SAUM, then it won me over and I kept the SAUM and sold the PRC...
Shooting 140s @3180 with a 24" barrel..

 

[Reynolds02]

I've killed 3 bulls with my 6.5 SAUM,
One at 200 yards with a 140 partition, one at 375 with a 147 ELDM, and one at 940 with a 147 ELDM.
The 940 yard shot was a stretch for the 6.5, it killed the bull but not quickly and the shot was right in the lungs...Not much room for shot error at that range
I personally wont use it on elk past 700 yards anymore.

This is exactly the type of reply I appreciate, thank you for your experience and honesty

 

[Doug Herold]

I know lots of people complain about Hornady brass but I'm using it in both my 6.5 PRC and 300 PRC without issue.

Weatherby Fan,
How many cycles are you getting out of that Hornady brass?

 

[bmorris57]

I would not let the lack of good brass impact your decision. I just bought new ADG brass in 7mm SAUM. Very pleased with the quality... I also have 200 Norma cases. If you reload I would clearly go SAUM. If buying ammo at a local store is important, for now, PRC would get the nod.

 

[Weatherby Fan]

Weatherby Fan,
How many cycles are you getting out of that Hornady brass?

I have 3X on the 300 PRC
4X on the 6.5 PRC
Another fellow I know is up to 7x on the 6.5 PRC but he also aneals his brass

 

[Braunschweiger]

Factory - PRC
Reload - SAUM

 

[Deleted member 25294]

All this talk about these 6.5's is getting me all excited..
Here's a pic of my Tikka 6.5 SAUM with carbon fiber stock and MK 5HD 3.6-18x44.
Weighs 7.5 lbs without the bipod

 

[highdrum]

Here's my Tikka t3 6.5 saum done by hells canyon. Has a long throat for heavy bullets. Shoots prime 142 smk @ 3050 and sub moa. Like the little thing a lot!

 

[crystalgayleguy]

You reload making it a no brainer. Go SAUM!

Joe S.

I'd reload both

 

[dm406]

have both, SAUM if building custom rifle, my PRC is seekins havac, a lot of rifle for the money, very accurate runs70 fps slower than my SAUM which is 3015 with 142 ABLR