6.5 PRC with 140 Berger Elites?

[PAGSDIII701]

I'm having a 6.5 prc being made now because I like how my 6.5CM shoots the 140 VLD's. Are you guys settling on a lower velocity for the PRC and can't it push the 140's a little harder??? My CM is shooting them at 2,920 now and I can hold .3 moa to 650 yards with it. Never taken it past that but I'm sure it will. The whole reason I was making the PRC was to shoot the 156's at the same speed. Just curious about it. I know some will say that's too fast for the CM but I ran a ladder on the load I use and it was the higher node for sure but I only have slight slight flattening of the primers. I've shot it in 80 degrees to 20 degrees with no change in pressure sign. I just think if should be getting over 3,000 fps for sure other wise you should just shoot a CM.

Build a 6.5 Sherman for the 156ers

 

[Onesock]

Berger does their load developement with a program not a rifle is what they told me. I shoot 55gr rl26 and 140 berger elite hunter. 3100 fps out of a 24in IBI barrel.

 

[Reemty J]

Longtime I have a Xbolt pro 26" in 6.5 PRC shooting the 156 Berger's with 57 grains RL 25 and my drops say it is going 2950 FPS. Best group at 300 yards 3 shot 9/16".

 

[wildbill 2020]

Anyone using h1000 in the 6.5 prc with Berger bullets new to long range hunting finding h1000 powder no r26 just curious what people are using for elk loads

 

[SnakeRiverEric]

I'm not sure, i just got my prc and got some load data from Berger and they are using a lot more powder on their end. For 135 Classic's they show a low end of 56.1 and a max of 61.6 of RE26.
On the 140 Elite's they show a low end of 54.5 and a max of 60.5.
I'm worked up a few loads with the 135's for today and I will see how they do.

I got a chuckle yesterday loading up some 156's with retumbo in my prc. Berger told me to start at 57 and go to 63. I just started
loading with out thinking too much, then I noticed the kernels spilling out of the case. They are really messing up with their load data now.
Went back and used my 6.5x84 load range and will give that a try now.

 

[acourvil]

Anyone using h1000 in the 6.5 prc with Berger bullets new to long range hunting finding h1000 powder no r26 just curious what people are using for elk loads

I use H1000. I like it better than RL26. You can get some extra velocity from RL26, but there is more carbon buildup, and there have been some reports of pressure spiking in hot temps. I also think that barrel life is longer with H1000, but I can't really prove that. I have developed good loads with both, I just prefer the H1000.

 

[parshal]

You might be able to get a touch more velocity with N565 over H1000 but not R26 speeds.

 

[ajkellerusmc]

Berger recommended 59.6 to 63.0 of H1000 for my PRC with the 140 VLD Target. The Hodgdon annual states 47.9 to 57.7 with a Nosler BT. I ladder tested and found 2 nodes at 61.4 and 62.3. Shooting a 26" barrel I am getting 3207fps with a few pressure signs so I plan to reduce to 61.4 and try again. Its kinda weird I will get a heavy bolt lift on only about half the rounds I tested with the brass getting shaved by the slot in the bolt for the fixed ejector. ( Mauser type action). Am I driving these too fast or is my longer 26" barrel producing a much higher velocity? Rifle is a Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target.

 

[6mmazjeff]

Berger recommended 59.6 to 63.0 of H1000 for my PRC with the 140 VLD Target. The Hodgdon annual states 47.9 to 57.7 with a Nosler BT. I ladder tested and found 2 nodes at 61.4 and 62.3. Shooting a 26" barrel I am getting 3107fps with a few pressure signs so I plan to reduce to 61.4 and try again. Its kinda weird I will get a heavy bolt lift on only about half the rounds I tested with the brass getting shaved by the slot in the bolt for the fixed ejector. ( Mauser type action). Am I driving these too fast or is my longer 26" barrel producing a much higher velocity? Rifle is a Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target.

Has anyone tried 8133 and, if so, what bullet / primer combo have you had favorable results?

 

[foul bore]

Anyone using h1000 in the 6.5 prc with Berger bullets new to long range hunting finding h1000 powder no r26 just curious what people are using for elk loads

Yes, I am using H1000/ 144gr berger 56.4 gr is shooting the best. 1/2 moa average up to 500 yds check what seat depth works best for your rifle

 

[Bullmark]

That doesn't sound right, that would be cool if it pans out!

I know all the specs are correct except the powder, both the variety and weight. I haven't even received the rifle, it was just mailed out Thursday. But McWhorter developed the load and reported the details once they were finished up.
I don't know much about reloading, which is one reason I joined this group......some of you guys really amaze me....this is not simple science.
Anyway, the only reason I assumed RL 26 is that's what they used in a 6.5saum that I bought recently. I sold it, with a tear in my eye, b/c the weight and length were more than I wanted. Hence the new build, except this time I chose 6.5prc.
Maybe I shouldn't assume that they'd use the same powder for the SAUM and PRC. I will find out and report back.
This site, with all the knowledge and info, is addicting......it's almost made me dive headfirst into reloading and trying to bang gongs at 1000yds. Terrible time to start this hobby though.

 

[acourvil]

SAUM and PRC use the same powders, the SAUM just has a very slightly higher capacity.

 

[BrentM]

56.5 - 57 for me with a 140-143.

 

[ajkellerusmc]

I am running the Berger 140 VLD Target using H1000 through a Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target Rifle with a 26" pipe. Berger gave me load data from 59.6 to 63.0, found 2 nodes at 61.4 and 62.3. The Hodgdon 2020 annual shows much lower charges and velocities but for Nosler BT. Velocity with the 62.3 is 3220 during a seating depth test recently however the velocity during the ladder test was 3181 so I'm not sure what is going on there. I had some heavy bolt lift on about half the cases during my seating depth test from the slot cut on the bolt face for the fixed extractor ( Mauser action). No other pressure signs. I am going to try the lower charge/node due to the bolt lift issue. All testing was done with new ADG brass, reamed, trimmed, deburred, tension at .004", dry lubed necks.

Looking at my velocities it looks like I am running way too hot but I do have a 26"pipe??? Any Comments?