best powder for 6.5 PRC ?

[vancewalker007]

Has any of you come up with powder favorites for loading 6.5 PRC using 140gr class bullets?

I have tried RL26, H1000, IMR7977, and IMR8133. The RL26 did give good velocity but living in the Phoenix area I tested it's temp sensitivity from March through June and loads that were safe in March have shown increasing pressure issues as it warmed up. So, all of the others have good accuracy with H1000 being the best. I was easily able to exceed 3100fps with the Berger 140 EH. I have landed on the 156 Berger EOL for hunting using H1000.

 

[Feugo Jeuvo]

I have tried RL26, H1000, IMR7977, and IMR8133. The RL26 did give good velocity but living in the Phoenix area I tested it's temp sensitivity from March through June and loads that were safe in March have shown increasing pressure issues as it warmed up. So, all of the others have good accuracy with H1000 being the best. I was easily able to exceed 3100fps with the Berger 140 EH. I have landed on the 156 Berger EOL for hunting using H1000.

I live in Tucson and have had zero issues with the RL 26 and temperature sensitivity. I shoot the 147s primarily and stay in the 2950 range. Tried some H1000 and it worked great as well. Not sure why folks are chasing the speed still with modern ballistics (unless you shoot PRS). Good luck pard.

 

[vancewalker007]

I live in Tucson and have had zero issues with the RL 26 and temperature sensitivity. I shoot the 147s primarily and stay in the 2950 range. Tried some H1000 and it worked great as well. Not sure why folks are chasing the speed still with modern ballistics (unless you shoot PRS). Good luck pard.

Once it happened I dropped it but mainly because it was too hard to find. I'm getting great results from H1000 with zero temp issues. I guess maybe I had pick a node that was high.

 

[freebird63]

Retumbo, RE26, H1000, RE33, N565, H4831SC, IMR 8133 and IMR 7977

 

[Paul E]

Thanks all. Had some interesting results this am. Previously I had followed hrnady book workrd up to 59gr h1000 but only got to 2915 fps. This morning I went incrementally to 62gr before I hit 3100 fps which was the book value for 59 gr. No signs of pressure so I guess we are good to go work up for accuracy. I will try your other powder suggestions. I am particularly interested in the 4831sc because that is the one I picked out by eyeballing the cartridge data. You guys are very helpful because to go thru all the magnum powder offerings that I have in stock borders on prohibitive, not to mention tedious.

I'm getting 2.2 to 0.0 SD with 4831sc in my Ruger Hawkeye 6.5 PRC...! That's right...0.0 on 3 shot test groups. Now, I know if I shot 10 it won't be a 0.0. But I have been running 1.6, 2.2 SD and ES 6 to 11.

But I'm paying very close attention to my Neck Tension!! Closer they are to each other the better ES and SD numbers you'll get.

Too many shooters take the neck tension fur granted. It's easy to be accurate with powder, bullet seating case length etc... But if the neck tension tolerance is not maintained as well you will have variations.

I run mine at .0015 grip less than bullet size.

At 56g I'm getting 2937 avg. and SD/ES of 2.1/6. At 200 yards that makes a .8" inch ..overlapping group. 0.4"MOA...

Enjoy!

 

[Bro Dave]

I'm getting 2.2 to 0.0 SD with 4831sc in my Ruger Hawkeye 6.5 PRC...! That's right...0.0 on 3 shot test groups. Now, I know if I shot 10 it won't be a 0.0. But I have been running 1.6, 2.2 SD and ES 6 to 11.

But I'm paying very close attention to my Neck Tension!! Closer they are to each other the better ES and SD numbers you'll get.

Too many shooters take the neck tension fur granted. It's easy to be accurate with powder, bullet seating case length etc... But if the neck tension tolerance is not maintained as well you will have variations.

I run mine at .0015 grip less than bullet size.

At 56g I'm getting 2937 avg. and SD/ES of 2.1/6. At 200 yards that makes a .8" inch ..overlapping group. 0.4"MOA...

Enjoy!

thanks. Just ready to go back to work on it. I will try your info.

 

[Paul E]

Are you using a Mandrel? If so, size?
Neck sizing collar size?
Annealing the necks on your cases?

This is my work area I built...my loading shop...lol

 

[Paul E]

Whoops...somehow an old pic got in there...lol

 

[Kelly1278]

I may be wrong but was thinking the short action savage allows more coal than some of the others

 

[Quintus]

I have a CA Mesa and started with very good accuracy from RL22 and 130 and 140 Berger VLDH. Now that I have some I am getting better velocity and roughly 1/2 MOA (.58 over 5 shots) accuracy with RL26 and Nosler 140 Accubonds. They are running 3126 with no pressure signs at all in Hornady brass with WLR primers. Running under 3" at 400 as well. I did replace my Mesa stock with an H-S Precision Thumbhole, but the gun was sub-MOA with the factory stock too, from bags. The groups with the Accubonds have all been shot off a Harris with a rear bag. 100 yards from a bench and 400 (407) prone.

 

[David1975]

Have anyone tried Ramshot Magnum?
Thanks for your reply

 

[MajorSpittle]

Due to not having much RL26/H1000 and such, I worked up some 156EOL with H4831 and got them around 2850fps with no pressure.

I am thinking H4831 should be a good powder for 140gr bullets but am now saving what I have for the 156EOLs.

I just got brass and some 140RDF bullets. I plan on trying Superformance and Magpro with the 140gr rounds. Looking for any accurate load around 2950+fps during cold weather that is enough under Max Pressure that I would feel safe using in 110 degree weather.

 

[vancewalker007]

Due to not having much RL26/H1000 and such, I worked up some 156EOL with H4831 and got them around 2850fps with no pressure.

I am thinking H4831 should be a good powder for 140gr bullets but am now saving what I have for the 156EOLs.

I just got brass and some 140RDF bullets. I plan on trying Superformance and Magpro with the 140gr rounds. Looking for any accurate load around 2950+fps during cold weather that is enough under Max Pressure that I would feel safe using in 110 degree weather.

You can usually get IMR7977 from Bruno's Shorter Supply. It's very similar to H1000, I use it all the time in my 6.5 PRC and my 7mm LRMs.

 

[GauleyRidge]

My Savage 110 Ultralight 6.5 PRC loves the 156 EOL over H1000...getting around 2930 fps with 58 grains. I have it seated at 2.995 COAL and just fits the magazine.