Has the 6.5prc peaked in interested?

[JimmyCP]

I don't want to start a war on cartridges i.e. I don't need to hear why a 6.5 prc when xyz cartridge already exists. The reason why is there really is not a high velocity (magnum) 6.5 round which is super popular where ammo is readily available at stores. I am just curious if the 6.5 prc has already peaked in interest? I have become a fan of 6.5 caliber sized bullets for deer hunting. Smaller bullets for less recoil but still enough oomph(when properly selecting bullets) to take down large whitetails. I have been back and forth on getting a 6.5 prc. I know it does not really offer much more than already existing cartridges in performance but I was hoping Hornady was going to pull off another 6.5cm popular round because then ammo types and availability goes up. I wanted a flatter shooting version of a 6.5cm and it seemed like the 6.5 prc was going to be it. So what are your thoughts? Do you think the 6.5 prc has already peaked in interest or do you think it still has a chance to keep climbing?

I reload so haven't found any intrest. If I didn't it would be between the prc or 264 winmag there's not much ammo out there for the 6.5 x284 or the 264 win mag besides nosler, norma, and Winchester.
But when you reload and get results like this with .28 groups why do anything else.

 

[Hoss50]

6.5 is the hot trend, and gun manufacturers need to follow and set trends to make money. Most of the new cartridges dont do anything much better then something from 50-100 years ago. They are just new and everyone wants to be that guy with the cool new gizmo.

All the non-magnum 6.5 caliber rounds dont do anything a 6.5x55 hasn't been doing for 120 years, except maybe fit in a short action. Same thing goes with most of the new 6.5 magnums vs. 264 win mag.

That said, I am glad the US finally realized what a gem 6.5 anything is. Most are mild recoiling and shoot great. Now we have way more bullet choices to load with which is nice. I have been loading and shooting 6.5x55 for 25 years for my dad and myself.

I have no problem shooting elk with a 6.5x55 or other 6.5's at normal ranges. IMO though if you are looking to hunt them at long ranges I would rather see guys stepping up the horsepower and caliber to a heavy 7mm, 30, 338. Elk are tough as hell. Sometimes you see them drop in there tracks, but I have also seen them absorb MASSIVE punishment and keep running for awhile on adrenaline.

I hope that 6.5 PRC sticks, as well as the new Weatherby 6.5 RPM and 6.5-300 weatherby. Good success of those and the 26 nosler should push manufacturers to build more heavy and tough bullets for 6.5 caliber.

 

[J E Custom]

No doubt the 6.5s are good calibers, but they have just about reached their limit in velocity. The 264 win mag and the 6.5 Remington mag are just about the limit of velocity and pressure. Both run just under 60,000 psi because of the bore diameter. much more pressure and barrel life suffers greatly. the 140 grain bullets can be pushed to over 3,000 ft/sec with SAMMI pressures. The 6.5 PRC runs 2,960 ft/sec so it is no better than several others unless pushed beyond SAMMI pressures.

The case is a 30o shouldered case (Kind of an Ackley) based on the RCM and designed for a short action.
The 338 RCM can do the same velocity with a 225 grain bullet because of the larger bullet diameter/ Sq/inch of the bore.

So is it better? or just different.
I like the RCM cases/cartridges so it should be a good cartridge but Any 6.5 cartridges that will meet or exceed 3,000 ft/sec with a 140+grain bullet will come with many issues, mainly barrel life.

There are many 6.5s that live in the 2900 ft/sec area that will do close to the same
but live longer so it remains to be seen if it will become just another 6.5.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Bigeclipse]

No doubt the 6.5s are good calibers, but they have just about reached their limit in velocity. The 264 win mag and the 6.5 Remington mag are just about the limit of velocity and pressure. Both run just under 60,000 psi because of the bore diameter. much more pressure and barrel life suffers greatly. the 140 grain bullets can be pushed to over 3,000 ft/sec with SAMMI pressures. The 6.5 PRC runs 2,960 ft/sec so it is no better than several others unless pushed beyond SAMMI pressures.

The case is a 30o shouldered case (Kind of an Ackley) based on the RCM and designed for a short action.
The 338 RCM can do the same velocity with a 225 grain bullet because of the larger bullet diameter/ Sq/inch of the bore.

So is it better? or just different.
I like the RCM cases/cartridges so it should be a good cartridge but Any 6.5 cartridges that will meet or exceed 3,000 ft/sec with a 140+grain bullet will come with many issues, mainly barrel life.

There are many 6.5s that live in the 2900 ft/sec area that will do close to the same
but live longer so it remains to be seen if it will become just another 6.5.

J E CUSTOM

The 6.5 PRC intrigues me, personally, for a couple reasons. I do prefer short action handy rifles, my long range is 400-500 yards. I love my 6.5cm and Yes I know a 6.5cm would do just fine on deer at the yardages I stated but id like a little more oomph and a little flatter shooting. I know a 270 will shine here as well but honestly I was just never really a fan. I already have a 7mm rem mag and while I like it, the rifle is just a bit too much heavier than my handy 6.5cm and as stated, I am preferring short actions more and more. If 6.5 prc becomes as popular as the 6.5cm, that would be great for factory ammo and rifle options (I am starting to reload less these days). If all of this held true, then id likely get a tikka or browning sporter type rifle in 6.5prc and keep it under 9lbs with a scope and let it compliment my 6.5creedmore.

As an fyi, this is all your fault lol. You recommended me get my wife a 7mm-08 for deer hunting using nosler 120 B-tips. I did exactly that for her a couple years back and I LOVE that rifle. It is just so small and handy and light with very little recoil. I was using it whenever she wasn't until we purchased her backup rifle which is the 6.5cm. Now I use that rifle all the time. Now all of my other rifles are just sitting in the safe while we use these lighter handier rifles.

 

[Hespco]

What is in a name? Does a tricky name enhance performance? No, but it does entice some to buy. The folks on Madison Ave get big bucks to come up with names that help sell. Look at how many vehicles have an "X" in their designation. The 6.5 CM has slightly less performance than the 260 Rem but a tricky name many like to quote. " Look at my Creed", or " My PRC ". Yet they perform the same or less than cartridges they have been around for years or decades. The PRC falls into this category. Hornady is doing the American thing by trying to make a buck. Can"t fault that. I love the 6,5 regardless of the case behind it. With the right bullet they have proven they can take the largest critter on the planet. Look at " Walter Dalrymple Maitland 'AKA Karamojo Bell. A hundred & twenty years ago in Africa he took elephants with the diminutive 6.5x54MS. Driving a 160 FMJ bullet just barely 2300fps. He also took took over 400 head of "EVERY" size African plains game , averaging 1 1/2 shots per animal. Documented. That means many were taken with one shot. Nothing tricky about the name of the 6.5x54 MS.

 

[Don A Parsons]

Our gun club to the East of us has the wall of history of firearms,,, 2 large book shelves of books from the begining of time...

One million pages of endless rifles,,, shotguns,,, handguns,,, cannons,,, Muskets... Every caliber and cartridge known to humans...

The old guy that looks after the collection said that 7 of the cartridges would cover all the bases ease,,, Ha,,, not saying that 2 or 3 could fill the gaps...

Hard to believe that 999.000 of them faded away ruffly 100 of them survived in the give or take,,, the CM or PRC could fall on the chopping block in the years to come... We won't know this till time passes by...

Kinda makes a person wounder if the 30/06 might return as a front runner in the future. LOL

Cheers from the North

 

[CVCOBRA1]

30-06 never did fade.....

 

[J E Custom]

Our gun club to the East of us has the wall of history of firearms,,, 2 large book shelves of books from the begining of time...

One million pages of endless rifles,,, shotguns,,, handguns,,, cannons,,, Muskets... Every caliber and cartridge known to humans...

The old guy that looks after the collection said that 7 of the cartridges would cover all the bases ease,,, Ha,,, not saying that 2 or 3 could fill the gaps...

Hard to believe that 999.000 of them faded away ruffly 100 of them survived in the give or take,,, the CM or PRC could fall on the chopping block in the years to come... We won't know this till time passes by...

Kinda makes a person wounder if the 30/06 might return as a front runner in the future. LOL I understand

Cheers from the North

The most notable of the comebacks has to be the 280 and the 280 AI for many years this great cartridge was on it's way out and if it were not for the old timers that knew it's value and potential it would have passed on.

The Re loaders and wild caters insisted on keeping the cartridge alive and many used to ask, how can you improve on a 30/06? : Answer, By necking it down to 7mm. There is no chance that the 30/06 won't out live many if not all of us ether.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Greyfox]

If choosing between the two cartridges the 6.5 CM or the 6.5x47 which one would you pick? I know little about the 6.5x47 but it does appear there is a following of the 6.5x47 cartridge over the 6.5 CM...the plus sides of both.

I really like 6.5x47, owning a few that are used primarily for competition, shooting high volumes, and shot very hot during the summer months. I began with the 260 Remington years ago, and gave the 6.5CM a try for a couple of years. All three are capable of exceptional accuracy, and unless packing them to the hilt with very slow burning powders, are very close in velocity. The appeal for the 6.5x47 is the shorter, high efficiency case that is IMO, superbly designed. Just about every bullet/load run through it produces benchrest-level performance. A box of 100pc Lapua will easily last the life of the barrel (2500-3000 rds), and still hold accuracy, run-outs <.002", and single digit ES. While I would have no issue using the 6.5x47(or 260, 6.5CM) for medium game to 700 yards or so, I have never bothered, given the very noticeable ballistic advantage, and success I have experienced with my 6.5x284's.

 

[jpope02]

I, myself, feel I have the 6.5 covered. A 6.5 Grendel, .260 Rem and .264 WinMag. Three different velocity ranges plus other rifles chambered for calibers on both sides of 6.5. This ole dog doesn't need another set of dies. LOL

I, myself, feel I have the 6.5 covered. A 6.5 Grendel, .260 Rem and .264 WinMag. Three different velocity ranges plus other rifles chambered for calibers on both sides of 6.5. This ole dog doesn't need another set of dies. LOL

I, myself, feel I have the 6.5 covered. A 6.5 Grendel, .260 Rem and .264 WinMag. Three different velocity ranges plus other rifles chambered for calibers on both sides of 6.5. This ole dog doesn't need another set of dies. LOL

Yeah I get it....Nothing is the middle of the road cept a yellow stripe and a dead armadillo.

 

[oldpilot]

I don't agree with statements about cartridges being too big or too small for hunting something. I really think the important thing is accuracy and comfort with what you shoot. I have taken deer, elk, coyotes, prairie dogs, caribou and numerous other game with a 6mm Remington shooting a 100 grain spitzer. It does have a 26" barrel, an India Rosewood stock a 6.5 x 20 scope, and I built it myself, and weights 11 lbs. Shot selection is the critical element and knowing you can hit exactly where you aim.

 

[Stgraves260]

I reload so haven't found any intrest. If I didn't it would be between the prc or 264 winmag there's not much ammo out there for the 6.5 x284 or the 264 win mag besides nosler, norma, and Winchester.
But when you reload and get results like this with .28 groups why do anything else.View attachment 149908

I don't agree with statements about cartridges being too big or too small for hunting something. I really think the important thing is accuracy and comfort with what you shoot. I have taken deer, elk, coyotes, prairie dogs, caribou and numerous other game with a 6mm Remington shooting a 100 grain spitzer. It does have a 26" barrel, an India Rosewood stock a 6.5 x 20 scope, and I built it myself, and weights 11 lbs. Shot selection is the critical element and knowing you can hit exactly where you aim.

totally agree

 

[JimmyCP]

I really like 6.5x47, owning a few that are used primarily for competition, shooting high volumes, and shot very hot during the summer months. I began with the 260 Remington years ago, and gave the 6.5CM a try for a couple of years. All three are capable of exceptional accuracy, and unless packing them to the hilt with very slow burning powders, are very close in velocity. The appeal for the 6.5x47 is the shorter, high efficiency case that is IMO, superbly designed. Just about every bullet/load run through it produces benchrest-level performance. A box of 100pc Lapua will easily last the life of the barrel (2500-3000 rds), and still hold accuracy, run-outs <.002", and single digit ES. While I would have no issue using the 6.5x47(or 260, 6.5CM) for medium game to 700 yards or so, I have never bothered, given the very noticeable ballistic advantage, and success I have experienced with my 6.5x284's.

Wife has 6.5 x284 and my son had one. I love them.

 

[Chase723]

If it had come out before I got a 6.5 Creed I probably would have built the PRC.

Ballistically it's pretty dang good, it's supported by factory components, and bullet selection is excellent. It'll slay elk no problem, even way out there...probably here for the long haul.