Way to go Kyle! Fantastic
McGuire Ballistics 6.5 PRC load workup!
- Thread starter KH_Outdoors
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KH_Outdoors
Well-Known Member
Thanks!
KH_Outdoors
Well-Known Member
Quick check before heading out on the next one! Testing out the Gunwerks Bipod too, really like it for an ultralight option. No POI change from the other bipods either. Cool morning here and the average velocity was about 10-15 fps lower than a month or so ago (noted 
).
).
KH_Outdoors
Well-Known Member
Follow up from the last few fall hunts and travels with the TS 6.5 PRC & McGuire 125 CRSF's. This combo is still hammering and has proved deadly on 5 animals this fall! I just returned from my Sitka Blacktail hunt in AK and after 6000+ miles in commercial travel, 4000+ miles on the Interstate, and dozens of miles strapped to a pack or in hand beating brush... IT STILL HOLDS ZERO.
Left group - zero check from last post
Right group - zero check today
Both are 3 shot groups
No scope adjustments have been made
Interesting however, it was 18 deg F this morning and the velocities are significantly lower than when I last tested. I would attribute this to the temp sensitivity of N560.
18 F (today) - 3155 fps
40's F (month or so ago) - 3233 fps
Despite the apparent temp sensitivity of N560, I still don't think that I would change from it. I've tested other powders with decent results but N560 has shot best hands down. It would be a different story if I hunted in extreme heat or cold but that's just not the case. Nearly all of my hunting takes place between 30-50's with occasionally warmer or colder AND also inside 600 yds typically. I wouldn't hesitate to call it a solid 25-75 deg F hunting load powder option. Just something to keep in mind!
Now the best part... Alaska was a tremendous success!! My goal was to put my brother on a big deer and show all my clients & friends a great time. My brothers deer was the biggest Sitka Blacktail I've seen on 5 separate trips. We found him on the first morning of the first day and got him on the first stalk with a 520 yard shot.
My 6.5 PRC took 4/6 deer killed for the trip from 200-550 yards. The other 3 after my brother's were back to back kills in under 5 minutes. It was an eventful trip and all the guys kept saying "man that thing is just smooth!". A couple of them will be building suppressed 6.5 PRC's in the near future.
Pics below, btw that's my 7 saum pictured. It's setup with McGuires 143's and he was going to shoot it with that but I swapped in my 6.5 PRC last second because we needed the added bipod height.
Hope you guys enjoyed the long post and a year's worth of messing around documented. Just a couple more notes,
Equipment specific notes:
TS Customs: Still my favorite builder to date. Every build has gone as smoothly as this 6.5 PRC experience.
Mcguire Ballistics: I will continue to use and recommend these Copper Monolithic hunting bullets with 100% confidence. Terminal Performance, accuracy, ease of load dev, customer service... all of it has been fantastic.
Leupold Mark 5: Zero issues and will continue to use Mark 5's on my hunting rifles with confidence.
Gunwerks bipod: I was hesitant to give this a try and was open to not loving it. However, I LOVE IT! Everyone who's shot this gun on the Gunwerks bipod agrees.
AB Raptor 6: Have had nothing but good experiences with it and other AB suppressors I own. This one's "just right" for the cartridge/bullet combo.
Vhit N560: This has proven to be a great option for hunting purposes. For hunting inside 600-700 yds and most temp conditions I would consider it a go to powder now. HOWEVER, if i were hunting in extreme temps or shooting longer ranges I'd look to more stable options personally like Hogdon H Series.
Left group - zero check from last post
Right group - zero check today
Both are 3 shot groups
No scope adjustments have been made
Interesting however, it was 18 deg F this morning and the velocities are significantly lower than when I last tested. I would attribute this to the temp sensitivity of N560.
18 F (today) - 3155 fps
40's F (month or so ago) - 3233 fps
Despite the apparent temp sensitivity of N560, I still don't think that I would change from it. I've tested other powders with decent results but N560 has shot best hands down. It would be a different story if I hunted in extreme heat or cold but that's just not the case. Nearly all of my hunting takes place between 30-50's with occasionally warmer or colder AND also inside 600 yds typically. I wouldn't hesitate to call it a solid 25-75 deg F hunting load powder option. Just something to keep in mind!
Now the best part... Alaska was a tremendous success!! My goal was to put my brother on a big deer and show all my clients & friends a great time. My brothers deer was the biggest Sitka Blacktail I've seen on 5 separate trips. We found him on the first morning of the first day and got him on the first stalk with a 520 yard shot.
My 6.5 PRC took 4/6 deer killed for the trip from 200-550 yards. The other 3 after my brother's were back to back kills in under 5 minutes. It was an eventful trip and all the guys kept saying "man that thing is just smooth!". A couple of them will be building suppressed 6.5 PRC's in the near future.
Pics below, btw that's my 7 saum pictured. It's setup with McGuires 143's and he was going to shoot it with that but I swapped in my 6.5 PRC last second because we needed the added bipod height.
Hope you guys enjoyed the long post and a year's worth of messing around documented. Just a couple more notes,
Equipment specific notes:
TS Customs: Still my favorite builder to date. Every build has gone as smoothly as this 6.5 PRC experience.
Mcguire Ballistics: I will continue to use and recommend these Copper Monolithic hunting bullets with 100% confidence. Terminal Performance, accuracy, ease of load dev, customer service... all of it has been fantastic.
Leupold Mark 5: Zero issues and will continue to use Mark 5's on my hunting rifles with confidence.
Gunwerks bipod: I was hesitant to give this a try and was open to not loving it. However, I LOVE IT! Everyone who's shot this gun on the Gunwerks bipod agrees.
AB Raptor 6: Have had nothing but good experiences with it and other AB suppressors I own. This one's "just right" for the cartridge/bullet combo.
Vhit N560: This has proven to be a great option for hunting purposes. For hunting inside 600-700 yds and most temp conditions I would consider it a go to powder now. HOWEVER, if i were hunting in extreme temps or shooting longer ranges I'd look to more stable options personally like Hogdon H Series.
Huntnful
Well-Known Member
Awesome update!! Always appreciate the info you share and the hunt reports Kyle!!
