Thinking of going 6.5 PRC thoughts

[seidersjoden]

About 10 years ago I began hunting with a 6.5x284. Few people in the hunting arena had ever heard of it back then, and those , supposedly "in the know" viciously chastised the cartridge as a barrel burner. While I have had a few other 6.5x284's since, that original rifle has seen over 1000 rounds down the tube, 140/142VLD's @2975FPS, it currently has "zero" throat wear, and still shoots .25MOA or better. I have rarely shot it more then warm to the touch and cleaned it at the end of each season. Over this period I have typically shot 50-100 rounds/year hunting, practice, and LR rock busting. This rifle has accounted for 40+ game animals, and countless varmints out to 1200+ yards. I expect it to keep going for at least another 3-5 years, but, frankly, if the barrel burned out tomorrow, it would get a Vikings funeral, and just screw on another barrel...no fret or regrets..
As to the original topic of the 6.5 thoughts; I have no experience with it, but its reported performance is very close to the 6.5x284. I think it will greatly benefit those that do not reload and want the down range performance over the 6.5CM from a factory load...it's intended purpose. I have personally not had good experiences with the consistency of Hornady brass so I'll stick with the 6.5x284 for now.
Shown:3 shot group from 2010, and a pre-season, 2017 zero check...both at 200 yards
View attachment 102455 View attachment 102456
.

All great info Greyfox! Interesting post.

 

[Iclimb]

About 10 years ago I began hunting with a 6.5x284. Few people in the hunting arena had ever heard of it back then, and those , supposedly "in the know" viciously chastised the cartridge as a barrel burner. While I have had a few other 6.5x284's since, that original rifle has seen over 1000 rounds down the tube, 140/142VLD's @2975FPS, it currently has "zero" throat wear, and still shoots .25MOA or better. I have rarely shot it more then warm to the touch and cleaned it at the end of each season. Over this period I have typically shot 50-100 rounds/year hunting, practice, and LR rock busting. This rifle has accounted for 40+ game animals, and countless varmints out to 1200+ yards. I expect it to keep going for at least another 3-5 years, but, frankly, if the barrel burned out tomorrow, it would get a Vikings funeral, and just screw on another barrel...no fret or regrets..
As to the original topic of the 6.5 thoughts; I have no experience with it, but its reported performance is very close to the 6.5x284. I think it will greatly benefit those that do not reload and want the down range performance over the 6.5CM from a factory load...it's intended purpose. I have personally not had good experiences with the consistency of Hornady brass so I'll stick with the 6.5x284 for now.
Shown:3 shot group from 2010, and a pre-season, 2017 zero check...both at 200 yards
View attachment 102455 View attachment 102456
.

That's exactly how I view the 6.5PrC! The 6.5x284 has more than proven itself! If you want x284 performance from a Short action and you like the weight range 6.5 offers then it's a no brainer!
If you reload or want pure hp above the PRC then build the SAUM or the SS. IF you want to shoot factory loads that are reasonably priced then get the 6.5PRC and shoot the snot out of it.
OR
build a 6mm PRC and make a wicked little deer rifle!

 

[LDHunter]

I'm sure that some people feel that a barrel burner isn't something to avoid but I have burned out a barrel in a 22-250 in only one prairie dog outing that lasted 4 days. To me that was a big deal and by the time I would have had to surrender my rifle to a gunsmith for several months to get another barrel put on and spent the money to pay him and then go through load development all over again with a new barrel just to get back to where I was before 4 days of shooting at prairie dogs just soured me completely on barrel burners.

I've burned out several other barrels namely in a 30-378, two 243's, and another 22-250. I just sold the rifles after warning the buyers that there was significant throat erosion.

It's not just the money. I has a lot to do with frustration and time for me because I still work and I do a lot of target shooting and hunting of different types and I really can't be bothered with rifles that are "high maintenance". I prefer a rifle that rests in my gun safe and is ready at a moment's notice to go hunting or target shooting without me needing to keep bore scoping it and to keep checking my accuracy because I might have burned the barrel.

I have some rifles that have served me well for over 20 years with no more trouble than cleaning and buying or reloading more ammo and if I'm reloading I can just duplicate my old trusted load(s) I developed years ago without starting new load development which I simply don't have the time for.

Just one man's opinion and not represented as anything more than that and I suggest that anyone that loses their temper here should take their ****ing matches to PM's because I'm certainly not the only one that doesn't want to see them.

 

[Greyfox]

Just a point of clarity on the 6.5PRC. Many are differentiating this cartridge claiming it to be a
"short action" cartridge. Similar to the 6.5x284, it can fit in a "true" short action if the bullets are seated deeply enough but there will be a trade-off in performance due to the bullet taking up powder space. Most of the 6.5 PRC's I have observed utilize a "medium" (or long) action to adequately accommodate the 140gr+ Factory loads.

 

[Iclimb]

Just a point of clarity on the 6.5PRC. Many are differentiating this cartridge claiming it to be a
"short action" cartridge. Similar to the 6.5x284, it can fit in a "true" short action if the bullets are seated deeply enough but there will be a trade-off in performance due to the bullet taking up powder space. Most of the 6.5 PRC's I have observed utilize a "medium" (or long) action to adequately accommodate the 140gr+ Factory loads.

Probably some to be gained there. I'd love to see someone Test some seating depth speeds. The lone peak actions mic out a little over 3" so a Wyatt's is easy. A Borden or defiance med action would be good choice but at that point I'd choose Lapua brass or go whole hog and do a 6.5-06ai or Sherman. Actually I'm gathering parts for a 6.5 Sherman as we speak. **** shop is cutting into things pretty hard though.

 

[Iclimb]

For GreyFox and OP...if you go x284 and don't want to wait holler at me.

 

[seidersjoden]

Just a point of clarity on the 6.5PRC. Many are differentiating this cartridge claiming it to be a
"short action" cartridge. Similar to the 6.5x284, it can fit in a "true" short action if the bullets are seated deeply enough but there will be a trade-off in performance due to the bullet taking up powder space. Most of the 6.5 PRC's I have observed utilize a "medium" (or long) action to adequately accommodate the 140gr+ Factory loads.

Your're right on that, Greyfox, my PRC for example is a true short action from GAPrecision, and although it is a true action bullets are seated very close to mag length in order to play with the lands and they are seated deeper in the cases enough where u just begin to hear powder being crunched. All that being said although tolerances are all very close, it's accurate and I have no issues with any of the items mentioned above. Still doing H1000 and 147g ELD-M. I have a decent node at 56.6 g. Playing with Rl26 but after reading a post fairly recently, there seem to be temperature fluctuation issues.

 

[ZSteinle]

currently in the process of building a PRC and the reason why i went this way over the 284 was simply that i could buy top quality ammunition and at a very decent price. I do reload and plan to reload for it but having the ability to run to the sporting goods store and buy 20 rounds has its merits. I thought about building it on a short action but after doing measuring and thinking decided to go on a long action, just eliminates any headaches with mag length. I also figured since the case was shorter and fat that it would be more efficient in the shorter barrel length that i am running (22"). I might be wrong about this but just my thinking. I had a 22" 6.5-284 and had to push it hard to get 2900 out of 140 weight bullets. I think with reloading the prc will be able to 3000. I know its not a huge difference but it helps. Build is remington 700 stainless, manners EH1, carbon six remage barrel. Finished weight is 6lbs. So far i like the way its coming together and am very excited about it. Hopefully will be able to shoot it soon.

 

[WildRose]

currently in the process of building a PRC and the reason why i went this way over the 284 was simply that i could buy top quality ammunition and at a very decent price. I do reload and plan to reload for it but having the ability to run to the sporting goods store and buy 20 rounds has its merits. I thought about building it on a short action but after doing measuring and thinking decided to go on a long action, just eliminates any headaches with mag length. I also figured since the case was shorter and fat that it would be more efficient in the shorter barrel length that i am running (22"). I might be wrong about this but just my thinking. I had a 22" 6.5-284 and had to push it hard to get 2900 out of 140 weight bullets. I think with reloading the prc will be able to 3000. I know its not a huge difference but it helps. Build is remington 700 stainless, manners EH1, carbon six remage barrel. Finished weight is 6lbs. So far i like the way its coming together and am very excited about it. Hopefully will be able to shoot it soon.

This makes a whole lot of sense.

I own one wildcat and everything else I own I can buy factory ammo for just about anywhere I am.

As for the long/short action, when you're using a medium length cartridge like this and want to load or otherwise shoot the heavy for caliber bullets it makes zero sense to limit yourself with a short mag box. The difference in weight between a long and short action is negligible in any real sense.

 

[yorke-1]

The abusive nature of your post was neither.

Sometimes the truth can be hurtful I guess. What part of the information I provided was abusive in nature? I'm pretty confident that it was all accurate and maybe it's just contrary to your personal bias.

 

[WildRose]

Sometimes the truth can be hurtful I guess. What part of the information I provided was abusive in nature? I'm pretty confident that it was all accurate and maybe it's just contrary to your personal bias.

Your attitude and I have no personal bias.

 

[yorke-1]

Your attitude and I have no personal bias.

I apologize if I hurt your feelings. I'll try not to interject any further facts or logic into this discussion.

 

[WildRose]

I apologize if I hurt your feelings. I'll try not to interject any further facts or logic into this discussion.

Look I assume you are an adult like the rest of us and as such should be able to share information without trying to pick fights or prove what a internet genius tough guy you are.

Give it a shot.

 

[seidersjoden]

currently in the process of building a PRC and the reason why i went this way over the 284 was simply that i could buy top quality ammunition and at a very decent price. I do reload and plan to reload for it but having the ability to run to the sporting goods store and buy 20 rounds has its merits. I thought about building it on a short action but after doing measuring and thinking decided to go on a long action, just eliminates any headaches with mag length. I also figured since the case was shorter and fat that it would be more efficient in the shorter barrel length that i am running (22"). I might be wrong about this but just my thinking. I had a 22" 6.5-284 and had to push it hard to get 2900 out of 140 weight bullets. I think with reloading the prc will be able to 3000. I know its not a huge difference but it helps. Build is remington 700 stainless, manners EH1, carbon six remage barrel. Finished weight is 6lbs. So far i like the way its coming together and am very excited about it. Hopefully will be able to shoot it soon.

Probably won't get 3000 based off research other guys are doing from a 6.5 PRC Shooters Facebook group:

""""Update: 143 factory ammo velocity 2817 fps average over 20 rounds

147 Factory ammo 2790 FPS average for 20 rounds

130 Berger hand load 59 GN h1000 2960 fps

Barrel length 17.25"""""

This is from a guy, John Hakes. He builds rifles, he's also testing new brass, if you have Facebook highly recommend joining this group, as well as George Gardner's 6.5 group, since you're getting a Prc guys love to share their discovers on loads. Bottom line, I think you'll still be pretty happy with the efficiency of the case even if you don't reach 3000.