What makes the 6.5 PRC special?

[bbckfh]

I'll tell you why I chose it:
1. I can get good factory ammo (I don't have the time to take up reloading too).
2. Favorable accuracy.
3. It gives me more velocity than my Creedmoor, making it a reasonable mid-range caliber for coyotes to deer to bear to elk.
4. Reasonable recoil.
5. It'll fit in my short action.

Would I love 6.5x55 AI, 260AI or similar? Sure. But those are the exclusive provenance of the reloader. Unlike many who have the time or resources to devote to reloading, there are those of us who want to shoot well but don't have those luxuries.

So despite all of the threads maligning it, or suggesting that offers nothing that the 6.5-284 or others don't, and despite the "crappy brass", it's a good option for me.

 

[jreagle]

After firing a few hundred rounds through two different PRCs, I haven't seen a single problem with the Hornady PRC brass. The cases that were obviously over pressured during load development and pressure testing are still holding primers and firing just like the rest of the batch.

same here..... so far all is well with the Hornady brass for this caliber.

 

[raider1v1]

6.5prc is fine if you need that purpose built cartridge. the question this will answer is "do i need 6.5x284 performance at 3100 from a short action with this particular bullet?" if the answer is yes, then this is the cartridge for you. if not, you probably can use something else.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Weight sort your Hornady brass prep as usual and for the average guy not shooting a lot of rounds or competition you wont notice the difference.

Sucks to lose 20-30 pieces per 100 to weight sorting.
And you hit the nail on the head..."not shooting a lot of rounds". For the average shooter who does not reload, they are adequate. For the shooter who DOES shoot a lot of rounds each year, there are far better brass choices available. Why spend $.50/ea for brass that you lose 20% of and last half as long as brass that is far more consistent and lasts 10-15 firings at $1/ea?

I shoot about 3000+ rounds a year, and the choice is obvious, even in my hunting rifles that only see 50-100 rounds per year. Consistency really helps accuracy.

 

[brentc]

same here..... so far all is well with the Hornady brass for this caliber.

Don't get me wrong, I really like options and premium brass is one that I like, but premium brass doesn't always mean better performance. One of the worst I've seen lately is a bag of Bertram 300 RUM brass at $2 per case that has 11 grains of weight variance. I was assured that it doesn't matter, but I have my doubts about that. Some of the other crap like neck thickness I couldn't care less about, but that much weight variance will show up on paper.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I found a 9 grain difference in Bertram .338 Edge brass....at $3+ each, that is unacceptable.

 

[dlwheel]

If you're going to hand load, I'd consider the 6.5 GAP 4S (SAUM).
With the current generation of Hornady Brass its been fine.
We run RL26 and the JLK135's.
3200ish.
But you could run up to the 150SMK's with H1000, or RL26 or Retumbo.
FWIW.

 

[Deleted member 103481]

I'll tell you why I chose it:
1. I can get good factory ammo (I don't have the time to take up reloading too).
2. Favorable accuracy.
3. It gives me more velocity than my Creedmoor, making it a reasonable mid-range caliber for coyotes to deer to bear to elk.
4. Reasonable recoil.
5. It'll fit in my short action.

Would I love 6.5x55 AI, 260AI or similar? Sure. But those are the exclusive provenance of the reloader. Unlike many who have the time or resources to devote to reloading, there are those of us who want to shoot well but don't have those luxuries.

So despite all of the threads maligning it, or suggesting that offers nothing that the 6.5-284 or others don't, and despite the "crappy brass", it's a good option for me.

This is pretty much the tune of it. Its a good fit for a niche that was previously unavailable. Its no holy grail cartridge but its a good option that's easy.

 

[Michael O'Connor]

It's best feature is crappy brass .

LMAO

 

[bushmotornv]

I apologize if this off topic,but I too made the mistake of jumping on the Bertam 338RUM brass band wagon! Weights varied over 14gr,and neck thickness averaged .003"-.005",besides having average neck wall thickness of only .011",besides the heads being out of square an average of .010". I find it hard to beleive that these wont add up to poor accuracy down range. Norma and Nosler 300 RUM showed most consistency,so I reformed it to 338RUM. I'm just not sold on Bertram.

 

[hunter67wa]

Sucks to lose 20-30 pieces per 100 to weight sorting.
And you hit the nail on the head..."not shooting a lot of rounds". For the average shooter who does not reload, they are adequate. For the shooter who DOES shoot a lot of rounds each year, there are far better brass choices available. Why spend $.50/ea for brass that you lose 20% of and last half as long as brass that is far more consistent and lasts 10-15 firings at $1/ea?

I shoot about 3000+ rounds a year, and the choice is obvious, even in my hunting rifles that only see 50-100 rounds per year. Consistency really helps accuracy.

I agree. I am a brass snob when I need to be and shoot Lapua brass at times. But very few people who aren't trying to win trophy's it wont matter. My profile picture to the left is crappy Hornady brass not weight sorted out of a crappy old sporterized Mauser in 6.5x55 with 155 Lapua megas with a crappy old leupy 2.5x8 at 400 yards which is the farthest I will shoot that rifle. Just simply weight sorting a hundred rounds and shooting for hunting it will all be good and taste great.

 

[hrnhntr]

What others have said, SA Mag 6.5 that can easily hit or exceed 3000fps. Factory ammo, better brass on the way. I prefer to spend my time shooting and haven't had time to load in about three years. My defiance action showed up yesterday and I dropped off all the other parts today. Excited to have a new toy in a few months!

 

[MTGunner]

This has been very interesting to this old 6.5 hand loader. I find it very thoughtful that those who want to shoot more, yet do not hand load, have done their do diligence research regarding this cartridge. BTW, I have learned much from this knowledgeable forum.
But, it is doubtful I will purchase or have built a 6.5 Creedmore or PRC. But, this has opened my mind and expanded my information. My 260 AI has been a true meat gun from the wide open expanses of central Montana to the sweltering bush of Africa. But, if I needed to find replacement ammunition in these far out places for my 260 AI I would certainly be wanting. So, perhaps the new 6.5 offerings are indeed good choices. Thanks again for input. MTG

 

[Deleted member 25294]

Just FYI.. is this the 6.5 PRC brass you're seeking? check out BertramBrass.com - it's being imported - you can pre-order now. (I'm waiting on mine in 6.5 SAUM.)

Sorry if this has already been posted (I didn't read the entire thread this time!)

I would cancel that order
ADG 6.5 saum brass is being tested right now,and prc brass should be out in a few months