Thread: Some thoughts on 6.5 PRC

Ive spent a fair bit of time with 6.5 PRC over the last 6 odd months with various powders & projectiles & different rifles & the more go down the rabbit hole with it the more im disappointed with it as far as velocity performance & load data claims vs real world results, compared to some older 6.5mm cartridges. No problem with accuracy but velocity seems to leave alot to be desired considering the extra case capacity & powder charge compared to the likes of 6.5 Creedmoor - .260 etc.

Interested to see what others are getting for results as far as velocity, are you finding it to be below expectation / advertised data?

When comparing my PRC to my Creedmoor with the same length barrel, the PRC is only just under 100fps faster for around 10gr more powder charge with what should be the best powders for the job. Is it a case of the creedmoor just punching well above its weight or is the PRC really that much of a let down?

prc was intended for target work wasn't it? sometimes the highest velocity doesn't equal the most accurate load?With the 6.5s I've met they don't really do that much more than the 100+ year old 6.5x55 in a modern set up.

Straight from the hornady manual - "Expect 200-300 fps velocity gains with the 6.5 PRC over standard short-action cartridges like the .260 Remington & 6.5 Creedmoor while still offering a pleasant shooting experience."

Im interested to see if anyones actually got their 6.5 PRC shooting at speeds that load data would indicate it should be able to do.

From a reloaders perspective, I think the 6.5PRC has been let down / hamstrung by a lack of collective input and agreement from factory rifle manufacturers, brass manufactures and sizing die manufacturers. Because of this, it often fails to achieve its potential.

Chamber dimensions with insufficient clearance at the case base, plus sizing die dimensions too large to effectively size down the case base has meant most reloaders hit pressure signs and extraction issues before achieving any meaningful velocity gain over the 6.5CM.

Unfortunately, the same issue has repeated with the 7PRC. Before factory rifles were even available to the public, custom reamer manufacturers were already making updated 7PRC reamers to address the lack of clearance at the case base.

Im getting 2980 with a 156 out of a 24inch tube and 2850 from a 20inch tube. Id imagine id get close to 3100 with the 143s

Originally Posted by matto1234

Im getting 2980 with a 156 out of a 24inch tube and 2850 from a 20inch tube. Id imagine id get close to 3100 with the 143s

You must be pushing it pretty hard with some solid brass to be doing that? RL26?

Im getting 2950 with the 143 eldx out of a 20" barrel 56.5 gn of suerperformance.
Took 150-200 rounds to speed up.
58.1 gn 2217 2900 same projectile.

These are not hot loads and could be pushed further but is more than enough for what I want.

Originally Posted by Doon

Im getting 2950 with the 143 eldx out of a 20" barrel 56.5 gn of suerperformance.
Took 150-200 rounds to speed up.
58.1 gn 2217 2900 same projectile.

These are not hot loads and could be pushed further but is more than enough for what I want.

What flavour of rifle & what brass? That seems to be crazy fast for 20" barrel & that low of a powder charge.

Tikka action with a howa barrel, hornady brass.

Originally Posted by 6.5 CRD

You must be pushing it pretty hard with some solid brass to be doing that? RL26?

60gr H1000 and hornady brass. Im seeing pressure signs at 60.4gr in my Christensen and no pressure signs at 60.4 in a mates tikka but thats at bergers max and well above the hornady data.

Originally Posted by matto1234

60gr H1000 and hornady brass. Im seeing pressure signs at 60.4gr in my Christensen and no pressure signs at 60.4 in a mates tikka but thats at bergers max and well above the hornady data.

Interesting with same load I am at 3180 average with 143ELDX in a 28 inch barrel. Brass is on its 14th loading. I've not tried to push it further there no point when I only use it for gong shooting. 6.5Saum not PRC though...........................

@6.5 CRD What rifles have you been using and what speeds have you been getting?

Originally Posted by Seventenths

@6.5 CRD What rifles have you been using and what speeds have you been getting?

Browning & Tikka in 6.5 PRC. Tikka with the creedmoor.

Tikka 6.5 PRC 24" does 3050 with the 143 eldx leaning on it pretty hard with RL26.

Tikka 6.5 Creedmoor 24" does 2960 with 143 eldx also pushing it hard. Both rifles at a max charge theres only 90fps difference.

Originally Posted by 6.5 CRD

Browning & Tikka in 6.5 PRC. Tikka with the creedmoor.

Tikka 6.5 PRC 24" does 3050 with the 143 eldx leaning on it pretty hard with RL26.

Tikka 6.5 Creedmoor 24" does 2960 with 143 eldx also pushing it hard. Both rifles at a max charge theres only 90fps difference.

To me it just sounds like you're way over pressure in your 6.5CM loads. I haven't seen any published data that says it can achieve anywhere near that velocity. Consider also that the way 6.5CM achieves results comparable to 260 rem with a smaller case is because it's SAAMI max pressure is already higher than typical cartridges.

That's my 2c based on my limited knowledge and experience.

Originally Posted by NathanSBR

To me it just sounds like you're way over pressure in your 6.5CM loads. I haven't seen any published data that says it can achieve anywhere near that velocity. Consider also that the way 6.5CM achieves results comparable to 260 rem with a smaller case is because it's SAAMI max pressure is already higher than typical cartridges.

That's my 2c based on my limited knowledge and experience.

Im talking max on both (pressure showing on brass in both rifles). I run my creedmoor at 2910 with the 143eldx and most of my brass is on its 6th loading now and happy as larry. No doubt its warm but im confident it isnt “too warm”. For reference GRT suggests max to be 48.6gr for 2957fps. Mine was 2960 at 48.5gr when it started to stamp the brass. Im no expert either and i know my go to load at 2910 is pretty hot but i imagine it cant be that bad if the brass isnt pissed off by its 6th loading.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk