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

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

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?

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.

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.

Had a Savage 12 target action also with a 24" shilen barrel, 3000 fps with the same load of 2217, also took 150-200 rounds to speed up.

I found the same thing at start thought the prc was going to be the best thing out but now shooting a 260 st same speeds


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In terms of economics in these days of limited availability of slow powders e.g RL26, the 6.5CM & 260 are a better choice for higher volume shooting. As mentioned the velocity returns per grains of powder, these two out weight the PRC. With the 6.5 bore, you are up against diminishing returns for increase of powder volume per FPS (unless you go to 26" + length barrels) . The 6.5PRC is verging on the serious overbore status, being able to burn all that powder volume in the time it takes to exit the bore.

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.