Thread: 6.5 PRC itch

Years ago I used to shoot an old Swedish M96 6.5x55 which was a great wee gun for what it was and lately I've been reloading for a mates T3 6.5 creedmore which has kind of re-awoken an itch for a 6.5 calibre

I'm keen on a 6.5 PRC as it seems to tick all the boxes for me but I just wanted to know what peoples experiences have been with this cartridge in the sense of what rifles your shooting in this calibre, projectiles, powder etc as I've been eyeing up the following rifles.

1. Howa 6.5 PRC action and barrel to then put into a stock of my choosing
2. Sauer 100
3. Browning X Bolt

Keen to know wat peoples experiences and recommendations of its cartridge and rifles chambered in it have been.

The Howa version is a long action. you might want to check on availability of stocks / chassis / mags compared to short action 6.5PRC options.

Of those I'd go howa depending on twist rates.
Really a great caliber for longish targets in the wind with heavy for caliber bullets.
For me struck the right balance of horsepower/recoil/barrel life.

Unfortunately 6.5 stuff and slow powders are a bit thin on the ground and factory ammo is non existent at the moment.
I'm all good but that doesn't help anyone else with ammo.

Rl26 and a tips are where it's at for me.

Good luck getting ammo or components for it. Was in a sports store the other day and young fella was in there jabbering on about how he wanted a 6.5prc and the shop owner told him "I've got one out the back, but I've taken it off the shelf and I'm not selling it to you because you won't find ammunition for it"

Ive got a Mauser M18 which is very similar to the Sauer. Plenty of room in the magazine. Hard rifle to fault for the price. Biggest negative is not being able to get an aftermarket light carbon stock (trigger guard is built into the stock and has a strange bedding V block thingy). Very good top load detachable magazine.

Ive docked mine to 20".

Getting 2860 fps with 140 Amax and Bergers. Also 124 grn Hammer Hunters at 3K. Tight groups are no trouble.

Powder is N565 although Im getting short. R26 is good too as is 2217. All much of a muchness. I have plenty of R26 so am sitting comfy.

Ive got some 143ELDX to try when Im out of Amax.
I use a mix of brass. Hornady and ADG - for hunting with my loads it doesn't seem to matter if I mix them. I have just bought 50 Lapua (very spendy).

Recoil is negligible with a muffler on. It doesn't exactly knock deer off their feet but on the same hand has killed everything without fuss that Ive shot at.

bergara b14

Originally Posted by Howa1500

bergara b14

Yes. Ive considered swapping mine for a b14 so I could get a carbon stock for it. I think Remington inletting fit them.

6.5 in any configuration is hard to go past.

Not a fan of the options presented, I would hang out in the buy/sell here as there are some lovely customs that show up from time to time.

Re bullets ect, just put your order in now. If your like me a 100 will last a few years

I've been thinking about one for ages but when I see the speed that guys are getting I'm thinking I'll stay with my Tikka .260 which is only a few fps away from the PRC for less powder.
If you are rebarreling how about the 6.5saum

Sent from my CPH1903 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the replies so far. I realise there is a ammo/component shortage but I'm in no hurry to buy the rifle at this stage... just merely tyre kicking and exploring options.

Like you @Tahr I also looked at the B14 as an option as I like the fact you can get aftermarket stocks so perhaps the B14 could also be another option.

Originally Posted by Howa1500

bergara b14

I was looking at one today at the local. I did a double take as I thought they only came in 6.5 Creedmore and 308
6.5PRC (at least I think it was) 24 inch Bergara Extreme Hunter?? Stainless and Cerekote. Had floorplate and no threaded barrel. Looked nice
However I already have 2 6.5 Somethings with case capacity either side of it and bugger all projectiles so....................... it stayed there

I recently purchased a Bergara B14 Extreme hunter in 6.5 PRC. I went in to the shop planning to buy a bigger calibre (already had a 270, was after a 7RM or 300WM). Got talked into it as the "cartridge of the future". After going home and having a better look at the figures I realized the 6.5PRC and 270 were, for my intents and purposes, were bloody close in performance, so the Bergara will be for sale soon, but I digress. The only reason the Bergara PRC will be getting the flick is due to the challenge of finding factory ammo/componenents. I am sticking with the more mainstream calibres for the time being. This probably doesn't help the OP though, if your heart is set on a 6.5PRC I would definitely recommend the Bergara Extreme hunter. Well built, good value for money and good aftermarket options for stocks etc.

Shooters World had brass for this cartridge on the shelf last week.

Originally Posted by Dama dama

Shooters World had brass for this cartridge on the shelf last week.

Yeap they do but no projectiles or powder or factory ammunition

Yeah, kinda critical those bits.