Thread: All round NZ hunting - 6.5 PRC or 7mm Short Mag

G'day @Longbow
I currently have a 6.5 prc and 7mm Blaser. In the past I have owned and shot a heap of game with 708, 308, 7mmRM and 7mmwsm.
My most recent cal is the 6.5 prc, this has been the lest finicky caliber I have ever reloaded. Stuff any powder and any pill in there, test them side by side and each 3 shot group will go into the same shreaded hole! It's crazy. Asides from the awesome accuracy I like that it is a light short package at 20 inch barrel.
I have shot roughly 15 deer and 80 goats with it but I am not convinced with the 6.5 yet. I don't think the 6.5 compares to a 7mm for terminal knock down performance. Simply my observations.
The 7mm Blaser Magnum is an unreal cartridge. Paired with a 180 eldm getting spat out at 3060fps it is an absolute thumper and cheater of wind! This is my go to for the roar. The down side to this absolute beast is the longer barrel and extra weight.
If a short and light setup is what you are after I would look at a 7mm wsm, or a 7saum. I wouldn't discount the 300wsm either as IMO there is way more selection in projectiles that are suitable for hunting deer.
The great thing about the short magnums in general is that they don't mind a short barrel due to there short powder column and you can also load them accordingly to what you are chasing.
Good LUck with the search. The struggle is real, LOL