6.5 PRC vs 6.5-284

[Weatherby Fan]

Ok I want to hear what your thoughts are on the pro's and cons either cartridge, I have 2 custom 6.5-284 build and one 6.5 PRC, have hand loaded more for the 6.5-284, I am a novice handloader at best but really enjoy the 6.5-284 as it has more factory load options and Lapua Brass as an example, but seems I can get 100-150 fps more out of the 6.5PRC

Please I don't want to hear about how you hate Hornady's marketing mumbo jumbo, just experience on the two cartridges ?

likes and dislikes pros and cons, any particular loads that really shine for your rifle ?

Thanks in advance
WF

 

[Barrelnut]

Which are most accurate for you? The 6.5-284s or the PRC?

 

[Weatherby Fan]

Which are most accurate for you? The 6.5-284s or the PRC?

As far as factory ammo goes they are about the same for accuracy, they both have #1 Benchmark barrels, 1-8 twist

I have handloaded more for the 6.5-284 so can't really compare them in that respect yet, the 6.5 PRC is about a 100 FPS faster with factory ammo, mind you the 6.5-284 is a 22" barrel and the 6.5PRC is a 24" barrel.

 

[WildRose]

Ok I want to hear what your thoughts are on the pro's and cons either cartridge, I have 2 custom 6.5-284 build and one 6.5 PRC, have hand loaded more for the 6.5-284, I am a novice handloader at best but really enjoy the 6.5-284 as it has more factory load options and Lapua Brass as an example, but seems I can get 100-150 fps more out of the 6.5PRC

Please I don't want to hear about how you hate Hornady's marketing mumbo jumbo, just experience on the two cartridges ?

likes and dislikes pros and cons, any particular loads that really shine for your rifle ?

Thanks in advance
WF

They are basically ballistic twins.

The PRC is going to be cheapr to shoot over the long term but not by much.

The only advantage to either really I think is that you're probably going to get better barrel life out of the PRC due to the case design.

Other than that, flip a coin.

 

[Greyfox]

I've read, barrel life between the two are similar under comparable conditions/criteria. Some early Hornady spec sheets indicated 1200 rounds for the PRC.

 

[DocDoc]

Burn the same amount of powder down the same size hole and you should expect similar round count for best accuracy. Yes, shoulder angle and neck length will change that a little.

 

[Deleted member 103481]

The ability to fit into (some) short actions is really the benefit of PRC in my mind. Interesting that you are seeing faster factory loads. I would imagine the hand load speeds will be roughly twins.

 

[alf]

I'm a fan of both. Shot the 6.5-284 for several years in 1000 Benchrest before switching to a 6 Dasher, and have built 2 or 3 others for LR hunting/plinking. Currently have one left in the stable I save for my annual Montana deer hunt running 130 VLD's at 3150. Just got it out yesterday & shot it 3 times, first round hits on steel at 500 (clean/cold), 800, and 900 yards, and put it away.

Built a PRC this past year on a L/A 700/Bartlein/McMillan/Nightforce, and settled on the 150 SMK at a hair over 3000fps fueled by H-1000, and played with it to 1850. I ran 500 rounds through it, and sold it this summer in a downsizing effort. Bore/throat still looked fantastic through the borescope. Just picked up a pristine Sendero in 7mag that's going to become another PRC.

 

[cheechin]

My biggest memory of the 6.5x284 was pulling in the pits of an F-Class match. At 600yds the shooter 2 targets down put 5 shots in a row that were all covered by 1 paster. He won the match dropping 2 points out of 600. Pretty awesome from what I saw. The 6.5 PRC is newer and maybe better (or not) but I'll always have a lot of respect for the 6.5x284 in skilled hands!

 

[WildRose]

Burn the same amount of powder down the same size hole and you should expect similar round count for best accuracy. Yes, shoulder angle and neck length will change that a little.

Yep, some difference but not a whole lot. Other than cheaper brass it's like I said, flip a coin.

 

[FEENIX]

As far as factory ammo goes they are about the same for accuracy

I have handloaded more for the 6.5-284 so can't really compare them in that respect yet, the 6.5 PRC is about a 100 FPS faster with factory ammo

I do not think you can go wrong with either one as others noted. IMHO, the real advantage of the 6.5 PRC on top of its innovative and collaborative design is the off shelf ammo support from Hornady.

 

[Weatherby Fan]

Im going to build another 6.5 PRC on a (7mm RM donor) Sako A7 action and a 26" Hawk Hill #3 contour 1-8 twist and see how that one performs.

 

[dougduey]

Jeff Brozovich has a 6.5 PRC and did some testing with it out to 1122 yards with the Hornady factory ammo using the 147 ELDM. He told me it has been the fastest rifle for him to dial in. He hasn't done any handloading for it yet.
Check out his write up on www.longrangeonly.com (thread Christensen Arms
Ridgeline in 6.5 PRC). He just took a Montana antelope with it (if I remember correctly it was around 800 yards)

 

[CUTTER1]

I've had several 284 based cases including 6.5x284. Currently have both 6.5x284 and 6.5 PRC in almost identical long action rifles with Benchmarks barrels 26". The PRC is about 100fps faster with my loads and has been a dream to load! Brass has been good! If building another it will be a PRC!