26 Nosler or 6.5 Prc Hunting

[djm670]

We've sent 2 of these back that they ended up rebarrel. May have been double bad luck but 1 of the 2 owners still isn't happy with it and went back to the 264 win mag

JimmyCP what were the specific issues you had to send two of them back for? While I don't currently have a 6.5-300 Vanguard, I have a couple of other Vanguards/Howe 1500's that shoot well. And due to want a new rifle/cartridge desease have been contemplating one of them. Appreciate the info.

 

[25WSM]

Go with you but instinct. Pick either and be happy. 300 off does get dies and brass. Can't go wrong either way. I built a bunch of 7nos and they hammer. Never did a 6.5.
Shep

 

[Tidus56]

Here is the load data from each of the two manufactures. That will give you some hard data to compare. I grabbed the 140 grain data for the OP. Obviously you could shoot the heavier 147.
Btw the 6.5 PRC doesn't have twice the ballistics of the 26 Nosler!(post#43) Read some hard data and ignore the crazy's. The misinformation is getting crazy on this forum.

 

[GonzoK34]

Just keep the 7mmMag and buy the 6.5 PRC. The renewed interest in the 6.5s is incredible. However, my experience from witnessing friends with various 6.5s isn't that the calibers create poor results in shooting game as much as the shooters exceeding their limitations and abilities.
Availability of loaded ammo when on hunting trips to different parts of the world limit your options if you loose or leaving it at home.
Most shooters don't reload so it limits your learning curb when developing loads and breaking in the firearm. Zeroing, developing drop charts, shooting in varying conditions and weather factors are a most for shooting/hunting at unknown distances.
This requires US ALL to practice often and every chance we have.
Bottomline:
I have built up a wide range of firearms that cover small game, varmints, pigs, deer, antelope and elk. Some are for competition, planking, target practice and just for fun.
I'm getting old and at 73 many of my friends are dying. So buy what you want, answer to no one, and pass on your life experiences.
I hunt every chance I get and hope to die on some familiar hunting ground rather than in a Hospital.
SEMPER FIDELIS
Gonzo

 

[Will Gray]

I would vote for the grand old 270 Winchester, to stand with Elmer Keith. I like to go retro at times: going to hunt SW Texas this year with a 358 Winchester using IMR 4064 powder under 200g Sierra round nose "hammers"

 

[liv4thehunt]

I hate to be that guy, but why are the Christensen's so cheap. They are selling production carbon guns for under $2000. That same gun was 3-4000 ten years ago. I have built loads for two of their rifles in the last year, both were a struggle to get to shoot under an inch. I know someone will say theirs shoots sub 1/2 moa, and I don't doubt it. But what happened to Christensen? If I was in the market for a production carbon gun, I would look at proofs new guns.

 

[dougduey]

I own a 6.5-284 Norma and love it. The 6.5 PRC is basically its ballistic twin. Super accurate and low recoil. You'll be able to purchase cheaper factory ammo for it compared to the 26 Nosler. Plus, you'll be able to find cheaper and more plentiful brass. I understand it's very easy to load for. Most people on this site know of Jeff Brozovich. He owns a CA in the PRC. He told me it has been the easiest cartridge to dial in. He's only been shooting Hornady factory ammo in it, too. Said he hasn't bothered to start reloading for it yet since the factory ammo shoots so well. He dropped a pronghorn over 800 yards with the ELDM match ammo. I think it's a great deer and antelope cartridge. I wouldn't hunt elk with it. I believe you owe it to the elk to use a 30 cal or larger, but your 7mm is a very good round for elk.

Buy what you want. If you want more horsepower, then go for it and get the 26. I love horsepower, so I understand the allure. These are first world problems. Good luck with your purchase.

Doug

 

[JAYgs8163]

I hate to be that guy, but why are the Christensen's so cheap. They are selling production carbon guns for under $2000. That same gun was 3-4000 ten years ago. I have built loads for two of their rifles in the last year, both were a struggle to get to shoot under an inch. I know someone will say theirs shoots sub 1/2 moa, and I don't doubt it. But what happened to Christensen? If I was in the market for a production carbon gun, I would look at proofs new guns.

I don't think it has to do with anything about lower quality but with received material costs due and lower MFG costs. I just built a Blueprinted 300 PRC using a Remington magnum long action, a proof Carbon Barrel, Triggertech trigger, Grayboe stock, nightforce 20 moa rail, SureFire muzzle break, cerakoted Action and bare metals, and all for under $2500. I have a Ridgeline 6.5 CM that shoots sub half moa. I bought that rifle at a sale as it was a southpaw which I am, $1800. I'm very happy with mine. Fierce Carbon are not much more. The Ridgeline is a basic Carbon hunting rifle. It needs to have the action bedded though which I did. What I'm saying is that if I built a custom rifle for $2500 imagine what they can produce the Ridgeline for which is not Blueprinted! Just sayin.

 

[dougduey]

I don't think it has to do with anything about lower quality but with received material costs due and lower MFG costs. I just built a Blueprinted 300 PRC using a Remington magnum long action, a proof Carbon Barrel, Triggertech trigger, Grayboe stock, nightforce 20 moa rail, SureFire muzzle break, cerakoted Action and bare metals, and all for under $2500. I have a Ridgeline 6.5 CM that shoots sub half moa. I bought that rifle at a sale as it was a southpaw which I am, $1800. I'm very happy with mine. Fierce Carbon are not much more. The Ridgeline is a basic Carbon hunting rifle. It needs to have the action bedded though which I did. What I'm saying is that if I built a custom rifle for $2500 imagine what they can produce the Ridgeline for which is not Blueprinted! Just sayin.

I have a Carbon Classic in 338 Lapua from Christensen. It's 0.5 moa on a bad day. I did have an issue with a bur in the chamber causing sticky brass, but got that resolved. From what I understand, their Mesa LR are consistently the most accurate of their line of rifles. I believe their costs came down significantly once they were able to manufacture every part of the rifle in house.

 

[popgun240]

$807 for the Accuguard version vs $407 for Vanguard S2, you get a number 3 barrel instead of a number 2, both are 26 inches and you get the full length aluminum bedding block and 1.25 lbs heavier at 8 3/4#. Both with guarranttied under .99 " at a 100 yard with factory ammo. But you are right, theoretically the aluminum bedded stock should produce more accuracy.

The case capacity of the weatherby 6.5 is 98 gr H2O vs 26 nosler 93.5 gr H2O and PCR at 67.7 gr of H2O.. Weatherby ammo with 6.5 140gr VDL listed at 3315 ft-sec. Nosler 6.5 140g accubond or match bullet listed at 3300 ft-sec. for both. So you are right, it is a toss up.

 

[popgun240]

I'm still a believer in the 300 Win Mag. I had a 308 Norman Mag made on a 1903A3 Springfield. It kicked like a Jackass. That was in 1962 that I had it made. I still look at down range Energy. I'm told the the minimum for Elk is 1500 foot pounds. I had a friend hot a bull in Montana a few years ago, little bullet with less than the 1500 fp. That Bull traveled over 10 miles before dropping finally. Long shot, little bullet, LONG chase. I shoot the 175 gr Barnes LRX-BT at over 3100 fps. It kills with authority at 600 yards, my self imposed limit.

 

[Nomosendero]

All this talk makes me like my in between .264WM

 

[duckhunter175]

If you want THE fast 6.5 Id go with the Weatherby 6.5-300.

 

[vancewalker007]

Everything has pluses and minuses with these choices. I have a 26 Nosler and a 6.5 PRC. The Nosler is the winner in the Velocity department no doubt. The 6.5 PRC has been the winner in the consistent accuracy department. In other words the 6.5 PRC has been consistently accurate with multiple bullet powder combinations. I have found some very accurate loads got the Nosler,but its way more finicky. It reminds me of loading for my 7 STW years ago. That STW would shoot 1/2 MOA when everything was perfect, neck tension, land distance etc.

I'd say Nosler if you don't mind some careful reloading and you have a need for speed, and who knows maybe you'll get lucky on your barrel. On my PRC I'm getting consistent sub 1/2 moa with the 143+H1000 @ 3097 fps right now out to 300 yards. Still working on the Nosler, IMR 8133 had given good results with 147 + 8133,. It's sub MOA right now but it's been here and there.

BTW - The biggest advantage I've found in my PRC is no need for a muzzle brake. Good luck with your rifle, I hope it's s shooter.

I don't have any physical evidence of this but I would assume the faster Nosler will wear out the throat faster, but who knows what that race would look like.