On second thought, selling 6.5 CM rifle, buying 6.5 PRC

[jreagle]

The Hornady book references a 26" barrel in PRC. I can get nowhere near those speeds in the 24". Additionally, lots of reports that the factory ammo speeds with 147 are way under advertised speeds. I'm hoping to find a 3k load with my 24"... but no luck with accuracy that fast so far.

My experience with the 6.5 PRC in a 24" bbl reflects your findings as well and the 147 factory shoots below velocity listed on the box.
So far, for me, the 3k range would require a lighter bullet than 140 class.

 

[jreagle]

one more thought to consider. a 6.5 PRC with a 24" bbl is a nice field gun IMO. for max velocity a 26" or 28" bbl is needed to take advantage of the slow burning powders and heavier bullets.....

 

[Litehiker]

So... maybe instead of ordering the Browning X-Bolt Pro (24" barrel) I should order the X-Bolt Pro Long Range (26" barrel).
Hmmmm...

Eric B.
P.S. jr, thanks for that Hornady 6.5 PRC link. I printed it.

 

[CUTTER1]

The 6.5 PRC is what the Creedmoor should have been from the start!
For those who reload it is absolutely amazing! Like the 6.5X284 it is a very versatile and easier to load for. Not over ore like the 26 Nosler!

 

[yorke-1]

Here's a mind bender for you. I have a 26" 6.5 CM and a 24" 6.5 PRC. Both using Reloder 26, both hucking 147 ELD-M's. Creedmoor shoots them at 2870, PRC shoots them at 3k but not accurately until you get down into the 2950 range.

Less powder and less recoil with the Creed... its a real pleasure to shoot.

So your PRC beats your Creedmoor load by roughly 100 fps in a 2" shorter barrel, and you're still not happy with the PRC? More performance in a more compact package seems like a win to me.

Reloader 26 today is what Reloader 17 was for a couple years. When it works it works really well, but it's pretty hard on barrels. I don't think Reloader 26 is a good fit for the PRC though; I'd look at something a little slower and you'll likely see better performance in the PRC.

 

[Hiwayman92]

It beats my Creedmoor by about 60-80 fps accurately. I'm not saying I don't like it, I'm saying that a 26" barrel really makes slower burning powders shine. I'm going to try H1000 more, and 8133 as well. I envisioned a 147 at 3k out of this rifle. That's where I'd like to wind up.

 

[Litehiker]

Hiwayman,
Yep, but 143 gr. ELD-X bullet at 3K muzzle velocity is exactly where I would like to end up as well. I hope it is achievable with no pressure problems and a nice 1/2" to 5/8" group at 100 yards. A boy can dream...

Eric B.

 

[yorke-1]

It beats my Creedmoor by about 60-80 fps accurately. I'm not saying I don't like it, I'm saying that a 26" barrel really makes slower burning powders shine. I'm going to try H1000 more, and 8133 as well. I envisioned a 147 at 3k out of this rifle. That's where I'd like to wind up.

Your results have less to do with a slow powder in a longer barrel and more to do with using a powder that's faster than ideal in the PRC. The longer barrel/slower powder myth has been debunked many times.

 

[Litehiker]

What are the powders used by Hornady, Federal and others to create "Superformance" cartridges that give faster speeds W/O higher pressures?
Are they available for handloaders?

Eric B.

 

[jd5521]

What are the powders used by Hornady, Federal and others to create "Superformance" cartridges that give faster speeds W/O higher pressures?
Are they available for handloaders?

Eric B.

Hornady's website will give their load data for the 6.5prc with several powders and charged used to get you going.