Questions on 6.5 PRC
- Thread starter Bang4theBuck
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IHFarmer07
Well-Known Member
Do a web search "147 eldms blowing up" it will show you all the problems ppl are having. Most are having issues with them in 3-4 groove and a fast twist long barrel. I was really wanting to try them on deer this year but I'd hate to have one mess up on me, so I might go solid coppers, Berger's or something.
I've done a little with the federal terminal ascent and so far from what I've observed is that I left the fowling from the eldms in there and got my velocity's in a 300yrd ladder, tried for seating depth and my velocity's were low on all and I haven't messed with reloading since. I was shooting into a dirt berm and was able to get some and with them hitting rocks some were 60% and higher on weight retention, I had one that didn't even expand much at all so idk what to think of that, I think there is potential with them but I need to test a weee bit more.
BrentM
Well-Known Member
Hmmm. Glad I didn't have any issues. 28" and 28.5" 8 twist 4 grove proofs and no issues. My prc is 7.5 4 grove but 22" and only running 2900. Prolly won't have an issue there.
IHFarmer07
Well-Known Member
Effects of 3 and 4 Groove Barrels on thin Jacketed Bullets
OK, much of this is related to what I have seen first hand and how we were able to fix some problems. The rest is from some research I have done over the years. It started years and years ago with reports of some jacketed bullets "blowing up" on impact with little to no penetration. Back then...
www.longrangeonly.com
Range Report - Hornady 147's coming apart...
Factory 6.5CM ammo 147 ELD-M's lot # 3180567. Roughly 160 rounds fired and accuracy is good when they hit, but I'm consistently getting 1-2 per 20 that are coming apart mid-flight. Got a few more variables to isolate before I blame the bullets, but thought I would check in to see if anyone...
www.snipershide.com
BrentM
Well-Known Member
Sounds like a defect that's likely taken care of but hard to know. Just glad I didn't have that issue, that'd suck. Last time I bought 147's it was a lot of 1000. Still have some left of that group.Effects of 3 and 4 Groove Barrels on thin Jacketed Bullets
OK, much of this is related to what I have seen first hand and how we were able to fix some problems. The rest is from some research I have done over the years. It started years and years ago with reports of some jacketed bullets "blowing up" on impact with little to no penetration. Back then...www.longrangeonly.comRange Report - Hornady 147's coming apart...
Factory 6.5CM ammo 147 ELD-M's lot # 3180567. Roughly 160 rounds fired and accuracy is good when they hit, but I'm consistently getting 1-2 per 20 that are coming apart mid-flight. Got a few more variables to isolate before I blame the bullets, but thought I would check in to see if anyone...
IHFarmer07
Well-Known Member
Idk, I bought mine in late January and I haven't bought anymore. They shoot great but they're sold out it seems about everywhere from the last I had seen, haven't checked in a while though. They may have fixed the problem by now, but I couldn't tell ya. I might call them and see once.
ruby76
Well-Known Member
Single feeding? I have the same rifle and at max mag length with the 156 I'm off quite a ways.
22250imp
Well-Known Member
26" gain twist from Bartlein, 143gr ELD-X, 3258 fps with RL 26. Pushing close to max for this rifle but it likes this load.
Bang4theBuck
Well-Known Member
Wow, that is smoking fast. What kind of gain do you have on the barrel? Starts at 1 in ? , ends at 1:? I'm interested in knowing more about gain twist barrels.
22250imp
Well-Known Member
It is a 8.5 to 7.5 with a LH twist. Was always intrigued with the gain twist so when I decided to have a 6.5 PRC built I thought it would be a good one to try it on. Put it on a Model 70 WSM action. Tried to keep things within my budget. It hasn't proven to be the bug shooter I had hoped but am still tweaking. It shoots good, don't get me wrong there, but having to do a lot of experimentation to find the right combo. Seems like I can get 2 with in 1/2" to 3/8" but seems like it just has to throw one out there at 3/4" to an 1" in no set pattern. With the load I'm shooting I got a 3/4" group. Am going to try different seating depths. I think I can make it better. Just haven't got there yet. Did load some 137 gr Hammers, same loading. After tweaking with the seating depth, shots 1 and 2 were 1/2" then shots 3 and 4 touched 1 and 2 for a nice 5/8". Didn't have my chronograph set up that day so don't know what they were doing but should be scooting right along also. At 200 and 300 yrds the ELDX bullets punch right through my steel targets. They are just mild steel but still a lot of punch.
Sorry about the book but it has been a fun build. Impressive cartridge. I have always been a fan of the 6.5 and "NO I don't own a Creedmoor". LOL!!!
Bang4theBuck
Well-Known Member
Good stuff! I also like the idea of a left hand twist.....I can only imagine how long I would have to wait for that barrel configuration right now.
BrentM
Well-Known Member
Your fliers are from over pressure issues. 3250 is extremely fast for a PRC and 26". If you back down to the 3100 - 3150 range where pressures will be in 60-65k vs 70 plus you'll probably see those fliers go away.
