6.5 PRC Barrel Length 24"vs 26" Velocity

[jpndave]

I guy over on the hide hooked me up with the StaBALL powder data so I can run that powder for the PRC if anyone wants it.

 

[jpndave]

Here's the Berger 156. This is their projected capacity for Hornady brass.

 

[highdrum]

I just worked up a load for my prc today. 26" barrel with RE26 at 58.2 grains was a node without pressure. 59 grains gave a slight ejector mark with a little of a heavy bolt lift. The node at 58.2 was 3066 with a SD of 4.1 on a four shot string. There was also a node at 57 grains with a velocity of 2990. Shot the 58.2 out to 500 and had a 2" group and a 2.5" group. This was shooting the berger 156.

What bullet?

 

[UplandFreak]

Thank you FEENIX. Budget is tight, however I don't think I will be happy with any of the "Factory" offerings. They are the wrong barrel length in the ones I like, and too dang heavy in the ones with 26" tubes. With the exception of Christensen Arms. I am not impressed with their quality.

I have the christensen BA Tactical in 6.5 PRC - gun is awesome, has a 26" pipe and is crazy accurate, even with factory ammo - by crazy accurate I mean consistently prints 1/2 moa groups. So glad I went this route - I was debating between this, a bergara premier and the full custom route, I have no regrets. I hammered the bear in my avatar with it last weekend, hauled it all over the montana mountains.

 

[Skimbleshanks]

I think the majority of the gun buying public will be buying hunting rifles for hunting. Caliber and cartridge isn't quite as important. Most people could shoot a 308 and be perfectly fine thus a slightly easier carrying 24" rifle probably sells better. If you are dead set on a 26" barrel but money is too tight for a full custom, buy the rifle you like most and have it re barrelled straight away. Sell the take off and recoup a few dollers. OR buy a piece at a time. 3k or 4k is way easier to swallow a few hundred at a time.

 

[highdrum]

I have the christensen BA Tactical in 6.5 PRC - gun is awesome, has a 26" pipe and is crazy accurate, even with factory ammo - by crazy accurate I mean consistently prints 1/2 moa groups. So glad I went this route - I was debating between this, a bergara premier and the full custom route, I have no regrets. I hammered the bear in my avatar with it last weekend, hauled it all over the montana mountains.

I hope my Mesa long range that will be showing up next week shoots just as well. I'll be running the first 60 factory rounds through, then load development starts.

 

[chetraguse]

What bullet?

Berger 156

 

[CMP70306]

Here's the Berger 156. This is their projected capacity for Hornady brass.
View attachment 195285

So that confirms my thoughts that StaBall is too fast for the heavies in the PRC. Would it be possible to run that with 58.9gr of StaBall with the 122gr Lehigh Chaos bullet loaded to 2.9" in Hornady brass?

Guess I'll have to get the update now since everything I've been trying to use is on it.

 

[CMP70306]

You saved me some work. Just bought some 153.5 few days ago. Some 200.2 30 cal. also. What next ? Haven't even tried 145 6.5 yet.
Thanks

Just for the record that data is for the 122gr bullets, I don't actually have the 153.5's as they are coming this week and I will be testing with H1000 as I have 10+ pounds of it.

 

[WYO300RUM]

I just worked up a load for my prc today. 26" barrel with RE26 at 58.2 grains was a node without pressure. 59 grains gave a slight ejector mark with a little of a heavy bolt lift. The node at 58.2 was 3066 with a SD of 4.1 on a four shot string. There was also a node at 57 grains with a velocity of 2990. Shot the 58.2 out to 500 and had a 2" group and a 2.5" group. This was shooting the berger 156.

Just for the record that data is for the 122gr bullets, I don't actually have the 153.5's as they are coming this week and I will be testing with H1000 as I have 10+ pounds of it.

Ok. Thanks ! I still haven't tried the 153.5 or 144 hybrid.

Just for the record that data is for the 122gr bullets, I don't actually have the 153.5's as they are coming this week and I will be testing with H1000 as I have 10+ pounds of it.

The data sheet says 156 on it ?
I have some 153.5 and 144 hybrids I haven't tried yet. I wonder what weight is next ?
I just repeated myself... Old.
Thanks !

 

[Ranger Rick]

Welcome Patriot.
The LRH forum is an awesome source of gun info, and I am learning a ton from the many excellent contributors. You will surely enjoy it I have a similar attraction to 26" barrels.
Have you looked into Browning's Hell's Canyon Long Range? It has a 26" barrel and a 1:7" twist. I had one in 6.5 Creedmoor. After break in and replacing the trigger spring, I was able to shoot .5MOA or better. I sold it because IMO 6.5CR is marginal for elk hunting. I planned to buy the same rifle in 6.5 PRC, but I eventually went with a 26" MPA (A wolf + elk rifle). I am replacing my 7 mag BDL barrel with a 26" Bartlein barrel, and I am building a hunting rig 300 PRC with a 26" prefit Proof carbon barrel shouldered to a BigHorn SR3 action.
I'm from Ada County, and I'm glad to welcome another Idahoan to LRH PS I have a shorter X Bolt Stalker in 7mm-08 and it's also a shooter.

 

[UplandFreak]

I hope my Mesa long range that will be showing up next week shoots just as well. I'll be running the first 60 factory rounds through, then load development starts.

If you do some research about CA you will find a lot of the complaints were from several years ago when they were outsourcing their barrels and everything else. Quality control significantly improved when they brought everything in house and starting manufacturing their own barrels and actions etc.

 

[foul bore]

Guys quoting speeds out of a Creedmoor that meet or beat a PRC are either over pressure or comparing a unicorn powder to a run of the mill slower powder. All things equal with correct powders for each the PRC will run ~200fps faster.

Just for kicks I did just that on QuickLOAD. Your ABLR 142 will run ~2950 out of a 24" Creedmoor and ~3000 out of a 26" with RL26 (unicorn powder in the Creedmoor). The PRC will run ~3150 out of a 24" and ~3200 out of a 26" with VV570 (unicorn powder in the PRC). Any individual variances from that from chambering, fast vs slow barrels, etc. could just as easily apply to one over the other. Those projections are at near max pressure on both but no over.

I have a 6.5 Creedmoor that I love. I hate to admit it but ended up with one after a few experiences shooting and carrying friends rifles. They just work. That is in a Kimber lightweight hunting rifle. If the weight or loss of a round or two in the mag box aren't an issue I'd do the PRC. If I wasn't building a 300 PRC for heavier stuff, I'd probably do the 6.5 PRC over the Creedmoor.

If it helps, I'd be happy to do a few runs in QuickLOAD for you.

Dave

The unicorn powder for the PRC is ? I am starting load development for a 6.5 PRC and was not familiar with that powder. starting with H1000, 26"barrel 147 gr ELD help me out here please

 

[WYO300RUM]

The unicorn powder for the PRC is ? I am starting load development for a 6.5 PRC and was not familiar with that powder. starting with H1000, 26"barrel 147 gr ELD help me out here please

So far I've got good accuracy with RL26 and H1000. Have Retumbo , N570 ,N565 and RL23 to try yet.