6.5 Prc reloading

[spin-one]

It's not only the PRC, other calibers that run the shorter fat brass also can have this issue. When the PRC first came out the only option for brass was Hornady. ADG was the first to offer high quality brass and their brass is heavier which multiplies the problem. There is a custom reamer made that opens the chamber up to allow for the added case expansion. This is the route I would go

 

[JAYgs8163]

@jgs8163 how common is this problem and how do you fix it? I was considering getting a rifle chambered in 6.5 PRC but this seems like it could be a serious problem.

It's fairly common if you push the envelope on your loads. Hornady brass is softer than ADG but I don't think it's better. It allows for a little more sizing with less spring back. I have a finish reamer on order that will modify my chamber some at the web and it should resolve my problems.
Others have had a custom die made by Whidden and have had success. Send them 3 pieces of fired brass.

 

[JAYgs8163]

The PRC die "problem"

The tighter factory dies spec .529-.530" (it they hit the spec). Thats what my chamber needs. The .533 chamber is hard to deal with due to limits on how small you can make a die and the virgin case head size on ADG.

www.longrangehunting.com

Alex Wheeler discussed it in length here.

 

[JAYgs8163]

Another good thread.

6.5 PRC Discussion

I’ve reloaded for probably 10 - 6.5 prc factory rifles, Bergara and Christenson Arms. I’ve had the best luck with RL26. I’ve tried H1000, Retumbo and RL26. Bullets were mainly 140 vld’s and one with 135 a-tips. I have found the 140’s vld’s shoot best at a COL of 2.975” at 0.025-.030” off...

www.longrangehunting.com

 

[EE_Reloader]

@jgs8163 where did you get the reamer?

 

[JAYgs8163]

@jgs8163 where did you get the reamer?

JGS, I will rent it to you very cheap when I'm done with it. Try and recoup some cost on my end help others save some money. It won't be done until end of October when they do the next run on dies. PM me if interested. Joe

 

[EE_Reloader]

Ok. I dont own a rifle yet but I will keep you in mind if I run into this problem.

 

[JAYgs8163]

It doesn't show up until after 4-5 reloadings on the brass. If you run Hornady brass and get a Whidden custom die you may not have it happen at all. I'm not a big fan of Hornady brass so I'm going a different route.

 

[Sending156s]

Ok I am reloading for my new gun and I have a question, I have purchased both the ADG brass and the Lapua brass to try so which one should be the first to try??
If the first one works great then selling the others.

Thanks for any imput!

Marc

I've used ADG, Lapua, Norma, Nosler, & Hornady. Was happy with all except hornady. I'm now using all Lapua since I have enough.

 

[SteveBurton]

I've used ADG, Lapua, Norma, Nosler, & Hornady. Was happy with all except hornady. I'm now using all Lapua since I have enough.

What did you not like about Hornady? I have been using it for over a year and think that it is too soft. Just curious what your thoughts are.
I should be receiving 200 pieces of Lapua today! Got lucky enough to get in on the first run.

 

[Glenn Tullius]

I'm just curious and always looking to learn something here... I have read here of guys annealing after firing every time. Wouldn't this exasperate the soft Hornady brass issue as reported here?

 

[Sending156s]

What did you not like about Hornady? I have been using it for over a year and think that it is too soft. Just curious what your thoughts are.
I should be receiving 200 pieces of Lapua today! Got lucky enough to get in on the first run.

Hi Steve, I felt the same as you on it being to soft. In addition I find general inferior manufacturing signatures. Flash holes: inconsistencies in amount of burs, neck inconsistencies in neck thickness. The overall signatures of a cheaper manufacturing process with loose tolerance. Someone with no experience reloading, but slightly familiar with manufacturing could hold Hornady brass next to any of the others i mentioned and pick Hornady as the cheaper manufacturer. I do not intend to upset any brand loyal members and I'm sure many have done well with it. It's just not for the person looking for the best quality.

 

[Sending156s]

I'm just curious and always looking to learn something here... I have read here of guys annealing after firing every time. Wouldn't this exasperate the soft Hornady brass issue as reported here?

Glen, I will offer a response acknowledging that my opinion may not be valid. I stayed away from annealing until recently as I mostly shoot match chambers built to min saami specs then reload in custom dies built to match my chamber thus my brass only gets worked much on the 1st firing.
I don't think the annealing process will have any adverse effect on Hornady brass doe to being softer. If done at the proper temperature it should just return the hardening from being worked back closer to the original molecular structure.

 

[Sending156s]

It's fairly common if you push the envelope on your loads. Hornady brass is softer than ADG but I don't think it's better. It allows for a little more sizing with less spring back. I have a finish reamer on order that will modify my chamber some at the web and it should resolve my problems.
Others have had a custom die made by Whidden and have had success. Send them 3 pieces of fired brass.

I use a custom Whidden die & have not experienced anything that I've read about. Both of my 65 PRCs were built by GAP on XM actions & custom throated for the long heavies by dummy rounds I sent. My throats are both no turn necks with min clearance and heard they were worried about the thicker necks from Lapua. I've received my ZLapua. & it's not an issue.