26Nosler vs. 6.5 PRC

No experience with the Nosler, but I have been hunting with 2 rifles in 6.5 PRC. It has been a very easy cartridge to load for and is pretty mild mannered for the performance. I have not had the "clicker" issue yet, but I was lucky enough to get a pile of brass before the shortage and am running 200 Hornady brass in each rifle so I am not on the 3rd loading yet. I have a long and short action and I do like the long action better. The rifles are CA Mesa (SA) and Fierce Fury (LA).
 
Same as quintus ^. I like to run a small batch of brass to destruction to see what it will take. I'm on the 9th firing with 20 pieces of hornady brass still totally usable without clickers. The prc was my first 6.5 so I was apprehensive but it absolutely smashed last years buck @ 811yds. Seems the 26 Nosler has pretty small returns in speed for burning so much more powder and making a lot more noise
 
The two are very different, in my opinion.

If I wanted more than the 6.5 PRC I'd probably go up in bore size before I go up in case capacity. From Nosler's data the 26 is a good deal faster with 120's and a bit faster with 140's, but more powder down a tiny bore will cost you in barrel life as well. I'd rather have a 6.5 PRC I can shoot without feeling too guilty than a 26 Nosler I hesitate to practice with at the range.
 
My 26 shoots a 156 berger at 3218. My prc can't do that. I like the prc. I love the nosler and I was really just wanting a .264. I don't sit and plink with the 26 though. I gotta make the barrel life last.
 
My 26 shoots a 156 berger at 3218. My prc can't do that. I like the prc. I love the nosler and I was really just wanting a .264. I don't sit and plink with the 26 though. I gotta make the barrel life last.
thank you very much, i think i might go with the 6.5prc sounds like shooters are concerned with the barrel life of the 26. Respectfully GKshootsXX
 
thank you very much, i think i might go with the 6.5prc sounds like shooters are concerned with the barrel life of the 26. Respectfully GKshootsXX
Yes that's a concern. That's why I have 20 rifles. I can rotate them! Ha ha

The prc is a great cartridge. Make sure you start looking for ammo now though. Been scarce for a lot of peeps.
 
To be specific....the 6.5 prc is probably one of the most sought after ammo right now next to creed moor. It was running the most $ on the scalped ammo. Just a heads up. I hand load so it hasn't been a problem for me. Good luck
 
To be specific....the 6.5 prc is probably one of the most sought after ammo right now next to creed moor. It was running the most $ on the scalped ammo. Just a heads up. I hand load so it hasn't been a problem for me. Good luck
thank you very much would you mind sharing your loading data by chance
 
Adg brass 57.7 h1000 147 eldm bullets. 3130fps
Hornady brass is thinner so it took a little more powder before pressure.

Reloader 26 would be good alternative or n565
 

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If you are using it for hinting, and you are dialing or holding over for long range, the slight difference downrange is meaningless. If you are holding 2 MOA vs 3, does it really matter?
 
I'd do a 28 nosler before a 26 for sure. In the 6.5 arena the 6.5 PRC/sherman/Saum are all proven to be effective and if you really want a ton of data look up 6.5-284. All of these run a little faster than the 284 and it is known as an effective 6.5 hunter. In the end between the 2 you listed I'd go PRC. It's one of, if not the best, cartridges to load for to get low sd and accuracy. I have to try to screw it up to get a bad load.
 

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