6.5 PRC too much gun for coyotes?

I'm selling my 6.5 CM Browning X-Bolt Pro rifle and getting the same rifle in 6.5 PRC which I feel is a better cartridge for Nevada's big game. The extra energy would be better suited for longer shots on mule deer and shots to 300 yards on cow elk.

The 6.5 CM seemed ideal for coyotes with light 130 gr. Hornady bullets. I have A Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 CM but I don't want to carry that 18 lb. boat anchor hunting if I have to walk far to set up.

So far the 6.5 PRC does not come in loads that light so I'm thinking the 147 ELD-M (match) bullets are better than the 143 gr. ELD-X (expanding) hunting bullets.

Eric B.

This should to be a good round for repeaters. At 66-67 gr. capacity (alf's post), it is identical in capacity to my Lapua 6.5-284 fired cases. However, the 6-284 is a little too long for short action repeaters without stuffing the bullet back in the case. The 6 PRC should give you 6-284 performance in a repeater without the OAL problem. Both the 6-284 and 6-06 rounds give some real performance in LR low volume varmint shooting, like GH's and coyotes.

Come on now anything putting their faces in the dirt should work out fine.I'd use a sling shot if I had more indian in me unless your having them mounted.Just thinking out loud AGAIN... LOL

Heck, I have shot a lot of coyotes with my .300RUM pushing 230 Hybrids @ 3113. Dead is dead.

Last coyote I shot was with a 300 RUM also. Not very fur friendly, but it did get the job done. 6.5 will be the same way to an extent. If you don't want to save the hide use anything you want. If its hides you are after the hot .17's have no peer.

Hmmm... I do have a PS90 that shoots little .22 caliber centerfire cartridges pretty fast and far (5/7 cartridge). And there's no Nevada law agin' using it on 'yotes.

Then there is my Ruger 96/22 magnum lever gun with a nice Green River octagonal barrel that is quite accurate - given its lousy trigger.

Eric B.

Ultimately depends on how much one values the fur, doesn't it?

From experience if you need the volleyball sized patch fur on the exit side of the animal then 147 elds from a PRC are not what you want...


If you don't need that fur then it's perfect

Heck the 6.5 cm is too much if you want to sell the hides. I guess that's just my opinion. My fur saver round is a .22 cal 40gr v max at 3550. Goes in does not exit. If you're not saving hides then heck anything you find fun will do. I did shoot one with .300 win mag once at about 300 yards. All I saw after the recoil was a bunch of hair floating in the air.

not if you dont want the fur.

A 155mm howitzer is not too much gun for a coyote! I despise them!

I've dumped quite a few through the last couple winters with a 6.5-06 shooting 140 Bergers. Broadside shots make a quarter to half dollar sized exit. Easily sewable if saving hides.

Sounds like you need a 22 Creed!

With ballistics of my 6.5x284 being identical to the PRC, I have shot quite a few coyotes from 100 yards to over 1000 yards. I use the same 140gr Berger HVLD/JLK's I use on medium game. Most of my coyotes are shot incidental to deer/antelope hunting. Damage doesn't appear much different from my .223 and 22-250 loads.