6.5 PRC 156 load development

[central iowa couple]

The accuracy is pretty good 3070-3100fps, 60.4-61gr. 62.3gr is where psi started to show, 3195fps. Accuracy was good at 3145fps 61.4gr but the node was pretty small.

Thanks....i am going to try the 570 then....to see if my rifle likes it. Maybe my prc's with a short throat might like it too. I have a short throat joke but I'm fighting the urge to type it. Lol

 

[KennJ]

Never said it wasn't. The problem is that everyone claims it is a massive change it's not unless you are seating on the extreme side which is what the article refers too. I've done the testing and know that .050 is not doing much in the prc. Sure .250 is worthy of consideration and exactly why the Winchester got the Norma treatment. I'm all ears if anyone has the numbers to show .050, actually gained x over y in the prc. Would love to see someone else actually take the time to do it like I did. In the end, I see zero reason to run anything else than a 2.950 coal and short action until proven otherwise. I'm not
Trying to be difficult, just want someone step away from an article being taken out of context about minimal seating depth changes. Now, if you run a long action and a 240 throat, yeah now you have a lot to work with over a 188

 

[HUNTNMOON]

With RL26 in Hornady brass I'm at 2980 fps with the 156. Because of my mag box at 2.975 I have to jump them about .09" so I havent found anything to shoot sub .5" yet but still getting .6-75" groups at 100 yards. I ordered some ADG and will try again and see if I can gain a little speed before pressure and better accuracy. 3000 fps is my goal so I'm close. My rifle is a Christensen Arms Ridgeline 24" barrel. I have an excellent load with the berger 140 vld and retumbo at 3030fps so I'm not too worried if the 156s dont work out

Sykes
Would you mind sharing the load your using with the 140 VLD and Retumbo for your CA Ridgeline??

 

[MoaFlat]

Wow, this really went off the rails.

It was supposed to help guys with a 6.5 PRC who wanted to try the 156 EOL.

It wasn't intended to discuss several other cartridges.

Bertram brass
CCI BR2
RL26
156 seated at .050 jump

55 gr-2900 FPS
56 gr-2948 FPS
56.5 gr-2976 FPS heavy bolt lift.
Picture below was 54-56 gr at 324 yards.

Three shots at the dot were 56.5
H1000, 210 primer and 156 at .050
324 yards.

About 70 degrees, tail wind a little right to left 5-10 mph,

3 minutes between shots, significant mirage off the barrel by the time I shot the H1000 rounds.

View attachment 144674

Was wondering if any improvements since this posting and could you provide COL? Distance to your lands doesn't give any datum correlation or reference point of commonality. COL and BTO would help considerably. Cheers…

 

[MoaFlat]

You may want to think about a small base die.

Recently had experienced similar sizing issue and found using one shot spray didn't cut it. So went back to imperial wax (knowing I would need to clean afterwards), and the numbers changed and came out far more to what was expected.

 

[Kimber7man]

Just started breaking in my new PRC. 24" Bartlein 7.75 twist barrel.
46 rounds down the pipe now.
It's an anTi medium action with Hawkins DBM hunter mags so limited to 2.950 COAL.
156 EOL
New Lapua brass
Fed GM210M primers

58.0 H1000 2,825 fps
56.0 R26 2,920 fps

Will keep going with R26 and see what we get when barrel speeds up.

 

[Txcowboy50]

I am breaking in a new 26" Proof CF. Hawkins DBM bottom also. Can not find H1000 or RL 26 or large rifle primers so I am going to try working up a load with what I have. I have been loading for 300 WBY mag and 7 mm Rem mag so going a lot lighter. I have found load data for IMR 7828 and H4831sc that i am going to try with Berger 156's. Since I can not find Large rifle primers what are your thoughts on using Federal 215 Large magnum rifle primers in the 6.5 PRC Loads?

 

[dougduey]

I am breaking in a new 26" Proof CF. Hawkins DBM bottom also. Can not find H1000 or RL 26 or large rifle primers so I am going to try working up a load with what I have. I have been loading for 300 WBY mag and 7 mm Rem mag so going a lot lighter. I have found load data for IMR 7828 and H4831sc that i am going to try with Berger 156's. Since I can not find Large rifle primers what are your thoughts on using Federal 215 Large magnum rifle primers in the 6.5 PRC Loads?

215's will work great. I use them in my 6.5-284 which is basically a cousin of the PRC. H4831 works really well in my Norma, so it should work well in your PRC. I'd look at RL23 too, if you have it. I know a few running N560 in their PRC's as well.

 

[Txcowboy50]

215's will work great. I use them in my 6.5-284 which is basically a cousin of the PRC. H4831 works really well in my Norma, so it should work well in your PRC. I'd look at RL23 too, if you have it. I know a few running N560 in their PRC's as well.

I have some MagPro with a burn rate right there with H1000 and RL26 but I do not have and Load Data for 156 bergers may just start low and work up. RL 23 looks like a winner too.

 

[dougduey]

I have some MagPro with a burn rate right there with H1000 and RL26 but I do not have and Load Data for 156 bergers may just start low and work up. RL 23 looks like a winner too.

Anything in that burn rate should work well for you. Look at Noslers load data for the 150 gr. They have Magpro listed, so that should get you started. Surprised more guys haven't chimed in on this cuz I know there are many using the 156 in the PRC.

 

[g8ters]

This is my backup load for the 156 when n565 runs out.
Magpro 2.96 coal
60g. 2932 2928 2916 2927 2932. 1/2 moa.
Christensen Ti Ridgeline @22" barrel.

 

[wasskeet]

Started out here with 156 Berger and N565. Other than 6.5 PRC brass issues, initial load is extremely accurate. Not even going to bother with any other powders.

 

[Southern 62]

Fallowing

 

[Txcowboy50]

This is my backup load for the 156 when n565 runs out.
Magpro 2.96 coal
60g. 2932 2928 2916 2927 2932. 1/2 moa.
Christensen Ti Ridgeline @22" barrel.

Thanks, I would be happy with that.