6.5 PRC Discussion

[yogibearmech]

I bought the Ridgeline for my wife. Shoots the 147 Hornady very well. Plan on eventually reloading for it. 200 yard target. We both shot it nicely. I had 3 shots she did the other 7

 

[wabtklr]

I just picked up 200 pcs of ADG, I can call my gunsmith to see if they anymore.

 

[Rosebud]

I apologize in advance for the lengthy explanation!

I've read EVERYTHING on LRH regarding 6.5 PRC loads, BUT I'm reloading for my friend's 6.5 PRC (Christensen Arms) and have struggled helping him develop a good load. I tried talking him to a 7 MAG, but he had to go with the latest and greatest

Equipment - A&D scale, Wilson Bullet Seater, (borrowed some Lee Dies - Redding dies on order)
100 rounds down the tube so far
COAL: 2.940
Brass: Nosler (blems)
Bullet: Hornady 143 ELDX
Primer: FED 215M (also tried WIN LRP - no difference)
Powder: H1000 (55.0 to 57.0) no exceptional groups, developed pressure very early (~2880 FPS)
Powder: IMR8133 (56.0 to 57.5) .75/1.0 MOA, but FPS ~2800 range, loaded hotter but developed heavy bolt lift
Powder: IMR4831(47.5 to 49.5) at 49.0 shot 1/2" MOA ( AVG FPS @ 2841). Starting to develop heavy bolt lift

Side note - I shot 3 rounds of factory ammo (.7 MOA) and shot 1 round for velocity (3010 FPS). Hornady Precision Hunter 143 ELDX. I thought I could get close to duplicating this, but so far it's a no go. I'm sure I'm not the first to disassemble a factory load and find there is 54.84 to 54.86 of some type of powder, but it is definitely a mixture of powders. (Black powder with sprinkles of brown kernels, approx. 1 grain = .02)

Opinions/suggestions Welcomed. Should I just tell my friend to shoot factory ammo? He said he can't find any! I said there's plenty of it for sale on Gunbroker

Powder reminds me of H100V, I'm going to look at mine to see if the little golden kernel is in it. H100V may well see that FPS

 

[Northkill]

Don't know if this helps at all, but here's data from our 270 WSM load in a Christensen Classic.

63.2gr Reloader 22
Norma Brass
CCI 250 Primer
Hornady 145gr ELD-X
COAL – 2.830"
Muzzle Velocity – 3,185

 

[Lefty G-gear]

I apologize in advance for the lengthy explanation!

I've read EVERYTHING on LRH regarding 6.5 PRC loads, BUT I'm reloading for my friend's 6.5 PRC (Christensen Arms) and have struggled helping him develop a good load. I tried talking him to a 7 MAG, but he had to go with the latest and greatest

Equipment - A&D scale, Wilson Bullet Seater, (borrowed some Lee Dies - Redding dies on order)
100 rounds down the tube so far
COAL: 2.940
Brass: Nosler (blems)
Bullet: Hornady 143 ELDX
Primer: FED 215M (also tried WIN LRP - no difference)
Powder: H1000 (55.0 to 57.0) no exceptional groups, developed pressure very early (~2880 FPS)
Powder: IMR8133 (56.0 to 57.5) .75/1.0 MOA, but FPS ~2800 range, loaded hotter but developed heavy bolt lift
Powder: IMR4831(47.5 to 49.5) at 49.0 shot 1/2" MOA ( AVG FPS @ 2841). Starting to develop heavy bolt lift

Side note - I shot 3 rounds of factory ammo (.7 MOA) and shot 1 round for velocity (3010 FPS). Hornady Precision Hunter 143 ELDX. I thought I could get close to duplicating this, but so far it's a no go. I'm sure I'm not the first to disassemble a factory load and find there is 54.84 to 54.86 of some type of powder, but it is definitely a mixture of powders. (Black powder with sprinkles of brown kernels, approx. 1 grain = .02)

Opinions/suggestions Welcomed. Should I just tell my friend to shoot factory ammo? He said he can't find any! I said there's plenty of it for sale on Gunbroker

I'm wondering about brass thickness. With 30-06 LC military brass for reference, you have to download cuz of the thicker brass and high pressure signs. - Can you try and compare with other brass? - Weight the cases of each brand.

ADG 6.5 PRC Brass

ADG 6.5mm PRC Brass Carefully read this description! You will likely have to change your load for ADG brass. ADG 6.5 PRC brass was designed not only for consistency, but for durability. One of the ways ADG accomplished this was adding material to the case in specific areas to...

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New Lapua Brass Cartridge Cases for 2021

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Stiff bolt lift: It could be that the bolt face needs to be squared (in line) with the bore better. (Happened on my 700 7mm Rem Mag. Got it trued. No more swipe.)

 

[new2mud]

Powder reminds me of H100V, I'm going to look at mine to see if the little golden kernel is in it. H100V may well see that FPS

I hadn't heard of anyone using H100V in 6.5 PRC when I started loading for it. So I stuck with R26 and H1000.

However, when fireforming some virgin brass recently I used some H100V a buddy gave me a small amount of to try out, and it resulted in terrific accuracy and solid velocities. If I had more I would absolutely try to work up a load with it.

 

[lancetkenyon]

53.5gr RL23 has gotten me 2940-2960 in 3 different 6.5 PRCs w. 140 VLD, 140 Hyb, or 144 LR Hyb. All extremely accurate.

 

[Hard rock]

53.5gr RL23 has gotten me 2940-2960 in 3 different 6.5 PRCs w. 140 VLD, 140 Hyb, or 144 LR Hyb. All extremely accurate.

That burn rate seems about right thats why I use n165 temp stable easy on the throat one of the coolest burning powders from what I know decoppering agent and burns clean the burn rate chart shows them too be real close

 

[bowhunter1287]

I just started loading for two prcs with nosler blems I was hitting pressure early at 57 grains then I measured and I was shoved into the lands at 2.955 so I adjusted the setting depth to .10" off lands on one and about .15" off lands on other and now I was able to reach 58 grains of h1000 with the hornady 143 eld x and nosler blems with no pressure. have not ran over a chrono yet.

AZHTR has different brass help out your pressure issue?

 

[derfssor]

Reading this post i find it strange that I too have a Christiansen Mesa and also have sticking problems on hotter loads but have no lift problems. I have just figured that it has a tight chamber. As soon as i drop .5 in powder charge it goes away. In my chase i was surprised that Magnum powder and 143 eldx have become my most accurate and consistent load. Has anyone else trying Magnum powder? Shoots consistent .6 and does not drop at 200 yards from 100.

 

[lunatic209]

This is a Browning x bolt I just did some load development for

tried 3 different powders and all have shot quite well but opted for the H4831sc

.25 moa and es of 2

RL26 got almost 3300 fps and printed .5 inch groups but stayed with h4831sc for the temp stability especially for hunting the 100+ degree days

 

[bowhunter1287]

Reading this post i find it strange that I too have a Christiansen Mesa and also have sticking problems on hotter loads but have no lift problems. I have just figured that it has a tight chamber. As soon as i drop .5 in powder charge it goes away. In my chase i was surprised that Magnum powder and 143 eldx have become my most accurate and consistent load. Has anyone else trying Magnum powder? Shoots consistent .6 and does not drop at 200 yards from 100.

I have some loads loaded with the ram shot magnum behind some 153 a tips but have not shot them yet. But glad to hear it's accurate sense I'm low on h1000. What kind of velocity are you seeing with that load?

 

[JAYgs8163]

This is a Browning x bolt I just did some load development for

tried 3 different powders and all have shot quite well but opted for the H4831sc

.25 moa and es of 2

RL26 got almost 3300 fps and printed .5 inch groups but stayed with h4831sc for the temp stability especially for hunting the 100+ degree days

Have you tried those Badlands at longer ranges yet? Just curious as I'm trying to work into my 131 HH at 500 yards as ballistic CoE is not adding up. Shoots great at 100 but at 500 it's not adding up. Having to back into the coefficient to get ballistic apps to work properly. Going to keep trying but I'm losing patience and may go back to Berger's or Noslers. The Hammers shoot lights out at 100,200 and 300 but then things start falling apart for me.

 

[lunatic209]

Have you tried those Badlands at longer ranges yet? Just curious as I'm trying to work into my 131 HH at 500 yards as ballistic CoE is not adding up. Shoots great at 100 but at 500 it's not adding up. Having to back into the coefficient to get ballistic apps to work properly. Going to keep trying but I'm losing patience and may go back to Berger's or Noslers. The Hammers shoot lights out at 100,200 and 300 but then things start falling apart for me.

Shot Badlands quite extensively last year and their advertised bc seems to be true. Hammers on the other hand not from personal experience but hearing from others, their bc seems a bit exaggerated.