6.5 PRC Discussion

I bought a few boxes of Hornady 143 ELD-X bullets from a member here. I figured I might as well try them in my PRC even though it is shooting very small groups with the Berger 156 EOLs.

I loaded the 143s at .015"off, .030"off, and .045"off; using 57gr of RE26 which seems to shoot well with every bullet from 139gr to 142gr.

The first 3 bullets (.015off) dropped into a perfect triangle measuring 1.99" on my target @ 416yds. 😁 Don't ask why the club has the target backboard at 416yds. :rolleyes: LOL

The loads at .030"off and .045"off both opened to about 3.5".
 
Actually what I really need is how far off the lands you're running them. Sorry for the lack of clarity.
Ah got ya. I don't have that measurement but I know forsure a couple hundredths. I measured jam when i first got the bullets and they were actually really long but I had to load to my max mag length. I wouldn't mind remeasuring the jam length again but I do not have the rifle here with me.
 
Ah got ya. I don't have that measurement but I know forsure a couple hundredths. I measured jam when i first got the bullets and they were actually really long but I had to load to my max mag length. I wouldn't mind remeasuring the jam length again but I do not have the rifle here with me.
Sure. Planning to start load development next week. Do you think you'll be able to check on that till then? Hate to make a problem. Don't sweat it.
 
The problem is your chambering. The rear part of the chamber cut is .002 too small. Go check out long range only they have a good article on it regarding cases sticking. Also order a JGS AW2 reamer and it will fix the problem. I had some Hand loaded 135 ATips with all kinds of pressure issues with a new CA barrel and I honed the back of the chamber out and can now run them at 3080 with no pressure issues using H1000. I could not reproduce the same velocity as factory Hornady 147's (3000fps) with any loads until I fixed the rear of the chambering issue
Here's a quick update - I believe BCJ (noted above) and a few others are correct. The JWS AW2 reamer is on the way to fix the chamber issue that is most likely the culprit. My next round of testing AFTER the reamer will be —
1) ADG Brass
2) 135 & 140 Berger's (If I don't get pressure with these I'll try the 143's again and I also have 156 EOL's)
3) Many mentioned the following powders I had to source a) N565 b) RL26 c) H1000 d) IMR 4831
4) also mentioned by LRH members - I found Fed 210M primers to try instead of the Fed 215's
5) New Redding dies

I'll keep ya posted on the results - I sincerely appreciate all of your input and read every single post.
 
Like you I did not have luck with H1000. I switched to H4831sc and it shoots lights out with 140 gr elite hunter
Ran H4831SC today with 144 Berger Hybrid. 54.5 Gr, 2.291 CBTO is .070 off lands ADG brass. No pressure at all and extremely low SD of 2.3 on 5 shots. Settling on this load. Running 2963 out of a 22" barrel. 55 Gr starting to show pressure. Going to load 20 up for tomorrow and go test out to 500 meters. My Peterson brass shipped yesterday and am looking forward to testing with it as well. Experienced some clickers today for the first time on another test load that I ran suppressed. Going to use these on my Antelope hunt, I opened up the tip with a .060 wire bit. Hope this helps someone.

3430129A-99F0-42B8-8543-995DF85DD8BD.jpeg
 
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Here's a quick update - I believe BCJ (noted above) and a few others are correct. The JWS AW2 reamer is on the way to fix the chamber issue that is most likely the culprit. My next round of testing AFTER the reamer will be —
1) ADG Brass
2) 135 & 140 Berger's (If I don't get pressure with these I'll try the 143's again and I also have 156 EOL's)
3) Many mentioned the following powders I had to source a) N565 b) RL26 c) H1000 d) IMR 4831
4) also mentioned by LRH members - I found Fed 210M primers to try instead of the Fed 215's
5) New Redding dies

I'll keep ya posted on the results - I sincerely appreciate all of your input and read every single post.
Let me know how that reamer works out for you. If it's a "good to go" after using I may want to rent it from you. If you'd be willing of course.
 
Let me know how that reamer works out for you. If it's a "good to go" after using I may want to rent it from you. If you'd be willing of course.
Just a quick update. I rented the reamer from a very gracious guy and made a little reamer handle to avoid removing the barrel. Super easy process hand reaming the chamber. I'm "still" working up loads, however, I'm narrowing it down and will post all the data.

I did want to thank EVERYONE for your input and opinions. I have read every single post and promise to give a conclusion to this reloading madness!
 

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Bad pic, but it's a 6 shot group of H1000/140 VLD's. Lowest shot is cold bore shot. 2 shots were 55.0, 2 shots were 55.5 and 2 shot were 56.0. ~2950 to 2980 FPS with no pressure signs.
- ADG brass (helps too)
- Fed 210 Primers
- COAL @ 2.960

The AW Reamer is the fix.
 

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Another 6 shot group - 2 @ 55.5, 2 @ 56.0, 2 @ 57.0 of N565
Same brass, primer and bullet noted above.
2.980 COAL
~ 2.960 to 2.990 FPS

I like the N565 (I'm typically an H1000 guy)😳
 

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