6.5 PRC for deer

[mike33]

What distances are you going to hunt at? I hunted over in the valley for elk and there weren't too many shots over 400 yards. That was in clear cuts only, the rest of the shots would have been closer dense forest shots. If so high velocity might not be needed. Just an accurate load. If the shots are going to be 400 yards and less I'd probably choose the Partition and be a one load for everything. Which is what I tend to do for deer and elk.

That can be tough . I was in box blinds ( Missouri ) kind of rolling area. Some places I could see 700 but best shots was 75-400. Keep in mind this was a 140" class buck or pay 1k fine. So determine a 140 from an east coast guy like me that really has to think on it 400 would be max for this reason. Many times I seen them last 4 where they was in the CRP grass and hard to judge due to fading in and out. Most of the ones taken was 200 yards or far less. This is why I woukd like to go with a shorter barrel vs my 26" 260 ai. First morning I left 3 at 35 yards go that was nice mid 135 ish.

 

[mike33]

I've used the 143 and had great success. On the same day several years ago in early november, my son used my PRC and shot a mule deer buck at 55 yards, killed it with one shot. A couple hours later i harvested a cow elk with the same rifle - the same thing, a single shot with the 143eld-x this time at 496 yards or so - and the elk died after a quick 10' circle run.

I'm thinking Christensen arms 6.5 prc loading the 143. It looks like a 20" barrel , what do you think I can get velocity out of it ?

 

[SF Bowhunter]

I'm thinking Christensen arms 6.5 prc loading the 143. It looks like a 20" barrel , what do you think I can get velocity out of it ?

I get right at 2900 with a 22" barrel and factory Hornady eld-x 143s. I don't have more than 60 rounds down the tube so it has room to speed up. A 20" barrel with the same factory ammo would most likely be 2700-2800 range, depending on the barrel. Some are tighter than others and can be a little slower and vise versa.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I'm thinking Christensen arms 6.5 prc loading the 143. It looks like a 20" barrel , what do you think I can get velocity out of it ?

2900 should be attainable with a 143 and hand loading for it. My 22" would push a 140 @ 2990.

Working on a 20" right now for a buddy w. H1000. (Not the fastest powder, but super stable)
142 NABLRs over 2900 easy.
145 TGK @ 2900 easy.
147 ELD-M @ 2870 easy.

 

[PopNFresh]

won't work, put the powder and bullets up for sale in the exchange

 

[SF Bowhunter]

2900 should be attainable with a 143 and hand loading for it. My 22" would push a 140 @ 2990.

Working on a 20" right now for a buddy w. H1000. (Not the fastest powder, but super stable)
142 NABLRs over 2900 easy.
145 TGK @ 2900 easy.
147 ELD-M @ 2870 easy.

I figured the same, looking forward to working up some loads for mine but when it's shooting almost 1/4 moa with factory ammo and i have 10 boxes left why reload, lol!

 

[mike33]

2900 should be attainable with a 143 and hand loading for it. My 22" would push a 140 @ 2990.

Working on a 20" right now for a buddy w. H1000. (Not the fastest powder, but super stable)
142 NABLRs over 2900 easy.
145 TGK @ 2900 easy.
147 ELD-M @ 2870 easy.

How about letting me know how it works out with the 20" and your load data

 

[lancetkenyon]

Lapua brass
Fed GM210M
55.0 to 57.0 H1000 was my highest load for each, no pressure. I have found 58.0 to be close to max in most combinations.
All seated for max mag length (2.970") in a short action 2.980" max.mag length.

 

[long450]

What distance do you expect to shoot deer ? Mulley or whitetail? I shoot pigs with the 130 Nosler Partition and get multiple kills from the same bullet out to 460 yards( as far as I have shot). These are 150 to 200 lbs pigs. Spattered meat and blood all over my feeders at 100 yards.
You are probably over gunned on whitetails.

 

[mike33]

What distance do you expect to shoot deer ? Mulley or whitetail? I shoot pigs with the 130 Nosler Partition and get multiple kills from the same bullet out to 460 yards( as far as I have shot). These are 150 to 200 lbs pigs. Spattered meat and blood all over my feeders at 100 yards.
You are probably over gunned on whitetails.

140" whitetail

 

[ARlife4me]

Make sure the required velocities are in the range of what is being shot for needed expansion per website of nosler. Other than that, all will work. Partitions might be to tough for thin skinned animals unless velocities are slow enough?

 

[ARlife4me]

I'd try n560 (that's my expectations for mine) along with 7828ssc (not in stock, but I have enough) for 135-150 range

 

[divx1974]

Both great bullets. I wouldn't use the Partitions unless you are taking shots 150 yards and in. For western hunting and longer shots I try Accubond and ELDX and see what the rifle likes. Partitions have really poor ballistics at longer ranges. But they thump at close ranges.

 

[Rodbolt]

I usually prefer Accubonds over Partitions for deer but there is a minuscule difference between them in the 140 grain bullets. Out to 500 yards they fly almost identical, at 600 the Partition hits a whopping 1 inch lower and 30fps less but will likely expand faster on deer. Pick the one you like or shoots best.