6.5 PRC Reloading

[Mac83646]

I have a 6.5 PRC 1:8 twist 20" Bergera. I'm new to loading this round. I have RL26 and Staball 6.5. I'm pushing a 145 gr Barnes Match Burner. Any suggestions on a load development that will get me north of 3100 fps would be welcome.

 

[birddog 68]

I'm just getting ready to start development with my 6.5 prc using 140 grain accubond. I think the staball is too fast so I'd use the 26. As far as 3100+ in a 20" barrel, I don't see you getting that with a 145 grain bullet from the data I looked at.

 

[Recon$$]

I'm pushing 140 vld's at 3150 out of a 24" suppressed rifle with 59.0 GR of RL25. No pressure signs but it's pushing it as I will get pressure signs if I shoot in 85 plus heat.

 

[jseandsje]

If someone gives you a 3100 and 145 and 20" barrel 6.5 prc load, ignore it.

Barnes data for 145 matchburner is max 2950 for RL26. 24" barrel.

 

[Kmccord]

With that short of a barrel you will not see that speed, in a 25" barrel with N565 I could get to 3k with 145gr TGK. I would look at accuracy before velocity, and I am seeing that sitting around 2950fps.

 

[westcoasthunter]

I'm gettin 2940fps with the 147ELDM's factory ammo with a 24 "

 

[Kimber7man]

You might get 2,950-3,000 in that 20" with N560.

 

[alf]

I've got the same 20" Bergara that I bought to use up my Bergers & H-4831-SC.

I topped out at 3000 with the 130's, & 2900 with the 140's.

I hit 3070 with the 130's but that was a bit much.

 

[WoodPecker Hunter]

I have a 6.5 PRC 1:8 twist 20" Bergera. I'm new to loading this round. I have RL26 and Staball 6.5. I'm pushing a 145 gr Barnes Match Burner. Any suggestions on a load development that will get me north of 3100 fps would be welcome.

Gonna a be way over pressure to do that

My 24 " likes Retumbo powder with F215M ADG brass with 153 ATips at 2925

 

[blue_ridge]

I've done load development for 2 rifles. Origin w Snowy MTN rifles CF 22" (Bartlein) was finicky with Hornady 147 ELDM and 153 Atips. Did well with Berger 144 and 156. Best load was 135 CH and H4831. H4831 was most consistent powder with many bullets. Also tried N555, N565, H1000.
Tikka 22" liked 144's and 156's w H4831 and H1000.
Every rifle is different, but if I had to start over I would focus on Hodgdon/Berger combos.

 

[Buckskinner]

Gonna a be way over pressure to do that

My 24 " likes Retumbo powder with F215M ADG brass with 153 ATips at 2925

That's pretty impressive. How many grains are you using? I'm running about 100ft/sec slower with 67gr Retumbo same barrel length.

 

[WoodPecker Hunter]

That's pretty impressive. How many grains are you using? I'm running about 100ft/sec slower with 67gr Retumbo same barrel length.

I think you mean your using 57 not 67 any how I use 58.5 grs Retumbo
24 " Bench Mark 8 twist barrel

 

[Buckskinner]

Yeah, good catch! Perfect example of why to verify internet loads!!!

I'll have to up it a bit. I stopped there because of how accurate it was.