Reloading for 20” 6.5prc

[Dirt_Nap]

About to start reloading for my custom 20" 6.5prc.
Proof 20" cf barrel
Defiance deviant Hunter XM action
Manners eh1

This is strictly for hunting deer and antelope sized game.

I have ADG brass.

Berger 156gr with N565? H1000 and hammer hunters?

Looking for suggestions with this shorter barrel. Thx

 

[Dmagna]

Barrel length won't affect your powder load. Just your FPS, it's the same load data. N565 and H1000 will both work. I was shooting 123 absolute hammers at 3500fps with N560. I stopped using hammers, switched to bergers.

 

[The_Whitetail_kid]

If I was shooting a barrel that short I'd probably try a 140.
I've got a 24 inch barrel and Shoot a 140, but with a barrel that short I'd want to gain a little velocity.

 

[wasskeet]

H1000 will be kinder to your barrel, but N565 or especially N560 will probably give more speed. YMMV

 

[coop2564]

Barrel length won't affect your powder load. Just your FPS, it's the same load data. N565 and H1000 will both work. I was shooting 123 absolute hammers at 3500fps with N560. I stopped using hammers, switched to bergers.

Why did you stop using hammers?

 

[Dmagna]

Why did you stop using hammers?

not a fan

 

[THE1LAF]

Following for info!
Working on building a 20" 6.5 PRC and plan on running 156gr Berger's.

 

[Mooseknuckles]

Anyone running a short barrel 6.5prc with Winchester stabal hd powder?

 

[Epirate43]

Here is some data I have for my 20 inch 6.5 PRC. I shot some ladders at 350 yards. That's as far as I could shoot that day due to weather. All groups are using once fired lapua brass, H1000, and fed 210m primers. I tested 156 bergers, 140 eldm, and 131 hammer hunters. Attached are the groups with the powder change and velocity of that charge. The 156s and 131s are both seated to function in my Hawkins hunter magazine @ 2.975 OAL. The 140 eldm are .020 off. The 140 and 131 have .002 neck tension and the 156 had .001 neck tension. Please excuse my messy notes. We all have our process.

156 Berger

140 ELD

131 Hammer

 

[Epirate43]

I am going to test the circled powder charges hopefully this weekend. I will probably play with seating depth on the 140 ELD. I'm going to leave the 156 and 131 at mag length and test neck tension. I will post my results.

 

[NW NM hunter]

About to start reloading for my custom 20" 6.5prc.
Proof 20" cf barrel
Defiance deviant Hunter XM action
Manners eh1

This is strictly for hunting deer and antelope sized game.

I have ADG brass.

Berger 156gr with N565? H1000 and hammer hunters?

Looking for suggestions with this shorter barrel. Thx

I'm not sure what weight of hammers you are looking at but my understanding is they like a faster powder than h1000. I have heard good things about n560. I would also check the links on the forum for hammer loads if you go that route.