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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics
Thinking of going 6.5 PRC thoughts
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<blockquote data-quote="yorke-1" data-source="post: 1462851" data-attributes="member: 11960"><p>I don't see any reason not to build a 6.5 PRC. Everybody seems to like the 6.5xs284's ballistics, so what is there to dislike about the 6.5 PRC which essentially duplicates it? Running a 6.5x284 from a short action puts a dent in it's performance potential but that's not the case in the performance of the 6.5 PRC. Folks are worried about the availability of brass in 5 years but the PRC is based on the RCM case which is based on the 375 Ruger case. I've formed a lot of 338 and 300 RCM brass from 375 Ruger cases with no issue and I've recently formed a fair number of 6.5 PRC cases from the RCM cases. And if the 375 Ruger case magically disappears you can even form cases from the 8x68s case made by both Norma and RWS.</p><p></p><p>There's been a few folks recommending the Sherman Short line of wildcats as an alternative. That's a great option except for the concerns that go along with a single source for brass. Then look at the cost of brass and custom reloading dies. The SS cases are listed for pre-order at around $2.50 each depending on quantity and dies are $275 per set. You can get Hornady 6.5 PRC brass for around $1.00 per case (I found it for about $0.85 each) and a Hornady bushing die set for $75 (I just picked up a Hornady 6.5 PRC bushing die for $23). Add up those numbers and there's a pretty substantial cost difference between the 6.5 PRC and some of the similar "boutique" wildcats. Then comes the whole affordable factory ammo angle.</p><p></p><p>The next argument against the PRC is typically the fact that Hornady makes the brass. Despite what lots of people say, Hornady brass has been very good in my experience. I've had a 375 Ruger for the last 10 years as well as multiple 338/375 Rugers and worked with a couple of different RCMs as well. In my 375 Ruger and the 338/375 Rugers I average 8 firings per case with what I would consider full power loads. I've been using the same 100 pieces of brass for the 375 for all 925 rounds fired through that gun and the same 200 pieces of 375 Ruger brass necked down to 338 in a variety of 338/375 Rugers to account for 1900+ shots fired. The only pieces of brass which have failed prematurely were a result of more aggressive handloads. I'll add to that my experience with Hornady brass I used while working with the 270 AR wildcat (based off of a shortened 6.5 Creedmoor case) which averaged about 6 firings per case. The shorter case life on those is attributed to the more abusive nature of the AR platform.</p><p></p><p>Basically, if you like the idea of the 6.5 PRC just get one. 200 pieces of brass will last you the life of the barrel, so pick those up and be happy. A 140gr bullet at 3000 fps is a pretty good combo regardless of which case it comes out of.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="yorke-1, post: 1462851, member: 11960"] I don't see any reason not to build a 6.5 PRC. Everybody seems to like the 6.5xs284's ballistics, so what is there to dislike about the 6.5 PRC which essentially duplicates it? Running a 6.5x284 from a short action puts a dent in it's performance potential but that's not the case in the performance of the 6.5 PRC. Folks are worried about the availability of brass in 5 years but the PRC is based on the RCM case which is based on the 375 Ruger case. I've formed a lot of 338 and 300 RCM brass from 375 Ruger cases with no issue and I've recently formed a fair number of 6.5 PRC cases from the RCM cases. And if the 375 Ruger case magically disappears you can even form cases from the 8x68s case made by both Norma and RWS. There's been a few folks recommending the Sherman Short line of wildcats as an alternative. That's a great option except for the concerns that go along with a single source for brass. Then look at the cost of brass and custom reloading dies. The SS cases are listed for pre-order at around $2.50 each depending on quantity and dies are $275 per set. You can get Hornady 6.5 PRC brass for around $1.00 per case (I found it for about $0.85 each) and a Hornady bushing die set for $75 (I just picked up a Hornady 6.5 PRC bushing die for $23). Add up those numbers and there's a pretty substantial cost difference between the 6.5 PRC and some of the similar "boutique" wildcats. Then comes the whole affordable factory ammo angle. The next argument against the PRC is typically the fact that Hornady makes the brass. Despite what lots of people say, Hornady brass has been very good in my experience. I've had a 375 Ruger for the last 10 years as well as multiple 338/375 Rugers and worked with a couple of different RCMs as well. In my 375 Ruger and the 338/375 Rugers I average 8 firings per case with what I would consider full power loads. I've been using the same 100 pieces of brass for the 375 for all 925 rounds fired through that gun and the same 200 pieces of 375 Ruger brass necked down to 338 in a variety of 338/375 Rugers to account for 1900+ shots fired. The only pieces of brass which have failed prematurely were a result of more aggressive handloads. I'll add to that my experience with Hornady brass I used while working with the 270 AR wildcat (based off of a shortened 6.5 Creedmoor case) which averaged about 6 firings per case. The shorter case life on those is attributed to the more abusive nature of the AR platform. Basically, if you like the idea of the 6.5 PRC just get one. 200 pieces of brass will last you the life of the barrel, so pick those up and be happy. A 140gr bullet at 3000 fps is a pretty good combo regardless of which case it comes out of. [/QUOTE]
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Thinking of going 6.5 PRC thoughts
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