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6.5 PRC load data

C

CanSniper

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 25, 2011
321
69
Colorado, Pawnee Grass Land
Thought I would share some info I have gathered working with my new 6.5 PRC.

Plans are for 130 grn bullets and try some 140s later. So far it is a pleasure to shoot. Very little recoil, less than 308. And is a Lazer flat to 1k. Shot some Hornady factory 147s that chrono'd about 2850, which is 100fps slower than advertised on the box.

Also ran a little H1000 and 4831sc. Never got a real good chance to group them mostly due to constant CO wind. But got some Chrono #s that should be helpful.

Rifle is Remington 700 action trued with Bartlien 26" 8 twist and APA little bastard brake. Pillar bedded Manners stock. Nightforce 3.5-15 nxs. Magneto speed Chrono.


Here is what I got so far.

H1000, br2, new Hornady brass, 130eldm.
All three round groups

59.3grn avg3040 es23

59.6grn avg3051 es55

59.9grn avg3078 es30

60.2grn avg3095 es18 (best group .2")

60.5grn avg3123 es13

60.8grn avg3133 es38

61.1grn avg3158 es34
61.1 still held primers and just started to show very very slight ghost of a ejector mark.

I am not pushing hard for velocity, but consistentcy.

H1000 just did not click with me. I felt like it was missing something.

Soo...
4831sc, Br2, new brass, 130eldm.
All three rnd groups

55.0grn avg3034 es24

55.3grn avg3050 es12

55.6grn avg3065 es9

55.9grn avg3085 es9

56.2grn avg3100 es10

56.5grn avg3111 es17

56.8grn avg3115 es23

57.1grn avg3137 es12

4831sc alot more consistent! Definitely going to focus on it a little. Hopefully if the wind stops I can shoot some groups. Pressure seemed lower with 4831 as well. Also have some 7828ssc I will try.

Everything I shot had pretty flat primers. Even the factory stuff, so I stopped looking at that for a pressure indicator. Never got a sticky bolt or a brass flow into ejector. I think everything I loaded could be pushed harder if you are into that. I try not to blow my face off though.
 
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Thanks for posting up.. That 147 factory speed is a little disappointing, I can beat that with 6.5CM. I was hoping H1000 would be the go to on this, maybe not. (since I have 20lbs :oops:) Keep posting up with findings, good info!
 
Last edited:
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My mistake the factory ammo is rated at 2910. My avg velocity was actually 2862. First rnds through the barrel. Might speed up a litte as it breaks in.
 

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Did you build this gun on a short or long action? And what reamer did your Smith use? I'm thinking hard about building one.
 
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Here is some 140s
4831sc, br2, new brass, Nosler 140RDF,

53grn avg2923 es35

53.3 avg2952 es11

53.6 avg2948 es12

53.9 avg2973 es15

54.2 avg2981 es29

54.5 avg2983 es15

54.8 avg2991 es12

Nice velocity flat spot between 53.9 and 54.8. also got some nice groups at 53.9 and 54.2
 
Thank you for posting your results. Very interesting stuff. I am in the build/waiting process right now on my PRC. I too was wondering if 4831SC might be a good fit since it works so well in the WSMs. I wonder if it will shorten barrel life noticeably over H1000? I tend to shoot my guns quite a bit.
 
Yea man I hear ya on h1000, I was dead set on it since I have alot, and really liked it in my 338L. If I don't stop jacking around with load development I will be able to give you a round count on this barrel soon. Lol! I am working with some 140 hybrids and 4831sc right now that I am VERY impressed with!
 
Good data there. Thanks for sharing.

Anyone know which powder hornady is using in their factory PRC loads?
 
Just got the email my SAC 6.5 PRC will be here next week. What dies are y'all using? I was considering the RCBS Gold Medal but i am not familiar with the bushing style dies, Any recommendations on dies and or bushing size?
 
I picked up some Hornady custom grade dies from my local Sportsman’s. I have loads worked up with H1000 that I plan on shooting this weekend.
 
Still debating. I'll ask my smith what he recommends but also keeping in mind not everyone is producing prc dies just yet.
 
Just finished a 6.5 PRC. Proof barrel @ 25", 54 gr RE 26, 147 ELD-M, Hndy brass, Fed 215 primers 2850, S-D of 1. Accuracy was very good for being the first 20 shots fired, approximately .5" @ 100 yds. Velocity is a little disappointing but initial accuracy excellent. i used a Manson reamer. this is a hunting rifle with a sporter barrel total weight is 8.25 lbs. with scope. Hopefully I can squeeze some more velocity out of it. rifle isn't 100% finished but i just had to shoot it. :)
 
Did you load to factory length COAL? That would be 2.950 roughly for the 147.

Put a few more rounds through it and hopefully the speed will come up.

Is this on a short action?
 
2.950" short action rem 700 with a wyatt"s box for standard(.308) cartridges. i tried the WSM but could not get it to feed. this was the hardest part of the whole build.
 
What reamers specs yall using? Bout to have one built myself and seen a few different specs
 
i am using a "standard" reamer from Manson. i believe that it is made to Hornady specs.
 
Not really understanding this cartridge. If I can get roughly 2750-2800 out of my 47 with 36 gr of powder, this cartridge gets only 100 better with 60 gr. Yes, 140 gr projectile
 
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whiskeytower said:
Just got the email my SAC 6.5 PRC will be here next week. What dies are y'all using? I was considering the RCBS Gold Medal but i am not familiar with the bushing style dies, Any recommendations on dies and or bushing size?
Click to expand...

I too would like to know what size neck bushings you guys are using? Looks like case neck is about .002" thicker than a 6.5CM. for the 6.5CM i'm using between .288" and .289". So for 6.5PRC maybe a .290"??
 
brad502a said:
Just finished a 6.5 PRC. Proof barrel @ 25", 54 gr RE 26, 147 ELD-M, Hndy brass, Fed 215 primers 2850, S-D of 1. Accuracy was very good for being the first 20 shots fired, approximately .5" @ 100 yds. Velocity is a little disappointing but initial accuracy excellent. i used a Manson reamer. this is a hunting rifle with a sporter barrel total weight is 8.25 lbs. with scope. Hopefully I can squeeze some more velocity out of it. rifle isn't 100% finished but i just had to shoot it. :)
Click to expand...


Has your velocity increased? My rifle is pretty similar to yours, with the 56gr of RL 26 I"m getting just under 2900fps average.
 
That is interesting. My Seekins barrel is 24" and 54.5gr RL 26 gives me right at 2900 fps and those same reloading components. 198 rounds in and there has been no speed up. The hornady data shows that load as having a velocity of 3000 iirc.
 
jdrigel said:
Has your velocity increased? My rifle is pretty similar to yours, with the 56gr of RL 26 I"m getting just under 2900fps average.
Click to expand...
Factory ammo gave me 2890 in a 28 inch 1-7 w awesome accuracy. 5 shot group at 300 .818....i just loaded 55gr RL-26 which gave me 2970ish. Looks like it needs another 1-1.5 grains of powder. Time to work up a load
 
Does anyone know if the Hornady load data was conducted w the .130 reamer? Im running the .188 freebore.
 
BCX said:
Does anyone know if the Hornady load data was conducted w the .130 reamer? Im running the .188 freebore.
Click to expand...
i was informed that Hornady sent the prints for the reamer to Manson, so i would assume the testing would be conducted with the .188" freebore.
 
Factory 147gr Hornady ammo gave me a velocity of 2860fps today for 5 shots out of my Havak 24" barrel. I was kind of bumped to see a 53es and 19.5sd. Did not check grouping on paper.
 
Im posting info on my findings in the rifle section under 6.5 PRC. My velocity sped up to 2990 w factory ammo same lot of ammo after 100 rounds. I started loading for it yesterday. Im up to 3100 plus average w 147 eld w awesome accuracy. Best load yet first 3 shot .5 inch at 300 than 4/5 open up a little. Rl-26 heats my med palma barrel quick. I think i will see 3150 fps.
 
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I loaded up some 150 Sierra Rl-26 at 3.09 OAL ran 3140 Fps.. Good accuracy at 200 going to try that same load at 300 and 1k soon.
 
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Don't worry i will have the 147/150 at 3200 fps. HAHAHA
 
Diminishing returns. I am glad I didn't build a prc. I was hyped at first but am happy with the performance of my 6.5 creed rifles. Can easily get 140s over 2800 with much less powder.
 
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I guess it was hard to get wound up after just finishing load workup for a hunting rifle in .270 pushing 145 eldx at 3060. I felt like I had all the boxes ticked. Can't have too many boxes though...
 
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What twist r yall running with the 147-150s. Got a 1-8 im sure itl b fine with the 147s but not sure on the 150s
 
Just tested some hornady 147gr eld match ammo, 2980 fps on one lot.
But the other lot (bought a case of) tested at 3060-3085 fps. Easy bolt lift every time.
 
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