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6.5 PRC RL-26

matchbook454

matchbook454

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 1, 2019
177
40
N.E. IL
Hi guys,
I’m loading 6.5 PRC - Lapua Brass with Fed. 210’s, Reloder 26, and Hornady 147 ELDMS. Hornady’s load data shows 55.7 gr. Max load. I’m shooting a Weatherby Vanguard with a 24” barrel and have loaded up to 60.0 grains without pressure signs. At 56.8 grains I’m getting 2820 fps. Which is a lot different than what Hornady shows. I get that their data is just a guideline and there are several factors at play. I also load for my 6.5 CM and my 7 SAUM. This load just seems way off. Anyone else load these same components for 6.5 PRC? What’s your powder charge and velocity?
 
You have different brass, a different test platform with a shorter barrel. Your lot of powder burn rate could also be on the slow side. What you’re seeing is not impossible. If your rifle is new then your barrel will probably speed up.
 
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matchbook454 said:
Hi guys,
I’m loading 6.5 PRC - Lapua Brass with Fed. 210’s, Reloder 26, and Hornady 147 ELDMS. Hornady’s load data shows 55.7 gr. Max load. I’m shooting a Weatherby Vanguard with a 24” barrel and have loaded up to 60.0 grains without pressure signs. At 56.8 grains I’m getting 2820 fps. Which is a lot different than what Hornady shows. I get that their data is just a guideline and there are several factors at play. I also load for my 6.5 CM and my 7 SAUM. This load just seems way off. Anyone else load these same components for 6.5 PRC? What’s your powder charge and velocity?
Click to expand...

150SMK
ADG Brass
RL26
53.6gr
3064fps
30" Barrel
 
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918v said:
You have different brass, a different test platform with a shorter barrel. Your lot of powder burn rate could also be on the slow side. What you’re seeing is not impossible. If your rifle is new then your barrel will probably speed up.
Click to expand...
I’m loading this same powder for my 7 SAUM. Definitely not 200 fps slow. Hoping my barrel speeds up a bit. I know my 6.5 CM sped up a little up to about 300-400 rds.
 
6.5 PRC
55.4 gr. RL 26
Fed 216M
143 ELDM
22" Proof prefit carbon barrel
2,995 fps
SD 8.2

Shoots lights out.
 
RL26 is the fastest powder for 6.5 PRC as far as I know. Definitely in my testing. I haven’t use vihtavuori though
 
matchbook454 said:
I’m loading this same powder for my 7 SAUM. Definitely not 200 fps slow. Hoping my barrel speeds up a bit. I know my 6.5 CM sped up a little up to about 300-400 rds.
Click to expand...

You're less than 100fps slower than than what QL predicts. That could easily be caused by brass internal volume or chamber geometry. Hornady's load data, like all load data, can be unreliable at best. Hornady also like to use a range of bullets and a range of velocities.
 
Last edited:
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How can you tell? QL? Hornady max for that load is 57 grains at 3150 fps. I've got more that 15 firings on my test casings. No loose primers or hard bolt lift.

Jim
 
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Boomdog said:
How can you tell? QL? Hornady max for that load is 57 grains at 3150 fps. I've got more that 15 firings on my test casings. No loose primers or hard bolt lift.

Jim
Click to expand...

You're correct, I was thinking SAAMI was 62K, it is 64.9K. You're still pretty close to max though. Heavy bolt lift, cratering, and loose primers are not the only signs of high pressure. Your velocity indicates you're at the top of the spec pressure. Hornady's load data is for a 24" barrel.
 
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XTREM HTR16 said:
My results, new 6.5 PRC with 24" Bartlein barrel with only 30 rounds on it
56.0 RL26
Fed 210M
Lapua virgin brass
156 EOL

2,920 fps
Click to expand...
Pretty much exact same results with 24” Christensen MPR 24” CF
Only using 55.6 RL26 but everything else the same except Hornady brass x 1 firing.
 
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6.5 PRC - 26" PVA Barrel
57.0 RL26
CCI 250
New Hornady Brass
144 Berger LRHT
3167 FPS

RL26 cannot be matched for speed in either my 6.5 PRC or 300 PRC. I've also had very good results in 22 Creedmoor
 
57.6 gr R26, 156 EOL, new Nosler brass, WLR primer, 3.130” (2.429” on the comparator) OAL, 2932 fps. Tikka Veil Alpine.
2FB1EAEF-2093-4142-81D0-1D45E35EE14B.jpeg
 
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I am laoding Berger 156 eol over 56 gr of H1000 and getting mv of 2887 with <.3 moa. Big cow elk at 320 yds DRT.
 
ramshot magnum seems to give me decent results velocity and accuracy wise. i hit 3100 with a full case of it behind a 143 eldx, no immediate outward signs of pressure.
 
Last edited:
Boomdog said:
6.5 PRC
55.4 gr. RL 26
Fed 216M
143 ELDM
22" Proof prefit carbon barrel
2,995 fps
SD 8.2

Shoots lights out.
Click to expand...
Sako S20 6.5 PRC, Fed210M, Virgin Lapua brass, 143 ELD-X, 2.950" COAL, 5 shot groups, no signs of pressure on any of the loads I've tested
55.4 gr. RL26
2,860 fps (Sako S20 barrel seems to run a bit slow, will monitor velocity as barrel hopefully speeds up.)
SD 4.7
Round group, 0.3"

56.5 gr. H1000
2,795 fps
SD 8.1
Diagonal group, 0.65"

58.0 gr. H1000
2892 fps
SD 7.7
Diagonal group, 0.53"

59.0c gr. H1000 (Hornady book max)
2950 fps
SD 9.8
Horizontal stringing, 0.82"

I'm loading 56.0, 56.5, and 57.0 gr. RL26 next, will report back with data. Have to switch from 210M's to Rem. 9 1/2's on next batch. I also picked up some Fiocchi Large Rifle primers to test.
 
260Bryce said:
Sako S20 6.5 PRC, Fed210M, Virgin Lapua brass, 143 ELD-X, 2.950" COAL, 5 shot groups, no signs of pressure on any of the loads I've tested
55.4 gr. RL26
2,860 fps (Sako S20 barrel seems to run a bit slow, will monitor velocity as barrel hopefully speeds up.)
SD 4.7
Round group, 0.3"

56.5 gr. H1000
2,795 fps
SD 8.1
Diagonal group, 0.65"

58.0 gr. H1000
2892 fps
SD 7.7
Diagonal group, 0.53"

59.0c gr. H1000 (Hornady book max)
2950 fps
SD 9.8
Horizontal stringing, 0.82"

I'm loading 56.0, 56.5, and 57.0 gr. RL26 next, will report back with data. Have to switch from 210M's to Rem. 9 1/2's on next batch. I also picked up some Fiocchi Large Rifle primers to test.
Click to expand...
try ramshot magnum, its been a while since i loaded for my buddy, but i was getting 3,100 fps with the 143’s for him. i want to say it took 62 grains but DO NOT QUOTE ME. work up to this please.
 
With my current data points, QuickLOAD estimates 57 gr. RL26 to yield 2940 fps, a far cry from Hornady's predicted 3150 fps, but honestly I'm content with 2860 fps if the SD is low and the precision is high. The 143 ELD-X is designed to perform at a minimum impact velocity of 2000 fps. 2860 MV puts effective range just past 600 yards, as far as I would shoot an animal anyway. If RL26 shows any signs of inconsistency, I'll keep my eye out for some Ramshot Magnum. Thanks for the information.
 
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260Bryce said:
With my current data points, QuickLOAD estimates 57 gr. RL26 to yield 2940 fps, a far cry from Hornady's predicted 3150 fps, but honestly I'm content with 2860 fps if the SD is low and the precision is high. The 143 ELD-X is designed to perform at a minimum impact velocity of 2000 fps. 2860 MV puts effective range just past 600 yards, as far as I would shoot an animal anyway. If RL26 shows any signs of inconsistency, I'll keep my eye out for some Ramshot Magnum. Thanks for the information.
Click to expand...
its cheap enough its worth it to pick up a pound and give it a shot
 
I had GAP spin a 20” carbon barrel on my rifle so when I get it back will try the 56.0 R26/156 combo and also try R26 with the 140 elite hunter. It’s going to Wyoming next month…
 
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260Bryce said:
With my current data points, QuickLOAD estimates 57 gr. RL26 to yield 2940 fps, a far cry from Hornady's predicted 3150 fps, but honestly I'm content with 2860 fps if the SD is low and the precision is high. The 143 ELD-X is designed to perform at a minimum impact velocity of 2000 fps. 2860 MV puts effective range just past 600 yards, as far as I would shoot an animal anyway. If RL26 shows any signs of inconsistency, I'll keep my eye out for some Ramshot Magnum. Thanks for the information.
Click to expand...
I got this but had some pressure signs at 55.7 gr of RL26 and 24” Christensen CF

Hornady 147 gr ELDM
Rx 26 55.7 gr
Hornady brass x 5
Fed 210
COL 2.045
COAL 2.940
3009, 3017, 3007, 3005, 3011,
3000, 3023, 3008, 3026, 3011
SD 7.65

Hornady 147 gr ELDM
H4831 54 gr
Hornady brass x 3
Fed 210M
COL 2.015
COAL 2.940
2936, 2942, 2935, 2934, 2936 SD 3.1
 
260Bryce said:
Sako S20 6.5 PRC, Fed210M, Virgin Lapua brass, 143 ELD-X, 2.950" COAL, 5 shot groups, no signs of pressure on any of the loads I've tested
55.4 gr. RL26
2,860 fps (Sako S20 barrel seems to run a bit slow, will monitor velocity as barrel hopefully speeds up.)
SD 4.7
Round group, 0.3"

56.5 gr. H1000
2,795 fps
SD 8.1
Diagonal group, 0.65"

58.0 gr. H1000
2892 fps
SD 7.7
Diagonal group, 0.53"

59.0c gr. H1000 (Hornady book max)
2950 fps
SD 9.8
Horizontal stringing, 0.82"

I'm loading 56.0, 56.5, and 57.0 gr. RL26 next, will report back with data. Have to switch from 210M's to Rem. 9 1/2's on next batch. I also picked up some Fiocchi Large Rifle primers to test.
Click to expand...
I found signs of pressure at 57.0 grains RL26 at 3010 fps average. One ragged hole with the exception of one shot that landed 1/2" to the right of the group and had heavy bolt lift.

The 55.4 grains RL26 load has sped up to 2900 fps after 100 rounds and is still printing little round groups in the .2's and .3's. I'm very happy with this combination and will use this as my hunting load going forward. SD continues to stay around 5 fps. I'm waiting for colder weather to test the stability of the powder.
 

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Update on new 20" bartlein #4 CFW 7.5 twist.
Went with 140 elite hunters and VV N560. F210M primers and new Lapua brass.
58.0 N560 = 2,936
58.3 N560 = 2,949
The 58.3 load is going to Wyoming this year...

The same 56.0 R26 with 156 EOL registered 2,787 over 5 rounds. Same thing - F210M primers and new Lapua brass.

So a loss of 130 fps with new 20", suspect it will speed up a little after a couple hundred rounds. Will check again in 100 rounds.
 
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