6.5 PRC

[BillyGoatMachine]

I've been pushing the 7saum for the last few years to customers for their elk rifle builds. But.......I recently talked to somebody high up in Nosler and they are phasing out the brass and factory loaded ammo. Anybody who reloads should be fine, but many of my customers want a rifle that they can purchase ammo for at the local Sportsman's warehouse. I'm hoping the PRC will fill the vacuum left behind. My JGS PRC reamer should arrive sometime next week and I already have 3 orders for complete rifles. Should be a fun all around great round just like the OP is looking for.

[DDRH]

Curious, do you guys think the intermediate-length action would be better suited for the longer bullets? >147gr

I think the 30-06 is ~3.3", while long action is ~3.6?? read that somewhere. I'm still new to bolt actions. trying to get a better understanding.

[NorCalFocus]

For me, the whole point of PRC is to be able to get LA speeds in a SA. If your going to run a LA then there are much better rounds for speed and energy to run.

[DDRH]

Hey NorCalFocus,

just an update so others don't get confused. The correct Accurate-Mags to use are the WSM mags.

3rnd mag = 00100-0006
7rnd mag = 00100-0008

.308 mags should work but the WSM mags have feed lips set for the magnum rounds.

The 300 WSM mags will work much better for the those caliber than the .308 without blinder plate. They are identical except the feed lips for the WSM magazine are set for the larger short action calibers.

Regards,

Philip Battaglia
Technical Support
Accurate-Mag Products

[NorCalFocus]

Hey NorCalFocus,

just an update so others don't get confused. The correct Accurate-Mags to use are the WSM mags.

3rnd mag = 00100-0006
7rnd mag = 00100-0008

.308 mags should work but the WSM mags have feed lips for the magnum rounds.

Okay thanks for the info.

I priced out and spoke to the smith last week about what I want. Now I'm just saving and waiting.

[Ki6vsm]

I've been doing research on cartridges for a new hunting rifle. I started with the idea of 300WM/7mmMag but then decided I really don't want a belted cartridge. Looked into 7/6.5mm SAUM and found 7mm is questionable in a SA and 6.5mm doesn't seem to have factory brass available. While I do handload and finding off the shelf ammo isn't a concern of mine, I really don't want to invest into 3 dies, neck turning, etc, etc to set up 100 pieces of brass for a hunting rifle.

Then I came across the 6.5 PRC...
-Fits in a SA
-Standard mags and easy feeding
-3000 FPS easily with handloads
-Factory Brass and Ammo available from Hornady

I haven't decided on a barrel or anything yet, but I found McGowen sells Remage barrels chambered in PRC too. So I could put together a nice rifle in PRC for under $2000. 700 action, Remage Barrel, Stocky's Stock Long Range stock, Timney Trigger, scope base and rings, All in for about $1400. Then the rest on glass.

So what say you? What am I missing? Any other thoughts on similar rounds?

Jumping in late here. But any thoughts on 7mm-08 Remington? Been around quite a while too. Obtaining ammo and brass should be no problem.

It's not as fast as the magnums being mentioned, but it's faster and flatter shooting over distance than .308 Winchester. Deer and elk capable, from what I read. And lighter recoil.

[NorCalFocus]

Jumping in late here. But any thoughts on 7mm-08 Remington? Been around quite a while too. Obtaining ammo and brass should be no problem.



It's not as fast as the magnums being mentioned, but it's faster and flatter shooting over distance than .308 Winchester. Deer and elk capable, from what I read. And lighter recoil.

For a lighter recoiling deer gun it be fine. But the 6.5PRC pretty much blows it away everywhere else.

[Ki6vsm]

^^^ Gotcha. I figured it would be an improvement over your .308, especially if you want also to use it for long-range target shooting. But maybe it's not enough of an improvement to justify buying and kitting out another rifle.

[sigstroker]

Jumping in late here. But any thoughts on 7mm-08 Remington? Been around quite a while too. Obtaining ammo and brass should be no problem.

It's not as fast as the magnums being mentioned, but it's faster and flatter shooting over distance than .308 Winchester.

Not by much. Same case capacity, 140 gr bullets vs 150 gr bullets.

Deer and elk capable, from what I read. And lighter recoil.

Not that I could feel when I had one. Look at the numbers, it's almost the same cartridge, except the ammo is more expensive. After I figured these things out, I got rid of mine.

[Ki6vsm]

Not by much. Same case capacity, 140 gr bullets vs 150 gr bullets.

Not that I could feel when I had one. Look at the numbers, it's almost the same cartridge, except the ammo is more expensive. After I figured these things out, I got rid of mine.

I see. Thanks. I guess I was fixating on the longer-range advantages. Higher BC and so forth. But that probably doesn't matter at hunting distances.

I know that the 7-08 is off the table anyway, but I was actually thinking of it compared to heavier bulleted .308. Like 165gr+. .308 ammo is certainly cheaper, but what we're really comparing 7-08 to is 6.5 PRC. That's kinda new and pretty expensive, isn't it? Only made by Hornady? I'm not seeing it for under about $31/box anywhere online.

[fast14riot]

Chris, I'm running 2.950 (-0.030") with the 140RDF in my 260AI short action, extracting a live round isn't perfect. My rifle is single shot though. The Berger 140VLD I run at 2.990 (-.020"), cannot normally eject a live round. Ballistics for my 260AI are nearly identical to the PRC (140 at 3000fps easily) plus I can shoot factory ammo just as accurately and have fire formed brass after. If you go for 260 or 260AI, I've got several hundred cases sitting here, I can send you a hundred to get you started, plus all my load data for the AI or SAAMI chambering.

I'd look at either Criterion remage or X-Caliber remage barrels, I've seen some of the McGowans be hit or miss. I'm on my 3rd CBI barrel and have been pleased with all of them.

-Alexander