260,
Good comment about just going to a bigger case. I have been leaning towards the PRC, but Mule Deer’s reprinted article with a 26” Ruger listed 120gr in the 3000+ fps range. So I decided to ask the question here. My thought is if several members here are getting that in 24” or 26” barrels, then I think it is worth giving the Creedmoor a try.
I have much better luck with short actions. I have M70 EW rifles in 30-06, 270, 308, and 7mm-08. The 308 and 7mm-08 are much easier to get fixed 6x42 scopes mounted to suit my eyes than the long actions. Our Redneck has made some negative comments on getting the PRC to feed well in the M70. I really respect his opinion so as much as I like the M70 EW short actions, I think that a Ruger LRH would be the way to go in PRC.
The Hodgdon site lists 7 loads for a 120 grain bullet between 2,903 and 3,004 fps that are running at between 59,800 and 61,500 PSI from a 24" barrel. I can see where a longer barrel and/or a little more powder would bump those numbers up a little to hit your goal of at least 3,000 fps of muzzle velocity.
If the 6.5 CM doesn't take you to where you want to go, there are options available to the handloader. I have wondered how a 6.5 SAUM would do within the COAL limits of a short action. I thought that when the SAUM and WSM cartridges were introduced that they would supersede the 284 as the cases of choice to maximize powder capacity in a short action, but they seem to have fallen into disfavor among wildcatters.
