Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters New Hornady 6.5 PRC?

I would be willing to bet that Kimber will jump in.

The 8400 WSM action seems perfect for it.

And they aren't as shy as most other manufacturers (consider how they jumped in with the 280AI).

260 AI...

I got a 300WSM montana that might be a good candidate for a donor. (shoots alright now, but I don't have much need for a a 30 caliber larger than a .308.

George Gardner came out and hunted mule deer with me and another pal in November. They both had 6.5 PRC rifles with 24" barrels. They were shooting the 147 ELD-M bullet loaded to 3080fps with RE26. George told me that his testing of that bullet revealed a .760 G1 BC. Both rifles shot really well. They were both suppressed, and DBM. I'll be testing a 6.5 PRC this winter.....looking forward to it.

That BC at that velocity at that barrel length at that relatively low level of recoil will make a serious hunting cartridge, even though it’s being marketed as a target round at launch.

Now I’m wanting one.

.760 seems a bit optimistic.....670 maybe?

Hornady BC's

My thoughts as well. Of course I just use the G7 anyways.

I find it hard to believe George Gardner was shooting the 6.5 ELD-M and guessing at the BC vs. having confirmed by shooting a few hundred rounds.

Oh joy, another 6.5, let the hype begin

Hornady lists manufacturers that are building 6.5 PRC's here:

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/6.5-prc-143-gr-eld-x-precision-hunter#!/

Unfortunately no dimensions but states it fits "short or medium actions" 2960fps for the ELD-X

Copper Creek is now loading for the PRC...140 Hybrids at 2.860 & 143 ELD-X at 2.840. No 147 loads.

And they're showing Norma brass as a brass option also.

Interesting development in overall lengths too:

PSA on OAL

Hornady factory ammo is measuring 2.945 for both the 143ELDX and 147ELDM per link above.

Just measured my Ruger 338 RCM Mag box and its 2.91"

Was thinking of buying a Ruger LH 300 RCM and re barreling it but looks like its mag box OAL is short?

Measured my LH 300 WSM mag box and its over 3" .

So thoughts on above please?

By no means an expert or even that well-versed in this area, but I have been researching this cartridge quite a bit. One theme I keep running across on the various long-range shooting boards is that the WSMs are the best candidates for re-barreling to 6.5 PRC. Perhaps your findings are why they're saying this?

I'm circumventing any OAL issues by re-barreling a 700 long action.

I called the smith in the link and talked freebore with him before ordering a reamer. He said suggested the .188". My 6.5-284 happens to have a .188" freebore, so I seated dummys in that chamber, and extrapolated seating measurements to the PRC brass.

The 147's are a loooong bullet, and probably need .080-100" over a 140 VLD. I didn't want to be hamstrung throating strictly for that bullet, so settled on seating depth for the VLD's and I'll just seat the 147's deeper. Mine will be around 3.025" or so OAL with the VLD's, as I bumped the freebore to .200" even..

That's what I was thinking-- I have a 700 LA that would prolly work. Leaving room for bullets to be seated out.
Is there a cure for this rifle crazy sickness ?? I only need just one more.

Have a good day.

In a word....no.......embrace it.......

I like the way you think.

DF

Look at their twist recommendation. 7.5, IIRC.

DF

Several guys getting satisfactory results with 8 twist.

The Sierra bullet was the spark to do another 6.5 LR plinker for me, then I bought a bunch of 147 Hornadys.......

After days of research and wasted time, I finally also bought a pile of plain 'ol 140 Berger VLD's. I've never not got Bergers to shoot, and once pointed, they should be in the .625-.630 area, and at 3100, will stay super to a mile plus.

JLK has a 147 in the works as well.