Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles New project, 6.5 PRC

My brother just bought a Tikka T3x Lite Veil Alpine in 6.5 PRC. He’s got Nosler brass on the way and I ordered a die set. The case uses the same holder as 7mm Rem Mag so I’m good there.

Hornady show 3150 fps with 143 Eldx and 57.0 gr Reloder 26 so that’s the goal. Bullets are tough to find, though, so that’s probably the limiting factor.

Anyone else load for this cartridge?



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Pharm, I have used RL26 with 129 ABLRs for 3200 and Magnum with 139 Scenars for 3075. Both were easy as heck to make shoot. The only bullet I couldn’t make perk was the 150 ABLR, go figure but I only tried a few powders.

My CA Mesa likes handloaded 139 Scenars and 142 ABLRs. Likes factory 143 ELDX and 147 ELDm, too.

Have not been able to find the 143 gr eldx either. Best of luck on that..mb

Pharm probably has a stock pile.. ha ha.

I have a 6.5 PRC in a CA Ridgeline. It shoots great, I've only tried two bullets in it. 127 LRX and 140 grain Berger I only used RL26 and mag primers. Easy to load for nice small groups.

Add half a millimeter and yeah.





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My Mauser 6.5 PRC has been the easiest to load for. Both 140 NP and 139 Scenars like RL26 .

Pharmseller,
I don’t load for this cartridge but I have been wanting to build one. How do you view this cartridge to your 7mm rem mag?
Smallfry

I compared my existing load, 162 eldx at 2980, to a hypothetical load, 143 eldx at 3100. Twelve grains less powder (Reloder 26) and significantly better velocity. I don’t pay attention to energy figures so on paper the 6.5 PRC looks superior to the 7mm Rem Mag.

And this is my brother’s experiment. I’m just the a-hole with the reloading equipment. My 7mm-08 will do everything I need it to do at the distances within my skill level.




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There's a lot to be said for a good 7mm08. I really appreciate mine. In the last few years, I have grabbed it over most of my other rifles. With that being said, good luck with your brothers experiment and finding some good bullets to use. I have about 60 143gr ELDX and have not seen them anywhere, for a couple years. You may want to look for some 139 Scenar's or the 127 LRX. I've seen those locally and they are in stock at Mid South. That would be a great bullet for taking big game with your brothers PRC..

I have 4 boxes on the way thanks to Fire members.

Now I need some 156 Bergers.

I'm just starting playing with a 6.5 PRC Christensen Arms Mesa. I had some 143 edlx, but currently alliant magnum powder is the only suitable powder available around here. No problem with 3100 fps on my 24"

Here’s my data

It was an easy cartridge to load for. I have a pile of ADG brass I need to stuff with some loads. Amazing how nice it just works without a lot of messing around.

I’m using the 147gr eldm over r26. There for awhile last year 143gr eldx we’re the only thing I could find. Have a couple boxes of the Berger 156 EOL, but haven’t loaded them yet.

I'd be trying the RL26 and H1000, personally. I'm sure you guys will find a great load. Keep us posted. How's that 162gr ELDX prospect going with your 7mm08? Getting 2" groups at 500 yards yet? I saw your other 500 yard group you posted at 500 with your 150gr load. Looked like about a 6" group. Not happy huh?

I've been using Magnum with mine. I had a pile of it and figured why not!

Magnum was easier to find there for a while, where the others listed were a biotch to find. I think Ramshot has done a great job supplying us with powder during the shortage and the prices are still reasonable. It made me appreciate them much more. Now a fan of many of their powders.

Same here. Took me awhile to come around to them, but now I kinda look towards them for a bunch of my stuff.