Quick load 6.5 prc 140AB

The data I wrote down from QuickLoad for the 140 gr AB in my 24" barreled 6.5 PRC and max 65,000 psi showed the following for two powders I have on hand:
  • Re-26: max @ 58.3 gr for 3090 fps
  • Magpro: max @ 60.6 gr for 3082 fps
Sorry, I did not specify a COAL or primer in my search.
I have not yet had a chance to try these.
 
Appreciate the RL-26 data.
That is what I plan to use with my sub 16 incher with my hunting bullets, once I have 100+ rounds through the tube
 
Code:
Cartridge          : 6.5 PRC
Bullet             : .264, 140, Nosler AccuBond 57873
Useable Case Capaci: 59.313 grain H2O = 3.851 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.910 inch = 73.91 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder             : Vihtavuori N560 *C

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0   91    50.85   2752    2354   45728  12264     95.9    1.374
-09.0   92    51.42   2783    2408   47304  12404     96.3    1.352
-08.0   93    51.98   2815    2463   48939  12540     96.8    1.331
-07.0   94    52.55   2847    2519   50633  12670     97.2    1.311
-06.0   95    53.11   2878    2575   52384  12796     97.6    1.290
-05.0   96    53.68   2910    2632   54188  12916     97.9    1.270
-04.0   97    54.24   2941    2689   56049  13031     98.2    1.250  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0   98    54.81   2973    2747   57973  13140     98.5    1.231  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   99    55.37   3004    2805   59964  13244     98.8    1.212  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  100    55.94   3035    2864   62025  13341     99.0    1.194  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  101    56.50   3067    2924   64159  13433     99.3    1.176  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  102    57.07   3098    2983   66368  13519     99.4    1.158  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  103    57.63   3129    3044   68657  13597     99.6    1.140  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  104    58.20   3160    3104   71029  13670     99.7    1.123  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  105    58.76   3191    3165   73487  13736     99.8    1.106  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  106    59.33   3222    3227   76035  13795     99.9    1.089  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 5% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 5% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    101    56.50   3143    3071   70838  13253    100.0    1.127  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 5% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    101    56.50   2976    2753   57551  13413     97.3    1.231  ! Near Maximum !
 
That little 6.5 PRC is a dandy cartridge. I kinda think it’s one of the best all rounders to hit the pike out of the new stuff. I tell folks I think it’s the modern version of the 270 Win since it is able
To handle really slick bullets, uses about the same amount of powder as a 270 and is usually fairly accurate.
 
While not a handload, and not the 140 gr AccuBond, I will say that I did try the Nosler 142 gr ABLR factory ammo in my 6.5 PRC yesterday and was happy with the first test results!:D
It produced 2921 fps from the 24" Wilson carbon fibre barrel (21 fs over spec), and a 3 shot group of 0.680" at 100 yards. ES was 26.9 and SD was 12.0.
With the BC of 0.625, it is still retaining 2251 fps and 1597 ft lbs of energy at 500 yards, and dropping just 36.7" from a 200 yard zero. With a sectional density of 0.291, this bonded bullet is going to penetrate like crazy!
All I can say is that it didn't take long for these bullets to ring steel at 450 yards! And I was able to see the bullet impact in the scope!
(Have I mentioned how much I like these Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 B&C scopes! 😁 )

While not quite as accurate as the Nosler 140 gr AccuBond ammo in my rifle (0.632" groups @ 100 yards), it is providing the expected velocity that the 140 gr ammo didn't (2744 fps vs 2900 fps spec). As much as I like this ammo and bullet, with this slower velocity, it is only going to retain 1970 fps and 1207 ft lbs of energy at 500 yards, and drops 44.9" with a 200 yard zero. While this is sufficient for deer and sheep hunting,where the bullet will still expand reliably, and have enough energy for a clean kill, that additional 8.3 inches of trajectory drop may be a concern in a cartridge that was designed for flatter shooting. (Not that I have ever shot an animal at 500 yards...)

I have to say that this Wilson carbon fibre barrel is proving to be consistently accurate with factory ammunition to date. Of the 10 factory loads tried, only 2 have not produced MOA or smaller groups with bullets weights ranging from 127 to 143 grains. (The Barnes 127 gr LRX produced 1.510" groups and the Hornady 130 gr CX produced 2.012" groups.) Surprisingly, the Federal Fusion 140 gr ammo produced the tightest groups to date at 0.537".
I was starting to wonder about its ability to produce velocity as most loads are under spec, but 3 of the various loads did produce better than factory spec velocities; the Hornady 130 gr CX was at 3110 fps (2975 factory spec), Federal 130 gr Terminal Ascent was at 3026 fps (3000 fps factory spec), and the Nosler 142 gr LRAB as noted above. The other ammo produced velocities from 46 to 170 fps slower than spec.
 
Gil,
Your results are impressive. The Nosler 142 gr ABLR factory load seems like the clear winner. The BC and flatter trajectory can't be ignored.

JD338
 
Back
Top