6.5 PRC 143 ELD-X

[Backcast88]

Got invited to my buddies new lease this past weekend and had an opportunity to fill a tag for a coworker needing some deer meat. I had my grandpa's 30-06 but wasn't comfortable shooting it much past 200yds since I didn't have much trigger time on the rifle since getting it after he passed in February. My buddy offered his rifle for the shot since it was past my comfort with the 30-06 and it did not disappoint.

Seekins Havak Element
Peterson Brass
H1000
CCI 200
143 ELD-X
2870 fps MV

Deer finally gave us a good shot at 318yds across the cow pasture. He was quartered to us a little but I squeezed the shot off, heard the bullet connect and he made it 60-70yds before piling up. Don't have a bullet to show since it trucked on through but the heart and lungs were well blended. Luckily he's got plenty more loaded for next year. The buck is no giant but when your buddy says, you want to shoot that one and use my new rifle? Hard to pass up that opportunity.

 

[DrMike]

Excellent report and results. Congratulations. He should make some fine meals for you.

 

[gerry]

Excellent work congratulations! He sure is going to make a lot of fine meals for your friend.

 

[JD338]

Congratulations on your buck and nice shooting too.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

Excellent! Ya, Glen Seekins builds a fine rifle. I gave him some ribbing about putting the rifling on the outside of the barrel with that cool spiral fluting.

The 6.5 PRC is quite a cartridge, kind of picks up where the 6.5 Creed leaves off. Glad that you had such good results with the Hornay ELD-X. Typically they're quite accurate.

Congrats on your nice shooting and on the buck!

Regards, Guy

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Hey nobody blames you for using your buddy's rifle and shooting that buck. Good deal alway around. That's a real friend right there. Thanks for sharing. Dan.

 

[xphunter]

Nice.
Glenn and company make a nice rifle for sure.

 

[NYDAN]

Congratulations on a fine shot. Your co-worker will enjoy many good meals from that buck.

It was very generous of your buddy to let you shoot a buck with his rifle.

 

[SJB358]

Great shooting! Seems like that buck got under your skin pretty good BC88....

 

[liamscott]

Excellent! It’s fantastic that your buddy has more loads ready for next year. This experience will surely build your confidence for future hunts!
slope game

 

[Aussie Wanderer]

Great shooting and sorry to hear of your Grandpa's passing. Reckon by this time next year his old 30/06 will be snug in your shoulder and there will be another deer at your feet.

 

[Shakeyjake]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Backcast88]

Great shooting and sorry to hear of your Grandpa's passing. Reckon by this time next year his old 30/06 will be snug in your shoulder and there will be another deer at your feet.

I did another thread a few months back. Grandpa's old rifle added to its legacy by killing the biggest buck of my life. She was made in late 1967 and still have plenty of life left in her.

 

[leolumis]

Great write-up, Backcast88! That 318-yard shot with the 6.5 PRC and 143 ELD-X sounds like a clean kill—impressive performance from the Seekins Havak. I’m curious about the H1000 load you used; did you find it consistent across different ranges?
merge fellas

 

[Backcast88]

Great write-up, Backcast88! That 318-yard shot with the 6.5 PRC and 143 ELD-X sounds like a clean kill—impressive performance from the Seekins Havak. I’m curious about the H1000 load you used; did you find it consistent across different ranges?
merge fellas

Those were my buddies loads so I don't have a ton of info on them. All I can say is in his rifle they were very good performers. He killed an axis deer in Hawaii in September 2023, a nice buck in NY in November 2023, a doe in NC in December 2023, and my buck in December 2023.

Temps ranged from low 80's to mid 20's. Closest kill was the axis deer at just under 150yds. Farthest kill was mine at 318yds.

Point of impact always seemed to match his Fury 4000 binos in terms of called for adjustments.

I now have a Seekins 6.5 PRC and load my own with n565 and 140TGK and they are absolute hammers.

 

[xphunter]

I now have a Seekins 6.5 PRC and load my own with n565 and 140TGK and they are absolute hammers.

Good for you!

 

[Blkram]

I am looking forward to taking game with my 6.5 PRC this fall. (LH Browning X Bolt Hunter)
While it will produce 0.762" groups at 100 yards with the Hornady 143 gr ELD-X ammunition, it is a little slow at 2837 fps from my 24" Wilson carbon fibre barrel, vs the 2960 fps that Hornady specs that ammo for.
The Nosler 142 gr ABLR is doing better in this rifle, producing groups averaging 0.480" at 100 yards, at 2921 fps (vs 2900 fps spec).
This rifle is getting a little more accurate as I get more rounds down the barrel.
I have now tried 10 different factory loads in it of 127 gr to 143 gr, with 8 out of those producing MOA or better accuracy. (the 127 gr LRX and 130 gr CX ammo producing groups of 1.510" and 2.012" respectively)
The rifle is just fun to shoot! And the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 with B&C reticle is a great match for this cartridge. I am hitting the metal pig someone set up at our range at 450 yards off the Bog DeathGrip, both standing and sitting. Ready for a caribou, stones sheep or mountain goat!

 

[Backcast88]

I am looking forward to taking game with my 6.5 PRC this fall. (LH Browning X Bolt Hunter)
While it will produce 0.762" groups at 100 yards with the Hornady 143 gr ELD-X ammunition, it is a little slow at 2837 fps from my 24" Wilson carbon fibre barrel, vs the 2960 fps that Hornady specs that ammo for.
The Nosler 142 gr ABLR is doing better in this rifle, producing groups averaging 0.480" at 100 yards, at 2921 fps (vs 2900 fps spec).
This rifle is getting a little more accurate as I get more rounds down the barrel.
I have now tried 10 different factory loads in it of 127 gr to 143 gr, with 8 out of those producing MOA or better accuracy. (the 127 gr LRX and 130 gr CX ammo producing groups of 1.510" and 2.012" respectively)
The rifle is just fun to shoot! And the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 with B&C reticle is a great match for this cartridge. I am hitting the metal pig someone set up at our range at 450 yards off the Bog DeathGrip, both standing and sitting. Ready for a caribou, stones sheep or mountain goat!

I might have to get some details of that 142 ABLR load. I traded for a box and have been wanting to try them. I hear the are a little picky at times.

I just have a hard time using anything other than 140 TGK in my rifle. Shoots them lights out with n565 and H4831sc.

 

[RL338]

I just have a hard time using anything other than 140 TGK in my rifle. Shoots them lights out with n565 and H4831sc.

Can’t argue with those results. Nice load combo.

 

[Blkram]

I might have to get some details of that 142 ABLR load. I traded for a box and have been wanting to try them. I hear the are a little picky at times.

I just have a hard time using anything other than 140 TGK in my rifle. Shoots them lights out with n565 and H4831sc.

Yes, a load as accurate as that is hard not to use!
I know that I still want to try the TGKs, as I have been very happy with the accuracy and performance of the SGKs in various calibers and cartridges over the years.
Yes, the ABLR can be difficult to get to shoot well in some rifles...this is the first rifle that I have had such good luck with the ABLR so far, with either factory ammo or handload. DrMike's 280 Rem loves the handloaded 150 gr ABLR, while mine did not like it at all.
Again, note that this was Nosler's Trophy Grade ammunition, not a handload for the 6.5 PRC.