6.5 PRC

[boomer68]

Is anyone currently loading for this round? Just picked one up, and now starting to get components to do some reloading and was wondering what folks have tried with good success. Powder, bullets etc. Just as a starting reference. I have RL26 and N565.


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[Charlie-NY]

I took a few NC whitetails this season with a 124gr Hammer Hunter bullet at 3,200 ft/sec in my PRC. Accuracy is very good with RE26 and terminal performance was excellent.

The PRC has plenty of horsepower for whitetails. Virtually any 6.5mm bullet placed correctly will easily get the job done. I'd use whatever shot best in your new rifle. Hornady bullets seem to be the easiest to locate at the moment.

 

[DrMike]

A quick look when using the 120 grain BT and the powders you have on hand.

Cartridge          : 6.5 PRC
Bullet             : .264, 120, Nosler BalTip 26120
Useable Case Capaci: 68.382 grain H2O = 4.440 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.955 inch = 75.06 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Alliant Reloder-26 *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   87    59.04   2923    2276   44586  14844     99.3    1.278
-09.0   88    59.70   2958    2331   46261  14965     99.5    1.256
-08.0   89    60.35   2993    2386   47994  15075     99.7    1.235
-07.0   90    61.01   3028    2442   49783  15174     99.9    1.214
-06.0   91    61.66   3062    2499   51632  15262    100.0    1.193
-05.0   92    62.32   3097    2556   53549  15340    100.0    1.173
-04.0   93    62.98   3131    2613   55535  15407    100.0    1.153  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0   94    63.63   3165    2670   57595  15472    100.0    1.134  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   95    64.29   3199    2728   59730  15536    100.0    1.115  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0   96    64.94   3233    2785   61945  15599    100.0    1.096  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0   97    65.60   3267    2844   64242  15661    100.0    1.078  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0   98    66.26   3300    2902   66626  15721    100.0    1.060  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0   99    66.91   3334    2961   69099  15780    100.0    1.043  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  100    67.57   3367    3020   71667  15838    100.0    1.025  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  101    68.22   3400    3080   74334  15894    100.0    1.009  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  102    68.88   3433    3140   77103  15948    100.0    0.992  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     97    65.60   3409    3096   79713  15076    100.0    0.985  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     97    65.60   3048    2476   49402  16114     98.2    1.205

Cartridge          : 6.5 PRC
Bullet             : .264, 120, Nosler BalTip 26120
Useable Case Capaci: 68.382 grain H2O = 4.440 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.955 inch = 75.06 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Vihtavuori N565 *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   94    60.75   2862    2183   44788  14492     93.9    1.287
-09.0   95    61.43   2898    2238   46409  14680     94.5    1.265
-08.0   96    62.10   2934    2294   48088  14863     95.0    1.243
-07.0   97    62.78   2970    2351   49830  15040     95.6    1.222
-06.0   98    63.45   3007    2409   51636  15210     96.1    1.201
-05.0   99    64.13   3043    2467   53508  15373     96.6    1.181
-04.0  100    64.80   3079    2526   55451  15530     97.0    1.161  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0  101    65.48   3115    2586   57467  15680     97.5    1.142  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  102    66.15   3151    2646   59559  15822     97.8    1.122  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  103    66.83   3187    2707   61730  15957     98.2    1.104  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  104    67.50   3223    2769   63985  16083     98.5    1.085  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  105    68.18   3260    2831   66326  16202     98.8    1.067  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  106    68.85   3296    2894   68759  16312     99.1    1.049  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  107    69.53   3332    2958   71287  16413     99.3    1.031  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  108    70.20   3368    3022   73915  16505     99.5    1.014  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  109    70.88   3404    3087   76648  16587     99.7    0.997  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    104    67.50   3395    3071   78104  15695    100.0    0.992  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    104    67.50   2988    2379   50335  15498     91.9    1.208

There appears to be plenty of horsepower to tag whitetail with those combinations.

 

[Thebear_78]

I’m also running the 124gr hammer hunter at 3210fps with re26. Accuracy has been excellent. .5-.75 moa regularly. In my Seekins havak. On my zero check after flying to Michigan I shot a 6 shot 1/2” group at 100 and a 3 shot 3.65” group at 500 meters.

Used this combo on two caribou earlier this year and two whitetails. Textbook performance on all 4.

I also have a heavy target rifle in 6.5PRC, It shoots 140gr beger hybrid target with h1000 very well

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[boomer68]

A quick look when using the 120 grain BT and the powders you have on hand.

Cartridge          : 6.5 PRC
Bullet             : .264, 120, Nosler BalTip 26120
Useable Case Capaci: 68.382 grain H2O = 4.440 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.955 inch = 75.06 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Alliant Reloder-26 *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   87    59.04   2923    2276   44586  14844     99.3    1.278
-09.0   88    59.70   2958    2331   46261  14965     99.5    1.256
-08.0   89    60.35   2993    2386   47994  15075     99.7    1.235
-07.0   90    61.01   3028    2442   49783  15174     99.9    1.214
-06.0   91    61.66   3062    2499   51632  15262    100.0    1.193
-05.0   92    62.32   3097    2556   53549  15340    100.0    1.173
-04.0   93    62.98   3131    2613   55535  15407    100.0    1.153  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0   94    63.63   3165    2670   57595  15472    100.0    1.134  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   95    64.29   3199    2728   59730  15536    100.0    1.115  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0   96    64.94   3233    2785   61945  15599    100.0    1.096  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0   97    65.60   3267    2844   64242  15661    100.0    1.078  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0   98    66.26   3300    2902   66626  15721    100.0    1.060  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0   99    66.91   3334    2961   69099  15780    100.0    1.043  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  100    67.57   3367    3020   71667  15838    100.0    1.025  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  101    68.22   3400    3080   74334  15894    100.0    1.009  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  102    68.88   3433    3140   77103  15948    100.0    0.992  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     97    65.60   3409    3096   79713  15076    100.0    0.985  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     97    65.60   3048    2476   49402  16114     98.2    1.205

Cartridge          : 6.5 PRC
Bullet             : .264, 120, Nosler BalTip 26120
Useable Case Capaci: 68.382 grain H2O = 4.440 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.955 inch = 75.06 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Vihtavuori N565 *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   94    60.75   2862    2183   44788  14492     93.9    1.287
-09.0   95    61.43   2898    2238   46409  14680     94.5    1.265
-08.0   96    62.10   2934    2294   48088  14863     95.0    1.243
-07.0   97    62.78   2970    2351   49830  15040     95.6    1.222
-06.0   98    63.45   3007    2409   51636  15210     96.1    1.201
-05.0   99    64.13   3043    2467   53508  15373     96.6    1.181
-04.0  100    64.80   3079    2526   55451  15530     97.0    1.161  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0  101    65.48   3115    2586   57467  15680     97.5    1.142  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  102    66.15   3151    2646   59559  15822     97.8    1.122  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  103    66.83   3187    2707   61730  15957     98.2    1.104  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  104    67.50   3223    2769   63985  16083     98.5    1.085  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  105    68.18   3260    2831   66326  16202     98.8    1.067  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  106    68.85   3296    2894   68759  16312     99.1    1.049  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  107    69.53   3332    2958   71287  16413     99.3    1.031  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  108    70.20   3368    3022   73915  16505     99.5    1.014  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  109    70.88   3404    3087   76648  16587     99.7    0.997  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    104    67.50   3395    3071   78104  15695    100.0    0.992  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    104    67.50   2988    2379   50335  15498     91.9    1.208

There appears to be plenty of horsepower to tag whitetail with those combinations.

Thanks for the info DrMike. Would you mind running the Hornady 147 with RL26 please? 24” barrel. Thanks


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[DrMike]

Cartridge          : 6.5 PRC
Bullet             : .264, 143, Hornady ELD-X 2635 G7
Useable Case Capaci: 65.692 grain H2O = 4.265 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.955 inch = 75.06 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder             : Vihtavuori N565 *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    56.70   2738    2380   45423  12952     97.1    1.437
-09.0   92    57.33   2769    2435   46996  13089     97.5    1.414
-08.0   93    57.96   2801    2491   48623  13221     97.9    1.391
-07.0   94    58.59   2833    2548   50305  13346     98.2    1.369
-06.0   95    59.22   2865    2606   52046  13466     98.5    1.347
-05.0   96    59.85   2896    2664   53848  13579     98.8    1.325
-04.0   97    60.48   2928    2722   55712  13686     99.1    1.304  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0   98    61.11   2959    2781   57641  13787     99.3    1.283  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   99    61.74   2991    2840   59639  13880     99.5    1.263  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  100    62.37   3022    2900   61707  13967     99.7    1.243  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  101    63.00   3054    2961   63849  14047     99.8    1.223  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  102    63.63   3085    3021   66068  14119     99.9    1.204  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  103    64.26   3116    3082   68368  14184    100.0    1.185  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  104    64.89   3147    3144   70751  14242    100.0    1.167  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  105    65.52   3178    3206   73222  14292    100.0    1.148  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  106    66.15   3208    3268   75784  14338    100.0    1.130  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    101    63.00   3190    3230   77419  13502    100.0    1.124  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    101    63.00   2856    2590   50610  13963     95.4    1.356

 

[sako2]

Rl26 and Ramshot magnum are shooting really well for me with hornady 140 gn bullets.

 

[Thebear_78]

H1000 and 140 Berger hybrid in my heavy 6.5 PRC I’m getting 3085fps in my 1/7 twist bartlien barrel.


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[boomer68]

Got some RL26 and 147gr ELD-M bullets. Will see how they perform. Also have some factory Hornady ammo with the 147gr.

Oh, and here is the rifle.

 

[Thebear_78]

That re26 is good stuff!


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[DrMike]

A skookum-looking firearm. Should be a joy to carry.

 

[Thebear_78]

What optics are you going to put on it


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[boomer68]

I'm putting a Burris E1 4.5-14x42 on it. My eyes aren't what they used to be

 

[Thebear_78]

I have a vortex razor LHT 3-15x42 on mine. It’s about the perfect magnification range for the PRC. I’m betting your 4-14 will be great on yours.


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[Rem Jim]

I am Glad i stopped back in here - I have being a way for a while ! I have a 6.5 PRC being put together right now using a Rem M700 SS action - Trigger Tech Special trigger - Benchmark 1-8 twist Fluted barrel - Grayboe Terrain stock - Talley LW Rings 30 mm and a Leupold vx111 I 4.5-14 x 40 30mm side focus CDS scope Should make a Decent DEER whacker rifle ! Great to have some GOOD load info to get started with - Thanks - RJ

 

[Guy Miner]

Rifle looks great in that laminated stock! And, the 6.5 PRC seems to have quite a following here.

I may have to borrow one for some range time, know a fellow just up the road a few miles with one. Or two?

Guy

 

[boomer68]

Was out yesterday and dropped a nice mature whitetail doe. Only had factory 147 ammo, but did the job.

 

[Thebear_78]

Awesome, should be good eating!


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[boomer68]

Thanks. Hit her at about 50yds and complete pass through with entry and exit holes about the size of a quarter. Closer than I would have liked, but couldn't pass up the chance.

 

[hunter24605]

RL-26 is great in mine with various bullets..However with the 142 ABLR, reloder 23 proved to be the top performer. Also IMR 7977 showed a bunch of promise, but never really got real deep into working with it.
I can't imagine you not being able to find a good load with 26.