Thread: 6.5 PRC with 20 inch barrel

Originally Posted by Ted6.5

Running a 24" Tikka

Did load dev with 2217 and Eldx 143s, got very good groups but was slower than Super performance which also has good accuracy so went that way.

The Eldx perform well on game for me

I find superformance real good as well,56 grns gets the prc hissing without pressure signs.

My 20” with factory precision hunter at 2850 is killing the odd red at 600-650yd range fine

Lapua brass is an excellent choice, you'll get higher speeds than normal and Hornady brass and very good consistency with that.

2217 will do well for accuracy and consistent speeds, if you are sensible you'll get enough speed without running out of space in the case. I used that with 143 ELD-X and then changed to superformance and got the same accuracy with another 100fps and still in safe pressure range.

One thing I noticed about the 6.5 PRC is that excellent accuracy and speed can be obtained without loading longer than SAAMI spec, that was my experience with the Tikka T3X anyway. Before I was educated on load tuning (or the waste of components that it was) I tried a seating depth test and after the first group shot 5 into just over half an inch I stopped, saami length 2.950" (This was after the initial load/speed/pressure test shot 12 into an inch).

Enjoy it, it's a cool caliber with plenty of uses and nice to carry at 20 inches too.

Enjoying this thread. Ive got a bergara wilderness sierra 6.5prc 20" barrel hopefully picking up this week with handloads going into it. (I got hung up over the 20inch barrel but alot of info on here put me at ease) cant wait

I am loading to mag length, the ELDX do not seem to be sensitive to jump. Could just be my rifle.

Did a bush hunt with it the other day with the suppressor off, was fine to carry.

Originally Posted by rogers.270

My 20” with factory precision hunter at 2850 is killing the odd red at 600-650yd range fine

that's good speed with factory.i have never seen over 2860 with several 24 inch barrel rifles using precision hunter.

Yeah I was only getting 2716 from my 20"

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Originally Posted by Yesmate

that's good speed with factory.i have never seen over 2860 with several 24 inch barrel rifles using precision hunter.

My educated guess would be he has a carbon ring and carboned up throat - driving up pressure and therefore the velocities. Hopefully im wrong and he has just has a very good batch of ammo and a tight fast barrel.

Very pleased to see people interested in this topic, which helps me a lot, and all of you enjoy this wonderful cartridge.
I just came back from the range yesterday, hence I'd like to share my experience.
2217, 210M, Lapua virgin brass, 40thou off lands, 0.3gr increment
Did two ladder tests on both 140 vld hunting and 156 eol, 140 vld gets 2784 from 58.1gr(with brake), 156 gets 2768 from 57.5gr(with suppressor, reason why faster).
Both have no indication of pressure and plenty of room based on loads in this thread, will keep pushing more fps next time
Found some good nodes and accuracy even in ladder test, did 140 vld at 100m, all the bullets landed on the 1-inch circle.
So moved up to 200m when I was doing 156 eol and found 55.7gr and 56gr only go up from 2667.5 to 2670.7, and POI barely touching, that would be my first 5-shot groups for the next visit.
Not keen on crazy velocity, accuracy and consistency is my goal. Hope that will help, and look forward to the next trip

Hi Everyone,

I’m loading my next few ladder test now and decided to go with max magazine length instead of jumps as I’m using for hunting.
Load to 58.2gr gets compressed round is that ok? I assume it was because it’s virgin brass not fire formed so may loose a bit of capacity. I’m not an expert so would like to hear more opinions. Cheers

Originally Posted by Roarless20

My educated guess would be he has a carbon ring and carboned up throat - driving up pressure and therefore the velocities. Hopefully im wrong and he has just has a very good batch of ammo and a tight fast barrel.

I have had some build up, had to give it a good once over mid roar as it got hellish sticky, but its been steady since i purchased it - hardys hybrid. Would have thrown 200 rounds plus through it.

Only reason i went PRC (in .300, 6.5 and 7mm) is because components and time are too expensive and short..... got other shit to do and the animals still die. i rate the precision hunter as the best factory ammo option. obviously hand loads better - but at normal range i haven't found deer/cham/stags/tahr give a shit.

Regarding ammo batch - over the past 5 years i buy 5 boxes of each, each year, never the same batch, but the variance is less than my skill at shooting.

to add out of interest - all same enough speeds
2850 20" suppressed 6.5
2850 22" break 7mm
2850 24" break .300

Originally Posted by VicX

Hi Everyone,

I’m loading my next few ladder test now and decided to go with max magazine length instead of jumps as I’m using for hunting.
Load to 58.2gr gets compressed round is that ok? I assume it was because it’s virgin brass not fire formed so may loose a bit of capacity. I’m not an expert so would like to hear more opinions. Cheers

Like I said, you'll run out of room with 2217 if you're chasing high speeds. It's a big case so small increments in powder are a bit of a waste of time unless you're in uncharted territory. Even then 0.5 increments will be fine.

What are you trying to achieve? If it's a brand new barrel it will speed up after the first hundred of so rounds so don't get caught up the lower velocity just yet ok?

Is that with the berger 156 or 140? The PRC was made to shoot the heavies, not saying it won't shoot the lighter ones but it's strength lies with the heavy for caliber bullets.

I know I'm just a sinner using box ammo, but I'm using a Tikka t3x, cut to 20.5 inches and pushing box ELDM at 2810, most accurate rifle i have owned by far.

Originally Posted by Williamfga

I know I'm just a sinner using box ammo, but I'm using a Tikka t3x, cut to 20.5 inches and pushing box ELDM at 2810, most accurate rifle i have owned by far.

I find the variance between different rifles, even of the same make and model to be wild. I was sighting-in and chronographing a friends 6.5PRC Tikka t3x a couple of weeks ago.
It has already punched out around 250 rounds since new, so has been 'broken-in', but we were only getting 2720fps from precision hunter out of the 22" barrel with a DPT suppressor.

Compared to the speeds you are getting @Williamfga its nearly 100fps difference.

Not a dig at the cartridge, rifles or anything, but I just find it interesting.

Originally Posted by JohnQT

I find the variance between different rifles, even of the same make and model to be wild. I was sighting-in and chronographing a friends 6.5PRC Tikka t3x a couple of weeks ago.
It has already punched out around 250 rounds since new, so has been 'broken-in', but we were only getting 2720fps from precision hunter out of the 22" barrel with a DPT suppressor.

Compared to the speeds you are getting @Williamfga its nearly 100fps difference.

Not a dig at the cartridge, rifles or anything, but I just find it interesting.

Yip my 20" Tikka barrel was at 2717fps with same ammo.

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