16" 6.5 PRC

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I just ordered a 16" 6.5 PRC Tika prefit from Preferred Barrels.
I'd sent back another barrel that I had issues with and they offered me a free replacement, so what the heck I'm going with a shorty for hunting the timber suppressed

Has anyone shot a PRC this short?
I'm hoping to send the 142 ABLR'S around 2800.
I'll be hunting with it to about 600 yards max

 

[MlimA]

I posted about this in the 16-18” shorty thread minutes ago. I am curious as well if anyone has any info or experience with a short prc

 

[CStroud]

I believe @lancetkenyon has a 20" 6.5 SS shooting 156 bergers @ 2950 ish, and 140's over 3000. I know it's not the same exact chambering, but 2800 in a 16" barrel should be doable.

 

[CStroud]

Haven’t shot a short 6.5 PRC but short action magnums with 16 inch barrels are awesome, lots of blast but so much performance in a short rifle with compressed slow burning powder loads.
I’m building a 16 inch 7 SS to shoot 180gr eldms at the moment. If bullshit hunting laws weren’t preventing me from doing a 6.5 PRC that’s what I’d be building to shoot 135gr atips.

Enjoy the rifle, should be awesome.

I'll be interested to see how your build turns out. I built a 24" 7SS, and it's probably my favorite rifle. My current build is going to be an 18" 6.5 creed/18" 25SST switch barrel for hunting suppressed.

 

[wesc]

I’ve considered this too but the factory recs for cartridges like 6.5 PRC (or from what I can tell, basically any cartridge bigger than a .473 case head-all about the powder charge and pressure generated) seem to suggest/instruct 20”+ barrels. Or maybe I’m misreading something. Anybody else get that impression?

 

[samson7x]

I just built a 20" PRC but haven't chrono'd it yet. Main purpose is for suppressed hunting.

 

[Toftwo]

I'm no expert by any means and love the idea of a shorter/handier rifle, but do you think that the 6.5PRC is a good candidate for a 16" barrel? My understanding is that velocity wins, and the PRC is made to push the 6.5 pill faster than the creed to take advantage of the BC of the modern designed projectiles. With a 16" barrel would a creed be a better 6.5 option based on powder and brass costs when compared to performance? I hope it's the cats ass, I'm putting all my efforts into the 6.5 PRC and if it does, I'll be ordering a barrel myself.

 

[wesc]

For most of us the idea is to get 24” 6.5cm Velocity/performance from a 16” barrel. At its simplest, you more powder to do the same thing from less barrel. The prc gives this capability

 

[Toftwo]

For most of us the idea is to get 24” 6.5cm Velocity/performance from a 16” barrel. At its simplest, you more powder to do the same thing from less barrel. The prc gives this capability

Think it will perform like a 24" 6.5 creed at the OP's max of 600yds?

 

[wesc]

As long as the velocity exiting the barrel is the same and the barrels are of equal accuracy, the performance will be the same

 

[wesc]

Assuming the same weight/bullet design, of course

 

[TroyMayo]

I just ordered a 16" 6.5 PRC Tika prefit from Preferred Barrels.
I'd sent back another barrel that I had issues with and they offered me a free replacement, so what the heck I'm going with a shorty for hunting the timber suppressed

Has anyone shot a PRC this short?
I'm hoping to send the 142 ABLR'S around 2800.
I'll be hunting with it to about 600 yards max

Here's some data that I've gathered from the 6.5 Gap/PRC Facebook group, since I've also been looking at a 16" PRC. May I ask what the problem was with the barrel? I was planning on ordering one from Preferred also.

--------
6.5 PRC 24” brl , 147ELD. 55grs RL26,2980 FPS . 95% powder burned In first 8” or barrel, All powder burnt within 15”.

H1000 58grs 2970 FPS , 95% powder burnt in first 12”, 99.6% @ 24”

We did a 16.5" PRC recently that was just shy of 2800 with 140s and almost 2700 with 147s. It shot 1 hole at 100

Work up with re23, I’ve now gotten 2890 with 52 grains in hornady brass. Edit it’s a 18.5 tube.

Try h1000. A good buddy of mine built a 17.5. And h1000 and 140s he gets 2880 with no pressure signs at all

H1000 and a 140 eldm. 2880fps.

I just finished a load workup tonight on an 18" with 140s and h1000. Absolutely nowhere near pressure and got 140s up to 2900fps. No flamethrower with h1000, clean burn, low ES. The load I settled on had an ES of 2 fps.

 

[jwhjwh54]

Dumb question I could just ask the gunsmith but if I get a proof .264 barrel blank , a smith could Put it on a big horn origin with a mag bolt and be good for 6.5 Prc?

 

[samson7x]

Dumb question I could just ask the gunsmith but if I get a proof .264 barrel blank , a smith could Put it on a big horn origin with a mag bolt and be good for 6.5 Prc?

Yes. I had Altus chamber a shouldered prefit for my Origin.

 

[TroyMayo]

Dumb question I could just ask the gunsmith but if I get a proof .264 barrel blank , a smith could Put it on a big horn origin with a mag bolt and be good for 6.5 Prc?

Make sure you have a long action. COAL is about 2.95" with the 140s.

 

[samson7x]

Make sure you have a long action. COAL is about 2.95" with the 140s.

Does not have to be LA, especially if you handload. Mine's built on an SA origin with .130 freebore.

 

[jwhjwh54]

Yes. I had Altus chamber a shouldered prefit for my Origin.

im driving within 15 mins of Altus next week. I think I’m gonna have to drop by!

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

Here's some data that I've gathered from the 6.5 Gap/PRC Facebook group, since I've also been looking at a 16" PRC. May I ask what the problem was with the barrel? I was planning on ordering one from Preferred also.

--------
6.5 PRC 24” brl , 147ELD. 55grs RL26,2980 FPS . 95% powder burned In first 8” or barrel, All powder burnt within 15”.

H1000 58grs 2970 FPS , 95% powder burnt in first 12”, 99.6% @ 24”

We did a 16.5" PRC recently that was just shy of 2800 with 140s and almost 2700 with 147s. It shot 1 hole at 100

Work up with re23, I’ve now gotten 2890 with 52 grains in hornady brass. Edit it’s a 18.5 tube.

Try h1000. A good buddy of mine built a 17.5. And h1000 and 140s he gets 2880 with no pressure signs at all

H1000 and a 140 eldm. 2880fps.

I just finished a load workup tonight on an 18" with 140s and h1000. Absolutely nowhere near pressure and got 140s up to 2900fps. No flamethrower with h1000, clean burn, low ES. The load I settled on had an ES of 2 fps.

Thanks that's very useful info!
The barrel I sent back wouldn't shoot groups consistently, it'd throw 2-3 inch flyers at 100 yards.
It copper fouled really badly too, I tried a ton of bullet and powder combos and finally pulled it.
I've since sold the action hence the Tikka prefit, I'm glad they stood behind it at first they wanted to send me the old one back after re crowning it.
They told me the chamber was out of saami spec too???
Seemed weird but I'm hoping this next one works out.

 

[CCraneT]

I currently have a 26” heavy setup but getting my parts together to build a suppressed 20” hunting rifle. Only reasoning I didn’t go shorter was TBAC advised me to not go below 20” out of the prc. Looking forward to this build!

 

[TroyMayo]

I currently have a 26” heavy setup but getting my parts together to build a suppressed 20” hunting rifle. Only reasoning I didn’t go shorter was TBAC advised me to not go below 20” out of the prc. Looking forward to this build!

I just received an email that my Barreled 16" PRC is on the way back to me. The reason I chose 16" is because I have an 8" suppressor (Hybrid) which puts it at 24" and about 3.25 lbs (barrel and suppressor).

SilencerCo stated that the Hybrid was safe on the 6.5 PRC down to 16".

I will post back once I get some range time.

 

[Painless300]

I just had TS Customs build me a 22” Proof with LP TI action. I’m getting 2945fps with 156EOLs over 58.6 g of H1000. Wish I had gone 20” as I use TBAC Ultra 7.

 

[hereinaz]

Instead of the 6.5 PRC, check out the 6.5 sst and 6.5 ss, if you load yourself.

@CStroud and I both love our 7ss. I am definitely wanting an 18 to 20" 7ss or maybe the 25 sst.

 

[TroyMayo]

Instead of the 6.5 PRC, check out the 6.5 sst and 6.5 ss, if you load yourself.

@CStroud and I both love our 7ss. I am definitely wanting an 18 to 20" 7ss or maybe the 25 sst.

I had to go with the PRC at 16" because of my suppressor. Check with your suppressor company before going short with the magnums.

 

[808caliber]

Hoping to build an 18 inch 300prc soon as well! This post just got me excited

 

[JGR1953]

SilencerCo stated that the Hybrid was safe on the 6.5 PRC down to 16".

They must have told you something different from what they have listed on the website.
Their website says the Hybrid is rated for 18" barrels in magnum calibers.

 

[TroyMayo]

They must have told you something different from what they have listed on the website.
Their website says the Hybrid is rated for 18" barrels in magnum calibers.

For most magnums it's 18" but for the 6.5 PRC it's 16". It's alot lower pressure than the magnums. I asked them specifically.

 

[JGR1953]

For most magnums it's 18" but for the 6.5 PRC it's 16". It's alot lower pressure than the magnums. I asked them specifically.

The 6.5 PRC is rated just like other short and long magnums in it's class running a SAAMI spec of approx. 65,000 PSI.

 

[TroyMayo]

The 6.5 PRC is rated just like other short and long magnums in it's class running a SAAMI spec of approx. 65,000 PSI.

Both Silencerco and YHM Phantom confirm 16" for the 6.5 PRC. The pressure is lighter at the barrel end.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

Makes since cuz it's burning about 20 grains less powder than a 300 win

 

[JGR1953]

Both Silencerco and YHM Phantom confirm 16" for the 6.5 PRC. The pressure is lighter at the barrel end.

Good luck,
If that's what they say I would get it in writing so your covered under warranty if or when you have problems....

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I finally got my 7.5 twist 16.5" 6.5 SAUM barrel today!
I screwed it on and mounted my Vortex LHT, it weighs 7lbs 13 oz with the 4" Dirty 30 suppressor.
I'll put some rounds through it tomorrow and post some updates.

 

[jda2631]

I went 20" 7ss with TBAC ultra 7. Love it so far, but I'm still fire forming. A very mild charge (53gr hybrid 100v, it was on the shelf at the local store so grabbed it to fire form, didn't want to waste my RL26 to fire form) on new, unfireformed brass and brand new barrel, only shots I've chrono'd were shots 16-20 on the barrel and I'm getting 2670fps with 180 eldm. Plan to shoot 175 Berger elite hunters, and hoping to get 28-2850+ fps. Looks very promising so far. TBAC lists 20" as minimum for 7saum for ultra 7, so that's why I settled on 20". I'm all for going as short as your suppressor can handle, and getting max velocity at that length, so "short" barreled magnum.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I worked up a few loads today with the shorty saum.
My load with 142 ablrs that clocked 3050 in my 25" barrel were 2850 at 16.5".
I dialed out to 500 and center punched my steel plate on the first shot, not bad in my opinion.
I loaded a few with RL26 and hit almost 3000 fps but I had ejector marks.
Didn't have time to play with it more but I'm sure 2900 will be easy to obtain, especially when the barrel breaks in.

 

[TroyMayo]

I worked up a few loads today with the shorty saum.
My load with 142 ablrs that clocked 3050 in my 25" barrel were 2850 at 16.5".
I dialed out to 500 and center punched my steel plate on the first shot, not bad in my opinion.
I loaded a few with RL26 and hit almost 3000 fps but I had ejector marks.
Didn't have time to play with it more but I'm sure 2900 will be easy to obtain, especially when the barrel breaks in.

Nice, I've yet to take mine out. It looks like have a Tikka also, if so what size factory mag are you using for the PRC?

What other bullets (velocities) have you tried? Interested in 143 ELD-X, 130 and 140 Berger Hunting, 135 A-tip.

 

[Wrangler13]

Got my 20” PRC out yesterday for its first 40 rounds. Hunting rifle so it’s getting 127lrx. 57.5grn of h1000 2850fps avg with single digit spread. Was hoping for 2900 so will work it up another grn.

 

[Cascade Hemi]

The 6.5 PRC is rated just like other short and long magnums in it's class running a SAAMI spec of approx. 65,000 PSI.

Chamber pressure isn't relevant, the main concern with silencers is uncorking pressure and gas volume. 6.5PRC is not a magnum cartridge, it has less case capacity than a 30-06.

 

[shields shtr]

Anyone try an 18" 6.5 PRC with a TBAC Ultra 7? My dumb ass got all excited to build an 18" and then I looked at the TBAC website after I got the barrel. They list a 20" as minimum barrel length for a 6.5 SAUM, not sure if the PRC falls in the same category.

 

[Mark @ Exo]

Got my 20” PRC out yesterday for its first 40 rounds. Hunting rifle so it’s getting 127lrx. 57.5grn of h1000 2850fps avg with single digit spread. Was hoping for 2900 so will work it up another grn.

If you want to shoot a mono, consider Hammer bullets. You'll get better speed and accuracy compared to Barnes. I'm pushing a 124g Hammer Hunter at 2900fps put of a 20" Creedmoor (no pressure signs).

 

[Graywolf.260]

If you want to shoot a mono, consider Hammer bullets. You'll get better speed and accuracy compared to Barnes. I'm pushing a 124g Hammer Hunter at 2900fps put of a 20" Creedmoor (no pressure signs).

What’s your load and barrel?

 

[Mark @ Exo]

20" Proof Carbon, 40.2g Varget, Lapua Brass

 

[shields shtr]

I'm pushing a 124g Hammer Hunter at 2900fps put of a 20" Creedmoor (no pressure signs).

This is the bullet I want to shoot as well. Any on-game performance?

 

[Mark @ Exo]

This is the bullet I want to shoot as well. Any on-game performance?

With 30-cal 166 Hammers, yes, but not specifically with the 6.5 124 yet. There are a lot of good reports on the 124s out there.

 

[Wrangler13]

If you want to shoot a mono, consider Hammer bullets. You'll get better speed and accuracy compared to Barnes. I'm pushing a 124g Hammer Hunter at 2900fps put of a 20" Creedmoor (no pressure signs).

I’ve been wanting to try the hammers. Is it advisable to start with minimal Barnes data and work up?

 

[Mark @ Exo]

I’ve been wanting to try the hammers. Is it advisable to start with minimal Barnes data and work up?

Yes, or just reach out to Steve at Hammer for a suggestion – he's very helpful. In general, they will run with less engraving pressure and like faster powder and higher charges than Barnes.