Looking for some general information on reloading for a short (18") 6.5 prc with 135 a Tips (156 berger load data also would be helpful). Mostly looking for powder recommendations as most data is for 24" Barrels and longer. I have quite a bit of varget, but see H1000, retumbo and N565 recommended a lot. Just not sure if these are still good routes to go for a short barrel. If anyone has any recommendations and can post starting loads and what speeds they are seeing from these shorter barrels it would be appreciated
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18" 6.5 PRC and 135 A tips
- Thread starter NateAdams13
- Start date
Though shorter barrels don't get the benefit of slower burning powders like H-1000, like ~7% of it goes unburnt, it'll fill the cases better than faster burning powders. I'd suggest something more like N555, H4831 SC or IMR 7828 SSC for the short barrel. A lot of good things said of N555.
Seems 4831SC is a good option here, and its in stock. Might give it a go with that.
I am also looking into the 129 nosler ABLR for next deer season. Should be able to get near 2900 fps hopefully from the 18"
Shorter barrels will get the benefit of slower powders just like the longer barrels but with more unburnt powder and muzzle flash. Shorter barrels do benefit from lighter bullets and faster powder in terms of burnout and less muzzle flash.
Things to keep in mind:
You can't make up the velocity benefit of a longer barrel!
Slower powders take longer barrel time to burn out.
Unburnt powder may/can affect accuracy/precision.
Things to keep in mind:
You can't make up the velocity benefit of a longer barrel!
Slower powders take longer barrel time to burn out.
Unburnt powder may/can affect accuracy/precision.
The same powder that provide peak velocity in a longer barrel will also provide peak velocity in a shorter barrel. If reducing muzzle flash/blast is important to you a faster powder can be used but it will reduce velocity.
As others have mentioned for rifle length barrels, the powders that give the best velocities in longer barrels usually give the best velocities in shorter barrels too. In your case, you might try Ramshot Grand, it's been giving me the best velocities with good accuracy in my 19" 7 PRC, and from the data looks like it should do well in the 6.5 as well. Burn speed is right next to H1000 and RL-26, it's temp stable, available unlike RL-26, cheaper than H1000 and faster than either in my PRC, worth a try.
