6.5 PRC load data help

[GySgt Smith JE]

Good morning SH,

I need some help choosing the correct load. Back story, I've ran load development with H1000, 56.2gr 2.3030" CBTO, but have ran out of powder, can not find it anywhere, and stumbled upon some RL 26. With H1000 it was obvious and clear which charge weight worked the best. It shot the best groups and had the lowest SD and ES. The pictures below were shot last night at an indoor 100 yard range. I was using Hornady virgin brass with Hornady 147gr ELDM's all seated at 2.3030" CBTO ~0.040" off the lands. These are shot out of a Christensen Arms 6.5 PRC MPR with a stock 24" barrel with 1:8 twist, with 436 rounds through it. I had a SilencerCo Omega 300 suppressor attached. I used a MagnetoSpeed V3 chronograph. All groups were shot off of bipod and rear bag on a stupid bench.

Specs:
Hornady virgin brass
Hornady 147gr ELDM
CCI 250 primer
Reloader 26 powder
All loaded to 2.3030" CBTO
3 shot groups

Stats
1: 52.6 gr
Max 2928 fps
Min 2922 fps
Avg 2925 fps
SD 3.3
ES 6
group 0.628"

2. 52.9 gr
Max 2938
Min 2934
Avg 2936
SD 2.4
ES 4
group 0.784"

3. 53.2 gr
Max 2953
Min 2936
Avg 2946
SD 9.3
ES 17
group 0.397"

4. 53.5 gr
Max 2975
Min 2957
AVG 2964
SD 9.6
ES 18
group 0.045" BEST GROUP

5. 53.8 gr
Max 2978
Min 2970
Avg 2974
SD 4
ES 8
group 0.395"

6. 54.1 gr
Max 3000
Min 2972
Avg 2982
SD 15.6
ES 28
group 0.286"

7. 55 gr
Max 3015
Min 3009
Avg 3013
SD 3.4
ES 6
group 0.288"

8. 55.5 gr
Max 3050
Min 3035
Avg 3042
SD 7.5
ES 15
group 0.415"

The obvious choice would be 53.5 gr as it shot the best group. However, other loads had better SD and ES's. Based on all the information what load would you work with? Thanks in advanced for all the help.

 

[Supersubes]

Hornady lists the max charge weight for h1000 at 57.4gr, and 55.7 with rl26. That matches my experience for both powders with the 147. Back off and work up as you would with any combination.

 

[GySgt Smith JE]

Hornady lists the max charge weight for h1000 at 57.4gr, and 55.7 with rl26. That matches my experience for both powders with the 147. Back off and work up as you would with any combination.

Thank you for the reply. I found a good accuracy node with with H1000 at 56.2 gr. I was averaging 2990 FPS over 10 rounds shooting 0.4” with 4 SD and 11 ES. I guess more of what I’m trying to get at is with H1000 it was easy to load develope with, as most groups were .75” or bigger and 56.2 was the smallest group with lowest SD. With RL 26 I’m getting really good groups out of every load I tried (pictures and stats in original post). Do you pick the best group with higher SD and ESor choose a load that doesn’t group as well but has lowerSD and ES?
Example with 53.5 gr RL 26 3 shot group was single hole with SD of 9.6 and ES of 18. With 53.8 gr RL 26 3 shot group was 0.395” with an SD of 4 and ES of 8. Which load would you choose?

 

[Steel head]

Usually if best acurracy and ES/SD don’t jive I can get the best ES/SD load accuracy up to snuff with bullet seating adjustments.

 

[GySgt Smith JE]

Usually if best acurracy and ES/SD don’t jive I can get the best ES/SD load accuracy up to snuff with bullet seating adjustments.

Thank you for the advice. Question on bullet seating. If I have already done bullet seating test with H1000 would the same measurements hold true with RL 26 or should I try a seating test again. With H1000 I tried 0.010, 0.020, 0.30, 0.040, and 0.050 off lands. 0.40 off produced the best accuracy and lowest ES/SD. With changing powders would it change what seating depth the bullet prefers?

 

[Steel head]

Thank you for the advice. Question on bullet seating. If I have already done bullet seating test with H1000 would the same measurements hold true with RL 26 or should I try a seating test again. With H1000 I tried 0.010, 0.020, 0.30, 0.040, and 0.050 off lands. 0.40 off produced the best accuracy and lowest ES/SD. With changing powders would it change what seating depth the bullet prefers?

On my 7 Saum I recently switched from H1000 to R26.
I just used the same seating depth as H1000 load for new powder test and accuracy was good enough that I didn’t even bother changing it.

 

[GySgt Smith JE]

On my 7 Saum I recently switched from H1000 to R26.
I just used the same seating depth as H1000 load for new powder test and accuracy was good enough that I didn’t even bother changing it.

Thats exactly what I did and loaded to the same seating depth as I did with H1000. I’ve just never shot a 1 hole group before and was excited. It didn’t have the best SD/ES of the bunch. The others are very good tOo as my best ES/SD produces a group of 0.288”. I’ll load out a couple different loads to ensure they can do it again then go from there. Thanks for the help.

 

[AIAW]

Looks like good results with what you have done. I wouldn’t trust a 3-shot ES/SD as a final judgement call though. It‘s good for what you are doing now but beyond initial development, 5 at minimum, 10 preferred.

 

[GySgt Smith JE]

Looks like good results with what you have done. I wouldn’t trust a 3-shot ES/SD as a final judgement call though. It‘s good for what you are doing now but beyond initial development, 5 at minimum, 10 preferred.

Thank you. I usually do 5 round to 10 round test once I’ve found a decent load to further test it out. I’m just out of town at work and am low on components. I have 10 cases and bullets left to test before I’m out. I think I’ll load two different charge weights with 5 rounds each to further test the loads. I’m going to try 53.5 and 53.8 to test out further. Do you see any other charge weights I should further test? Or am I on the right train of thought with those two loads?

 

[AIAW]

Thank you. I usually do 5 round to 10 round test once I’ve found a decent load to further test it out. I’m just out of town at work and am low on components. I have 10 cases and bullets left to test before I’m out. I think I’ll load two different charge weights with 5 rounds each to further test the loads. I’m going to try 53.5 and 53.8 to test out further. Do you see any other charge weights I should further test? Or am I on the right train of thought with those two loads?

Sounds good. Such a small sample size could send you down the wrong path. I think you’ve got a very solid contestants in what you‘ve done already. Tweaking that ES down on the 53.5 could be as simple as a brass prep attention. Keep that seating depth, but really focus on neck tension (perhaps even test a few cases for H2O capacity). That alone might get it done.

 

[GySgt Smith JE]

Sounds good. Such a small sample size could send you down the wrong path. I think you’ve got a very solid contestants in what you‘ve done already. Tweaking that ES down on the 53.5 could be as simple as a brass prep attention. Keep that seating depth, but really focus on neck tension (perhaps even test a few cases for H2O capacity). That alone might get it done.

Thank you for you’re help. I’ll be sure to keep this all in mind.

 

[Cascade Hemi]

Your upper node is 55.0gr. I'd reshoot 54.8, 55.0, and 55.2. Once you find the best velocity node, do a seating test.

 

[sstacllc]

6.5 PRC,
1-7.5 Proof Carbon
Deviance Deviant
Manners EH-1
Hornady brass
215M
54.9 RE-23 (extremely temp stable)
142 ABLR Jumped .080
3085 fps ES of 16

 

[Pge]

Thats exactly what I did and loaded to the same seating depth as I did with H1000. I’ve just never shot a 1 hole group before and was excited. It didn’t have the best SD/ES of the bunch. The others are very good tOo as my best ES/SD produces a group of 0.288”. I’ll load out a couple different loads to ensure they can do it again then go from there. Thanks for the help.

Hello!!

Nice work!

What PRIMER do you use or suggest? I know I need Large Rifle.

I've read Federal often didn't fit well.."too tight"...
I'm reloading again.. 6.5 PRC this time! CCI ?

Your thoughts are appreciated! You guys know your stuff!

Concerning Powder: I could only get 4350 and 4831 powders! Cannot locate H1000 or and RL ...? Do you have a source ? A friend is using RL 16 and having great numbers.

I'm shooting PRS Matches now... I need the accuracy!

Thanks!

 

[Pge]

Hello!!

Nice work!

What PRIMER do you use or suggest? I know I need Large Rifle.

I've read Federal often didn't fit well.."too tight"...
I'm reloading again.. 6.5 PRC this time! CCI ?

Your thoughts are appreciated! You guys know your stuff!

Concerning Powder: I could only get 4350 and 4831 powders! Cannot locate H1000 or and RL ...? Do you have a source ? A friend is using RL 16 and having great numbers.

I'm shooting PRS Matches now... I need the accuracy!

Thanks!

Is the Winchester Match Large Rifle primer an accurate one?

 

[GySgt Smith JE]

Is the Winchester Match Large Rifle primer an accurate one?

I used CCI-250 Large rifle magnums. After getting help from the guys above i went back and shot 53.5 gr, 53.6, 54.5, 54.8, 55.0, and 55.2 gr of RL-26. The 53.5 still shot the tightest groups but the SD and ES were still about the same at 9.8 SD and 18 ES. I settled on 55.2 gr of RL 26 as it shot .4" with SD of 2.8 and ES of 9 over a 10 shot group. However, that was shot at 32 degrees. I went out shooting the other day after a PRS match to true my kestrel and ran into pressure problems of sticky bolt and swipes. I need to go back to the drawing board and select a lighter load.

As far as other powders , I am newer to reloading and do not feel comfortable suggesting other powders as I have not tried them. I was fortunate and found 3 pounds of H-1000 about a year ago before they ran out. When i finally shot it all i could not find it anywhere. RL 26 is extremely hard to come by right now. You just have to search every day for it. I found 8 pound jugs while out of town working and bought 2 of them. If you search in the reloading threads for RL 26 there are a bunch of guys who have posted sites that let you back order it. It might take 2-6 months before you get any though.

Best of luck to you.

 

[SacEric]

I had the same problem last fall, couldn't find RL26 or H1000 anywhere. I found a thread on a forum that was looking at 147gn ELDM Hornady's with n565. So I started focusing on that. I have 40 rounds built up from 53.5 to 57.5 for my next range day. Not going to be today with a 20mph cross so maybe next weekend. I don't have a radar setup, so my time at range will focus on 5 shot group spread and pressure signs. I'm loading with new ADG Brass with Fed 210M primers. I've already put 80 rounds of Hornady's 147 Match ammo down the barrel. I'm still settling in with rifle but I did get one group at .41 MOA with rifle - a Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Target. I realize that's likely quite a bit below the rifle capability of many of the people on this thread but it was a first leap after many years.

I'll update this thread with results.

 

[db2000]

Here's my load data. Scroll to my reply to his original post. #9 I believe.

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/6-5-prc-load.6963496/

 

[SacEric]

At end of February, went to range. Many groups @ .5MOA so happy with load. I used 56.5 gn n565 with a coal of 2.945. The jamming issue I had experienced with factory Hornady target ammo (147gn ELDM) was not apparent with the slightly shorter coal so I'll stick with that. The load was new ADG brass, 210M, 147gn eldm.

I'm happy with the performance for now and have begun loading up the next 100 rounds for when this pesky virus thing clears up.

 

[Dj907]

147gr. ELD-M
56.8gr. RL26
COAL 2.950
Bartlein 1-7.5 twist 26”
3034fps.

 

[db2000]

Dj907, RL26 has become my go to.
RL 22 and 23 are not bad either but less velocity.
My best velocities have come from Factory 147 ELD-M avg 3065 fps. Sub 1" group.

Here's some of my data:

Christiansen Arms MPR 6.5 PRC 24” carbon barrel 1-8” SilencerCo ASR Flash Hider
Magneto v3

Original carbon barrel:
Hornady 147 gr ELDM
Rx 22 51 gr
Hornady brass x 3
Fed 210
COL 2.045
COAL 2.940
2850, 2838, 2836, 2845
0.75”

Hornady 147 gr ELDM
Rx 22 52 gr
Hornady brass x 3
Fed 210
COL 2.045
COAL 2.940
2902, 2901, 2883, 2893
1.25”

Hornady 147 gr ELDM
Rx 23 52 gr
Hornady brass x 1 firing
Fed 210
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2866, 2883, 2872, 2876
0.60”

Hornady 147 gr ELDM
Rx 23 52.4 gr
Hornady brass x 1 firing
Fed 210
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2909, 2897, 2904, 2898, 2893
0.75”

Hornady 147 gr ELDM
Rx 23 52 gr
*Hornady brass x 12 firings
Fed 210M
COL 2.015
COAL 2.940
2899, 2898, 2925, 2918, 2922
2917, 2923, 2909, 2922 SD 10.3
0.6” w/o magneto attached

Hornady 147 gr ELDM
Rx 26 54.5 gr
Hornady brass x 5
Fed 210
COL 2.045
COAL 2.940
2913, 2955, 2950, 2951, 2959
Clean, cold barrel, no resting
0.75”

Hornady 147 gr ELDM
Rx 26 55 gr
Hornady brass x 5
Fed 210
COL 2.045
COAL 2.940
2982, 2995, 2987, 2980, 2980
1.25” some wind gust today

Hornady 147 gr ELDM
Rx 26 55.7 gr
Hornady brass x 5
Fed 210
COL 2.045
COAL 2.940
3009, 3017, 3007, 3005, 3011,
3000, 3023, 3008, 3026, 3011 SD 7.65
1” from cold barrel not resting
Cases become difficult to eject after
Shooting 30 rounds. Some primer cratering and ejector marks.

*2/12/20 New carbon barrel after break in:
46F 45% 30.17mmHg
Hornady 147 gr ELDM
Rx 23 52.5 gr
NEW Hornady brass
Fed 210M
COL 2.015
COAL 2.940
Magneto 91
2839, 2835, 2852, 2865, 2849
2865, 2858, 2866, 2844, 2860 SD 11.2
0.75”

55F 83% 29.70mmHg
Hornady 147 gr ELDM
Rx 23 52.8 gr
Hornady brass x 10 firings
Fed 210M
COL 2.025
COAL 2.940
2884, 2902, 2895, 2896, 2899
2910, 2896, 2901 SD 7.4
1.25”

55F 83% 29.70mmHg
Hornady 147 gr ELDM
Rx 23 53 gr
Hornady brass x 5
Fed 210M
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2901, 2915, 2916, 2929, 2923
2918, 2906, 2920, 2911, 2901 SD 9.2
0.75”


Pics not necessarily from data above.

 

[Rumlover]

Anyone tried 135 or 156 A-TIPS yet? I got my hands on Retumbo. H1000 and RE26 this week, looking for a starting point for either of the A-TIPS

 

[db2000]

Christiansen Arms MPR 6.5 PRC 24” carbon barrel 1-8” SilencerCo ASR
Magneto v3


Hornady 153 gr A-Tip
H4831 53 gr
Hornady brass x 2 firings
Fed 210
COL 2.030
COAL 2.955
2759, 2808, 2821, 2813, 2851

Hornady 153 gr A-Tip
H4831 53.5 gr
Hornady brass x 2 firings
Fed 210
COL 2.030
COAL 2.955
2858, 2839, 2842, 2831
2853, 2853, 2838, 2867
0.6” best group


Hornady 153 gr A-Tip
H4831 54 gr
Hornady brass x 2
Fed 210
COL 2.030
COAL 2.955
2864, 2881, 2876, 2859, 2879

Hornady 153 gr A-Tip
H4831 53 gr
Hornady brass x 2 firings
Fed 210
COL 2.030
COAL 2.955
2927, 2886, 2899, 2891, 2898, 2895


Hornady 153 gr A-Tip
RL 22 51 gr
Hornady brass x 3 firings
Fed 210
COL 2.045
COAL 2.955
2790, 2811, 2818, 2815, 2822

Hornady 153 gr A-Tip
RL 22 52 gr
Hornady brass x 3 firings
Fed 210
COL 2.045
COAL 2.955
2873, 2876, 2878, 2889, 2881


Hornady 153 gr A-Tip
RL 23 51.5 gr
Hornady brass x 3 firings
Fed 210
COL 2.045
COAL 2.955
2876, 2858, 2858 fps


Hornady 153 gr A-Tip
RL 23 52.5 gr
Hornady brass x 3 firings
Fed 210
COL 2.045
COAL 2.955
2915 fps




Hornady 153 gr A-Tip
RL 26 55.7 gr
Hornady brass x 7 firings
CCI 200
COL 2.058
COAL 2.955
2980, 2988, 2992, 2986, 2997
2993, 3006, 2989, 2989, 2982


Hornady 153 gr A-Tip
RL 26 54.5 gr
Hornady brass x 5 firings
Fed 210
COL 2.045
COAL 2.955
2938, 2943, 2937, 2946, 2938 fps

Hornady 153 gr A-Tip
RL 26 55 gr
Hornady brass x 5 firings
Fed 210
COL 2.045
COAL 2.955
2967, 2966, 2957, 2945, 2957 fps


Hornady 153 gr A-Tip
RL 26 55.7 gr
Hornady brass x 5 firings
Fed 210
COL 2.045
COAL 2.955
3009, 2989, 3007, 3009, 3010,
3024, 3000, 3001, 3012 fps

 

[JMax]

Good morning SH,

I need some help choosing the correct load. Back story, I've ran load development with H1000, 56.2gr 2.3030" CBTO, but have ran out of powder, can not find it anywhere, and stumbled upon some RL 26. With H1000 it was obvious and clear which charge weight worked the best. It shot the best groups and had the lowest SD and ES. The pictures below were shot last night at an indoor 100 yard range. I was using Hornady virgin brass with Hornady 147gr ELDM's all seated at 2.3030" CBTO ~0.040" off the lands. These are shot out of a Christensen Arms 6.5 PRC MPR with a stock 24" barrel with 1:8 twist, with 436 rounds through it. I had a SilencerCo Omega 300 suppressor attached. I used a MagnetoSpeed V3 chronograph. All groups were shot off of bipod and rear bag on a stupid bench.

Specs:
Hornady virgin brass
Hornady 147gr ELDM
CCI 250 primer
Reloader 26 powder
All loaded to 2.3030" CBTO
3 shot groups

Stats
1: 52.6 gr
Max 2928 fps
Min 2922 fps
Avg 2925 fps
SD 3.3
ES 6
group 0.628"

2. 52.9 gr
Max 2938
Min 2934
Avg 2936
SD 2.4
ES 4
group 0.784"

3. 53.2 gr
Max 2953
Min 2936
Avg 2946
SD 9.3
ES 17
group 0.397"

4. 53.5 gr
Max 2975
Min 2957
AVG 2964
SD 9.6
ES 18
group 0.045" BEST GROUP

5. 53.8 gr
Max 2978
Min 2970
Avg 2974
SD 4
ES 8
group 0.395"

6. 54.1 gr
Max 3000
Min 2972
Avg 2982
SD 15.6
ES 28
group 0.286"

7. 55 gr
Max 3015
Min 3009
Avg 3013
SD 3.4
ES 6
group 0.288"

8. 55.5 gr
Max 3050
Min 3035
Avg 3042
SD 7.5
ES 15
group 0.415"

The obvious choice would be 53.5 gr as it shot the best group. However, other loads had better SD and ES's. Based on all the information what load would you work with? Thanks in advanced for all the help.

View attachment 7197259View attachment 7197260

Good morning SH,

I need some help choosing the correct load. Back story, I've ran load development with H1000, 56.2gr 2.3030" CBTO, but have ran out of powder, can not find it anywhere, and stumbled upon some RL 26. With H1000 it was obvious and clear which charge weight worked the best. It shot the best groups and had the lowest SD and ES. The pictures below were shot last night at an indoor 100 yard range. I was using Hornady virgin brass with Hornady 147gr ELDM's all seated at 2.3030" CBTO ~0.040" off the lands. These are shot out of a Christensen Arms 6.5 PRC MPR with a stock 24" barrel with 1:8 twist, with 436 rounds through it. I had a SilencerCo Omega 300 suppressor attached. I used a MagnetoSpeed V3 chronograph. All groups were shot off of bipod and rear bag on a stupid bench.

Specs:
Hornady virgin brass
Hornady 147gr ELDM
CCI 250 primer
Reloader 26 powder
All loaded to 2.3030" CBTO
3 shot groups

Stats
1: 52.6 gr
Max 2928 fps
Min 2922 fps
Avg 2925 fps
SD 3.3
ES 6
group 0.628"

2. 52.9 gr
Max 2938
Min 2934
Avg 2936
SD 2.4
ES 4
group 0.784"

3. 53.2 gr
Max 2953
Min 2936
Avg 2946
SD 9.3
ES 17
group 0.397"

4. 53.5 gr
Max 2975
Min 2957
AVG 2964
SD 9.6
ES 18
group 0.045" BEST GROUP

5. 53.8 gr
Max 2978
Min 2970
Avg 2974
SD 4
ES 8
group 0.395"

6. 54.1 gr
Max 3000
Min 2972
Avg 2982
SD 15.6
ES 28
group 0.286"

7. 55 gr
Max 3015
Min 3009
Avg 3013
SD 3.4
ES 6
group 0.288"

8. 55.5 gr
Max 3050
Min 3035
Avg 3042
SD 7.5
ES 15
group 0.415"

The obvious choice would be 53.5 gr as it shot the best group. However, other loads had better SD and ES's. Based on all the information what load would you work with? Thanks in advanced for all the help.

View attachment 7197259View attachment 7197260

I’m new so thanks. The 53.5 looks good. My load for my CA 6.5 w H1000 is also 56.2 and so is my buddy’s in his CA.
I called Hornady who said they load with RL26 and Federal 210 match primers. I’m just the opposite, I can get H1000, but not RL26. On that 53.5 load, try it out to 1000 on steel. That’ll give you an idea if it’s a keeper load.

 

[Pge]

Good morning SH,

I need some help choosing the correct load. Back story, I've ran load development with H1000, 56.2gr 2.3030" CBTO, but have ran out of powder, can not find it anywhere, and stumbled upon some RL 26. With H1000 it was obvious and clear which charge weight worked the best. It shot the best groups and had the lowest SD and ES. The pictures below were shot last night at an indoor 100 yard range. I was using Hornady virgin brass with Hornady 147gr ELDM's all seated at 2.3030" CBTO ~0.040" off the lands. These are shot out of a Christensen Arms 6.5 PRC MPR with a stock 24" barrel with 1:8 twist, with 436 rounds through it. I had a SilencerCo Omega 300 suppressor attached. I used a MagnetoSpeed V3 chronograph. All groups were shot off of bipod and rear bag on a stupid bench.

Specs:
Hornady virgin brass
Hornady 147gr ELDM
CCI 250 primer
Reloader 26 powder
All loaded to 2.3030" CBTO
3 shot groups

Stats
1: 52.6 gr
Max 2928 fps
Min 2922 fps
Avg 2925 fps
SD 3.3
ES 6
group 0.628"

2. 52.9 gr
Max 2938
Min 2934
Avg 2936
SD 2.4
ES 4
group 0.784"

3. 53.2 gr
Max 2953
Min 2936
Avg 2946
SD 9.3
ES 17
group 0.397"

4. 53.5 gr
Max 2975
Min 2957
AVG 2964
SD 9.6
ES 18
group 0.045" BEST GROUP

5. 53.8 gr
Max 2978
Min 2970
Avg 2974
SD 4
ES 8
group 0.395"

6. 54.1 gr
Max 3000
Min 2972
Avg 2982
SD 15.6
ES 28
group 0.286"

7. 55 gr
Max 3015
Min 3009
Avg 3013
SD 3.4
ES 6
group 0.288"

8. 55.5 gr
Max 3050
Min 3035
Avg 3042
SD 7.5
ES 15
group 0.415"

The obvious choice would be 53.5 gr as it shot the best group. However, other loads had better SD and ES's. Based on all the information what load would you work with? Thanks in advanced for all the help.

View attachment 7197259View attachment 7197260

I'm getting 2.2 to 0.0 SD with 4831sc in my Ruger Hawkeye 6.5 PRC...! That's right...0.0 on 3 shot test groups. Now, I know if I shot 10 it won't be a 0.0. But I have been running 1.6, 2.2 SD and ES 6 to 11.

But I'm paying very close attention to my Neck Tension!! Closer they are to each other the better ES and SD numbers you'll get.

Too many shooters take the neck tension fur granted. It's easy to be accurate with powder, bullet seating case length etc... But if the neck tension tolerance is not maintained as well you will have variations.

I run mine at .0015 grip less than bullet size.

At 56g I'm getting 2937 avg. and SD/ES of 2.1/6. At 200 yards that makes a .8" inch overlapping group.

Enjoy!

 

[db2000]

I’ve got data w/ RL 26 and CA MPR 24” CF barrel. Look for my prior posts if you like.