6.5 PRC or 6mm Creedmoor?

[m6z]

Shooting steel to 1k yards and beyond. 24" or 26" barrel.

Which would you choose?

Looks like speeds are similar with factory ammo. I'm assuming barrel life is similar.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

I don't own a PRC, but I'm willing to bet barrel life may not be as good as Creedmoor.

 

[Pusher591]

I don't own a PRC, but I'm willing to bet barrel life may not be as good as Creedmoor.

Negative, most 6 creeds I’ve seen run anywhere 900-1400 rounds for 1 moa or less accuracy standard. They mostly burn H4350 or similar burn rate powders. The PRC and SAUM were developed using slower burning powders like H1000. Not seen any burned out barrels yet with the PRC but based on development 2000-2500 rounds were common. All this is subjective because rate of fire, brand of barrel and other powders being used play a huge role in barrel life.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

I read 6.5 Creed. My bad. Disregard my comment.

 

[Ledzep]

6.5 for splash alone. 147s will give an advantage in BC, too.

 

[jswhitesell619]

For simply banging steel past 1k, the prc will be better for sure. More splash and better barrel life using magnum type powders.

 

[RampedRaptor]

The splash! The 115 dtacs vs 142 smk was eye opening at 1 mile. I really enjoy the 6 creed for PRS type stuff and it’s great at 1k. On misses the 6.5mm sure does kick up more dirt at farther distances in my experience and you’ll get at least the same but most likely better barrel life.

 

[b6graham]

Is there a reason you picked these two? Factory ammo? Short action? JHR?

 

[m6z]

Factory ammo and I'm building on a short action Bighorn Origin action so I can swap the bolt head.

 

[m6z]

Sounds like 6.5 PRC is the way to go.

 

[jamesZ71]

Prc all the way, haven't shot either of my 6.5 creedmore rifles in my last two range trip

 

[Supersubes]

The prc is in another class imo. Handloaded, that gap would widen further. The bc’s on the heavy 6.5 bullets are in another league from the 6mm. Similar speeds would mean the prc stomps the 6.

If I were you I’d consider the 6.5 creed, not the 6, but that’s just me.

There are other considerations, like barrel life, ammo cost, and recoil. I would think the prc would be a barrel torching machine, and it will certainly recoil more.

 

[m6z]

I had originally planned on building a short 6.5 Creedmoor with this action, but have decided to go with a longer barrel and a cartridge that fits that longer barrel length.

If I build a short Creedmoor I'm going to want something for beyond 1k yards and I honestly don't shoot enough to justify two bolt gun builds.

 

[Supersubes]

No reason you can’t build a long creedmoor. They’ll both respond the same to the longer barrel.

 

[m6z]

No reason you can’t build a long creedmoor. They’ll both respond the same to the longer barrel.

True, but if I'm building a custom it makes more sense to go with the cartridge that had more reach. I'm not a reloader, not yet anyway.

 

[spife7980]

Customvs factory has nothing to do with it.

If you want to go past 1k with it primarily prc is far and away the better choice.

 

[jonthomps]

As others have said, the bc's on the 6.5 bullets are better than the 6mm. But any good ballistic app will overcome that issue. In my mind the deciding factor is wind drift. Most accomplished shooters who shoot past 800y regularly will tell you they miss because of a bad wind call, not because they dialed the wrong elevation.