Help me understand why the PRC is now the way to go over the SAUM? I am a little confused on which way to go and not sure if this is going to be a Bluray vs HDDVD showdown with only 1 cartridge winning out and getting all the support.
Gunsmithing 6.5 Saum vs 6.5 PRC
- Thread starter simpy16
- Start date
Industry support.
Some of this may be a little off, but it is my general gist of it. George Gardner at GAP necked down the 300 RSAUM to 6.5 as a quick way to get the short action magnum in 6.5 with a case length. This required either necking down 300 SAUM or 7 SAUM cases, and typically neck turning. George eventually had Hornady produce 6.5 SAUM (also called 6.5 GAP 4s) brass in what amounted to yearly lots of a half-million cases (minimum order size I believe, for custom cases). GAP and a couple other suppliers were the only places to get new brass. The first run of it was soft, the 2nd and 3rd runs were better. I haven't followed availability for a while, there may be subsequent lots out there by now...
From what I recall, the 6.5 PRC was closer to what George Gardner had originally envisioned, but Hornady was swamped at the time the George wanted to do it because of Sandy Hook and other related craziness. They finally got around to messing with the development after the demand for ammo/components died down a bit.
The SAUM has a slightly wider body diameter, and is a rebated rim. Both cartridges have the same rim/head diameter but the SAUM is wider, and likewise has a little more capacity, and seems to be able to get a bit more velocity (50-100fps or so). Because the PRC doesn't have the rebated rim, it does tend to feed a little easier from magazines, but most people can get the SAUM to feed fine, too.
So it basically comes down to 50-100fps bonus vs. brass availability. Because the PRC brass and ammo is being produced by Hornady (and others??) and factory rifles are being chambered in it, odds are your long-term component availability will be better than the SAUM. 300 and 7 SAUM brass is notoriously hard to find, and the Hornady runs of 6.5 SAUM brass can be seasonal. In addition to that, a lot of people have problems with Hornady brass letting go of primer pockets (I believe this is a carbon ring/fouling issue, mostly). There is a SAAMI specification for the 6.5 PRC, and published load data, too.
Some of this may be a little off, but it is my general gist of it. George Gardner at GAP necked down the 300 RSAUM to 6.5 as a quick way to get the short action magnum in 6.5 with a case length. This required either necking down 300 SAUM or 7 SAUM cases, and typically neck turning. George eventually had Hornady produce 6.5 SAUM (also called 6.5 GAP 4s) brass in what amounted to yearly lots of a half-million cases (minimum order size I believe, for custom cases). GAP and a couple other suppliers were the only places to get new brass. The first run of it was soft, the 2nd and 3rd runs were better. I haven't followed availability for a while, there may be subsequent lots out there by now...
From what I recall, the 6.5 PRC was closer to what George Gardner had originally envisioned, but Hornady was swamped at the time the George wanted to do it because of Sandy Hook and other related craziness. They finally got around to messing with the development after the demand for ammo/components died down a bit.
The SAUM has a slightly wider body diameter, and is a rebated rim. Both cartridges have the same rim/head diameter but the SAUM is wider, and likewise has a little more capacity, and seems to be able to get a bit more velocity (50-100fps or so). Because the PRC doesn't have the rebated rim, it does tend to feed a little easier from magazines, but most people can get the SAUM to feed fine, too.
So it basically comes down to 50-100fps bonus vs. brass availability. Because the PRC brass and ammo is being produced by Hornady (and others??) and factory rifles are being chambered in it, odds are your long-term component availability will be better than the SAUM. 300 and 7 SAUM brass is notoriously hard to find, and the Hornady runs of 6.5 SAUM brass can be seasonal. In addition to that, a lot of people have problems with Hornady brass letting go of primer pockets (I believe this is a carbon ring/fouling issue, mostly). There is a SAAMI specification for the 6.5 PRC, and published load data, too.
Prime is/ was supposed to be coming out with loaded 6.5 SAUM. Unless it is a pre-order price, it seems to be competitively priced with the two Hornady 6.5 PRC offerings.
I'd also wait for the better brass offerings to come out for the Saum. Currently, my buddy and I have been loosing primer pockets after 2/3 firings in Hornady brass and neither of us are running hot loads. The Hornady brass supply also seems to be rather dry at the moment and I don't believe Bertram has started shipping out pre-orders for their 6.5 Saum brass.
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In this day and age of roaching barrels and bitching about brass , why not a 6.5x284?
You'll have great brass and performance until Hornady comes out with the next latest , greatest pile of 6.5 and you'll rebarrel before the 6.5x284 is worn out.
You'll have great brass and performance until Hornady comes out with the next latest , greatest pile of 6.5 and you'll rebarrel before the 6.5x284 is worn out.
Prime is still pre order last I looked. Adg announced saum brass but not sure when it will be out. I just switched to Bertram brass but I used 7mm and necked down/turned. I don't have any desire to use Hornady brass ever again.
FYI the SAAMI 6.5 PRC reamer with .188 FB is pretty much useless if you plan on shooting any projectiles other than 143/147 ELDs from a short action.
The throat is way long to reach or chase the lands with 140 Hybrids, SMKs, etc. Needs to be fed from a LA to take advantage of those OR you need to shoot ELDs exclusively.
The throat is way long to reach or chase the lands with 140 Hybrids, SMKs, etc. Needs to be fed from a LA to take advantage of those OR you need to shoot ELDs exclusively.
I ordered 200 pcs of Bertram 6.5 SAUM brass a couple eeeks ago. I emailed them and they replied that the brass has already been manufacturered and that it should ship by the end of December. Fingers are crossed!
I realize this is an old thread, but posting for future searches.
I have 2 65 PRCs built on a Defiance XM action & a Stiller XM action. Both are throated for the Berger 156s. I also load using Lapua brass out of a wide selection of brands. At 1000 yards it crushes my 300 WM performance in MOA of bullet drop & wind deflection. It’s about a wash on ft/lbs of energy.
I have 2 65 PRCs built on a Defiance XM action & a Stiller XM action. Both are throated for the Berger 156s. I also load using Lapua brass out of a wide selection of brands. At 1000 yards it crushes my 300 WM performance in MOA of bullet drop & wind deflection. It’s about a wash on ft/lbs of energy.
