Short barrel 6.5 prc

[bohem]

We built a few shorty 6.5 PRC's for guys using them in tree stands; all at 16.5"

With factory ammo the 140 ELDm and 143 ELDx ammo was going 2800-2850 for both ammo types in all the barrels. Basically it worked out that a 16.5" PRC was the equivalent to a 26" 6.5 Creed.

 

[NateAdams13]

I’ll actually be out on the range with it around Christmas. I’ll report back. I’m going to test 140 and 130 sierras.

Any updates?

 

[shootertom]

Any updates?

Yes, I tested just the 130 game changers using the H8431SC. I tried 55.5 and 56 gr. The 55.5 was running at 2860 and the 56.0 was running at 2900. I plan to jump it up some more as the speed was still increasing nicely. On my next session, I will try 56.5 and see if the speed is still increasing. Also, it was shooting extremely accurate for both charges. If I can get it to run 2930-2950 with great accuracy, I'll call that a win.

 

[AMG04]

I have an 18" 6.5 PRC running 147s at 2750.

 

[NateAdams13]

I have an 18" 6.5 PRC running 147s at 2750.

What powder?

 

[45-90]

Get the new Federal 7mm Back Country, no reloading, much better performance, especially made to out perform the 7 PRC in short barrels, lots of rifles being chambered for it, some with carbon fiber and 16" barrels for a light weight hunter.
Check it out before buying anything,... it appears perfect for the Orginial Poster.

 

[AMG04]

What powder?

N565

 

[NateAdams13]

Get the new Federal 7mm Back Country, no reloading, much better performance, especially made to out perform the 7 PRC in short barrels, lots of rifles being chambered for it, some with carbon fiber and 16" barrels for a light weight hunter.
Check it out before buying anything,... it appears perfect for the Orginial Poster.

So far the intitial reports of it are not good. Go watch Alterras review. They couldn't get even custom barrels to shoot any of the factory ammo well. Speeds are not quite as good as advertised either.

Though the original OP stated they don't reload, I am not trying to get away from reloading to go back to inconsistent factory ammunition. So far RCBS (they are trying to make dies to reload) is having to run 12 passes to resize the case.

If they get everything figured out with it, it will be a solid offering. However out of the few steel alloy cases and combos (277 fury) that have come out in recent years, none have been very successful.

 

[45-90]

So far the intitial reports of it are not good. Go watch Alterras review. They couldn't get even custom barrels to shoot any of the factory ammo well. Speeds are not quite as good as advertised either.

Though the original OP stated they don't reload, I am not trying to get away from reloading to go back to inconsistent factory ammunition. So far RCBS (they are trying to make dies to reload) is having to run 12 passes to resize the case.

If they get everything figured out with it, it will be a solid offering. However out of the few steel alloy cases and combos (277 fury) that have come out in recent years, none have been very successful.

I shoot the hybrid 277 Fury cases by the thousands in many different calibers very successfully. But you have to be into reloading.
In one 10 shot group test, hybrid cases out shot Lapua LR and SR palma cases with 230 gr match bullets in 9 twist 308...best group, tightest velocity spreads...Lapua SR palma cases were the least accurate with the highest S/D in velocity.

There are like 14 rifle makers chambering for the 7mm BC and factory ammo is available on a few locations with more on the way.

Accuracy reports I've seen have been some loads less than moa...depends on the factory ammo and the barrel.
For a 16" barrel, no reloading, and shooting from a blind at mostly close range I see this as the perfect setup.

A 308 will do an excellent job for close to moderate range, tons of bullets to chose from, factory or reloading cheap to expensive rifles.
Hand load you can run 150 gr bonded bullets to 3100 in a 22" hybrid cases...or 2875 fps in a 6 lb, 16" AR 10 with Lapua cases.
Lots of choices...

 

[jwhjwh54]

18" 6.5 prc is a killer

 

[45-90]

Check out the Federal reloading video on this site for the 7mm BC.
Reloading fired factory steel ammo case with ease, using a current powder and a Fusion bullet... it's new but, ammo is available and components, dies and load data are on the way.
So 80,000 psi is here to stay, so get on board or be left in the dust.
A much better round then most anything out there...including all of Hornady’s new offerings.
And easier than necking up or down the 6.8X 51 hybrid case...to get high pressure cases.

Even I would consider owning one.

 

[NateAdams13]

Check out the Federal reloading video on this site for the 7mm BC.
Reloading fired factory steel ammo case with ease, using a current powder and a Fusion bullet... it's new but, ammo is available and components, dies and load data are on the way.
So 80,000 psi is here to stay, so get on board or be left in the dust.
A much better round then most anything out there...including all of Hornady’s new offerings.
And easier than necking up or down the 6.8X 51 hybrid case...to get high pressure cases.

Even I would consider owning one.

I genuinely hope it takes off. I’m not getting my hopes up until dies are available to consumers with load data. Aside from this video and one of a dozen videos out there, people have claimed issues with accuracy and die manufacturers were struggling with manufacturing dies that could successfully resize. I’m rooting for federal here, it’s a neat caliber. The issue that I see going forward is there aren’t a ton of actions that can take 80k (that I would actually trust to take 80k) and I really want to see how many suppressor manufacturers will say their cans will hold up to this lol.

I don’t know if I’d say it’s a better caliber than anything else out there. It’s brand new, only a handful of people have actually used it. Hornadys PRC and arc lines are popular for a reason and they’ve proven themselves quite well.

 

[45-90]

If you want a short barrel and still get magnum performance, the 7mm BC stands above the rest.
There were 11 manufacturers of 7 mm BC rifles when I looked them up.
The cheapest is Savage 16.5" barrel for $699 just to try it out.
There appear to be no issues with reloading.
I have tons of experience with hybrid cases...I use regular standard dies from many manufacturers, Lee, Wilson, RCBS, Redding, they all work on Hybrid cases.

Dies are not hard to make...I make them when I have to.
Lee resizing lube is great for hard to resize cases like military 50BMG.
I do not know how many times one can reload the new Federal cases cause I don't have a 7mm BC rifle ...yet.

I run Ruger and Remington 700 actions with hybrid cases to 80,000 psi...according to QL. But all pressure is a guesstimate.
Weatherby is also offering rifles in 7mm BC.

I like and shoot several of the new Hornady cartridges, but with out hybrid cases they can not compete with the steel cased 7mm BC and 80,000 psi for short barreled high velocity hunting
The military is running 80,000 psi 6.8X 51 in 13" suppressed AR type select fire, and full auto machineguns...that's where I get the hybrid cases to modify to other calibers....its .270" and neck up to .284" would be easy...I just did one.
This will be fast in short barrels also, this is a 180 gr Berger...all I need is a finish reamer, and an 8 twist barrel.

 

[blackblue]

I thill think the .277 fury would be a blast sending the 90gr gold dots fast.

 

[NateAdams13]

If you want a short barrel and still get magnum performance, the 7mm BC stands above the rest.
There were 11 manufacturers of 7 mm BC rifles when I looked them up.
The cheapest is Savage 16.5" barrel for $699 just to try it out.
There appear to be no issues with reloading.
I have tons of experience with hybrid cases...I use regular standard dies from many manufacturers, Lee, Wilson, RCBS, Redding, they all work on Hybrid cases.

Dies are not hard to make...I make them when I have to.
Lee resizing lube is great for hard to resize cases like military 50BMG.
I do not know how many times one can reload the new Federal cases cause I don't have a 7mm BC rifle ...yet.

I run Ruger and Remington 700 actions with hybrid cases to 80,000 psi...according to QL. But all pressure is a guesstimate.
Weatherby is also offering rifles in 7mm BC.

I like and shoot several of the new Hornady cartridges, but with out hybrid cases they can not compete with the steel cased 7mm BC and 80,000 psi for short barreled high velocity hunting
The military is running 80,000 psi 6.8X 51 in 13" suppressed AR type select fire, and full auto machineguns...that's where I get the hybrid cases to modify to other calibers....its .270" and neck up to .284" would be easy...I just did one.
This will be fast in short barrels also, this is a 180 gr Berger...all I need is a finish reamer, and an 8 twist barrel.

Hybrid cases themselves are easily reloadable. Typically only the case head is steel. These are a full steel alloy case, including the neck which is where the resizing issue lies. You can not and are not just using regular dies, otherwise RCBS, redding, forester, hornady and everyone else would have dies released by now. They are still trying to figure out how to make them on a production scale where they actually work. And several of those manufacturers, including savage I would not want to shoot an 80k PSI through their action lol. A BAT? 100% would.

 

[45-90]

Hybrid cases themselves are easily reloadable. Typically only the case head is steel. These are a full steel alloy case, including the neck which is where the resizing issue lies. You can not and are not just using regular dies, otherwise RCBS, redding, forester, hornady and everyone else would have dies released by now. They are still trying to figure out how to make them on a production scale where they actually work. And several of those manufacturers, including savage I would not want to shoot an 80k PSI through their action lol. A BAT? 100% would.

Federal states on the 7mm BC, any modern action should handle their 80,000 psi cartridge.
I've shot the hybrid cases in 308, 6.5 CM, 8.6 Blkout, 358 win, in severl different standard actions at that high pressure, for several years now in standard production here is a Ruger.

 

[45-90]

So before going to the 6.5 PRC with a 16" barrel maybe a discussion is in order about performance in a 16" barrel with regard to hunting from a blind where most shots will be close.
So it really doesn't matter what reasonable caliber ya use...
An old 26" octagon barreled 30-30 killed 19 elk in the meadows of the Blue Mountains, 170 gr factory ammunition...it was actually quite heavy to carry.

Quick Load... results for 16" barrels ...NOT The 26" Barrel THEIR DATA IS TAKEN FROM.

6.5 PRC 57.0 gr RL 26, 143 eldx 2.950" max in Hornadys manual = 2756 fps.

6.5 CM 143 gr RL 26 46.3 gr 2.800" Max in Hornadys manual = 2609 fps from 16" barrel.

6.5 CM ...2.950" ... same COAL as 6.5 PRC
RL 26 48.8 gr = 2696 fps from 16" barrel.

6.5 CM..." hybrid"cases 2.900" xx.x gr of RL26 (my load) = 2880 fps, from 16" barrel.

277 Fury hybrid cases 150 gr Nosler BT 2.900" COAL ××.× RL26 = 2932 fps from 16" barrel.

My 16" 6 lb AR 10 308 168 gr ELDM= 2756 fps. Standard LC brass.

Shots under 500 yds the 308 with a 16" barrel will get it done...
The 308 168 gr eldm and the 143 gr in the 6.5 PRC have the same muzzle velocity but the 168 the 308 bullet has more muzzle energy and larger dia and that larger dia & energy makes it a potential better killer in the first few hundred yds, where most all the killing will be done on a deer stand or blind. The .623 VS the .523 G1 BC ain't much different in shorter ranges, but dia and weight bring more energy to be transferred to the target ...for the distance most will be shooting game.
Of course different bullets can be introduced to gain different results but up close its still the same a bonded 308 168 gr .572 might fit the bill too.

For bolt guns hybrid cases are available for more advanced reloaders in any 308 pattern cartridge, 7mm-08, 6.5 CM. 308, 8.6 Blackout etc for more short barreld performance.

The 80,000 psi was designed for short barrels and maximum performance.

Don't care what you hunt with blackpowder, the 44-40, & 30-30 has killed more deer than any magnum, but they will all kill a deer...your choice.
No one cares if ya shoot it at 30 yds or 500 yds as long as you make a good shot tbe results are the same.

I knew a guy who used to kill elk with a 222 Remington and practiced on sage rats...just like the Eskimos, using the 222 on polar bears & walrus...subsistence hunting, might be considered unethical, by many.

So with the same program, the same powder, same 16" barrels, this is a good comparison and representation of what you will get with one of the best velocity powders for these calibers...RL26.

I know its a short 16" barreled 6.5 PRC post but shortening the barrel that much loses ya 300 or more fps...
Would you be better off with the standard 6.5 CM, 308, 7mm-08, or maybe hybrid or steel cased rounds for maximum performance.. for this endeavor...you decide.
But keep the ranges reasonable, & they all work.