Just bought 6.5 PRC

[markg]

Well I bought a 6.5 PRC during the black friday sale. I was going to special order a 7PRC and wait for it but the deals were to good so I "pulled the trigger" on a new rifle.

That being said now I have to provide ammo for it. I am a pretty qualified reloader. So I guess what I am looking for is advice on what is working for you guys. I am leaning towards shooting 3 different bullets but I am open to suggestions. I have a few hundred Berger 140 elite hunters. What powder combinations are you guys having sucess with?

I am thinking of buying some Berger 156 OEL bullets. That looks like it might be the perfect bullet for the cartridge.

The other bullet that interests me is the Hornady 143 ELDX It is supposed to open up at slower velocities around 1600 fps.

So what do you guys use and why? DO any of you shoot those bullets and if so what powder is working for you?

Thanks in advance

[elkhunter11]

I am using R-26 with the 143 eldx. My Christensen Traverse averages 3050fps, and 3/8moa with that combination. I am using ADG brass, which Corlanes had in stock last week.

[JBE]

R26, 140 accubonds, adg brass. 3050'/sec

[markg]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I am using R-26 with the 143 eldx. My Christensen Traverse averages 3050fps, and 3/8moa with that combination. I am using ADG brass, which Corlanes had in stock last week.

Thanks for the Recomendation!!

I typically use Lapua brass but have been thinking of trying ADG, and this may be the perfect time to try it.

[Smokinyotes]

R26 works well with the 129gr and 142 gr LRAB as well as the 143gr ELDx. I’ve only used Lapua brass but have heard that ADG is as good or better.

What rifle did you buy mark?

[markg]

Bought the Tikka CTR. I also bought a GRS Bifrost stock and the MDT competition brake. ALL on good black friday sales.

During hunting season this year I used my recently passed fathers Husqvarna 30/06 It was nice and light for carrying but We saw harvestable animals out in that 600 to 700m range. It was a great way to honor his memory but Unfortunately this rifle just was not designed for that type of shot.

I have a 6.5 Creed Cadex Sheepdog I bought, thinking i might hunt with it but scoped it weighs 17.5 lbs. Its not practical for hunting but I enjoy it as a target gun. (its for sale) Most of my guns are more target focused. I realized I needed something I can use hunting that can reach out for the longer shots.

I have been drooling over the 7 PRC ballistics but honestly the 6.5 will do 80% of what the 7mm will do and I can get it now and start practicing with it.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by markg

Thanks for the Recomendation!!

I typically use Lapua brass but have been thinking of trying ADG, and this may be the perfect time to try it.

I would have used Lapua, if there was any around when I received my rifle, but it was Hornady, or ADG/Gunwerks, and the Gunwerks was actually not that expensive at the time, at $250/100. Be aware that the standard magnum shellholder won't work with the ADG brass, although it will work with Hornady.
I went with the 143eldx, because I bought a box of factory Hornady 143gr loads with the rifle, and the first three groups averaged 3/8" at 100m.

[markg]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I am using R-26 with the 143 eldx. My Christensen Traverse averages 3050fps, and 3/8moa with that combination. I am using ADG brass, which Corlanes had in stock last week.

I am curious if you notice much of a velocity change when the temps drop below -10c?

Is it correct that 6.5 PRC uses large rifle primers and magnum are not recommended?

[Trochu]

What rifle did you get?

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by markg

I am curious if you notice much of a velocity change when the temps drop below -10c?

Is it correct that 6.5 PRC uses large rifle primers and magnum are not recommended?

I am using the Federal 210M, and using 57gr of powder, I don't see the need for a magnum primer. I haven't chronographed the load in cold temperatures, but one thing I do like, is that I am not seeing any copper fouling, which makes sense given that R-26 contains an agent to reduce copper fouling.

Here is some testing that might interest you, concerning R-26 in colder temperatures.

https://www.longrangehunting.com/thr...der-26.187256/

[markg]

Originally Posted by Trochu

What rifle did you get?

Tikka CTR 6.5 PRC and a GRS Bifrost Stock and MDT Competition muzzle brake

[marky_mark]

Wait for the lapua brass
Adg is good but lapua is better
Familiarize yourself with clickers and how to identify them
If I’m not mistaken, hornady specifically made the dimensions of cartridge to work optimally with their bullets.
That being said I would never use hornady bullets, partially just to be able to bug tj about it on a weekly basis lol
The prc is virtually the same as a 6.5x284
And my 6.5x284 is awesome

[JohnB]

156gr bergers, RL26, Laupua brass and CCI 200. H1000 also worked well.

[wallz]

156 bergers, h1000, ADG brass, magnum primers. 22” prof barrel.

Have it shooting out to 1200 yards this way. Tried N568, but seems to favour H1000 better.

Lots of lapua brass around and not hard to find now.

[waldedw]

I am just starting to develop loads for mine, have taken it out to 725 yards so far but I know it will reach much farther.

The load that is awesome now is 143gr ELDX over 67.5gr US869 federal 210 in Hornady brass, have loaded the same load in ADG brass and it shoots very good also, can't tell the difference.

Have had good results with 59gr Retumbo as well as 58.5gr RL25 but not quit as good at the US869

Am working on a load now with the 147 gr ELDM I'll post back once I find out what works.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by waldedw

I am just starting to develop loads for mine, have taken it out to 725 yards so far but I know it will reach much farther.

The load that is awesome now is 143gr ELDX over 67.5gr US869 federal 210 in Hornady brass, have loaded the same load in ADG brass and it shoots very good also, can't tell the difference.

Have had good results with 59gr Retumbo as well as 58.5gr RL25 but not quit as good at the US869

Am working on a load now with the 147 gr ELDM I'll post back once I find out what works.

I found that the Hornady brass worked fine, for two firings, then the neck tension became significantly less consistent, and the groups opened up. If I had to use Hornady brass, I would anneal after every two firings.

[waldedw]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I found that the Hornady brass worked fine, for two firings, then the neck tension became significantly less consistent, and the groups opened up. If I had to use Hornady brass, I would anneal after every two firings.

Thanks I'll watch for that, when I bought my 6.5 PRC a couple years ago there was virtually no unprimed brass available of any kind any where, I did find some hornady 143 gr ELDX precession hunter ammo and bought 8 boxes, plus 4 boxes of hornady 147gr ELDM match ammo so I have been farming the brass to do load development.

I stumbled on 100 ADG brass and grabbed them, I'm slowly working through some loads to see what shoots best and if the ADG brass and hornady brass can use the same load, it's a process but hey that's why we reload

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by waldedw

Thanks I'll watch for that, when I bought my 6.5 PRC a couple years ago there was virtually no unprimed brass available of any kind any where, I did find some hornady 143 gr ELDX precession hunter ammo and bought 8 boxes, plus 4 boxes of hornady 147gr ELDM match ammo so I have been farming the brass to do load development.

I stumbled on 100 ADG brass and grabbed them, I'm slowly working through some loads to see what shoots best and if the ADG brass and hornady brass can use the same load, it's a process but hey that's why we reload

I developed my load with Hornady brass, then tested it with the ADG brass and gained 40-50fps, and the groups shrank a bit.

[waldedw]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I developed my load with Hornady brass, then tested it with the ADG brass and gained 40-50fps, and the groups shrank a bit.

OK thanks good to know, if my groups shrink more they will be just one ragged hole which would be fantastic, my best so far center to center is .264" at 100 yards and that was with factory ammo, best handload so far is .50 " center to center which is still very acceptable

6.5 PRC 143 ELDX.jpg

[markg]

I was able to get 100 Lapua brass, Forrester neck, FL , and mircrometer seating dies.

Also got 300 143gr ELDX bullets so I am set! Just need powder.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by waldedw

OK thanks good to know, if my groups shrink more they will be just one ragged hole which would be fantastic, my best so far center to center is .264" at 100 yards and that was with factory ammo, best handload so far is .50 " center to center which is still very acceptable

Attachment 182554

The first three groups out of my rifle, with the 143gr Precision Hunter factory load.

[338wea]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

The first three groups out of my rifle, with the 143gr Precision Hunter factory load.

My dads has similar results with factory at 500

[markg]

Looks nice but you can still see three holes.

But seriously thats some fantastic results and excellent marksmanship.

[Smokinyotes]

Originally Posted by 338wea

My dads has similar results with factory at 500

So your dad is getting the same size groups at 500 yds as what Elk11 posted?

[markg]

Who in Alberta sells Alliant Reloader powder?

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by markg

Who in Alberta sells Alliant Reloader powder?

Many dealers sell it, but these days , it's who has it in stock, I haven't seen R-26 in a store in about a year.

[waldedw]

Those are great groups Elk, I have 2 1/2 boxes 143 ELDX factory ammo left and have 200 143gr ELDX bullets to load, am hoping I can duplicate the factory ammo groups

I tried some 142gr NABLR but just couldn't get them to shoot with any of the powders that I had, RL26 was and mostly still is no existent and I have never tried any, RL25 seems to work well, good velocity and not bad accuracy.

As I said before Retumbo and US869 both worked well, and the good thing is I have a good supply of each so don't have to run around looking.

[REMINGTON JIM]

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

So your dad is getting the same size groups at 500 yds as what Elk11 posted?

I would like to own that rifle ! RJ

[markg]

I picked up my rifle today.

The Good: that set trigger is a thing of beauty!

The Bad:The CTR used to come with a metal mag and bottom metal plastic now

The Ugly: The muzzle brake that comes with it is ugly, but thankfully I have the mdt competition brake on order.

I sure hope the CTR patterned bottom metal (plastic) is the same footprint as the old metal one. Otherwise that GRS Bifrost stock I ordered might not work. Sure as heck dont want to have to put some bottom metal for hundreds of dollars.

Some links:
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/14786...imber-midnight

https://www.grsriflestocks.com/grs-bifrost

https://mdttac.ca/comp-brake/

[fps plus]

Some of the factory ammo coming out these days is really good ! I’ve put together a couple 240 wby Brass is almost impossible to find but there is a bit of factory ammo. I am a dedicated reloader so to get brass I bought factory ammo . Both rifles will shoot 3 shots that cut at 100 yds with factory ammo !! I went and bought more and it will be a while before I consider reloading for these rifles