6.5 PRC. Does anyone run one?

180ls1

Well-Known Member
Nov 2, 2020
1,195
1,528
113
35
Poway
I just put one in jail and it will get primary duty for big game hunting (elk, deer, pigs, antelope). I am strongly considering ditching lead completely and just running copper to keep things simple. Does anyone have experience with it and what ammo have you found fruitful? I don't reload so I am limited to factory stuff unless someone wants to lend a hand reloading. Any tips on a store with ammo in stock is also appreciated. It's a 1/7 twist x-bolt.
 
I like mine. Recoil is non-existent compared to my 300's and 338's. I know a lot of guys run the 147 ELD match https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019541856?pid=140639 as a solid lead bullet options.

I reload so I shoot the 124 HH and 127 LRX at 3300 fps, and the 140 gr Elite Hunter at 3050 fps. I have some 156 gr bergers that I have no loaded up yet.

Midway has ammo, but would need to get it shipped to FFL. I would also call fine firearms, they had some in stock last time i was down there.

If I was going to buy non-lead ammo, I would either get barnes 127 LRX ammo or reach out to a company like unknown munitions and have them make me some.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 180ls1
I like mine. Recoil is non-existent compared to my 300's and 338's. I know a lot of guys run the 147 ELD match https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019541856?pid=140639 as a solid lead bullet options.

I reload so I shoot the 124 HH and 127 LRX at 3300 fps, and the 140 gr Elite Hunter at 3050 fps. I have some 156 gr bergers that I have no loaded up yet.

Midway has ammo, but would need to get it shipped to FFL. I would also call fine firearms, they had some in stock last time i was down there.

If I was going to buy non-lead ammo, I would either get barnes 127 LRX ammo or reach out to a company like unknown munitions and have them make me some.
I was really tempted to grab a 300 PRC. Watching my dad's 300wm absolutely crush elk was motivating but my .270 has always done fine so I figured the 6.5PRC is just the new and improved .270.

I'll reach out to both of those places. Thanks for the tip.

Have you shot anything with the LRX or the Hammer hunters? I used a 130lrx (.270) on a local deer last year and it was DRT but I have always used leaded stuff (SST, Partition) and similar on elk. I am wondering if the hammers are worth the hype as a "one round to do it all" vs having some ELD for elk out of state and LRX for in-state deer/pigs.
 
I have have only shot targets with my 6.5 prc, last year I kept leaving it in the safe and carrying my big 338. Over the last two years I have taken 4 elk with hammers (2 cows, 2 bulls) from 100 to 600 yards. But those were either out of a 300 WM or my 338 RUM.

Hammers have worked well for me, but the best part about hammers is velocity and accuracy while reloading.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 180ls1
I have have only shot targets with my 6.5 prc, last year I kept leaving it in the safe and carrying my big 338. Over the last two years I have taken 4 elk with hammers (2 cows, 2 bulls) from 100 to 600 yards. But those were either out of a 300 WM or my 338 RUM.

Hammers have worked well for me, but the best part about hammers is velocity and accuracy while reloading.

Velocity because they are copper and faster or is there something else special? How accurate are they? It seems like the eld line is already really accurate.

Also, I called a few shops. Judging from what they are saying is that there is zero hope for anything lead-free showing up before hunting season.
 
They are extremely accurate in all my rifles and I typically can push them to velocities higher than "book". I get an extra 100 fps compared to barnes of about the same weight.

That said, my rifle still shoots the 127 LRX at 3230 fps at ~0.5 MOA.

Where are you live?
 
They are extremely accurate in all my rifles and I typically can push them to velocities higher than "book". I get an extra 100 fps compared to barnes of about the same weight.

That said, my rifle still shoots the 127 LRX at 3230 fps at ~0.5 MOA.

Where are you live?

Interesting. I feel like reloading is something I should learn one of these days.

I am in Poway, really close to the NWTF meetings if you ever attend those.
 
Dumb guy here...What's the difference between the very common 6.5 Creedmoor and the 6.5 prc?
Its a little faster with the same bullet, like 250fps. So you can shoot a heavier, more aerodynamic bullet that is faster with less drop and less wind drift. Essentially its just a little more lethal especially on bigger animals. Sounds like @JakeSCH is the expert here though. I do have 2 deer tags and 1 elk tag so I can report back with some real world info.

I just swung by the Big 5 here in Poway and they has a ton of 6.5 creed if anyone needs some. Several brands of lead free and leaded. High and lower quality.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ilovesprig
@HATCHET1

My man bun drops them dead with a throat patch shot
Your shoot for the throat huh? That’s interesting. My buddy has one and uses it for elk and deer. Here is his 2020 bull. 70 yards + a few 143 eldx in the lungs. I can't justify stepping down that much in power though with elk on the table.

.01724F37-D6E3-4F75-8004-EF8431EA24BE.jpeg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Reactions: sportyg
Stevo..98% of my killing is done with. 25 caliber...not a lot of difference..I just don't have a man bun or the flat hat.. YET!! Well..I don't have the hair anymore for a man bun..but the hat is coming!!
 
Last edited:
  • Haha
Reactions: ilovesprig
Dumb guy here...What's the difference between the very common 6.5 Creedmoor and the 6.5 prc?

6.5 PRC to 6.5 creedmore is similar difference as a 300 WSM to a 308 WIN.

It is fatter, holds more powder, has larger rim. Produces 250 to 300 fps more at the muzzle.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: NBK
Interesting. I feel like reloading is something I should learn one of these days.

I am in Poway, really close to the NWTF meetings if you ever attend those.

Nice man. I’m in Poway too, just on the other side. Though just moved a couple weeks back and need to re-setup my reloading room / home office.

Hopefully get that up and going in the next week or so but would be happy to help you reload.

If you can find some brass and bullets, I got plenty of powder, primers, and everything else needed.

Brass is $$ but it is out there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 180ls1
I just put one in jail and it will get primary duty for big game hunting (elk, deer, pigs, antelope). I am strongly considering ditching lead completely and just running copper to keep things simple. Does anyone have experience with it and what ammo have you found fruitful? I don't reload so I am limited to factory stuff unless someone wants to lend a hand reloading. Any tips on a store with ammo in stock is also appreciated. It's a 1/7 twist x-bolt.

I have two PRC's. Shoot / hunt the shit of of them. Strangely though, I've never shot either with factory ammo. My buddies that did shoot factory 6.5 PRC ammo tell me that they have a tough time finding factory ammo, that it's really expensive and that the factory ammo in a 24" tube isn't very fast. So, they end up loading for the PRC.

It will be interesting to see what velocity you end up with in the factory ammo that you can find. I cant recall ever seeing 6.5 PRC ammo on a shelf. Gunbroker is stupid expensive and I shoot a lot so I never bothered with factory ammo.

If you do end up reloading, I tested a few powders like IMR 7977, H1000, Reloader 26 and a few more powders. Lke others, I have had pretty good results with H1000 and Reloader 26. One of my rifles likes the H1000 and the other the Reloader 26. Reloader 26 is faster by about 80fps in my guns and I like it a lot in the PRC.

ADG and Lapua both make solid 6.5PRC brass. I run it through the AMP annealer each firing and I get 8-10 times before the primer pockets get to loose.

Factory or hand load, it sounds like you got a nice rifle inbound and I hope it shoots bugholes for you. It's a handy lil short action cartridge that's easy to shoot well and load for.

Best of luck on getting it dialled in.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 180ls1 and NBK
Stevo..98% of my killing is done with. 25 caliber...not a lot of difference..I just don't have a man bun or the flat hat.. YET!! Well..I don't have the hair anymore for a man bun..but the hat is coming!!
Too much hair is a good way to end up scalped on an Indians lodge pole anyways...
 
I have two PRC's. Shoot / hunt the shit of of them. Strangely though, I've never shot either with factory ammo. My buddies that did shoot factory 6.5 PRC ammo tell me that they have a tough time finding factory ammo, that it's really expensive and that the factory ammo in a 24" tube isn't very fast. So, they end up loading for the PRC.

It will be interesting to see what velocity you end up with in the factory ammo that you can find. I cant recall ever seeing 6.5 PRC ammo on a shelf. Gunbroker is stupid expensive and I shoot a lot so I never bothered with factory ammo.

If you do end up reloading, I tested a few powders like IMR 7977, H1000, Reloader 26 and a few more powders. Lke others, I have had pretty good results with H1000 and Reloader 26. One of my rifles likes the H1000 and the other the Reloader 26. Reloader 26 is faster by about 80fps in my guns and I like it a lot in the PRC.

ADG and Lapua both make solid 6.5PRC brass. I run it through the AMP annealer each firing and I get 8-10 times before the primer pockets get to loose.

Factory or hand load, it sounds like you got a nice rifle inbound and I hope it shoots bugholes for you. It's a handy lil short action cartridge that's easy to shoot well and load for.

Best of luck on getting it dialled in.

I called a bunch of places and located some 147 eld-m and one other brand (i forget). They all basicically said I was SOL trying to find anything lead free. Luckily another member here reached out and offered to help with reloading (I am totally green there). So I grabbed some Lapua brass and some 124 hammer hunters.

The guy at hammer, who I guess is one of the founders mentioned reloader 26 and 560?, not sure. Thanks for the advice. I hope to give it hell! I have 2 local tags one one elk tag in CO this year. Have you killed stuff with yours?
 
  • Like
Reactions: TRICER

About us

  • SCHoutdoors was created in January of 2011 by a few people who love the outdoors. The main goal is still the same – bring people together who enjoy the outdoors and share their knowledge and experience.
    Outdoors in the West, Hunting gear reviews, Big Game, Small Game, Upland Game, Waterfowl, Varmint, Bow Hunting, long Range Rifles, Reloading, Taxidermy, Salt WaterFishing, Freshwater Fishing, Buy-Sell-Trade on Classifieds and Cooking/Recipes
    All things outdoors…come join us, learn, contribute and become part of the SCHoutdoors community.

Quick Navigation

User Menu