New Hornady 6.5 PRC — Precision Rifle Cartridge
Hornady has introduced a new Short Magnum cartridge, the 6.5 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge). This will be offered as factory ammo in both a “Match” version (with 147gr ELD) and a “Precision Hunter” version (with 143gr ELD-X bullet). Presumably, in the future, Hornady will offer 6.5 PRC brass separately for hand-loaders, but Hornady has no time-line for brass availability. However, you can get 6.5 PRC brass right now from GA Precision at $86.00 per 100 cases. GA Precision’s George Gardner, who helped develop this cartridge, has posted: “It’s a non-rebated short mag based on a short RCM [Ruger Compact Magnum] case. It has 3-4 grains less capacity than the 6.5 SAUM which nets about 30-50 fps deficit to the SAUM.”
The 6.5 PRC Match seems to be aimed at the PRS crowd and long-range tactical shooters. The product launch photo shows a tactical rifle and steel plate. Hornady says the 6.5 PRC was “designed to achieve the highest levels of accuracy, flat trajectory, and extended range performance in a sensibly-designed compact package. Utilizing moderate powder charges that result in repeatable accuracy, low recoil, and reasonable barrel life, the 6.5 PRC produces high velocities for target shooting with performance well beyond 1000 yards.”
“High Velocities”? Wait a minute — here’s the ballistics chart from Hornady’s 6.5 PRC page. It shows a muzzle velocity of 2910 FPS. That’s not much better than a 6.5 Creedmoor (which can push 140s over 2800 fps), so we wonder about this. You have to ask — what is the point? Is there anything this 6.5 PRC can do that the venerable 6.5-284 can’t do just as well or better — with a standard bolt face?
New 6.5 PRC Is a Short Magnum Requiring Magnum Bolt Face
Dubbed the “big brother” to the 6.5 Creedmoor, the 6.5 PRC fits in short or medium actions with a standard magnum bolt face (.532”). The case geometry features a long cartridge case neck and 30-degree case shoulder. It sort of looks like a 6.5 Creedmoor on steroids. For its loaded 6.5 PRC Match Ammo, Hornady is showing a 2910 fps Muzzle Velocity with the 147gr ELD Match bullet. That’s not very impressive. Why go to the trouble?
Comment — Does This New 6.5 PRC Cartridge Fill a Need?
Honestly, we don’t get this. If you need more speed than a 6.5 Creedmoor and want to stick with a .264-diameter bullet, then shoot a .260 Rem or 6.5-284 using a standard bolt. This requires a magnum bolt face. The 6.5-284 is a barrel burner; the 6.5 PRC promises to be likewise. On the other hand it may work better than a 6.5-284 in a short-action magazine — that may be what Hornady is thinking…
The 6.5 PRC clearly seems to be targeted at the PRS crowd. But we see many top PRS competitors moving DOWN in cartridge size, rather than up. Many PRS guys have stepped down from the 6.5 Creedmoor to the 6mm Creedmoor, or even a 6mm Dasher. The benefit is less recoil, and cheaper bullets. Are there really many PRS shooters clamoring for a short magnum? We don’t think so.
We’ll see if this new 6.5 PRC cartridge catches on — maybe some PRS guys will want this for long-range side matches. Rifle makers currently chambering the 6.5 PRC include GA Precision, Gunwerks, PROOF Research, Stuteville Precision and Seekins Precision.
6.5 PRC Ammunition for Hunters — Also New for 2018
Hornady will also sell a version of 6.5 PRC ammo design for hunters. The Precision Hunter version, shown below, is loaded with the 143-grain ELD-X Bullet. Again, however, we really don’t know why any hunter would want to shoot this cartridge, when you already have so many good choices, such as the 6.5x55mm Swede, and the original .284 Winchester, both of which can use a standard bolt face.
If you have a hunting rifle with a magnum-size bolt, why not shoot the 7mm RSAUM or 7mm WSM? Barrel life is not really an issue for hunters, so the smaller case capacity of the 6.5 PRC is not really an advantage. Perhaps the veteran hunters among our readers can enlighten us, using the comments section. Would you build a hunting rifle chambered for the 6.5 PRC?
Similar Posts:
- It’s Official — SAAMI Approves Hornady 6.5 PRC and 300 PRC
- 6MM Creedmoor Brass Now Available at Good Prices
- 6mm ARC Cartridge — SAAMI Specs, Components, Videos
- 6mm ARC Cartridge — SAAMI Specs, Build Requirements, Videos
- NEW 6.5 Creedmoor Cartridge from Hornady
Tags: 2018 Hornady, 6.5 PRC, ELD Match, ELD-X, Hornady, Precision Hunter, Precision Rifle Cartridge, PRS
Would be nice to know the case capacity, or parent case of this design…
Editor: George Gardner of GA Precision says this was based on a shortened version of the Ruger Compact Magnum (RCM) and has 3-5 grains less capacity than a 6.5 SAUM. Given that, and the stated production ammo velocities, we still don’t see any advantage to this over a 6.5-284, which already has premium Lapua Brass available. We don’t know many PRS guys who shoot tac comps with rifles with magnum bolt faces…
Another evolutionary dead end driven by marketing.
There are more than enough 6.5 cases out there to choose from; and modern powder and bullets will make some of the old ones really sing.
And 6.5s do not really like to be hot rodded. That is a US fascination.
PRS is more limited to using short action ans aics mags than standard boltface , so short magnum ? maybe but i am not seing enough gain .
People also use 6mm over 6.5mm for extra speed and less recoil.
My lay understanding is that the closer the primer is to the center of the combustion chamber, the more efficient/consistent the combustion.
My own (non-professional) experimenting with a similar 6.5 WSM (short) wildcat generally yielded the same velocity (all else being equal) with 7% (or less) powder than the more narrow, conventional cartridges tested.
With the new heavey LR projectiles the 6.5 CM is a little under powered, with 140gr I get good spread around 2770fps with 25inch barrel so I guess this lets guys keep the trajectory of somthing lighter but with less windage while still in a short mag length and possibly running a shorter barrel. But on the flip side I guess the pros would already be using rsaum if it was that much of an advantage.
Or maybe its just making entry cartridge for the new series of caliber that they will introduce in the future why not 6 prc,7prc, 30 prc for sure someone will wildcat the case. WSM series – Nosler 22,26,30 – Federal 338 that did not catch on, and all the others like creedmoor. You get the picture. Why they do it? because they can and want to have there own cartridge. Is it useful? In the long run no, on a short term business yes.. like when Winchester invented the 25 wssm they sold more guns but was it a good plan for the long term?
I built one myself about 4 months ago. I’m shooting 129 accubond long range 3300 fps. I can shoot 140 Berger elite hunters about 3150. Only tried h1000 and reloader 26. SD in the single digits. Should stretch it out this week.
With two 6.5×55’s, a 6.5 Grendel and for the really long range stuff my 6.5×284 in my collection, this looks like an answer searching for a question to me.
Has everyone forgotten the long-lost ( and no wonder) 6.5 Rem Mag??
Here we go again….
Why do people call the CM and 6.5×47 underpowered? Would not that make the 308, 30-06, 223, and even the 338LM underpowered judging by bore ration alone. Its laughable to me what people call underpowered.
Has anyone seen a dimensional drawing for his thing yet?
“PRS cartridge”, I think not. That us just their marketing team trying to drive sales.
Cant wait until Hornady decides to come out with an upper midrange 6.5 cartridge based on the 284 Win, should be a great round….
Another one that has not been mentioned is the old 6.5-06. A friend who has both that and a 6.5x.284 with equal quality barrels and overall builds tells me that their performance and accuracy is identical. He has also found that going after relatively small increases in velocity is not worth the trouble, If you have an accurate node that is over 2,900 or even a little slower you are good to go.
An answer to a question that was never asked. This will see very limited interest.
So here we have 6.5mm Remington mag that will push a 140grn bullet a little over 3000fps from a 24″ barrel it’s been around since 1966 but we need a new 6.5 mag that is slower than the Remington???
I have a AIAW and have been looking for at way to use my 300WM bolt better and I think this 6,5 PRC is a good option.
I am really happy with this step from Hornady.
I think I will get this caliber.
When hornady launches a new cartridge, usually ruger and savage are not far behind with rifles to follow. And there are 1000’s of second hand wsm/rsaum rifles around in the western world waiting for a second barrel life .
It seems that hornady has caught up on the ammo shortages of the last few years as well.
From the non reloader/26 y/o hunter’s perspective:
I love 6mm and 6.5mm projectiles. My dad is a 7mm fan. I grew up with a 260 and when it got stolen it was eventually replaced by a 6.5 Creedmoor. Now for me, this cartridge makes no sense in the long range target world as more and more people migrate to 6mm for less recoil, but for a hunting round, there is at least a chance for popularity. It started with the 6.5 Creedmoor…Hornady finally convinced some hunters to come off of their high horse about 30 calibers, almost branding the 6.5 CM as the upgrade to the outdated 308.
Where this magnum style round can shine against the 6.5-284, 264 win mag, or some other magnums in the 7mm range is price point. Anything over $35 a box is an automatic turnoff to the average hunter. They still use their family’s 30-06 and the same shells for 10 years. Price is a big factor.
Another factor is velocity. No this doesn’t scream like a 26 nosler or a 6.5-300 WBY, but it also doesn’t recoil like one either. The advertised velos of the 6.5 PRC are around 250 FPS faster than the 6.5 CM using the same exact bullet. Based on that…you could assume to see the same jump once they expand their line of factory ammo which is where things have a chance to get interesting. I know a bunch of hunters who care about 3000 FPS. That’s what they want. Whether they ever know the difference of 3000 or 2950 or 3200, they want that velo number to start with a 3. So in theory a 6.5 CM load of 129 grain American Whitetail goes from 2820 to 3070. We now have 130 grain, 270 Win(an American favorite) speeds, and I am going to pull this out of my butt, 270 Win recoil, from a higher BC, 6.5 mm bullet.
Yes, I know this was branded for long range target shooting, but that’s what the 6.5 CM started out as as well, right? Affordable factory loads with marketable velocities for hunting are, in my own opinion, two of the biggest factors in bringing a niche, target round, into the over populated gun caliber world. Only time will truly tell the fate of this newcomer, this was just my two cents.
Many of these comments sound just like when the 6.5 Creedmoor was launched. Time will certainly tell. Consider commercial viability in this cartridge launch. We’ve received requests for a faster 6.5 for ELR matches (yes, standard PRS matches are trending to 6mm’s – we’re not arguing that) and for hunting at ranges where the 6.5 CM/260/6.5×55 class cartridges loose steam. Parameters are that it is a short action cartridge and feeds well in a wide variety of rifles. There are new long-action 6.5’s with extreme velocity and the issues that come with them. We’re not trying to be fastest and flattest. This cartridge needs to be reasonably low-recoil & muzzle blast and still have good barrel life. Obviously it is faster than the CM, so it will have somewhat less barrel life than that but can’t be in the 26 Nosler/6.5-300 class. We’re not going to bring back the 6.5 Rem Mag that was spec’d with a 1:9″ twist and nobody wants a belted mag. 264 Win is long action and also 1:9″. The 6.5×284 is a well liked cartridge for hand loaders but with the long 143-147 class bullets is a long-action and there are various chamberings out there from years of wildcatting. Also, rebated rims are not ideal. The SAUM (4S)is a fine cartridge but not one that feeds well in top-loading rifles (we want it to work well in hunting rifles and precision, mag fed rifles), plus that rebated rim. Commercial viability means that not just hand loaders get to have fun – we want something the average Joe can purchase ammo for as well with those long, heavy bullets. For those complaining about velocity, remember that our published velocities are based on 24″ test barrels. Our 143 & 147gr Creedmoor published velocities are 2,700 & 2,695 fps respectively. Of course people with longer barrels and hand loaders are exceeding 2,800 fps. The PRC factory 24″ velocities are 2,960 & 2,910 – Longer barrels and or hand loading to well over 3,000 fps is already happening. In short, it was far better to build a cartridge from the ground up, that’s made from the start to seat-out and stabilize long, heavy bullets, than to put out ammo in an existing cartridge that either didn’t function and feed in a wide variety of rifles, or won’t work well because existing rifles don’t have a fast enough twist barrel.
Well, Hornady have done a lot of things right over the last 10-15 years. This isn’t going to be one of them.
How many ways can you slice/dice the market? There are a heap of demi-magnums that can do the same job for the hunter, and PRS won’t be interested.
And if you really are looking beyond 1000 yards, then I’m not convinced 6.5 is it (I’d say 1200yds). After that, horsepower works.
This cartridge is perfect for PRS. Most matches have a velocity limit if 3100 fps. The 6mm impacts are hard to call at distance, and the 6.5 cartridges are running a little slower, and are therefore more sensitive to elevation settings. Recoil is really not an issue, as everyone runs a brake or can.
This round shoots the highest BC 6.5 bullets at 3050 fps, That is what is needed. The case is the diameter of a typical belted magnum CASE, not the belt. So, it’s basically an un-belted magnum that will feed well, and not significantly reduce magazine capacity. George Gardener is not an idiot, he helped create the sport. The 6 creedmoor was brought to market by him. This is essentially a proportionally scaled up 6 creedmoor. It will do very well among practical rifle competitors. If it will standard AICS or AW mags, I believe it will dominate the field within 2 years.
well, why not.
6,5mm, magnum head, short action.
just convince lapua to start making brass…
-Good barrel life.
-Loaded with Long heavy bullets fits a Short action.
-Lots of meat around the primer (no rebated rim) therefore primer pockets will stay tight longer.
-Zero feeding issues from all types of BDM’s and internal mags (no rebated rim).
-Some PRS shooters are already using the 6.5 GAP 4S for matches with stages beyond 1,200 yards.
-Once it gets necked up to 7mm I’m sure some F-open shooters will embrace it.
This cartridge has hope in my opinion.
Quite a phenomenal accomplishment in propellant engineering, if we consider the moderate volume of the case (about that of a 6.5-06 Ackley Imp) and the high weight of the bullet. As a matter of fact, in .264 a 147 grainer is a lot more difficult to launch at high speed than a 139~140 grainer. Keep in mind that it takes a .264 Win Mag to get the same results in a 24″ barrel!!
So I wish the very best to this new cartridge.
I think the only thing that would have me consider this cartridge is its longer neck. McPherson and others have long theorized that the additional brass aides in cooling and therefore dramatically increases throat life. So, if I can get a cartridge that seems to have about the same ballistic performance as the 6.5 x 284 but with much better barrel life, I’d sign up for that!
I have a rifle chambered in 6.5 Remington Magnum. Because it already has a magnum bolt face, the 6.5 PRC will work with the bolt. The problem is that the rifle in essentially a Remington Model 7, a short action. The factory loading, there’s only one, is a 120 grain lead tipped bullet, the 6.5mm barrel has a 1:9 twist which means it won’t stabilize long bullets heavier that 130 grains, maybe lighter.
This new cartridge factory loadings may be too long, that remains to be seen.
The 6.5 PRC is interesting, however, and if it will work in the magazine of my rifle, I’ll have a new barrel made for it.
Ya’ll are missing something. The velocity listed is for a 24″ barrel. So 2900+ fps is impressive from factory ammo. With a standard 26″ barrel (which most running 6.5 Creedmoor use) the velocity should be over 3,000 fps with the factory load pushing 147 gr bullets. That’s nice.
Why not just make 6.5 saum factory ammo? Why make a new round…
I think the development team set out to 1. get a maximum (reasonable) powder charge behind a 2. heavy for caliber high ballistic coefficient bullet to cheat wind in a 3. factory magazine length and 4. a lightweight short action platform, likely for hunting and not bench rest (same as SAUM). I think the PRS fills all 4 goals where no others can say the same. 6.5×284 is a long action so is not comparable and is typically 1/2 lbs heavier (think mountain rifle crowd). The similar 6.5 SAUM is a wonderful cartridge but needs an extended box mag for most rifle actions. The 6.5 CM is under or just adequately powered, but personally I like a bit more horsepower than 2800 fps for more down range killing power (higher velocity = less wind deflection and more vital damage at extended ranges), but not much , if any more than, 3000 fps for barrel life. The Swede and 260 rem etc. have the same cons as the CM unless hand loading and pressure increases to get there all of which negate the assumed development goal. The PRS comes high velocity and with reasonable pressure in factory ammo that any noob can use. So the 6.5 PRS meets its goal of a high(ish) speed factory ammo shooter looking for a fast 6.5 high BC heavy for caliber bullet in a stock factory short action magazine. The only one to my knowledge. I agree many new cartridges are foolhardy and fit unusual intents such as how fast can one make a bullet go disregarding all other factors (think the wildly successful 28 Nosler… makes no sense other than bigger and faster is better, no thank you). I agree, anybody with a custom gun or hand loading will skip the PRS, but it does fit it’s intended niche. The 7 WSM and 7 SAUM cannot compete as they either need to shoot shorter lighter and less wind slippery bullets (all critical cons IMO), OR have a longer heavier bullet seated deep taking up case capacity increasing pressure and decreasing velocity (no thank you). George Garnder would not have created this cal if it did not fit a specific niche. It’s very similar goal the 6.5 SAUM he ALSO created, but requires a custom box mag and is typically in a full custom rifle. It’s wonderful, I own one, but I prefer hand loading and costly custom rifles versus factory offerings. Again, the PRS has all the same goals as the SAUM, but for more off the shelf mountain rifle folks who don’t want custom guns or hand loading ammo. If the PRS had been around for decades and the CM and 260 etc came out now, I think all the same (although erroneous) critiques would apply. Why would anyone want a CM, 260, Swede, Lapua, etc when the PRS has been arround forever and is better on all accounts (except available brass). But again, if you’re a hand loader, you’ll skip the PRS and get the 6.5 SAUM or unless you like long action rifles for some reason then get a 6.5-284 Norma. Also, barrel twist and long bullets in factory guns has not been pointed out. I assume the PRS is an 8 twist or faster??? Which anything slower with a long bullet will be the demise of many of the long time cals in factory guns. I feel the OP and many comments following do not understand some of the more advanced/complex caveats of bullet ballistics and rifle design and constraints. Trust me, GA Precision does. They build and develop some of, if not the best, cartridges and rifles in the world.
Basically, a cartridge that brings the advantages of the 6.5 CM and increased velocity performance. 3000 fps without the barrel and throat issues of the big case 6.5’s. How can one not see the advantage of this cartridge, for true long range hunting…very very nice
…plus if twist rate is spec’ d as mentioned at 7.5″, this cartridge would beg the introduction of a 150’s grain vld bullet. The cartridge should handle a 150 to 152ish grain bullet at 2850-2900 fps. Moderate recoil, less throat and barrel issues compared to the big case 6.5’s, pushing what would be a very high bc and high sd penetrating bullet, think about that for a bit…no other 6.5 cartridge would give this performance
I am in the process of selecting a chambering for a all around deer to elk hunting rig that can send the long heavy 6.5 … like Bergers new 155 … and fit in a 2.96 short action AI AW detachable mag which we have for our PRS systems in 6mm Creed. Just need second bolt from Defiance and chamber a barrel….break it in with a few boxes of factory ammmo and have 80 cases of once fired brass to load with (order die set too)…. hmmm Very interesting! Lot less investment than building a whole new system on a XM or LA.
Another soon to be forgotten cartridge, think 6.5 Remington Magnum, sound similar.
If I need more horsepower for long range hunting I’ll be turning to my 26″ barrelled 300 Win Mag with 230gr Bergers. By the by, that 6.5PRC/143 ELD-X starts a little faster than the 230gr Berger but arrives at the 1000m mark with half the energy and more bullet drop.
Interesting that Hornady marketed the 6.5 Creedmoor as THE ULTIMATE Cartridge because it recalled less and was so efficient that the planets needed to realign, what a JOKE, marketing just like the other short almost non-existent magnums.
I’ve always been underwhelmed by the 6.5 Creedmoor’s velocity and believe the 6mm in that case (6mm Creedmoor) is a perfect match. This 6.5 PRC could be easier on the barrel than the 6.5-284 and 264 Win Mag. Like a modern 6.5 Rem Mag but designed for ELDs and VLDs. I may like it.
Long neck, 30 degre shoulder, short fat case. What’s not to like about it. I’m in the 6.5 but could not decide. 6.5-284 was my choice so far but the rebated rim don t like and in a short action they say the bullet is too deep into the case.
I bought a 260 rem to hunt with and have shot deer out to 500 yards with it. It works fine for that, but I never have felt comfortable with that size bullet on elk at longer ranges. So, I sold the 260 and then built a 7 RSAUM and I cant figure out why you would want to shoot a 6.5 mm bullet for hunting elk. I’m pushing the 175 ELD-X @ 2850fps and I’m pushing the 180 ELD-M at the same velocity with H1000. I know the ballistics between the 6.5 PRC and my 7 RSAUM are similar, but the 7 is going to hit with more authority and the recoil is very close to the same. If all Hornady wanted was more velocity than the 6.5 Creedmoor then they should have just made the 260 AI a commercial cartridge. Then you could use a standard bolt face, all the PRS guys could rechamber with whatever action they already have, you could still put the big bullets in it and reasonable barrel life too.
The 6.5 284 Norma and 6.5 AI have 35 degree or sharper shoulders. I have a 6.5 284 Norma, love it. But the sharp shoulders, like the WSM’s, have given me issues with bolt thrust and shorter case life due to extraction difficulty. The 6.5 PRC will have a 30 degree shoulder, a clear advantage. The PRC will not be the fastest, but it will be fast enough, faster than the Creed, Norma, and AI. Balancing less powder and recoil with longer barrel life into overall performance, the 6.5 PRC will be the best available hunting 6.5 cartridge out there.
Editor: We’ll a LOT of folks have been running Dashers and 6.5-284s with really stiff loads and I don’t see an issue. I suspect your WSM problem had more to do with bad case to die fit, or inadequate shoulder bump. Honestly I certainly wouldn’t worry about a 35 or 40-degree case. I think it’s actually beneficial for many reasons, not just extra case capacity. I have a shot a 6 Dasher at max pressures and it extracts just as well or better than my 6mmBR. Proper chamber, good dies — nothing to worry about.
The 6.5 PRC was just listed on AmmoGuide and I found it interesting as I should be able to get some cheaper dies from Hornady than the 6.5 EXTREME dies I had them custom make about 6 years ago. The 6.5 EXTREME has been on AmmoGuide for a number of years. I designed it to run the 140 Berger to just over 3000 fps, in a 26″ barrel, with no vertical problems that LR shooters were experiencing with the 6.5-284.Retumbo at 60 gains did that very well and pressures were much less than the 6.5-284.
Hornady legitimizing this cartridge is great as the 143 ELD-X bullet at close to 3000 fps will be an awesome hunting tound as is the 129 LRAB at about 3100 fps.
http://ammoguide.com/cgi-bin/ai.cgi?sn=BFphhbCFEY&catid=762
After reading all this “who shot john” and bitching about newfangled cartridges, I think our new president should ban all weapons shooting anything other than the venerable 30 ought 6! Nobody nowadays seems to want to live in a free country anyway. Or——–just lighten up a bit!
I have a 6.5mm SAUM that is built on a short action Remington 700. It pushes the 140gr Berger hunting VLD to 3112 fps from a 24 inch barrel, using 63grs Retumbo. Accuracy is top notch, 3 shot groups of under 0.5 MOA.
IMHO I thought that Hornady would have adopted the 6.5mm SAUM (they are supplying headstamped 6.5mm GAP 4S brass to GAP). Personally i think the SAUM is a better way to go if you were to build a short 6.5mm magnum, because brass is easier to get – I use Norma 300 SAUM necked down in stages through my Redding dies.
I totally happy with the 6.5mm SAUM – mild to shoot, flat shooting and carries more than enough energy for all the species of game i hunt down here in New Zealand.
Ok, the this sure has been an interesting thread. I wanted to do some testing for myself so I ordered some brass and bullets. So here’s my observations. At first glance the cartridge look small, hardly Magnum size. Overall length is 2.020. Measuring the neck length came out to .250 to .260. not really that long. I don’t shoot 6.5 SAUM, but I do shoot 7. Filling the case to the neck shoulder junction I put 64.3 grains of Retumbo in the 7 and 61.4 in the PRC. Not bad, approximately 5% less. Just for fun the Creedmoor holds 47.3. Most bullets seated to a magazine length of 2.950 went heavy into the powder column. (I only had seven varieties to try) Two bullets that did fit really well having full contact with the neck and only slight powder intrusion where the Lapua 136L and the Berger 130 AR hybrid. The new Sierra 150 was the worst as it went way into the body, but the BC can’t be beat. And yes, if you’re shooting single shot none of this matters. My conclusions. While I like the Creedmoor I have been under impressed as some of you have been also. If this little cartridge could pick up 250fps over the Creedmoor it might be a good choice. I like it because it is trimmer than the SAUM, and it fed really well through an unmodified aics magazine, although I did not try the AW mag. I can’t speak for the lifespan of the cartridge but if I were looking for a faster 6.5 this might be a good first choice being that it is a factory cartridge now. It might even be a little easier on barrels and throats. So I vote Yes.
I wonder what the hype would have been like if Lapua had developed this cartridge. I’m betting a 264 Lapua Magnum or a 6.5x51LM would have been received with great applause…….I can see it now. “This is exactly what we have been asking for. A reasonable cartridge that feeds well, great brass, sign me up!”
This is interesting. I think if you dont have a 6.5 caliber in your safe this would be a great first choice over a 6.5 CM or 6.5×284. Versus the former for more velocity and energy at longer distances and the latter for potential barrel life.
For hunting, more speed and energy is more important than barrel life. Comp shooters want barrel life and there are many guys winning comps with the 6.5 CM. Magnums arent really used in comps much so not sure why Hornady thinks they can push it that way.
Most hunters will never wear out a barrel, ever. If they happen to, its 10 or more years down the road.
Take home, for hunting if you want one caliber to do it all, this might be it. If its for fun, go for it. If you already have a 6.5 CM or a 26 Nosler…not sure I see the need here.
I think it was a great move Neal, keep up the great work. i will be making one in a LR hunting rifle and relegating my “old” 6.5 creed hunting gun to the wood covered hills of OK. the 6.5 prc will go on western deer and elk hunts
I’d buy both a Ruger Precision and a Savage 10 chambered in 6.5 PRC. But, what do I know…
From a hunting perspective, 270 performance from a short action. Probably a little over 3000fps with handloaded 140s – high bc and perfect bullet weight for deer/antelope. In other words, hitting like a 270 and carrying like a 243.
6.5 Rem Mag was actually ahead of its time, Remington just put it in the wrong rifles. It’s seems like it maybe doesn’t have some of the issues of 6.5-284 or SAUM.
What’s not to like? Well, if a short action caliber takes a 24-26” barrel to make use of the powder capacity, does it really have much advantage over a long action caliber? (From a hunting/carrying perspective)
I don’t see this cartridge as filling any niche. Having said that, I’m ordering a reamer and Go Gauge from Dave Manson tomorrow. I had recently built a 300 RCM on a Win 70 WSM action using a Mullerworks stainless 5R barrel and a Boyd’s walnut stock I had professionally bedded. I got that reamer from JGS. The builder is very meticulous and has built me quarter inch magnum .30 cals before, but there is a huge amount of soot around the neck on these cases, even with very heavy loads. Headspacing is .0015″ double and triple checked. Has to be in the reamer, which was overpriced, but JGS is so responsive and fast, I like dealing with them. The rifle will shoot 150gr Hornady GMX at 3058 fps into .813″, but most everything else is over 1.5″. Was going to have the barrel set back and make a 300 WSM out of it, but I found a Light Varmint Wilson stainless match blank in 6.5 caliber for $100. Couldn’t pass it up. Instead of using an old Rem 700 ADL to make a 6.5×284 and having to pay for blue printing an action again, I can save a couple hundred dollars and use the already-blue-printed Win 70 action…which happens to have a magnum bolt face… My only other option would be a 6.5 Remington Mag, which you can’t get brass for or ammo, unless you pay gouger’s prices at $80 a box. And even then, few and far between. Otherwise, I’d have to wildcat 7mm SAUM’s or 270 WSMs. Then custom dies become an issue, and forming cases. I’m already going to pay for having this rifle rechambered. Wouldn’t be that much more to chamber the new barrel, cut threads, and headspace.
This is a slightly modified 300 RCM case necked down. In my opinion the neck needs to be about .020″ longer for 140+ grain 6.5 pills. I would not recommend running out to spend $2k to build one unless you happen to have a WSM action and 6.5 barrel blank lying around. One could build a .264 Win Mag and load it light to save barrel life and duplicate the performance of this round. Only a small amount of performance is gained with this over a 6.5×284. As for what someone said earlier about folks calling the Creedmoor and 6.5×47 “light,” I have dropped every deer I’ve shot with a single round in their tracks from near to far with a 6.5×47 Lapua with 120gr Ballistic Tip. A Creedmoor would be just as, if not slightly more potent than the Lapua. The only reason to try a faster 6.5 round would be if you are dead set on hunting elk with a light caliber or want to shoot ultra long range (perhaps beyond 1000yds?). I will be able to better launch my 160gr Woodleigh Weldcores, though. If I don’t use all my powder space up seating the bullet.
I can see one thing that nobody hit here in these write ups. the .26 caliber bullet never caught on in America. It’s always been that “red headed step child”. I think it’s a fine caliber. I have .308″ and .264″, and not one single .284″. Why no 7mm? Everybody and their brother and cousin has one, if I need one I can borrow one. Go ahead say what you want but I think it’s about time that the {odd} .264″ is making a foothold in America. I have two 6.5×55’s and 4 rifles in .30-06. I’d like to eventually get the 6.5 PRC, maybe the articles about the Creedmore will finally dry up. Everyone is quick to slam this new round. Give it a chance and maybe other good things will come along as well. Maybe the competitors 6.5mm 160 gr. semi spitzer will come back as well for the larger .26 Nosler and 6.5x.300 WBY brass as well.
About 15 years ago I experimented with the 6.5 Rem Mag Ackely Improved. I was shooting Moly 142’s in the 3300 FPS range. I was fire forming cases at a 1000 yd match and shooting High Master scores.
Unable to get dies made for it. So dropped the project. Now comes the PRC case. Wish it was Rem Mag length.
Might barrel one up when Lapua or Norma makes brass for it.
The PRC runs at much lower pressures than the 6.5-284 but achieves the same velocity by burning slower powders which equates to longer barrel life and less recoil. Those are the advantages I can see.
It seems the 6.5 WSM is a lot more of a step up in the short magnum 6.5mm range. Why screw with this one when you’re not gaining enough to make it worth while. The WSM (270 WSM necked to 6.5mm) is launching the 140s at 3200+ fps and is accurate too. That seems like an improvement. Like the 6.5 X 47 however, this one doesn’t have hornady shelling out a lot of cash for advertising and marketing. That seems to be about the only reason the creedmore caught on too….that and ammo available at walmart. Those who load their own are going other ways.
Timmie