280 ai vs 6.5 prc

[Castmaster]

New guy here but long time lurker… I’m going to be doing a long range deer and eventually elk build and have narrowed down my cartridge choices for my build to 280 ai and 6.5 prc. Im going to be keeping my shots under 600 or 700 and the rifle is going to be built on a bighorn origin action with a proof carbon barrel and a manners eh1 stock.… any thoughts?

 

[Bojangles21]

If you’re wanting to compare apples to apples, it would be more realistic to compare the 280AI to the 7prc


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[Clark33]

If you reload, do what you please, if not 6.5PRC has a hand full of good factory options from berger and hornady. You have a long action or short action preference?

 

[hereinaz]

Buying new, its the 6.5 for your purposes. But, either would do it.

What was it that narrowed it down to those two?

 

[Castmaster]

I do reload and the reason Ive narrowed it down to these two rounds is because I do mostly whitetail hunting And want to stick to the 140 to 160 gr pills. I also considered the 7 prc but the 6.5 caught my eye because it will be a little lighter going the short action route.

 

[hereinaz]

Run the 6.5 because you'll get the higher BC from that class of bullets. For long range you only want to run the 168 or higher in the 280 AI for the ranges you are talking about. BC and velocity matter.

 

[Castmaster]

That’s true I didn’t even really think about that… the 280 still catches my attention though because it’s so versatile shooting 140s All the way up to 195s and probably would be a little better on elk.

 

[pacoalcracker]

since you handload just get a 270 winchester and shoot high BC 140gr tips and call it a day w/o compromising anything out to 600

 

[hereinaz]

That’s true I didn’t even really think about that… the 280 still catches my attention though because it’s so versatile shooting 140s All the way up to 195s and probably would be a little better on elk.

Nah, the high BC 6.5 match bullets are fine on elk. You don’t need more than a 140 gr bullet as long as terminal velocity is high enough.

If you want to play with load’s that personal. Me, so pick the heaviest highest BC bullet for caliber at a decent velocity and call it a day.

But, that said this is a 280 ai shooting factory Hornady Precison ELDx at 630ish. Buddy killed with the 168 VLD same distance with handloads.

 

[Castmaster]

I already have a 270 but I want something new lol

 

[35WhelenAI]

Browning has a fast twist .270 Win in the X bolt I believe. Do that and never look back.

 

[Castmaster]

Another pro of the prc is proof offers prefits in 6.5 prc. I would save some money going that route apposed to getting a blank chambered in 280

 

[Bojangles21]

That’s true I didn’t even really think about that… the 280 still catches my attention though because it’s so versatile shooting 140s All the way up to 195s and probably would be a little better on elk.

I wouldn’t get too hung up on the whole “better for elk” idea man, or over think it. Personally I would just buy either a built or decent off the shelf 6.5prc, shoot the hell out of it and get super comfortable and confident with both the gun and the round you picked out, it will kill most things in the west. A well placed shot beats the hell out of a 30 grain heavier bullet.


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[PredatorSlayer]

I own both. I personally think you are splitting hairs. I have my rifles set up differently. The 6.5 PRC is a CA BA Tactical with a 4-32 NX8 that I set up for long range big game hunting. The 280 AI is a ridgeline FFT with a Credo HX 2.5-15x42 for an UL backcountry hunting rifle.

Long Action vs Short Action
Factory Ammo favors the 6.5 PRC

I love both for different reasons and if I had to pick one it would be hard to choose.

 

[Castmaster]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I think I’m going to have to go with the prc.

 

[call em in]

I have a 6.5 PRC and love it. Shot a pile of critters with it. I had several people steal me towards the ELD-M for hunting. While I did kill elk and deer with that load I wasn’t happy with the performance so I went back to a bonded bullet and much happier I did.

 

[Darryle]

I have a custom APR Altitude 280 Ackley, 26" carbon Sendero barrel, great rifle, bit heavy. I just finished up a 6.5 PRC that came in at a hair under 8lbs with a loaded 3rd mag, 24" 2b barrel contour and a McMillan Hunters Edge Sendero. Stock was 23.3oz, roughly 7oz under the quoted weight.

Plans are 140gr PartionsAccubonds, 156gr Berger, 140gr VLD-H, or the 140gr Elite Hunter. I also have several 200rd cases of the factory Norma Bondstrike 143gr ammo in bound, it was on sale, free shipping and no taxes and they sent me a coupon for being a first time customer, $1.05 a round, I can't buy the individual components for a $1.05

I also bought several cases of the 180gr Norma Bondstrike 308 Winchester from them as well for the sames money.

K.Fingers crossed the Bondstrike is as accurate as every here has said.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

I have a 6.5 PRC and love it. Shot a pile of critters with it. I had several people steal me towards the ELD-M for hunting. While I did kill elk and deer with that load I wasn’t happy with the performance so I went back to a bonded bullet and much happier I did.

Can you expound on that please? What you didn’t like about the ELD-M. Genuinely curious.

 

[call em in]

In my experience the ELD-M were too fragile and would break apart and dump all of their energy before penetrating into the vitals. I had it happen on an elk and a mule deer. Both were well placed first round hits that required follow up shots due to lack of penetration. I know there are a lot of guys who love using the ELD-M and that’s great if it works for them. I switched to the AB and so far have been much happier with deeper penetration from a bonded bullet.

 

[call em in]

Sounds like a great deal Darryl! Where did you buy the ammo from? Directly from Norma?