.308 vs 6.5 PRC vs .300 WSM

[littlefish]

I am going to be putting a new barrel on a Bergara Premier action that I used as a PRS rifle for a couple of years. It was originally chambered in 6.5 CM so it has a .470” bolt face. Bergara sells different bolt head sizes, so I could go up to .540” if I wanted.

I am in the initial stages of planning this build, and I am thinking about caliber. Originally I was thinking .308 WIN since I wouldn’t have to change the bolt face, but then I started thinking a bit more about going up to 6.5 PRC or .300 WSM. The only purpose of this rifle would be hunting on the east coast in mountainous terrain.

I like the energy from the two larger cartridges but the long range ballistics will probably be irrelevant for any shot I take. My biggest unknown is correct barrel length. From what I understand the two larger choices would need barrels in the 24-26” length in order to get the most out of them and be superior to the .308, whereas the .308 in 18-20” would be at worst similar to the two larger choices in a similar length barrel. I think a barrel on the shorter end of those ranges is more of what I am looking for in this build. I want to prioritize weight over long range capabilities.

Can anyone offer any insight or point me to a good resource for weighing barrel length vs the benefits of the heavier cartridges?

 

[180ls1]

If I had all the time behind a 6.5c I would be REALLY tempted to just slap a fresh 6.5 barrel on her.

 

[shax2lex]

I do the same type of bunting you are talking about and I hike far with mine. I’d put a 20”, 6.5PRC on it. I hunt with a 300WSM, 20”. 6.5 PRC will definitely do the trick for everything east of the Mississippi River. And now you can use it to hunt elk in PA. I built mine before they lowered the caliber restriction.

 

[littlefish]

I do the same type of bunting you are talking about and I hike far with mine. I’d put a 20”, 6.5PRC on it. I hunt with a 300WSM, 20”. 6.5 PRC will definitely do the trick for everything east of the Mississippi River. And now you can use it to hunt elk in PA. I built mine before they lowered the caliber restriction.

What speeds are you getting with a 20” barrel?


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