500+ Yard Shots on Game With Sporter Barrel

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I've developed an obsession of being able to "spot my own shots". I'm considering a 6.5 PRC in a Tikka T3x. If its anything like 270/30-06 in a sporter config, it's going to be a quick acquisition of the target in the scope.

Anyone got success stories on long pokes at game with a non braked/suppressed sporter set up?
 

Shortschaf

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yes its possible with good positioning and mechanics but why?
Bare muzzle sucks and I don't respect it
 

Hnthrdr

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Also general. Not hating your caliber choice… but if you are limiting to 500 and in, I do the same. you can get away with much less recoiling rifles… if legal in your area my minimum is .243 where I live. I believe my 6.5 cm with a 16” barrel carries a 140 eldm to 525 maintaining 1800 fps
 
OP
General RE LEE
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Also general. Not hating your caliber choice… but if you are limiting to 500 and in, I do the same. you can get away with much less recoiling rifles… if legal in your area my minimum is .243 where I live. I believe my 6.5 cm with a 16” barrel carries a 140 eldm to 525 maintaining 1800 fps

I killed a doe at 501 yards with my 6 ARC last deer season. I’m just kicking around ideas.
 

The Guide

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Also general. Not hating your caliber choice… but if you are limiting to 500 and in, I do the same. you can get away with much less recoiling rifles… if legal in your area my minimum is .243 where I live. I believe my 6.5 cm with a 16” barrel carries a 140 eldm to 525 maintaining 1800 fps
I think the 6.5 PRC shines over the 6.5CM when the weather is near or below zero especially when shooting the heaviest bullets for caliber.

Jay
 
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I think the 6.5 PRC shines over the 6.5CM when the weather is near or below zero especially when shooting the heaviest bullets for caliber.

Jay
a third more recoil for a 125-150 more yards of range (when the cm is already going to get you 6-700 yards depending on your DA) isn't that great of a tradeoff. Shoots the same bullets too.
 

The Guide

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a third more recoil for a 125-150 more yards of range (when the cm is already going to get you 6-700 yards depending on your DA) isn't that great of a tradeoff. Shoots the same bullets too.
Have you had much real life experience hunting below zero or is this just calculated? I've killed several elk between -10⁰f and -20⁰f and magnum cartridges tend to have more consistent shots when it is really cold. Several times, non magnum cartridges have sounded "off" when fired and missed wildly. It has to do with the use of magnum primers. If it is above zero, I have no issue with a cartridge that uses small rifles or large rifle primers but when it is below zero I'll take a magnum cartridge all day. You'll have enough close on you won't even notice that "1/3" additional recoil.

I would have taken my 6 ARC my last elk hunt but I expected a temperature of near or below zero and didn't want to chance it without shooting more at those temps. I'm not saying it wouldn't have worked but I knew the 6.5 PRC wouldn't have issues.

Jay
 
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Have you had much real life experience hunting below zero or is this just calculated? I've killed several elk between -10⁰f and -20⁰f and magnum cartridges tend to have more consistent shots when it is really cold. Several times, non magnum cartridges have sounded "off" when fired and missed wildly. It has to do with the use of magnum primers. If it is above zero, I have no issue with a cartridge that uses small rifles or large rifle primers but when it is below zero I'll take a magnum cartridge all day. You'll have enough close on you won't even notice that "1/3" additional recoil.

I would have taken my 6 ARC my last elk hunt but I expected a temperature of near or below zero and didn't want to chance it without shooting more at those temps. I'm not saying it wouldn't have worked but I knew the 6.5 PRC wouldn't have issues.

Jay
No I have not. And i had no idea that magnum vs non magnum primer performance variance could be a thing just pointing out that rarely (hunting elr distances) 6.5 PRC makes sense over 6.5 cm Sounds like below zero maybe another time it might make sense according to what you have experienced.

Sry op for getting off topic. I think most will struggle with spotting shots with anything more than an unbraked/supressorless 6.5 cm. Its something im trying to get better at too, getting squared up to the rifle, natural point of aim and not shooting with too much mag has helped me improve. This double was at 360 iirc and that was my longest shot this year, I was able to see what happened after the shot (sporter 24" 6.5cm 147 ELDMs)
 

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OP
General RE LEE
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No I have not. And i had no idea that magnum vs non magnum primer performance variance could be a thing just pointing out that rarely (hunting elr distances) 6.5 PRC makes sense over 6.5 cm Sounds like below zero maybe another time it might make sense according to what you have experienced.

Sry op for getting off topic. I think most will struggle with spotting shots with anything more than an unbraked/supressorless 6.5 cm. Its something im trying to get better at too, getting squared up to the rifle, natural point of aim and not shooting with too much mag has helped me improve. This double was at 360 iirc and that was my longest shot this year, I was able to see what happened after the shot (sporter 24" 6.5cm 147 ELDMs)

Nice! What cheek riser kit you got going on that rifle?
 
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I have been doing a fair bit of reloading for a couple of 6.5PRCs lately and I really like them, but I don’t think the juice is worth the squeeze
Accuracy has been stellar but the ballistics have been a bit of a disappointment
I think a 270 with a 145 is probably the sweet spot as far as ballistics go
 
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Have you had much real life experience hunting below zero or is this just calculated? I've killed several elk between -10⁰f and -20⁰f and magnum cartridges tend to have more consistent shots when it is really cold. Several times, non magnum cartridges have sounded "off" when fired and missed wildly. It has to do with the use of magnum primers. If it is above zero, I have no issue with a cartridge that uses small rifles or large rifle primers but when it is below zero I'll take a magnum cartridge all day. You'll have enough close on you won't even notice that "1/3" additional recoil.

I would have taken my 6 ARC my last elk hunt but I expected a temperature of near or below zero and didn't want to chance it without shooting more at those temps. I'm not saying it wouldn't have worked but I knew the 6.5 PRC wouldn't have issues.

Jay
I ran short of LR primers a while back and substituted CCI250s for my match CM ammo with no notable consequences, I bet they would be fine in the snow
 
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