6.5 CM or 6.5 PRC for suppressed elk gun

[airmacnair]

I’ve seen a few threads kinda similar but not really exactly what im curious about..

I have an ultradyne tikka chassis that I love, and have been using my 308 in. This year I want to drop in a 6.5. I was pretty set on buying the 20” compact 6.5 CM to drop in to the chassis because I won’t be shooting past 400-500. Then a friend who was changing calibers gave me 200 total rounds of 6.5 prc Eldm and Eldx… I will be shooting a 7” suppressor, but I also have a folding stock. The 6.5 prc minimum length for a stock tikka is 22.5” but the nice Superlite with the cerakoted barrel is 24”. Based on my research the prc loses a lot of velocity when chopping the barrel due to it needing more barrel length to burn the “slower burning” powder?

Main question: Should I sell the ammo and just put it towards the 6.5 creedmoor or get the longer 6.5 prc to drop in? If I get the 6.5 prc, is it worth chopping the barrel down? Trying to think long term what will be the best option as far as effectiveness for hunting elk and also comfort of carrying through the backcountry. Thanks for your help and feedback!

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I would sell the ammo and get the rifle you want.

Unless the ammo was truly rare, I would not buy a rifle to justify using it. For example, I have one 8x57 JR and a bunch of ammo for it. If I found another 8x57 JR cheap, I could talk myself into buying it because I already have the ammo and dies.

 

[airmacnair]

Understood, thanks. But also if the prc is the better option when shooting suppressed (and maybe chopping it down) I don’t mind getting that.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Understood, thanks. But also if the prc is the better option when shooting suppressed (and maybe chopping it down) I don’t mind getting that.

Plug a decent 6.5 CM load from a 20” (or whatever barrel) into shooter at your elevation. Then decide whether you need more velocity. Even a boring 2500 FPS factory 140-grain load will work past 500 yards at 3000 feet of elevation.

 

[swavescatter]

My hunting circle hammers bull elk every year with 18” suppressed 6.5Creeds. Reloading a bit hotter than factory bridges the gap with the PRC, but even factory ammo is good past 500yds at our elevation.

I have a big heavy 6.5PRC that doesn’t get much use. Basically only adds value past 800yds and I’m not hunting at those distances.

 

[airmacnair]

Cool that’s good to know. Ya I’m in Colorado so most of our hunting is 8-12k feet. Plan on getting in to reloading soon too. The 18 to 20” suppressed CM sounds like a nice balance.

 

[AKarchery]

I have a 20” CM shooting about 2550 with factory 147 eldm & 143 eldx. (I get 2750 with the 130 tmk hand loads).

I also have a 22” PRC that is currently on the chopping block. It really offers nothing until well beyond my self imposed limitation of 600 plus yards. It does push both bullets in the factory offering 300 fps faster at the muzzle

Where you may want to step to the prc over the cm, would be shooting monolithic bullets over the other cup and core styles. Being that you will need to keep the impact velocity way up with the monos.

 

[NDHUNTER24]

I'd go with the 6.5 creed for your uses. I have a 20" 6.5 CM and i love it. If i did it again i would have went down to 18". For my intended ranges it does great. If you choose the PRC i would chop it down to 18".