6.5 PRC best barrel length for factory ammo?

[Rogers]

I know there is a lot of discussion about the 6.5 PRC and barrel length but I just wanted to ask a specific question about it.

Best barrel length for factory ammo?
147 eldm
143 eldx

 

[MuleyFever]

There is no best anything without a specific end goal. What is it you actually want to determine?

 

[ReaptheHeat]

What do you mean by best?

 

[Deeker]

How far are you trying to kill animals? I can tell you that with a 140 accubond 500 and some change. 18 inch barrel. We had 1 bullet key hole going through a mule deer and another that expanded. So I would say we were right on the edge of the effective range for that round. I would imagine you would get another 100 yds out of the eld’s. So if you are keeping shots inside 5-6 hundred yards 18 would be fine.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I know there is a lot of discussion about the 6.5 PRC and barrel length but I just wanted to ask a specific question about it.

Best barrel length for factory ammo?
147 eldm
143 eldx

How far are you shooting? What elevation are you at?

Apart from those questions, I think 18-20” is the perfect length for a hunting rifle in a cartridge like that. Short enough to add a 6” suppressor without being ungainly. Long enough to not have too much blast if you shoot unsuppressed.

For a .223, 22 ARC, 6mm ARC, etc, I think 16” is about perfect.

 

[Rogers]

There is no best anything without a specific end goal. What is it you actually want to determine?

Good point. I guess the goal would be bullet effectiveness out to 750. Is that realistic?

 

[MuleyFever]

Good point. I guess the goal would be bullet effectiveness out to 750. Is that realistic?

So, general consensus is that you want to keep impact velocity at or above 1800fps with those bullets. You can search on the forum, or I am sure someone will post it on this thread, to get the muzzle velocity others are getting with those rounds and different barrel lengths. Then use your ballistics solver to see where they fall below the 1800fps at your hunting elevation.

Here is one example

N

Thread '6.5 PRC velocity with 20" barrel?'

Oct 21, 2023

I plan to have my 24" barrel 6.5 PRC cut down to accommodate a suppressor. I am gonna cut to 20 or 21" , plan to work up a load with 130 Nosler AB, to help regain the fps loss, I will use the rife primarily for deer and pronghorn.
I am hoping to be in the 2850 fps or hopefully slightly more. Looking for any feedback if any members here have done the same and what kind of velocities they are getting and any particular loads that are shooting well..

• ndsportsman
• Replies: 15
• Forum: Firearms

 

[Marble]

I cannot hunt with a suppressor. So that part of the equation isn't relevant to me.

I prefer not to leave velocity on the table, so I error on the side of longer barrels when it comes to guns I will be shooting at longer ranges. The 6.5 PRC rifles I have all use a 24" barrel. Factory ammo with the 143 ELD-X averages 2910 in one and 2920 in the other. I'll end up hand loading for this next season and suspect my velocity will increase. But my main focus is always accuracy. Second is velocity.

Having a longer barrel has never been an issue for me.

Now if I had a 24" barrel and then a suppressor on the end of it, might be a bit annoying.

 

[Rogers]

What do you mean by best?

I cannot hunt with a suppressor. So that part of the equation isn't relevant to me.

I prefer not to leave velocity on the table, so I error on the side of longer barrels when it comes to guns I will be shooting at longer ranges. The 6.5 PRC rifles I have all use a 24" barrel. Factory ammo with the 143 ELD-X averages 2910 in one and 2920 in the other. I'll end up hand loading for this next season and suspect my velocity will increase. But my main focus is always accuracy. Second is velocity.

Having a longer barrel has never been an issue for me.

Now if I had a 24" barrel and then a suppressor on the end of it, might be a bit annoying.

Thank you. This is pretty much what I was looking for.

 

[Dave Thomas]

30"

 

[bluetick78]

If you want to get as close to the velocities printed on the box for the Hornady factory loads, 24" is the magical barrel length. That being said, the Precision Hunter and Match ammo of 2025 isn't the same as the Precision Hunter and Match ammo of 2019. I shot some recently with a neighbor that was using my range for barrel break-in. Extreme spreads and SD's were double what they used to be, and velocities were 100-150 fps slower than I used to see 5-6 years ago. I think RL 26 becoming unavailable in the US really messed up factory offerings in 6.5 PRC and 7 PRC. Good hand loading can easily fix that.

 

[nebhunt]

My 6.5 PRC rifle has a Proof 24" barrel. I am getting 2875 fps with Berger 156, 2950 fps Hornady 143 ELD-X, 2890 fps Nosler 142 ABLR, and 2930 fps Norma 143 Norma Bond Strike. All factory ammo

 

[dtrkyman]

Keep shots at 300 or less and get whatever length you want.


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[Theringworm]

Step 1, pick the bullet and weight you want to shoot
Step 2, ensure the twist rate of the barrel you are looking at works for that weight of bullet
Step 3, pick the length of barrel you want
Step 4, go shoot…..

To me at least, the twist rate has more importance than the length of the barrel for accuracy purposes. If you’re simply trying to match velocities from the box (which are never accurate), then focus on the length.

If it’s a bench gun…. I don’t care how long the barrel is or how much it weights. Longer and heavier the better
If it’s a backpacking gun…. I am at 18-20”s. My current 6.5 PRC which is a backpacking gun has a 20” barrel.