6.5 PRC Felt Recoil

[Mark B]

This is with a 40% recoil reduction factored in (Suppressed) . Felt recoil vs rifle weight. 9 lb 6.5 Creedmoor will recoil about the same as a 12 lb 6.5 PRC.

 

[packgoatguy]

Well... actually for me, the felt recoil is exactly the same between my 6.5PRC and my 6mm Creedmoor...

But my 6.5PRC weighs 10lbs all set up with suppressor, scope, etc... and my 6mmCM only weighs 7lbs...

Recoil is merely a factor of the weight of the rifle system. More weight decreases Recoil, less weight increases Recoil... so, my longer range capable calibers get bigger scopes, heaftier suppressors, longer/thicker barrels, etc that all add a bit of "useful" weight... and that makes all my rifle systems equally shootable.

 

[Steel Rain]

My 6.5PRC has a brake and shoots like a dream. I wear double ear protection. I plan to chop it and shoot suppresed as I do with my .223, 6.5CM, and .308. I still wear ear protection with suppressors. If I was buying new then I would get a 6CM. I don’t shoot far enough or often enough to split hairs on performance. I’d get the 6CM just because. I’m deer hunting this year with a .223. Good luck with whatever you decide on.

 

[WI in the west]

If you have a suppressor or are willing to get one, 6.5 prc is so much fun to shoot, for me. Depends on the rifle setup I'm sure. But I went from a Browning Abolt 300wsm (no suppressor) to a Tikka T3x 6.5 prc with suppressor and it's incredibly fun to shoot and practice with. Immediately installing a Limbsaver recoil pad helped perhaps. I went from dreading practicing with the wsm to just loving the 6.5 prc and shooting a lot more often. Similar barrel length, 23 vs 22, respectively.
I also have a 6.5 CM I shot a lot last year (no suppressor) prior to a hunt and it was a great experience. My suppressed prc seems similar in felt recoil to an unsuppressed 6.5 CM, maybe less recoil with the suppressed prc. I'd lean more towards suppressed prc in enjoyment over the CM unsuppressed. Same barrel length.
That said, I want to buy/build a 6mm something someday. Making my way down the smaller caliber rabbit hole.
So if you can/do have a suppressor, it opens up some options I think. For me, big no to a muzzle brake.

Im in a similiar predicement that you were in and curious your thoughts, i have a browning xbolt in 300 wsm. I like it but was considering getting a 6.5 prc. But debating whether i sell the 300 and get a really nice setup of a 6.5 prc or keep the 300 for elk hunts and get a more budget friendly 6.5. Curious if your 300 wsm still gets used or not i guess is my question

 

[WhatToHunt]

Im in a similiar predicement that you were in and curious your thoughts, i have a browning xbolt in 300 wsm. I like it but was considering getting a 6.5 prc. But debating whether i sell the 300 and get a really nice setup of a 6.5 prc or keep the 300 for elk hunts and get a more budget friendly 6.5. Curious if your 300 wsm still gets used or not i guess is my question

I sold the Browning 300 wsm as soon as I got the 6.5 prc threaded. I didn't have a gunsmith nearby that could thread a Browning and I didn't want to mess with shipping it. Plus, I wasn't sure how much difference a suppressor would make in felt recoil and I just did not enjoy shooting the 300 as it was. All of that coupled with the Rokslide sharing of smaller calibers with the right bullet being more than capable on big game, I was ready to drop down to the 6.5 prc. But in fairness I have not yet had a chance to shoot an elk with it, although I trust it will do its job with the 147 eldm, so long as I do my part. I don't think I'll ever go bigger than a 6.5 caliber. If I were you, I'd sell the 300 wsm, yes, then buy a Tikka 6.5 prc. I was a fan of the Browning 60 degree bolt throw, not a fan of a 90 degree, so the Tikka 70 degree throw is quite nice for what I like and the action is as great as others say.

Edited to add, since you mentioned a really nice setup 6.5 prc, I was close to buying a Seekins PH3. When the PH3 came out with the 60 degree throw, it was very tempting. I think those Seekins are pretty sexy. Then again I may upgrade the stock on my Tikka someday which could improve form and function along with appearance.

 

[WI in the west]

I sold the Browning 300 wsm as soon as I got the 6.5 prc threaded. I didn't have a gunsmith nearby that could thread a Browning and I didn't want to mess with shipping it. Plus, I wasn't sure how much difference a suppressor would make in felt recoil and I just did not enjoy shooting the 300 as it was. All of that coupled with the Rokslide sharing of smaller calibers with the right bullet being more than capable on big game, I was ready to drop down to the 6.5 prc. But in fairness I have not yet had a chance to shoot an elk with it, although I trust it will do its job with the 147 eldm, so long as I do my part. I don't think I'll ever go bigger than a 6.5 caliber. If I were you, I'd sell the 300 wsm, yes, then buy a Tikka 6.5 prc. I was a fan of the Browning 60 degree bolt throw, not a fan of a 90 degree, so the Tikka 70 degree throw is quite nice for what I like and the action is as great as others say.

Edited to add, since you mentioned a really nice setup 6.5 prc, I was close to buying a Seekins PH3. When the PH3 came out with the 60 degree throw, it was very tempting. I think those Seekins are pretty sexy. Then again I may upgrade the stock on my Tikka someday which could improve form and function along with appearance.

Im glad you added that edit, i looked at seekins sight yesterday but must not have seen the second lage so now that ph3 is on my radar

 

[WhatToHunt]

Im glad you added that edit, i looked at seekins sight yesterday but must not have seen the second lage so now that ph3 is on my radar

Get your hands on one of each to get a feel for them. I think some folks have mentioned not caring for the palm swell on the Seekins while others like it. Not sure how I feel about it having held it, but that wasn't a determining factor for me. Good luck in your pursuit!

 

[wapitispokes]

A brake doesn’t actually increase the max DB level, rather just the perceived due to the redirection of gases, so unlikely additional damage occurs with a brake vs without. We can star a new thread to debate this. Sorry OP for taking this off topic.

But what about the poor guy shooting from the bench next to you. Me, I cringe when someone brings a braked rifle to my range which has a concrete floor, walls and roof. I always double up on ear pro.

 

[wapitispokes]

The PRC is a great hunting round not something fun to spend all day large volume shooting, and a 6mm is a great practice round that’s enjoyable to shoot all day. Trying to be all things to all people doesn’t work, which is why in 90% of cases I advocate hunters should have two rifles, one primarily for training and one primarily for hunting.

For those who choose to have a single rifle, the 6.5 creed isn’t as good of a trainer and isn’t as good of a hunting cartridge as the PRC.

Differences in fun are easy to observe, not just theoretical. Take any group prairie dog shooting and offer a wide variety of cartridges with unlimited ammo for each - folks start off trying a wide variety of guns, but quickly gravitate to the smaller ones. Even those of us who enjoy large cartridges will plink a few dogs with our super duper magnums, then finish off with something better suited. The actual differences in shooter’s accuracy with cartridges of varying recoil levels can’t be hidden, disguised, or excused away with the simple lowly prairie dog. It levels the field to what a shooter can or can’t do, and everyone in the audience from grade schoolers to grandpa can easily see when something is or isn’t working. When a new hunter comes along who doesn’t know what their recoil tolerance is, I’ve always thought dogs are a fun way to find out. It also shows a shooters field accuracy - whatever yardage someone can consistently connect at can be safely assumed to be doubled for big game.

Why wouldn't the OP just get two barrels. One chambered for his desired hunting cartridge and the second chambered for one flavor or another in 6mm?