6.5prc and lighter bullets

[eLightfoot]

Anyone have experience loading the 6.5prc with bullets in the 120-130 range? Curious how much velocity is gained vs 140+ projectiles? Thinking the 123eldm would scoot out pretty quick

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Using my current environmental info and for demonstration purposes...

My 6.5 PRC shoots hand-loaded 147 gr ELD-M @ 3050 fps (about 140 fps over published COTS) and hand-loaded 156 gr Berger @ 3025 fps (about 85 fps over published COTS). This puts them at 1800 fps past 1000 yards (pushing 1100+ yards during fall in AZ).

Using a 127 gr LRX you'd had to run it at 3700 fps (an additional 700 fps over published COTS) to hit 1800 fps @ 1000 yards. Using a 123 gr ELD-M, you'd have to run it at 3550 fps to hit 1800 fps @ 1000 yards. Using a 120 gr E-TIP, you'd had to run it at 3600 fps (which is 500 fps faster than published COTS and 200 fps faster than published COTS for a 26 Nosler).

What are you wanting to achieve by going to a lighter bullet?

 

[eLightfoot]

I’m not shooting anything at 1000yrds. Less recoil. 0-600yrds.

 

[WI-Carcosa]

Vantage Research loads the PVA Cayuga in 122g for 6.5 PRC and they are getting 3200 fps with 24” barrels. I’m working up a load with them out of a 22” stainless factory tikka and anticipate 3150-3200 fps from it.

 

[TaperPin]

Recoil calculators may show a small reduction in recoil, but I don’t see it being much. It’s much like going from 150 gr to 130 gr in a 270.

A 130 gr out of a 270 has a long history of working well. The same weight at essentially the same speed .013” smaller in diameter isn’t a real difference that could be seen.

 

[Macintosh]

You’re reverse-engineering a 270 win. 130 gr bullets are great, they’ll work fine. But the whole point of going from a 270 to a 6.5prc is to take advantage of heavier for caliber bullets. At point blank range the 130gr has an advantage of shooting flatter so you can avoid dialing for a bit longer. But those heavier, higher bc bullets will have an advantage in the wind well inside 600 yds. 600 is still a really long shot. If you’re handloading and you want less recoil for shots out to 600 yds you might actually do just as well trying to reverse-engineer a 6.5cm as you would a 270win.

 

[eLightfoot]

Well aware of heavy 6.5 bullets. Shot a 6.5saum for years. Just picked up a new stainless tikka take off 6.5prc barrel to cheap to pass. I realize a 6.5prc with heavy bullets is a nearly unbeatable option for distance shooting. However that has me bored, everyone and their brother is doing it. I just wanna know if it’s possible to get a 123 going 3200fps+ out a 24” tikka barrel. 123 isn’t a crap bc either at .506 that’s better than a 22 cal 80grain eld.

 

[Castle Rock]

The 130 TMK would be a laser beam and an excellent killer

 

[Quandary]

I am going to try the Sierra 100gr Varminter in my 6.5PRC.

 

[Fetty Wapiti]

I was only getting 2860 in my 18" with 140's. Knowing I will not be shooting past 600 I tried some hammer hunter 124 loads and got it over 3100. It has been devastating on critters.

 

[eoperator]

In my rifle the extra 200fps velocity from 130tmk is very comparable to 147eldm out to 600yd. At 600yd the 130tmk is about the same velocity, a few inches flatter shooting and only gives up about 3.5" of wind (@ 10mph) to the 147 while recoiling a bit less.