6.5PRC vs 280AI

[PredatorSlayer]

Ballistically these two seem to be very close in a lot of category’s on paper (6.5prc vs 280AI).
In a hunting rig only for whitetail, muley, pronghorn and elk does anyone have real world experience or run the data to confirm one or the other. I do not reload yet but have access with a buddy where we have some pet loads in certain calibers. availability in normal conditions could be factor but in the end it’s just what is ballistically superior at real life long range ethical kill shot distances. For me 500-800 yards if everything is perfect.
The 280AI intrigues me but everywhere I look in new weapon systems it seems to be 6.5cm and 6.5prc. If I have a 6.5 would it be smarter to just go to a 308?

The 6.5 PRC is ballistically superior to the 280AI and 6.5 CM. I was debating between the two and went with a 6.5 PRC. After seeing what it does on elk, I sold my 300 wby, rum and a 325 wsm. It is my go to big game rifle now. It is set up for long range (1000-1200 yards) and I have since bought an ultralight shortbarrel 308. If I was only shooting out to 500-600yards, the creedmoor would be plenty.

I love the 280AI, just tired of battling ammo and component shortages, so went with the 308 and dont have any regrets so far.

 

[ElkPRC]

Alright, here's the data for my known muzzle velocities at 400 yards (I picked this distance because its generally my max on game, and I have killed animals with all 3 actually in the last 3 years right at that distance) for a 6.5PRC 143ELDX, 6.5PRC 140AB, and 280AI 160AB. All 22" barrels, PRC with a SilencerCo Omega 300, AI with a Cooper radial brake. All set for 500' elevation, 60*F, 60% Humidity:

6.5PRC 143ELDX 2900 FPS:
Drop Inches: 24.5
90* 10MPH Wind Drift Inches: 8.4
Energy ft/lbs: 1731

6.5PRC 140AB 2920 FPS:
Drop Inches: 25.2
90* 10MPH Wind Drift Inches: 10.5
Energy ft/lbs: 1549

280AI 160AB 3030 FPS:
Drop Inches: 23.1
90* 10MPH Wind Drift Inches: 9.4
Energy ft/lbs: 1965

Take it out to 800 yards for the killas on here:

6.5PRC 143ELDX 2900 FPS:
Drop Inches: 151.4
90* 10MPH Wind Drift Inches: 37.5
Energy ft/lbs: 1073

6.5PRC 140AB 2920 FPS:
Drop Inches: 164.0
90* 10MPH Wind Drift Inches: 48.3
Energy ft/lbs: 847

280AI 160AB 3030 FPS:
Drop Inches: 148.0
90* 10MPH Wind Drift Inches: 43.2
Energy ft/lbs: 1116

So yes, the 143 ELDX is a step up from 140AB for sure. I like my first hand experience of performance on game (meat damage/loss) of the AB vs the ELDX, but both kill just fine. The 280AI is carrying a good bit more energy at the ranges I'm shooting at it though.

Both are fantastic - I have both, and consider them to be my two favorite rifles that I won't be getting rid of for sure.

I would even argue that your 6.5 PRC data is a little soft as you can safely get 3000 fps with the 143….. may or may not be the most accurate loading depending on your barrel.

Bottom line for the .284 cal bullet you have to be shooting a 180 grain VLD over 2950 and if not, ballistically the 6.5 PRC wins out. The only difference or advantage to the .284’s will be energy. Depending on the specific data the energy can be negligible or significant, but either way the 6.5 PRC has enough power and I think most important is the speed of the projectile and accuracy which with the lower recoil of the PRC and it’s high MV/BC’s I put those both in it’s column.

In my mind if you need to go above a 6.5 PRC you mine as well just go to a 300 PRC. Yes a 7LRM or a .28 bowler are amazing but it has almost as much recoil as the .30 cal’s and besides drop it’s not any better than the 300 PRC….. now let’s talk about a 7-300 Norma shooting the 195 bergers……

 

[6mm Remington]

I have a 280AI and really am pleased with it. I owned a standard 280 Remington and it too was a great cartridge but when I built a custom rifle I went with the 280AI and I love it. Fall of 2019 I shot a really nice grizzly bear on the north slope of the Brooks Range above the Arctic Circle. I used my hand-load shooting 140 gr. Nosler Accubonds at 3180 fps. One shot at 158 yards tight behind the shoulder in the lungs. The bear spun 180 degrees into the shot, did two somersaults, and was dead. Never moved again.

 

[eoperator]

I would even argue that your 6.5 PRC data is a little soft as you can safely get 3000 fps with the 143….. may or may not be the most accurate loading depending on your barrel.

Bottom line for the .284 cal bullet you have to be shooting a 180 grain VLD over 2950 and if not, ballistically the 6.5 PRC wins out. The only difference or advantage to the .284’s will be energy. Depending on the specific data the energy can be negligible or significant, but either way the 6.5 PRC has enough power and I think most important is the speed of the projectile and accuracy which with the lower recoil of the PRC and it’s high MV/BC’s I put those both in it’s column.

In my mind if you need to go above a 6.5 PRC you mine as well just go to a 300 PRC. Yes a 7LRM or a .28 bowler are amazing but it has almost as much recoil as the .30 cal’s and besides drop it’s not any better than the 300 PRC….. now let’s talk about a 7-300 Norma shooting the 195 bergers……

280ai,
162 eldm g1 .670 3000fps
175 eldx g1 .689 2950fps
these will run along side the 6.5prc not much difference between them, better off worrying about availability.

 

[wind gypsy]

It's all mental masturbation. 6.5 PRC is very similar to 280ai ballistically.

I have a 6.5 SAUM but built a 7 SAUM to be a more all-rounder that I felt better about shooting elk with. Funny thing is i still only brought the 30s for last years elk trip.

 

[Flyjunky]

It's all mental masturbation. 6.5 PRC is very similar to 280ai ballistically.

I have a 6.5 SAUM but built a 7 SAUM to be a more all-rounder that I felt better about shooting elk with. Funny thing is i still only brought the 30s for last years elk trip.

There's just something about the 30's and 33's for elk that just seem right!

 

[scott85]

280AI is the best round ever!!!

 

[35WhelenAI]

My next cartridge will be a 280 AI, a great smaller bore for varied duty. The 280 Rem is fantastic and the AI ups the ante.

Best round ever? Hmmmm... Dang close, have to say. However... A 35 Whelen or AI with newer powders punches a 200 gr TTSX out at a bit over 3000 FPS, and a 250 gr bullet at over 2700 fps. That's from my load work up (35 AI) with the 200 TTSX extrapolating between the 180 and 220 with Speer data, and straight up Speer data for the standard Whelen with the 250 gr.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

If you're shooting elk to 800 yards the 280 ai shooting heavier bullets is without a doubt the best choice.
I run a 6.5 saum and have taken quite a few bulls with it, however it's underwhelming at ranges beyond 400 yards.
The 6.5s in my opinion are being way over hyped as the "Do all hunting caliber", in reality the 270s and 284s have been and continue to do it better.

 

[Nomosendero]

If you're shooting elk to 800 yards the 280 ai shooting heavier bullets is without a doubt the best choice.
I run a 6.5 saum and have taken quite a few bulls with it, however it's underwhelming at ranges beyond 400 yards.
The 6.5s in my opinion are being way over hyped as the "Do all hunting caliber", in reality the 270s and 284s have been and continue to do it better.

I have to agree! If I wanted a 1 rifle solution, I would go 280AI over a 6.5 cal. for sure. I like the 2 rifle solution for me personally. I like a 6.5 PRC or 6.5x284 for Deer/Hogs and down and 300 mag for Elk/Moose.

 

[hunting1]

If starting over or a one gun hunter the 280AI would be a great way to go!

 

[hoskier]

Late adding my 2 cents to this post, but I have the Savage 110 Ultralight 280 AI and I love it. I shot an elk with it last year and my son got his using my rifle at 660 yards. It's a great shooter. I got a bear this year as well.

 

[ddowney24]

No question 280AI !!! Comparing a 6.5 PRC to a 280 AI is like Comparing 280AI to a 300 WM No question 300 WM !!! And there’s only about 1% of hunters that have the ability to be shooting over 500 yards in hunting situations. Easy to ring a piece of metal off a bench at 1000 yards. Unethical to be shooting animals at that distance period, Elk takes a step when you pull the trigger you shot him in the guts, ass or shoulder if it’s with a 6.5 of any sort the Elk definitely runs off never to be found, with 300 you have a little hope. A 6.5 is for a perfect shot on an Elk through the rib cage that’s under 500 yards. They don’t show you on Best of the West the animals they cripple up only the ones that go right down. We all want to be Chris Kyle but we all don’t have the capability so leave it to the 1% that do less crippled animals running around.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

No question 280AI !!! Comparing a 6.5 PRC to a 280 AI is like Comparing 280AI to a 300 WM No question 300 WM !!! And there’s only about 1% of hunters that have the ability to be shooting over 500 yards in hunting situations. Easy to ring a piece of metal off a bench at 1000 yards. Unethical to be shooting animals at that distance period, Elk takes a step when you pull the trigger you shot him in the guts, ass or shoulder if it’s with a 6.5 of any sort the Elk definitely runs off never to be found, with 300 you have a little hope. A 6.5 is for a perfect shot on an Elk through the rib cage that’s under 500 yards. They don’t show you on Best of the West the animals they cripple up only the ones that go right down. We all want to be Chris Kyle but we all don’t have the capability so leave it to the 1% that do less crippled animals running around.

. Magnums don’t compensate for poor marksmanship. Furthest elk I ever chased was gut shot with a 338 rum.

As I already mentioned, I have a 6.5 PRC - it is my long range hunting cartridge for all big game. Its a CA BA Tactical with an NX8. Its good on big game well out to 1000 yards. She is around 10.5 lbs with the atlas call bipod.

Wanting an UL backcountry rifle, I picked up a CA Ridgeline FFT in 280AI. I keep bouncing back and forth with scopes, but it is 7-7.5 lbs scoped and ready to roll. I shoot the 168 bergers in it.

I love them both equally. Different purposes, but have a ton of confidence in either one.

 

[BarCO]

I can’t imagine you will see any difference on elk. There is way more factory ammo for the 6.5 prc. I built an elk rifle to suppress and went 6.5 prc.

 

[JGRaider]

I can’t imagine you will see any difference on elk. There is way more factory ammo for the 6.5 prc. I built an elk rifle to suppress and went 6.5 prc.

Are you running a 20" bbl on your PRC? I like shooting suppressed so much I'm thinking about chopping mine to 20.

 

[BarCO]

Are you running a 20" bbl on your PRC? I like shooting suppressed so much I'm thinking about chopping mine to 20.

18” on the PRC and 19.5” on .270 win Fieldcraft. The .270 has been my elk ultralight rifle, this will be the 6.5 first season. Both ar really light, the PRC is set up to extend the range a bit. TBAC ultra 7 gen 2 will be on them when it arrives. Getting closer!

 

[JGRaider]

Have you chrono'ed any of your PRC loads? Just curious how they compare to 24" bbl. Thanks.

 

[BarCO]

Have you chrono'ed any of your PRC loads? Just curious how they compare to 24" bbl. Thanks.

I haven’t, hope to soon

 

[ddowney24]

I haven’t, hope to soon

. Magnums don’t compensate for poor marksmanship. Furthest elk I ever chased was gut shot with a 338 rum.

As I already mentioned, I have a 6.5 PRC - it is my long range hunting cartridge for all big game. Its a CA BA Tactical with an NX8. Its good on big game well out to 1000 yards. She is around 10.5 lbs with the atlas call bipod.

Wanting an UL backcountry rifle, I picked up a CA Ridgeline FFT in 280AI. I keep bouncing back and forth with scopes, but it is 7-7.5 lbs scoped and ready to roll. I shoot the 168 bergers in it.

I love them both equally. Different purposes, but have a ton of confidence in either one.

Yes Sir I have a 280AI Ridgeline FFT with VX5HD 3x15x44 Shooting 168 LRAB 60 grains RL 23 OVAL 3.33 pushing 3000 fps. Shoots lights out. I’ve had all of the above cartridges 6.5 PRC is nothing more than a 270 WSM and watch my wife shoot an elk in the shoulder at 200 yards with 140 Berger doing 3300 at the muzzle and spent 2 hours chasing him down . I’ve shot several bulls with 300 WM 200 and 300 yards in shoulder Bull DRT 165 Accubond 3250 at muzzle. You can kill an Elk with a 243 but is it ethical NO ! And with the new muzzle brakes recoil isn’t an issue. Also shot several with a 280 AI 140 Accubond most ran 20 to 40 yards. I hate to think that bull of a life time stepped out with unfavorable conditions at 500 and I had a 6.5 in my hand common sense should prevail here.