6.5PRC vs 280AI

[Venator]

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?

 

[SDHNTR]

If elk are included, stick with the .280ai.

 

[ChrisAU]

I built a semi-custom 6.5 PRC last year that shoots lights out with 140gr Accubonds hand loads from Unknown Munitions with the intention of it being an Antelope/Deer rifle. Was going to take it on my first WY Antelope hunt last October. I also have a Cooper 92 280AI that loves factory 160gr ABs - when I compared the wind drift data in my tables while practicing one day I realized that the 160 in my 280AI whipped the 140 in the 6.5 PRC in almost every way, if not every way. Don’t have my tables in front of me right now, but the decision was easy. Took my first buck right at 400 yards with the 280AI. It’s worth noting that my Cooper with the 22” barrel seems faster than average, I’m getting right around 3030 fps at the muzzles. Faster than my hunting partners 7MM Rem Mag shooting the same 160AB by 30-40 FPS.

 

[Venator]

Thank you, that’s what I wanted to hear as I got the itch to buy a 280AI, seems like all the stores are stocking 6.5prc and 6.5cm rifles. I have to ask what happened to 7mm-08 or 280AI don’t know if it covid or what but if I find a weapon I like and it happens to be chambered in -08 or 280AI it’s unavailable but I’ll be damned if there isn’t double digits or so 6.5prc. On hand
Not knocking the 6.5prc by any means just want the ballistic advantage without going to a 300wm. Didn’t know if I was missing something.

 

[TheViking]

It’s weird people dismiss the 6.5 PRC as an elk rifle, but don’t have any issues with a 308 or a 270. Compare ballistics - 6.5 beats both of them in every category. Loaded with a 140 AB or a 150 AB LR, it’s extremely potent elk medicine. The sectional density of 6.5 is excellent and usually much higher than other calibers as well.

 

[Harvey_NW]

It’s weird people dismiss the 6.5 PRC as an elk rifle, but don’t have any issues with a 308 or a 270. Compare ballistics - 6.5 beats both of them in every category. Loaded with a 140 AB or a 150 AB LR, it’s extremely potent elk medicine. The sectional density of 6.5 is excellent and usually much higher than other calibers as well.

It's not being dismissed, he asked what was ballistically superior and as stated once you punch the numbers in the .284 is just better.

 

[WRO]

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 factory 6.5 ELDM match ammo is money, I don't think there is an equivalent factory 280 ai ammo.

I've killed several critters with the 147 and it's bad medicine.

 

[TheViking]

It's not being dismissed, he asked what was ballistically superior and as stated once you punch the numbers in the .284 is just better.

Comparing factory ELD-X loads from Hornaday, there is less than 100 ft/lbs difference of energy out to 600 yards, the 6.5 PRC has less drop, it has less recoil and a short action. I wouldn't call that 'just better'.

 

[BjornF16]

when I compared the wind drift data in my tables while practicing one day I realized that the 160 in my 280AI whipped the 140 in the 6.5 PRC in almost every way, if not every way. Don’t have my tables in front of me right now, but the decision was easy.

If you were to step up to 143 ELD-X in the 6.5CM, I bet it would cheat the wind AND drop better than the 160AB.

Might be a tie between the 143 ELD-X and 162 ELD-X as they essentially have the same BC.

 

[HaydenLane]

It's not being dismissed, he asked what was ballistically superior and as stated once you punch the numbers in the .284 is just better.

That’s basically only if you want to run an accubond. Comparing a 140eldm or 143 eldx to a 162 eldx, the 6.5 wins or it’s a wash. With Berger you have to go up to 168 gr 7mm bullets to beat their 140 EH/HT/VLD. For Sierras, a 6.5mm 140 gameking has a significantly higher bc than the 7mm 160.

The Nosler seems to be an anomaly in this case as far as the 160gr 7mm having a higher bc than the 140gr 6.5. Obviously BC isn’t everything, I’m just pointing out that as far as wind/drop, this the above posters experience is pretty unique to their choice of bullet.

EDIT: the 162 eldm does have a better BC than the 140 eldm, and I didn’t know the 162 was available as a match bullet. Regardless, the difference is not the same across all bullets, and you should pick your bullet for each cartridge and compare like for like if you really want to use whatever works best in the wind or has less drop.

 

[BjornF16]

EDIT: the 162 eldm does have a better BC than the 140 eldm, and I didn’t know the 162 was available as a match bullet. Regardless, the difference is not the same across all bullets, and you should pick your bullet for each cartridge and compare like for like if you really want to use whatever works best in the wind or has less drop.

The 147 ELD-M has better BC than the 162 ELD-M.

Of course, the king is 180 ELD-M at .796 G1. It requires 8" twist.

I had 6.5 RPM (a little more oomph than PRC), have a 280AI and 6.5 CM, and just got a 6.5 PRC.

I'll take whichever one I shoot best.

As an aside, the outfitter owner I went with last year in MT uses 6.5 PRC shooting 147 ELD-M.

 

[Harvey_NW]

Comparing factory ELD-X loads from Hornaday, there is less than 100 ft/lbs difference of energy out to 600 yards, the 6.5 PRC has less drop, it has less recoil and a short action. I wouldn't call that 'just better'.

Ok, now compare that factory 6.5 ELD-X load from Hornady to a custom load launching the 180 VLD, ELD, or 195 EOL. He didn't say factory, he said ballistically superior. The .284 bore offers some of the highest BC's, numbers don't lie.

 

[WRO]

Ok, now compare that factory 6.5 ELD-X load from Hornady to a custom load launching the 180 VLD, ELD, or 195 EOL. He didn't say factory, he said ballistically superior. The .284 bore offers some of the highest BC's, numbers don't lie.

It'll be 30-30 speeds with a 195 .

Given the choice, I'd never reload its a pain in the butt.



Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[ChrisAU]

If you were to step up to 143 ELD-X in the 6.5CM, I bet it would cheat the wind AND drop better than the 160AB.

Might be a tie between the 143 ELD-X and 162 ELD-X as they essentially have the same BC.

I have the chrono data for 143 ELD-X out of my 6.5 PRC. I'll run a table for it and compare it to the 160AB out of my 280AI, for chits and giggles.

 

[ChrisAU]

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.

 

[manitou1]

I lean toward the 280ai and 160 gr+ bullets for elk. Myself, 168-175gr is the sweet spot for the 280ai for elk.

 

[JakeSCH]

I have one of each, both will work well. Since you do not reload, it might be worth splitting the difference and buying a 6.8 Western. Ammo seems available at this point.

But to be honest, when it comes to elk, I always end up grabbing my 300 WM or my 338 RUM.

 

[DRUSS]

My buddies have 6.5 PRCs. I have the 280AI. Two elk down with the 6.5s. Dead, but quite a bit of meat damage. I have killed 3 elk with my 280AI with 140gr accubonds 3150fps, I have 3 other loads so far just for reference.....
180gr Berger 2830fps
168 LRAB 2900fps 4831sc
168gr LRAB 2985-3035 RL-26 (still in development)
One of the later loads will be used next time it's carried for elk. Need to see how the heavier bullets compare. I do believe I will get more meat damage with the 168s or 180s just by bullet design.

 

[Nomosendero]

I don't want to quit using my 300WM for Elk.
For anything smaller I am thinking in terms of a 6.5RPM next, it should be better for me at least than a 6.5PRC or 280AI.

 

[URE_G]

For bigger critters like elk I'd definitely prefer a 7mm and 280Al is pretty damn capable cartridge