Am asking too much of my 6.5 PRC?

[MHWASH]

I have a Tikka w/22" barrel, my goal was 3000 fps w/147 ELDm. The best I can get with H1000, Retumbo and RL 23, is 2877.
140s are about the same.
135s @2990.
About the only powder I have yet to try are the VIHTAVUORIs but I don't think I'll get the velocities I'm looking for since I'm already not achieving book velocities.

 

[Shortschaf]

Factory barrel?
That might be the limit

 

[199p]

Mates running them at 2800 in his 20" and at 800y the numbers are impressive.

 

[Balderdash]

It's more about your distance expectations than it is about an arbitrary velocity.

Are you getting acceptable accuracy for the distances you're looking to get? How would an extra 100 fps affect your drop and drift at your target distance?

2870 with 147s is a great load for a long way out.

 

[swavescatter]

What brass?

 

[eoperator]

Most published data is for 26" barrel. If you have mild consistent accurate loads that do not cause problems in inclement weather what more do you want?

The 6.5prc is a relatively mild cartridge with a powder capacity similar to the 270win.

 

[MHWASH]

Stock barrel with a short throat. The max COAL with he 147s is 2.909. Using Peterson brass.
At this point all loads have been shot at 100. I usually don't shoot longer ranges until I have a load worked out at 100.

The biggest rub is my 6.5 CM shooting 130s pretty much matches the PRC out to 700 based off of my ballistic app.

 

[Smithb9841]

I have a Tikka w/22" barrel, my goal was 3000 fps w/147 ELDm. The best I can get with H1000, Retumbo and RL 23, is 2877.
140s are about the same.
135s @2990.
About the only powder I have yet to try are the VIHTAVUORIs but I don't think I'll get the velocities I'm looking for since I'm already not achieving book velocities.

Is this a new barrel? If it’s new, your barrel will likely speed up through the first 100 rounds or so. My prc sped up quite a bit from where I started can’t remember exactly but I think it sped up around 70fps if I remember correctly.

 

[JGRaider]

Chasing max velocity in any cartridge is a waste of time and effort IMO.

 

[Balderdash]

Stock barrel with a short throat. The max COAL with he 147s is 2.909. Using Peterson brass.
At this point all loads have been shot at 100. I usually don't shoot longer ranges until I have a load worked out at 100.

The biggest rub is my 6.5 CM shooting 130s pretty much matches the PRC out to 700 based off of my ballistic app.

How long is the barrel on your CM?

My 6.5 CM has a 18" barrel vs a 23" barrel on my 6.5 PRC, so there's more difference as far as velocity. But, as a general rule, the PRC doesn't really get a shooter a ton more than a CM. I'd say the best justification for it is use with mono's for the extra impact velocities. Also, shooting 800+ it shows some advantages.

 

[Balderdash]

Chasing max velocity in any cartridge is a waste of time and effort IMO.

I agree. My thought is get a bigger case or longer barrel if whatever you have isn't comfortably getting where you'd like to be. All sorts of easily avoidable issues show up when a guy starts pushing things too far. And, for the vast majority of shots, the extra fps isn't really a paradigm shifter, anyway.

 

[Desert_Muley]

Most published data is for 26" barrel. If you have mild consistent accurate loads that do not cause problems in inclement weather what more do you want?

The 6.5prc is a relatively mild cartridge with a powder capacity similar to the 270win.View attachment 849122

Total agree and accuracy over velocity. Four inches more would give you about 100fps.

 

[huntnful]

You absolutely have high expectations. Lots of people out there claiming bullshit numbers using Virgin Lapua brass and hammering down on it though. Leaves a lot of false expectations.

If you want top speeds though, I’d switch to Lapua and N570. You should be able to reach pressure around 60gr. and it’ll be faster than any of the powders you’re using.

But chasing the max of any cartridge normally causes some headaches.

 

[eoperator]

Four inches more would give you about 100fps.

Add ~50-75 fps for new barrel speed up also.

Tikka barrels don't exactly have a reputation for top velocity. Shorter bullets may be a better fit for a short throat.

 

[JGRaider]

Lower velocity = lower pressures. Add some powder and watch your chrono as you proceed, Tikka barrel or something else.

 

[S.Clancy]

The difference between 6.5 creed and 6.5 PRC is way less than people think. It's about 200 fps +/- with the same bullet which corresponds to around 200 yds of terminal range. All for a significant difference in powder (+10-15 gr) and recoil. Meh.

 

[wind gypsy]

It's about 200 fps +/- with the same bullet which corresponds to around 200 yds of terminal range.

At most, probably less.

I have a Tikka w/22" barrel, my goal was 3000 fps w/147 ELDm. The best I can get with H1000, Retumbo and RL 23, is 2877.
140s are about the same.
135s @2990.
About the only powder I have yet to try are the VIHTAVUORIs but I don't think I'll get the velocities I'm looking for since I'm already not achieving book velocities.

Yes, 147s @ 3000 FPS with a 22" barrel is expecting too much.

I used to like 140s @ 3050ish with 25" bartlein 6.5 SAUMs and h1000. Subtract 70 FPS for 3" shorter barrel, Subtract 50 FPS for PRC vs SAUM, that gets a guy to 2925 FPS, with 140s. Subtract more for 147s, subtract more for tikka vs bartlein and 2877 sounds right in the ballpark of being max.

 

[S.Clancy]

At most, probably less.

Not to mention, that difference in terminal range is beyond what the vast majority of people are capable of.

 

[Harvey_NW]

You absolutely have high expectations. Lots of people out there claiming bullshit numbers using Virgin Lapua brass and hammering down on it though. Leaves a lot of false expectations.

If you want top speeds though, I’d switch to Lapua and N570. You should be able to reach pressure around 60gr. and it’ll be faster than any of the powders you’re using.

I agree, but do you think he has enough room to get 60gr of N570 in there with a SAAMI throat without being overly compressed? I think that would be pushing it..

I agree that you're asking too much, I have a factory Tikka barrel cut to ~21 1/2" touched up with an AW2 reamer and throated out for 143's, and suppressed I ran it up to about 3k fps on new ADG brass with N565 at 88°. Second firing I had to drop the charge to get out of pressure and it's now avg 2860 fps at 29°. If you're really wrapped up about maximizing speed I would suggest getting Lapua or ADG and opening the chamber and throating it out, or you'll likely be fighting pressure and clickers.

 

[Shortschaf]

I agree, but do you think he has enough room to get 60gr of N570 in there with a SAAMI throat without being overly compressed? I think that would be pushing it..

I agree that you're asking too much, I have a factory Tikka barrel cut to ~21 1/2" touched up with an AW2 reamer and throated out for 143's, and suppressed I ran it up to about 3k fps on new ADG brass with N565 at 88°. Second firing I had to drop the charge to get out of pressure and it's now avg 2860 fps at 29°. If you're really wrapped up about maximizing speed I would suggest getting Lapua or ADG and opening the chamber and throating it out, or you'll likely be fighting pressure and clickers.

I was hoping to buy a stainless 6.5 tikka barrel and do exactly this. Thank you for sharing your results, those speeds are too anemic for me to pursue.
Custom barrel will have to be my route