California (Copper/Non-Lead) Smaller Caliber Build - 6mm or 6.5PRC

[blackshuk]

I know this topic has been discussed ad nauseam, so I apologize about starting again but I have a specific example I haven't seen answered anywhere. I'm real new to the world of ballistics so I'm sorry in advance.

I listened to all the Exo Podcasts and read a bunch of the rokslide threads about smaller calibers for big game.
I saw and heard Form's recommendation of 6mm CM with 95gr DRT or 95gr LRX for a California hunter.

I was hoping I could throw a scenario at you all and hopefully get some guidance on which route to take.

I'm looking to get an 18" 20"-22" barrel for packability and ease of movement in brush sake (I understand it gives up performance)
So I'm wondering if maybe I should get 6.5 PRC in this case and load it with a lighter bullet to make up for the FPS drop with the shorter barrel?
Recoil wise the 6.5PRC obviously is a little more than the 6mm CM, but it is still considerably less than a .308.

In either case I'm leaning toward a 1:7 or 1:7.5 twist rebarrel

Thank you for your guidance!

 

[180ls1]

Not sure the 6.5prc recoils any less than a 308.

Either will work. I've piled up a bunch of CA animals with my 6.5prc and .270. They work beautifully. I like the added caliber size and longer barrels though and do not spot shots.

Whatever you do get one now and go hunt. Season is here!

 

[nm.otter]

FWIW, case capacity to bore area ratio is identical for the two cartridges. Personally, I'd pick 6mm for the lower recoil.

 

[blackshuk]

FWIW, case capacity to bore area ratio is identical for the two cartridges. Personally, I'd pick 6mm for the lower recoil.

I don't know what that means.. lol I'm sorry

 

[steelheadmike]

I could be wrong but I’m guessing that you don’t reload.

Buy the rifle you can get ammo for. It’s that simple.

Getting ammo in CA is hard enough. Don’t make it any harder by getting a niche cartridge (6CM would be one, IMO, currently) that copper ammo is really hard to come by. Find a cartridge that has decent factory support for copper and go that route.

In your case, I’d be looking at 6.5CM or .243 Win.

 

[blackshuk]

I could be wrong but I’m guessing that you don’t reload.

Buy the rifle you can get ammo for. It’s that simple.

Getting ammo in CA is hard enough. Don’t make it any harder by getting a niche cartridge (6CM would be one, IMO, currently) that copper ammo is really hard to come by. Find a cartridge that has decent factory support for copper and go that route.

In your case, I’d be looking at 6.5CM or .243 Win.

I don't personally reload (yet), but I have 2 buddies who do load for me.

 

[steelheadmike]

I don't personally reload (yet), but I have 2 buddies who do load for me.

Good friends to have.

Go 6 creed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[nm.otter]

I don't know what that means.. lol I'm sorry

It means they have similar amounts of overbore or 'magnum-ness' and should have similar efficiencies and barrel life.

 

[huntnful]

Either will work just fine. If your buddy’s are loading for you, get whatever you can readily get ammo components for ASAP

 

[blackshuk]

Either will work just fine. If your buddy’s are loading for you, get whatever you can readily get ammo components

Is hand loading a lighter bullet for 6.5 PRC to make up for lost velocity on a shorter barrel smart though, or is the reduced BC of the lighter bullet more of an issue?

 

[huntnful]

Is hand loading a lighter bullet for 6.5 PRC to make up for lost velocity on a shorter barrel smart though, or is the reduced BC of the lighter bullet more of an issue?

Neither will matter. You’re handicapping yourself by shooting a super short barrel, paired mono bullets to begin with. They kill with speed on impact more than anything.

And I only mean handicapping your kill distance. You won’t make up for it either way, with a light fast bullet, or long heavy bullet. They’ll probably both be fine out to the yardages you should be shooting.

Just pick whatever the gun likes the best and see where that load drops to 2000fps and I wouldn’t shoot beyond that.

124 and 131 Hammers with N560 was what I shot in my 6.5 PRC’s. They shot great. Probably good to 500 yards or so in your circumstances.

 

[blackshuk]

Neither will matter. You’re handicapping yourself by shooting a super short barrel, paired mono bullets to begin with. They kill with speed on impact more than anything.

And I only mean handicapping your kill distance. You won’t make up for it either way, with a light fast bullet, or long heavy bullet. They’ll probably both be fine out to the yardages you should be shooting.

Just pick whatever the gun likes the best and see where that load drops to 2000fps and I wouldn’t shoot beyond that.

124 and 131 Hammers with N560 was what I shot in my 6.5 PRC’s. They shot great. Probably good to 500 yards or so in your circumstances.

I decided against the 18" barrel, it was giving up too much. I'll still probably go shorter than 24" though.

 

[huntnful]

I decided against the 18" barrel, it was give up too much. I'll still probably go shorter than 24" though.

Gotcha. I still don’t think it’ll matter too too much which route you go.

The McGuire mono’s seem to be doing pretty well on targets and animals and have quite a bit better BC than the hammers. They might be worth looking into for sure.