Does the 6.5 PRC have enough ass?

[Jjustus16]

I know this has been talked about a lot, but I want to ask my questions.

1. Is the 6.5 PRC enough out to 700 yards for an Elk like my research tells me?
2. By limiting my shots to 700 yards am I really restricting my chances at a successful hunt by much? I know most shots are taken at 500 or under, but I wanna hear from you guys who have PASSED on 800-900 yard shots because of cartridge limitations and also from those who have made an ethical kill at that range.

Total newbie as far as big game western hunting goes. I’m just beginning to collect gear and preference points. Aiming at doing an OTC hunt with my brother next year to gain some experience while we stack points to get into some desirable units in several different states.

Any input is appreciated, but please refrain from suggesting 30 cal magnums. Shooting those affects my shot placement too much. I would rather have a cartridge I am comfortable with and know I’m always putting in the box, rather than chucking a .30 down range all Willy-nilly with hopes of hitting something.

If I’m swayed enough by some of your arguments here I would be moving up to a 7 PRC. Admittedly, the fact that the cartridge is so new and hasn’t really gained a foothold yet makes me a little nervous about investing so much time and money in one.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

6mm/6.5

I didn't want to derail another thread. So I started this one. Who has shot/witnessed a big game animal past 500 yards with a 6mm or 6.5? Many members here love to tell you their opinion about it, but I am figuring out that damn few have done it. So if you have, please tell me the chambering...

rokslide.com

6.5 Creedmoor/260 for Deer, Elk, and whatever else.....

Seeing that the 223 thread is such a success, I thought maybe I would start one for the Creedmoor/260. Seems like people are asking a lot about using them and various bullets, especially for elk. I've used mine for the last few years almost exclusively. I have some pics of bullet damage, albeit...

rokslide.com

And for good measure:

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

rokslide.com

6.5 prc is a reasonable choice for what you're wanting to do.

 

[WeiserBucks]

1. Yes
2. No.

 

[Next Ridge]

 

[Ernie]

What the guys have said above is true.
If you are a newbie to western big game hunting, and to LR hunting, you shouldn't be concerning yourself with questions of distance like this.
I would like the 6.5 PRC over the 7 PRC, from just a recoil perspective alone for someone who is new at it.
More than anything, once you get whatever you are going to hunt elk with, I would encourage you to get off the bench once you get your rifle zeroed. Begin practicing from odd field positions. Shoot at further distances (From field hunting positions) on days with good conditions and on days with bad conditions. This will tell you so much about your skill set and limits. Add to that, and do some pushups and run, and get yourself physically tired and your heart rate up and watch how your shooting skills deteriorate.
I have no clue what your shooting skill set is like.
It is more important than the cartridge.

 

[sndmn11]

I have no clue what your shooting skill set is like.
It is more important than the cartridge.

Preach it!
700 yards is a long long way. I cringe at the concept of buying results when living things are at the other end of the transaction.

 

[Laramie]

Sometimes I really cringe at what technology has lead people to believe it's easily achievable.

The 6.5, and many other calibers, are sufficient at 700 but 99% of shooters, even with a decent amount of practice, are not. It takes a special commitment, and a place to practice at long distance, to really be good beyond even 400 yards. To the OP, maybe you are capable and committed enough but your initial post didn't suggest that. Good luck

 

[Jjustus16]

What the guys have said above is true.
If you are a newbie to western big game hunting, and to LR hunting, you shouldn't be concerning yourself with questions of distance like this.
I would like the 6.5 PRC over the 7 PRC, from just a recoil perspective alone for someone who is new at it.
More than anything, once you get whatever you are going to hunt elk with, I would encourage you to get off the bench once you get your rifle zeroed. Begin practicing from odd field positions. Shoot at further distances (From field hunting positions) on days with good conditions and on days with bad conditions. This will tell you so much about your skill set and limits. Add to that, and do some pushups and run, and get yourself physically tired and your heart rate up and watch how your shooting skills deteriorate.
I have no clue what your shooting skill set is like.
It is more important than the cartridge.

Been in the guard for 5 years and I’m in pretty good shape. I fair well in stress shoots and such, but that is with a .556. Lot more manageable than these bigger hunting cartridges. I don’t have a ton of experience with hunting rifles since I live in Indiana (they just started allowing rifle hunting for whitetail 5ish years ago.) I do enjoy shooting my grandpas 7RM, but it’s probably an 11 pound gun. I don’t really wanna haul that up and down mountains. That’s why I’m looking to go down a touch to the 6.5 PRC. Save some weight, save some shoulder.

 

[Jjustus16]

Sometimes I really cringe at what technology has lead people to believe it's easily achievable.

The 6.5, and many other calibers, are sufficient at 700 but 99% of shooters, even with a decent amount of practice, are not. It takes a special commitment, and a place to practice at long distance, to really be good beyond even 400 yards. To the OP, maybe you are capable and committed enough but your initial post didn't suggest that. Good luck

That felt very passive aggressive lol. Im here asking for advice man. No need to be like that.

FYI: I’m ringing steel at 800 yards with a 7RM consistently.

 

[RuggedYogi]

Like others have stated, your questions lead one to believe that the cartridge you are asking about is not what should be limiting your effective range on animals.

Great advice above regarding practicing shooting from field hunting positions. As a self-proclaimed “total newbie”, perhaps focusing on the other aspects of hunting that enable you to be in a position to take a shot would be a good use of time.

 

[Ernie]

Been in the guard for 5 years and I’m in pretty good shape. I fair well in stress shoots and such, but that is with a .556. Lot more manageable than these bigger hunting cartridges. I don’t have a ton of experience with hunting rifles since I live in Indiana (they just started allowing rifle hunting for whitetail 5ish years ago.) I do enjoy shooting my grandpas 7RM, but it’s probably an 11 pound gun. I don’t really wanna haul that up and down mountains. That’s why I’m looking to go down a touch to the 6.5 PRC. Save some weight, save some shoulder.

Glad you are ringing steel at 8. What size steel?
Next time I want you to try a cold bore shot on a piece of steel that is 12" or smaller from a typical field hunting position, without shooting at any other distances first.
Pretend it is an animal....
It is real good you are shooting well under stress.
Get a lighter weight 6.5 PRC, and get a good solid bottom muzzle brake. Wear hearing protection when shooting at game whether you have a brake or not.
You might discover shooting a lighter weight rifle may be more difficult to get steady. Depends on you and your rifle.
Factory ammo or reloading?

 

[Dennis]

Preach it!
700 yards is a long long way. I cringe at the concept of buying results when living things are at the other end of the transaction.

I agree with several above NO!

My 6.5 is a great deer and antelope, but not my elk rifle. I don't shoot at animals at 700 yards with anything! Rocks and targets sure, but not animals. You might ask why and my answer is I shoot long range and know I haven't mastered the wind. I have a steel range in the mountains and a 8" plate I move around in the 500-600 yard range in the mountains and so far no one has made a first shot kill on that stupid little plate! The wind always blows, but I assume there are a few guys out there that can, but I don't know them.

I would suggest entering the Rockslide Cold Bore Challenge and set your "Maximum Extended Range" 700 yards then review your results.

I feel we have lost the art and sport of hunting!

 

[PA Bruce]

1. Yes
2. No.

I agree

 

[5MilesBack]

2. By limiting my shots to 700 yards am I really restricting my chances at a successful hunt by much?

You could lower that number to 300 and still have about the same chances of success regardless what legal gun you're carrying. I've hunted elk for over 40 years and I still don't know many people shooting them over 300 yards. Being capable of shooting LR is great, but being capable of hunting is even better.

 

[LongWayAround]

Maybe learn to hunt elk before worrying whether you can kill them at 700 yards.

 

[Jjustus16]

Glad you are ringing steel at 8. What size steel?
Next time I want you to try a cold bore shot on a piece of steel that is 12" or smaller from a typical field hunting position, without shooting at any other distances first.
Pretend it is an animal....
It is real good you are shooting well under stress.
Get a lighter weight 6.5 PRC, and get a good solid bottom muzzle brake. Wear hearing protection when shooting at game whether you have a brake or not.
You might discover shooting a lighter weight rifle may be more difficult to get steady. Depends on you and your rifle.
Factory ammo or reloading?

12 inch piece of steel.

Bottom muzzle brake? With ports only on the bottom? I’ve been told you want ports ONLY on the side. When I installed one of those on my AR-10 it helped tremendously with recoil.

Factory ammo for now. I may get into reloading in the future, but not something that’s on the radar for the time being.

 

[Jjustus16]

You could lower that number to 300 and still have about the same chances of success regardless what legal gun you're carrying. I've hunted elk for over 40 years and I still don't know many people shooting them over 300 yards. Being capable of shooting LR is great, but being capable of hunting is even better.

Thank you. These are the kind of responses I’m looking for. Actual results from people doing it for a long time.

 

[sndmn11]

12 inch piece of steel.

Bottom muzzle brake? With ports only on the bottom? I’ve been told you want ports ONLY on the side. When I installed one of those on my AR-10 it helped tremendously with recoil.

Factory ammo for now. I may get into reloading in the future, but not something that’s on the radar for the time being.

Solid bottom means no holes on the bottom.

 

[PNWGATOR]

The 6.5 PRC will do everything you’re asking with factory 143 ELDX or 147 ELDM ammunition.

This is from an elk I killed at 910 with a 20” 6.5 PRC and 153 Atip (which I stopped using and do not recommend due to inconsistent wound channels/terminal performance)

 

[Jjustus16]

Maybe learn to hunt elk before worrying whether you can kill them at 700 yards.

I’m here asking about shot opportunities from guys like you who have experience doing it. What is the expectation and norm for shots? Am I limiting myself? I think that’s a pretty fair question.

So maybe, keep your passive aggressive comments to yourself bud?