Importance of bullet weight - 6.5 PRC

[ATRaz15]

I am at a bit of a crossroads with my 6.5 PRC load. Into my second season with my 24" Seekins Precision Havak PH2, I have been shooting the Hornandy 143gr ELD-X factory ammo and have taken two antelope and an elk with it now. At this point, I haven't been real happy with the way that the bullet preformed. On targets they shoot phenomenally through my gun, however on all three animals there has been quite a bit of meat damage without much for visible energy transfer/knockdown power. I'm thinking that I'll try switching loads after this hunting season ends and I'm hoping to use it as an opportunity to cook up a hand load for this gun. My father-in-law has been having some issues with his load as well (Nosler ballistic tip projectile) so it sounds like I'll have someone to go out to the range with to test. His problem has been excessive fragmentation, causing gut punctures on 3 antelope between this year and last year. Anyways...

One of my coworkers was really singing the praise of the Nosler Accubond bullets that he uses in his hand loads and after doing some more research, I think that's the next place I will look. At this point I've been having some trouble finding decent answers on two specific questions:

1) Nosler Accubond vs Accubond LR. What is the performance difference going to be? I know that the LR has a higher BC and is designed to retain energy and velocity out to longer ranges, but how will it do on close shots? Will it's lower minimum expansion velocity make it perform more like a cup and core bullet at close ranges? I keep most of my shots on big game animals within 500 yards. I know I wont really be able to get the full benefits of the LR's design, but I'm mainly interested in the heavier bullet weight offerings - which brings me to my next/main question...

2) How important is bullet weight going to be in a 6.5 PRC? The Accubond LR offers a 150 grain projectile whereas the Accubond just has up to 140 grain (that I have seen). This thinking might be antiquated with a modern cartridge like the PRC, but I'm a little more comfortable with the idea of a 150 grain projectile than a 140 when it comes to taking shots at elk. Can I gain any appreciable amount of punch with a hot 150 grain load over 140 grain? Or am I getting lost in the weeds here?

TIA!

 

[wapitibob]

"His problem has been excessive fragmentation, causing gut punctures on 3 antelope between this year and last year."
The ballistic tip was originally designed as a grenade for varmint hunting. They allegedly modified the jacket and said it was now a hunting bullet. As you heard, they blow stuff up bad.

I believe in heavy frangible, light solids, and mid range bonded bullets. My 195 berger (7stw) was under the offside hide on this years elk after going thru liver, lungs, and the scapula (quartered away at 385). I've also shot Antelope and Deer with that 195, golf ball size exit on both, no excess damage (several inches behind the crease).

As to the 6.5 and ELD's, this may be helpful, or not.

Hornady ELDM vs ELDX (bullet construction and terminal behavior)

It seems like this is always a common debate and topic. So I wanted to make my own thread on the matter, showing the comparisons between the Hornady ELDX and ELDM. They’re not the same and are actually both improvements on two other Hornady bullets. The ELDX is simply just an improved SST and...

www.longrangeonly.com

 

[Plainsman79]

The pic is from this year’s bullet performance on a bull elk. A 140 AB went through 1 shoulder and lodged in the opposite side hide. The bull retained every ounce of energy and never took a step, dropped dead. Shot distance was 339 yards. The bullet retained 67% of its weight. If I remember correctly my MV is right around 2,950FPS. This is coming out of a CA Ridgeline.

I’ll use both 140 Bergers and 140 AB’s for deer and they are both incredibly deadly. When I use my PRC for elk I’ll exclusively use the bonded nosler.

In all reality, you’re basically shooting a super-charged .270 out to about 500 yards. Then the PRC steadily pulls ahead. The .270 has probably killed more deer /elk nationwide than any other cartridge.

 

[freezerfull]

I believe in heavy frangible, light solids, and mid range bonded

OP -
I second what Bob states above. Max range is what is important, this will drive your choice between the above options.

Since you stated meat damage had been a past concern. if your hunting 500 yards and in with the PRC I’d recommend picking the standard 140 AB. If you want mono the 127 LRX would be a good option as well.

If your thinking potentially longer ranges then I’d recommend sticking with the heavy frangibles (156 Berger, 147 eldm, maybe even the 140 VLD) for their effect at lower impact velocity. You’ll just have to understand that more meat damage and bullet fragments likely will result.

Regarding the ABLR, I have limited experience but from trusted first hand accounts it behaves much more like a ELDm or BT than a standard AB.

 

[sveltri]

Admittedly I didn't read every post, but have you considered the Berger 156?

 

[mtnbound]

I am at a bit of a crossroads with my 6.5 PRC load. Into my second season with my 24" Seekins Precision Havak PH2, I have been shooting the Hornandy 143gr ELD-X factory ammo and have taken two antelope and an elk with it now. At this point, I haven't been real happy with the way that the bullet preformed. On targets they shoot phenomenally through my gun, however on all three animals there has been quite a bit of meat damage without much for visible energy transfer/knockdown power. I'm thinking that I'll try switching loads after this hunting season ends and I'm hoping to use it as an opportunity to cook up a hand load for this gun. My father-in-law has been having some issues with his load as well (Nosler ballistic tip projectile) so it sounds like I'll have someone to go out to the range with to test. His problem has been excessive fragmentation, causing gut punctures on 3 antelope between this year and last year. Anyways...

One of my coworkers was really singing the praise of the Nosler Accubond bullets that he uses in his hand loads and after doing some more research, I think that's the next place I will look. At this point I've been having some trouble finding decent answers on two specific questions:

1) Nosler Accubond vs Accubond LR. What is the performance difference going to be? I know that the LR has a higher BC and is designed to retain energy and velocity out to longer ranges, but how will it do on close shots? Will it's lower minimum expansion velocity make it perform more like a cup and core bullet at close ranges? I keep most of my shots on big game animals within 500 yards. I know I wont really be able to get the full benefits of the LR's design, but I'm mainly interested in the heavier bullet weight offerings - which brings me to my next/main question...

2) How important is bullet weight going to be in a 6.5 PRC? The Accubond LR offers a 150 grain projectile whereas the Accubond just has up to 140 grain (that I have seen). This thinking might be antiquated with a modern cartridge like the PRC, but I'm a little more comfortable with the idea of a 150 grain projectile than a 140 when it comes to taking shots at elk. Can I gain any appreciable amount of punch with a hot 150 grain load over 140 grain? Or am I getting lost in the weeds here?

TIA!

Have your shots with the ELDXs been behind the shoulder or on the shoulder. I have not seen excessive meat loss unless I hit a large bone. If you are a high shoulder shooter then I would recommend a different bullet.
I have had seen some inconsistencies with the AB’s both regular and LR in terms of weight. I would weight them and match them accordingly.
At your 500 yard limit so long as your impact velocity is above the manufacturers expansion limit, I would go with any bonded bullet that your barrel likes best. No experience with them yet but Swift Sciroccos were recommended to me for reducing meat loss.

 

[SloppyJ]

You need to decide what your goals are first. Do you want massive damage with the opprotunity for the quickest kill or are you looking for less damage, more weight retention, and a pass through?

If you're 500yds and in, go with a partition and call it a day. This will provide the best of both worlds. Place your shots correctly to avoid meat damage and enjoy one of the best bullets out there.

If not, go for full meat preservation mode and use a copper projectile. Just make sure you're boots are solid because you will not cause as much internal damage.