My PRC Thread 2.0

[alf]

Time to showcase my latest 6.5 PRC I just put together.

For a flashback, and for those that might have missed it, here's the link to the first PRC I had built a year ago:
My 6.5 PRC Thread

Here's the pile of parts prior to assembly:

Just for the hell-of-it, I weighed all the parts separately prior to assembly.

Here's the run down of the parts & their weights:

S/S 700 long action - 15 oz
Complete bolt assembly - 12.5 oz
S/S .188" recoil lug - .8 oz
Floor plate, spring, stamped follower, mag box - 6 oz
Trigger Tech trigger w/ pins - 2 oz
Bartlein 2b cut to 24" - 3 lb 2 oz
McMillan Game Scout - 25.5 oz

Bare gun weighs a half ounce over 7 pounds even.

Nightforce 2.5-10x42 - 20.6 oz
Seekins 30mm medium rings - 3.8
Seekins 30 MOA rail - 2 oz
Butler Creek caps - .8 oz

Gun with Nightforce ready to hunt - 8 pounds, 12 ounces.

 

[alf]

Once I got the barrel back from the smith, I had to open the barrel channel up to clearance the Bartlein barrel.

Next I filed & sanded the bolt notch in the stock for bolt handle clearance.

Then I drilled and installed flush cups front and rear in the left side of the stock.

And finally got 'er all bolted together.

 

[alf]

For load work, I mounted up an extra 5.5-22x50 Nightforce in Seekins rings I had laying around.

 

[waterdog]

Not too shabby, Al. I like it. Have been shooting mine at steel some when the weather cooperates and I enjoy it, and I enjoy shooting my 6 Creedmoor too. Usually take both when we shoot.
Let us know the particulars of your loading for the PRC when you get it all settled
Larry

 

[alf]

Thanks Larry,

Luckily, I got load work done and tested before winter set in for good.

More to follow........

 

[Zero333]

That's a very nice looking rig. I REALLY like it !

 

[DDRH65PRC]

You've got fine taste my friend.

Alf, I swear on one of your thread (maybe not?), you or someone posted a picture of a 6.5 PRC Cartridge loaded into a 300WM (3.850"? CIP) mag? If so could you kindly share that photo again? Would like to keep a copy for reference.

 

[alf]

You've got fine taste my friend.

Alf, I swear on one of your thread (maybe not?), you or someone posted a picture of a 6.5 PRC Cartridge loaded into a 300WM (3.850"? CIP) mag? If so could you kindly share that photo again? Would like to keep a copy for reference.

Sorry, not me. Both of my PRC's have had plain 'ol BDL set-ups.

 

[alf]

This was to be a hunting gun, and I had no plans to chase top velocities or try multiple bullets or powders. I had about 900 Berger 140 VLD's of the same lot that I hoped would shoot, and wanted to use H-1000, based on results from the first gun, and how good the throat looked after 500 rounds through it.

So for testing, I shot 3 shot groups in half grain increments from 59 to 61 grains of H-1000 with moly plated & pointed 140 grain Berger VLD's in the lands a bit. I set the target at 200 yards, and the results were kinda ho hum, from a hair over MOA to a hair under 1 1/2 MOA.

I watched the ES go from 22 to 8 to 3 to 8 & back up to 23 fps, with the 60 grain load of 3 fps spread, and having the least vertical as well.

So I called it a day, loaded the truck up and went home to clean the gun and load a bunch with 60 grains to do a seating test.

 

[alf]

The following day for the seating test, I started in the lands, and then came off the lands in .010" increments. Testing at 200 again, and the results were nothing to write home about. Seems every one of barrels need 100-125 rounds down the tube before things start coming around, and this one appears to be no different. I don't break in barrels, just start load work immediately in new barrels. Not sure if it's a moly thing or not. Also, I never have a barrel speed up after a few rounds, nor do they lose velocity at the other end either.

So back to the house to clean and load up a bunch of ammo with 60 grains of H-1000, and the Bergers in the lands and shoot it......

 

[alf]

The next day I headed out to a different farm so I could stretch things out to 600 yards.

Started out first at 100 yards, shooting 3 shot groups at each range.

Clean/cold to begin.....

100 yds - 1 1/4"

200yds - 1 1/2"

300yds - 1 5/8"

400yds - bust (I was testing 142 SMK's also & the 6 shots all lumped together)

500yds - 3 1/2"

600yds - 3 7/8"


View of the 500 & 600 yard targets:

 

[TikkaSporter]

FWIW, I never could get the accuracy I wanted out of my 6.5 PRC with H1000. Best groups at close range were with H4831 and the best overall (tighter vertical at distance and decent close range accuracy) was with RE26. Same for my dad with his 6.5 PRC.

 

[alf]

After all the testing was done, I still had about a dozen rounds left. There was a huge pile of rocks dumped further up the valley to rip rap the trout stream, so I decided it would make a perfect backstop for a little impromptu distance test at 950 yards. Luckily I had my serious testing done by then, as a stout headwind had picked up.

Unfortunately, I had only done a quick look at JBM previously for my drops to 600, so took a WAG of 20 MOA for the 950. Ended up being right on the money, best as I could tell with the wind. Ran the numbers later, and confirmed it.

Finished off the remaining rounds, packed my stuff up, and went home, feeling pretty good about the day's results.

 

[alf]

The following day, one more test with the 5.5-22 before replacing it with the 2.5-10.

Went out my spot that I could only get to 400, & shot 3 shot groups at 100-200 & 300, and a 5 shot group at 400.

Groups size was affected mostly due to the right to left wind & mirage.

100 - 3/4" (clean/cold)

200 - 1 1/4" (1st 2 touching)

300 - 1 1/2" (2 into 5/8")

400 - 3 1/4" (5 shot group- 2 leaked left missing wind pickup)

 

[alf]

I had previously mounted the 2.5-10x42 Nightforce in lapped Seekins rings, and removed that scope to replace it with the 5.5-22 NF for load work. Decide it was a good time to switch them out and get the 10X sighted in.

Only took a couple minutes to switch scopes, then had to move the target back to 50. Quick peek down the bore to get it bore sighted, one shot at 50, dial the scope, move to 100, and shoot 3. Wow.......450" group, 3 quarters of an inch high.

Moved the target to 200......1 5/8"

Moved it to 300......2 1/2"

Moved to 400......perfect triangle at 2 5/8"....a touch high.

So I moved the scope two clicks down, and shot again......

First 2 shots dead center an inch apart, but lost the third 4" to the left again.....oh well......done and zeroed.

Set the zero stop and called it a day.

 

[alf]

 

[tonyb]

Nice work alf! I have been following your threads on this chambering and thoroughly enjoy every entry! so, what's your next move?

Tony.

 

[alf]

Nice work alf! I have been following your threads on this chambering and thoroughly enjoy every entry! so, what's your next move?Tony.

Thanks Tony...........the wheels are already in motion, stay tuned.......

 

[Ironworker]

Where are you shooting ? Beautiful place.

 

[simo hayha]

Farms in southern Wisconsin