.243-6.5 PRC AKA 24 PRC "Practical"

[MikeT49]

On my bucket list of critters I would like to hunt is the Coues whitetail. Normally, hunting deer, I like to get up close and personal then run a sharp stick thru both lungs. That might be just a smidge difficult to do on a decent Coues buck. Might have to shoot 500 yards or so. Sharp sticks ain't gonna cut it. I figure a high BC, .243 100 gr hunting bullet with a MV of 3300 + should do the trick. Had to be on a short action because I have donors and a camo tupperware stock. Weight is a concern. Maybe max 24" barrel. A while back, I scored a 783 Remington magnum bolt. The bolt head has been transferred to a Marlin XS7 bolt. I started to do a 6.5 PRC but then realized I have 25 cal and 6mm die bushings. Why not neck the 6.5 PRC brass to accept a .243 bullet? Like a 20 Practical, worked great. Went three steps .291 to .282 to .270. Here's a pic of the new 24 PRC cartridge next to a .243: P T & G will be making my reamer using my dummy rounds. No turn neck, Lapua brass, final bushing size will be ~ .274. They already are making my go/no go gages. I'm hoping to see MVs in excess of 3500 with a accurate hunting node above 3300. I hate waiting for stuff, but should be able to get it done before hunting season. As a bonus, it should work quite nicely on Pronghorns. Another of my bucket list critters. Mike

 

[muleystalker]

How is the OAL, will it fit in a magazine box?

 

[alf]

Here's one in real life.......

 

[Lone Hunter]

Alf, What kind of speeds are you getting out of that setup? Have you shot any fur with it and if so what was the result? Good looking rig also.

 

[Buzz]

Looks like a cool project. Not to ruin your excuse for a new rifle, but out here in AZ archery coues is definitely a thing.

ETA: Not mine, unfortunately, just including to show nice coues bucks can be taken with a bow.

 

[MikeT49]

How is the OAL, will it fit in a magazine box?

I measured around 2.845"( close to where @alf) is seating his. This is with Sierra 100 gr TGKs With my magazines, I can go to about 2.92". Hopefully that will be enough to make up for throat erosion. I only expect to get 600 rounds or so out of a barrel, we'll see. Don't care.

 

[MikeT49]

Looks like a cool project. Not to ruin your excuse for a new rifle, but out here in AZ archery coues is definitely a thing.

Well, unfortunately, I'm 73. Both my neck and shoulder are toast for shooting vertical bows. Had to switch to a crossbow. How's Az on X_bows? Edit to add: Holy shit, that's a monster Coues. Nicely done!

 

[MikeT49]

Alf, What kind of speeds are you getting out of that setup? Have you shot any fur with it and if so what was the result? Good looking rig also.

Ditto

 

[MikeT49]

Here's one in real life.......

Sweet! I like it.

 

[muleystalker]

I measured around 2.845"( close to where @alf) is seating his. This is with Sierra 100 gr TGKs With my magazines, I can go to about 2.92". Hopefully that will be enough to make up for throat erosion. I only expect to get 600 rounds or so out of a barrel, we'll see. Don't care.

Thats what I thought, I went with the 6 SST instead so I have a lot more room to play with, but it will still be fun.

 

[alf]

The back story.....

I had built a 6.5 PRC on a stainless 700 long action, and decided to turn it into a switch barrel. Being a 6-284 fan, the 6 PRC seem to be a logical choice to bring that performance to the table in an updated version.

The new 110 Sierra was to be the bullet of choice, so a dummy was sent to JGS for proper throating. The 1st barrel was a 26" Bartlein 2b contour in a 7.25" twist.

When the smoke cleared, the Hornady 108 ELD-M was the bullet of choice fueled by R-26 at 3425.


I ended up selling that gun, and built another as a dedicated 6 PRC, but this one on a 700 short action cut for a Wyatts extended magazine. This barrel was a 24" Bartlein, #3 fluted contour in an 8" twist. Oddly enough, the best load ended up being the same combo as in the 1st barrel, R-26 & 108 ELD-M's, at a hair over 3400.

The picture above shows the 110 Sierra's OAL seated in the lands a bit, with the 105 Hybrids I was around 2.875" OAL in the lands, and about the same with the 108's.

I did take it out 3-4 times trying to call in a coyote, but couldn't scare up a volunteer. Ain't going to happen now, as I just sold this one a couple months ago.

 

[B23]

Curious, with the 6-284 and 6PRC being nearly the same case capacity, other than a little shorter case and mag bolt face what does your 6PRC do that your 6-284 didn't? Or was it more about just wanting to do something different. I'm a anything 284 fan as well as a PRC, SAUM and WSM fan so there's no wrong answer, just curious is all.

I don't know that I'd ever do a 6PRC but I've got 300pcs of new ADG 6.5SAUM brass that every time I look at it on the shelf I hear whispers of 6 SAUM calling to me and I've got a Broughton 6mm 5r barrel that I'm sure would love to be a 6 SAUM.

 

[alf]

Curious, with the 6-284 and 6PRC being nearly the same case capacity, other than a little shorter case and mag bolt face what does your 6PRC do that your 6-284 didn't? Or was it more about just wanting to do something different. I'm a anything 284 fan as well as a PRC, SAUM and WSM fan so there's no wrong answer, just curious is all.

I don't know that I'd ever do a 6PRC but I've got 300pcs of new ADG 6.5SAUM brass that every time I look at it on the shelf I hear whispers of 6 SAUM calling to me and I've got a Broughton 6mm 5r barrel that I'm sure would love to be a 6 SAUM.

I was without a 6-284 for the last several years prior to building the 1st 6 PRC.

One 6-284 barrel was at the end of it's life & retired, the other gun I sold in an ill fated attempt at downsizing. Since I had sold the dies, I was starting from scratch, but knowing I was probably going to build a 6 PRC version, I had bought a 6.5 PRC bushing die for the 1st 6.5 PRC rifle.

I had my fun, so after selling both 6's, I sold the reamer so I wouldn't be tempted to do it again.

Figured my 6x47's will do all that needs to be done at this point with a few more clicks on the dial......

 

[B23]

I sold in an ill fated attempt at downsizing.

Ha! Ya, I know how that downsizing stuff goes and it typically doesn't work out the way I intended. Every time I sell something, one sold seems to turn into two new builds. I'm a sucker for good deals on donor Rem 700's and part of my problem is I usually have one or two sitting on the shelf all trued up and ready to go.

What's that saying, "one step forward two steps back".

 

[Buzz]

Well, unfortunately, I'm 73. Both my neck and shoulder are toast for shooting vertical bows. Had to switch to a crossbow. How's Az on X_bows? Edit to add: Holy shit, that's a monster Coues. Nicely done!

That wasn’t mine, unfortunately. I edited my original post to clarify that. Just wanted to show that nice coues bucks don’t always require a 500 yard shot.

You can use crossbows with a medical exemption here in AZ.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

I was without a 6-284 for the last several years prior to building the 1st 6 PRC.

One 6-284 barrel was at the end of it's life & retired, the other gun I sold in an ill fated attempt at downsizing. Since I had sold the dies, I was starting from scratch, but knowing I was probably going to build a 6 PRC version, I had bought a 6.5 PRC bushing die for the 1st 6.5 PRC rifle.

I had my fun, so after selling both 6's, I sold the reamer so I wouldn't be tempted to do it again.

Figured my 6x47's will do all that needs to be done at this point with a few more clicks on the dial......

That's a Definite sign of,. old age,.. "Wisdom" !
Congrat's, Alf, you've,.. MADE,. IT !
Love my, 6 XC for, the SAME Reason and, I use, a couple more,.. "Clicks", also ( NO,.. Problemo ! ).
I enjoy,.. the 50% better, Barrel Life that, the 6 XC provides, MUCH Better than, those,.. "Hot Rod" 6's !
A 108 gr. Berger, Elite Hunter at , 2,900+ FPS, will get it, Done for any, Deer / Antelope.
I already HAVE, a Barrel Burning, .270 WSM,.. IF, I "need",.. more !
The Original, 6.5 PRC is, a FINE, Long Range, Deer Rifle, Cartridge,.. AS,. IS !
A 140 Berger, Elite hunter or, 143 ELD-X at,.. 3,100 FPS is,.. NO,. "Slouch"

 

[MikeT49]

This shirt kinda states how I am. I have plenty of "deer" rifles. I will always be doin shit out of the box. When I turn into a old fuddy duddy, just throw me in the hole and start shoveling no matter how much I protest. At that point, I will be spiritually dead anyway.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

Not much I enjoy more then a 6mm screamer, Im really interested in a 6PRC improved / 6mm Primal

 

[alf]

Not much I enjoy more then a 6mm screamer, Im really interested in a 6PRC improved / 6mm Primal

Not sure if the juice is worth the squeeze in regards to fireforming and custom dies.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

Not sure if the juice is worth the squeeze in regards to fireforming and custom dies.

True, if I just change from N160 to N560 in my 6SLR i can get 3300fps with a 108eld without really pushing it but thats nog a walk around rig and barre life is prob going to be the same. Brass prices and availability for the PRC is n problem