6.5 PRC 95vmax loads?
- Thread starter aer21
- Start date
You'll need to make this up a bit as you go. 6.5 PRC powders are generally in the big magnum burn speed range (H1000, Retumbo, IMR8133,etc). Hodgdon data only goes as light as 120gr bullets, but shows compressed max charges for both Retumbo and 8133. THis means you are hitting case capacity before you hit max pressure. Usually that's a good place to be. If you did that here, I'd expect it will be a "diesel" load that's sooty and low pressure with a good bit of unburned powder. Those magnum powders are just too slow for such a light bullet. But it should be safe--just slower than expected and pretty dirty (and wasteful).
Alternatively, one could look at powders that have a wide range between min and max in the data and avoid those with small ranges. For example, in the Hornady data for 6.5 creedmoor (smaller case), 8208 has only 2.7gr between max (39.5) and min (36.8). This would be a terrible choice of powder for an unknown bullet in 6.5cm.
Looking at the 6.5 PRC, RL26 has a whopping 9.6gr between min and max loads in the PRC with 140s. That suggest to me that this powder has the broadest range of pressures at which it is safe. So I'd think RL26 pretty close to the ideal make-up-you-own-data powder for 6.5 PRC.
I'd start with 55gr of RL26 (the max load shown for 147s) and see how that goes. Probably can work up from there.
Disclaimer: I've never done that, and I'm not saying this is wise and blah blah you're on your own.
Alternatively, one could look at powders that have a wide range between min and max in the data and avoid those with small ranges. For example, in the Hornady data for 6.5 creedmoor (smaller case), 8208 has only 2.7gr between max (39.5) and min (36.8). This would be a terrible choice of powder for an unknown bullet in 6.5cm.
Looking at the 6.5 PRC, RL26 has a whopping 9.6gr between min and max loads in the PRC with 140s. That suggest to me that this powder has the broadest range of pressures at which it is safe. So I'd think RL26 pretty close to the ideal make-up-you-own-data powder for 6.5 PRC.
I'd start with 55gr of RL26 (the max load shown for 147s) and see how that goes. Probably can work up from there.
Disclaimer: I've never done that, and I'm not saying this is wise and blah blah you're on your own.
When I checked with Hornady regarding ammunition loaded with lighter bullets, they sort of hemmed and hawed I think because of the twist rates in the barrels for the 6.5 PRC. All of the ammunition currently loaded for the 6.5 PRC is for the heavier 140+ bullets meant for hunting and target shooting at longer distances.
With the availability of powders for the 6.5 PRC, loads for the 95 gr. VMAX will be pretty spritzy. When I ran some of these through a 6.5 GAP 4S, the velocities for middling loads were in the high 3,400 to mid-3500 fps. I didn't push any because I have little to no use for bullets this light in cartridges using this much powder.
The load I use most frequently is a 130 VLD moving along at 3,250 fps. Drop down to the 95 gr VMAX and you'll see why Hornady is hesitating. But, I would never say never, and encourage you to try a few for the sake of testing. If they hold together, make those 'chucks pay!
With the availability of powders for the 6.5 PRC, loads for the 95 gr. VMAX will be pretty spritzy. When I ran some of these through a 6.5 GAP 4S, the velocities for middling loads were in the high 3,400 to mid-3500 fps. I didn't push any because I have little to no use for bullets this light in cartridges using this much powder.
The load I use most frequently is a 130 VLD moving along at 3,250 fps. Drop down to the 95 gr VMAX and you'll see why Hornady is hesitating. But, I would never say never, and encourage you to try a few for the sake of testing. If they hold together, make those 'chucks pay!
When I checked with Hornady regarding ammunition loaded with lighter bullets, they sort of hemmed and hawed I think because of the twist rates in the barrels for the 6.5 PRC. All of the ammunition currently loaded for the 6.5 PRC is for the heavier 140+ bullets meant for hunting and target shooting at longer distances.
With the availability of powders for the 6.5 PRC, loads for the 95 gr. VMAX will be pretty spritzy. When I ran some of these through a 6.5 GAP 4S, the velocities for middling loads were in the high 3,400 to mid-3500 fps. I didn't push any because I have little to no use for bullets this light in cartridges using this much powder.
The load I use most frequently is a 130 VLD moving along at 3,250 fps. Drop down to the 95 gr VMAX and you'll see why Hornady is hesitating. But, I would never say never, and encourage you to try a few for the sake of testing. If they hold together, make those 'chucks pay!
If I wanted to run the 95, I'd think 3400+ from a mere Creedmoor or .260 is perfectly sufficient.
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