6.5 PRC Build advice/questions

[Migolito]

I'm looking at doing a rifle build. I realize during times of no ammo, no powder, no bullets, no brass that most will say I have no common sense for even contemplating building something that requires all of the unicorn parts, but, we shooters and hunters are after all eternal optimists.

First and foremost I am a hunter, so, the build is about carrying in the Western Mountains. However, I will be doing NRL Hunter, so here's some thoughts on the build:

Defiance action. Either Tenacity, Anti or Ruckus.
Barrel: CF 24". I'd like it a Pre-fit because I want to actually do the fitting. So, Proof, Bartlein, ??
Stock: MDT HNT 26, or a Manners,?? Something I can carry in the mountains and shoot NRL.
Caliber: 6.5PRC. I like the ballistics and bullets available for Elk/Deer.
Scope: Leupold MK 5 5x25-56. or??
Rings: ???
Bottom metal: DBM...?

Please fell free to provide your advice now and as this build proceeds.

 

[Nealm66]

This will probably get a lot of negative feedback but if I were going to do a 6.5 build for hunting, I’d build a 6.5-300 vs the prc. I don’t own the prc but I’ve done load work for one and it seems every one wants to push velocities which, n570 really has amazing results but I can get a little more with the 6.5-300 with a little better brass life vs high pressure prc loads and extremely good accuracy. Just thought I should throw that out there to consider

 

[Fuj]

The header says "6 PRC" is this a typo, or are you going to
wild cat the 6.5 PRC by necking it down to 6mm.

 

[Migolito]

Opps! Fixed.

 

[Nealm66]

The other advantage I find with the 6.5-300 is there’s no clicker issues. I will say I’m using Hornady brass for the prc but it really swells around the base but I’ve heard better quality brass can have the same issue

 

[jdh47]

How many rounds until the barrel is toast on the 6.5-300?

 

[Nealm66]

Well, it’s not great but I’d be curious how much different it is from a prc running n570 pushing for velocity and pressure. Go ahead and build the prc but I thought I should mention what I’ve seen first hand

 

[FeMan]

The 6.5 PRC is a good choice for hunting, but shooting NRL matches with it will siginifacntly shorten barrel life. A 6.5 CM should last quite a bit longer and do well in NRL with the 156 EOLs. The NRL hunter class is a neat thing, but IMO the ideal NRL Hunter rifle isnt going to be an ideal hunting rifle. You can certainly do both with one but I would siggest you decide if you want t match rifle you can hunt with or a hunting rifle you can shoot NRL with. I would approach these differently.

 

[FeMan]

FWIW, I have a 6.5 SAUM huting rifle and am shooting 156s at 3200 with N570 out of a 26-inch barrel. Its awesome, but I would NEVER shoot that in a couple hundred round match.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Build a 6.5X.284. same velocity and better Brass (Lapua)

 

[Kurz]

Just for the sake of discussion here are a couple of thoughts to consider:

NRL rules state that the velocity limit is 3,200 fps. Each rifle is checked across a chronograph before the competition starts. Those exceeding that limit are not allowed to compete. Yes, I know there are cheaters.

When the 6.5 GAP 4S (6.5 RSAUM) was developed we used it in PRS competitions regularly. The load was 61.0 - 61.5 grains of H-1000 under 140 gr. match bullets. This yielded about 3,050 fps which was guaranteed to be under the highest velocity limit of 3,200 fps and low pressure. It was also accurate. Cool burning powder, 140 shots per match usually got you about 10 matches before a barrel change. This usually got everyone through a year of competition at least.

Now I found that the 130 class bullets actually perform better than the 140 Match bullets and there is a good selection from several manufacturers. These use less of that same powder H-1000 at low pressure.

Clean that barrel and switch to a hunting bullet (140, Elite Hunter) over the same powder or maybe run a little Re-25/26. harvest your game, go home, clean the barrel, reload for the next match.

The detachable magazines we use have the reducing spacers removed for a total length of 2.925" for reliable feeding.