6.5 prc bullet choice.

[JB10]

This is a question for 6.5 prc cartridge or close to it in 6.5. Right now im loading 156gr bergers eol for mine. In my state its hard to get drawn for hunts so ive had time to play with them and work up a good load. Have been on 1 muel deer hunt with no luck. Last year daughter had an any elk tag but passed on 3 cows waiting for a bull but struck out. I am now thinking for deer and close shots on elk ( nothing passed 400 yards) would a 140gr berger work just as good as the 156? I am not interested in all copper bullets or partitions at this time. I am open to another bullet if guys have good experience with them. What is your guys experience or what would you recommend if something else? I am not into long range shots on game so id prefer 300 yards or closer.

 

[Hino895]

I shoot Berger 135 VLD hunting in my 6.5 PRC and I’m happy with them.

 

[WSnyder]

Deer and short range elk? I wouldn't have an issue with either the 130 VLD or the 140 EH. I don't have any experience with the 135's.

 

[msalm]

130 Federal Terminal ascent. Shoots well, incredible game bullet.

 

[Larryh128]

If you want a good game bullet, you need to stop looking at cup & core.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

142 Nosler Accubond for Elk!

 

[Jr solocam]

I don't have a PRC, but load and hunt with a 6.5x284 and 6.5 RSAUM. I have used 130 and 140 VLD's, they have worked well. For elk, the 140 would be my choice, limit yourself to broadside shots.....

 

[wboggs]

If you want a good game bullet, you need to stop looking at cup & core.

Pretty broad statement. There are a lot of excellent game bullets and they are not all mono.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

I shoot Berger 135 VLD hunting in my 6.5 PRC and I’m happy with them.

YUP,. THIS ^^^ One or, the 140 gr. Elite Hunter, Berger's as, the "Speed" makes these Bullets,.. HUM, on Elk !
The 140 gr. Classic Hunter in .270 WSM ( 3,173 FPS ave. ) was an Awesome, DRT Kill with, FULL Penetration at 115 yds on my Bull and his insides were, "Jello" with, very little Loss of, Meat in, the Far shoulder, Roast !
The 156 gr. Berg. is all right,.. BUT, the Speedier, Lighter, 135 /140 grainer's just,. Kill, BETTER !

 

[JB10]

I have 140vld that i shoot in another rifle. I can try them out for accuracy in this one and order more of them!!

 

[WSnyder]

As a side note I just drew up a reamer (shortened FB 6.5 PRC AW 2) for a friend specifically for the 140EH’s for a mag fed hunting rifle.

 

[drop_point]

Choose a tough bullet. I've had ELD-X and Sierra Tipped GameKings both grenade in animals from the 6.5 PRC at closer ranges.

 

[WSnyder]

I like grenades that go off inside animals. Kills em ded. We’ve been taught (or used to be taught) that bullets should or have to stay together to be effective. I thought that way once. Grenades kill. I think back to the early Nosler Ballistic Tips and the Berger VLD’s and the hoopla about them blowing up. But guess what? Animals died the same as our traditional bullets. Other grenades that have good killing track records are the Sierra TMK’s and Hornady ELD-M’s.

 

[Larryh128]

Pretty broad statement. There are a lot of excellent game bullets and they are not all mono.

Yes it is, I've literally shot many hundreds of deer , some during regular seasons but a lot of large culling operations in high fence areas. I've shot them with everything from 223's to 300 mags and about every bullet available that is supposed to be for big game. Some were decent and a few were pure junk, Berger in my opinion is one of the very best bullets for accuracy. And while my original statement was made vague as not to get a bunch of undies in a knot, They were the absolute worst I've ever used. They either blew up on contact or failed to open at all, might as well been shooting FMJ's. Out of all the bullets, the very best cup and core was the Accubond, never failed to do what it was supposed to and quite accurate. The very best was the Barnes LRX and the only bullet that I load in any of my hunting calibers. It NEVER failed to open and penetrate. Does it exit? Yes it does, and if they move, a blind person could follow the very short trail. Elk? I would load 127 gr LRX and never look back and I can guarantee you that 3 died last year with that combo in a PRC. One made it 35 yds. My opinions aren't from a few kills but over 500.

 

[wboggs]

Larry
I respect your experience and views. However, it depends on the game and where it is hunted. Two of my friends own plantations in SC and there are so many whitetail deer they have to be culled. Ranges are from 25-350. They have used 7mm Rem Mags loaded with the Sierra SP for close to 30yrs with excellent results. The number of animals taken is in the several thousands.
Given, the animals are small and larger animals have different requirements. Agree with your opinion of the Accubond.
Respectfully.

 

[nakneker]

Berger 140 elite hunters have been deadly out of my 6.5x47. I used LR 142 accubonds on a recent Aoudad hunt, they performed perfectly. The standard 140 accubond is another good choice. Barnes, TSX, TTSX and LRX are another good choice, we use those in multiple rifles.

If elk is on the menu I’d use Barnes or Accubonds. Elk are tough and you need a bullet that can hold up and get into the vitals and perform. If your shots are under 400, several cup and core bullets will serve a guy well, they have for decades.

 

[fabricator21]

I have 2 6.5 prc's and have shot quite a few deer out to 600 yards with the berger 135 classic hunters and 140 e.h.
I wouldn't hesitate to shoot an elk at 400 with them