6.5 PRC, the new bencmark for SA Mag for Hunting/LR Target

[Beiruty]

Pro:
1) Affordable bullets
2) Easy to reload for
3) Excellent high BC bullets for target and hunting application
4) Short Action fit in a SA AISC mag with no front binder.
5) Available Factory ammo and brass components.
6) From 28-30" barrel with handloads MV is 3000+ fps
7) less recoil than true magnum calibers

Cons: Shorter barrel life than 7mm or 30 Caliber rifles.

Ballistics:

 

[Orr89rocz]

It does seem very good. Kinda want to build one myself.

 

[Straightshooter1]

Pro:
1) Affordable bullets
2) Easy to reload for
3) Excellent high BC bullets for target and hunting application
4) Short Action fit in a SA AISC mag with no front binder.
5) Available Factory ammo and brass components.
6) From 28-30" barrel with handloads MV is 3000+ fps
7) less recoil than true magnum calibers

Cons: Shorter barrel life than 7mm or 30 Caliber rifles.

Ballistics:
View attachment 1296657

I duknow about your #5 for brass availability these days. Oh, the brass can be found . . . at outrageous prices.

 

[284winner]

The SA part is debatable. I think unless you want to jam the bullets, a LA is the best option. Especially feeding from a magazine. Not sure if your shooting a single shot or repeater but it's pretty close. I think around 2.950 is Hornady OAL length using the 147s but not getting 3100 fps. To achieve that, I think you'd need to handload and that would probably take the OAL out to over 3.1". Hornady factory 147 loaded ammo is more likely gonna be closer to 2900 fps

 

[darkangel_r2]

Pro:
1) Affordable bullets
2) Easy to reload for
3) Excellent high BC bullets for target and hunting application
4) Short Action fit in a SA AISC mag with no front binder.
5) Available Factory ammo and brass components.
6) From 28-30" barrel with handloads MV is 3000+ fps
7) less recoil than true magnum calibers

Cons: Shorter barrel life than 7mm or 30 Caliber rifles.

Ballistics:
View attachment 1296657

Run that same velocity with the 150 smk.

 

[Beiruty]

The SA part is debatable. I think unless you want to jam the bullets, a LA is the best option. Especially feeding from a magazine. Not sure if your shooting a single shot or repeater but it's pretty close. I think around 2.950 is Hornady OAL length using the 147s but not getting 3100 fps. To achieve that, I think you'd need to handload and that would probably take the OAL out to over 3.1". Hornady factory 147 loaded ammo is more likely gonna be closer to 2900 fps

I load at 2.930" and with with no binder a metal MDT mag can can accommodate 2.960".
MV is from 30" barrel. Real labradar MV was 3095-3113 fps.

 

[darkangel_r2]

I load at 2.930" and with with no binder a metal MDT mag can can accommodate 2.960".
MV is from 30" barrel. Real labradar MV was 3095-3113 fps.

View attachment 1296669

been curious about those 145s. How do they shoot? Have you trued up a bc for them at range?

 

[Beiruty]

been curious about those 145s. How do they shoot? Have you trued up a bc for them at range?

Shot very well 5" target at 966 yards first shot hit.
G7 BC in my rifle is 0.353

 

[Geezedtee]

The SA part is debatable. I think unless you want to jam the bullets, a LA is the best option. Especially feeding from a magazine. Not sure if your shooting a single shot or repeater but it's pretty close. I think around 2.950 is Hornady OAL length using the 147s but not getting 3100 fps. To achieve that, I think you'd need to handload and that would probably take the OAL out to over 3.1". Hornady factory 147 loaded ammo is more likely gonna be closer to 2900 fps

Got to agree with you regards SA. I'm reloading for my friends Bergara 6.5prc using 140gr Hornady SST. We can only match the COAL of the Hornady 143 ELD-X factory ammo because the magazine precludes seating the SST bullet out further. Seating the bullet out further also restricts you to top loading single cartridges through the very small ejector opening in the action. The only way you can do this is by sliding the cartridge base in rearwards until the tip of the bullet falls into the action. A real PITA!