7-6.5PRCW load data

[Sandstorm]

You want a decent grouping at your specific distance 600 or 1000 yds with the least amount of vertical in your group. Whatever speed you end up with as long as your not pushing it too hard. You want something that has a fairly wide window if possible.

 

[EdHarley]

Think I found a node at 55.8gn of N555 with the Berger 180 and CCI 200. Velocity ~2930fps. I was going to do depth testing next. You perform those groups at 600 as well?

 

[Sandstorm]

groups at 600 as well?

Whatever distance you plan on using them in and the more distance the better for a more accurate data, I happen to have 500 and 600 available for testing.

 

[noahburleson1]

Think I found a node at 55.8gn of N555 with the Berger 180 and CCI 200. Velocity ~2930fps. I was going to do depth testing next. You perform those groups at 600 as well?

I don’t know if I will do a seating depth test or not because as long as I’m loading where the powder charge is happy this rifle consistently shoots 1-1/2” or under 3 shot groups at 600yds but if I was to do one yes I would draw a horizontal line on my target at 600yds and put some 2” orange sticker circles on that line spaced apart fairly even and pick an area where I have 2 or 3 groups in a row that are small without a change in elevation. On my other rifle that was more of a tactical rifle and didn’t shoot as well as this one I mostly tuned at 300yds.

 

[Fire Dog]

You want a decent grouping at your specific distance 600 or 1000 yds with the least amount of vertical in your group. Whatever speed you end up with as long as your not pushing it too hard. You want something that has a fairly wide window if possible.

I do wonder if you are getting enough information with only 3 shots.
I would be testing a minimum of 5 or even 10 to simulate a full string.
If they are still holding the verticals to a minimum then you can always work on the horizontal with tuning seating depth and barrel tuner.

 

[Sandstorm]

See my post #6
Granted some of them leftovers were sighter's and foulers..couple low shots,
but im happy with me waterline.
( 3 shots is plenty for me )

 

[Dbov245]

View attachment 1559979
Brand new 22” 9twist Bartlien carbon barrel. 180 berger, adg fire formed brass,
H4350, 9 1/2 rem mag primer
Bullets seated at touch BTO 2.433
Brass base to shoulder 1.646

 

[Sandstorm]

Id try and push them a bit more and see if you find a happy place in the 2850 area,
or work on seating depth, as ive found they like a bit of jump in my setup, otherwise a very nice start.

 

[G7BC]

I don’t know if I will do a seating depth test or not because as long as I’m loading where the powder charge is happy this rifle consistently shoots 1-1/2” or under 3 shot groups at 600yds but if I was to do one yes I would draw a horizontal line on my target at 600yds and put some 2” orange sticker circles on that line spaced apart fairly even and pick an area where I have 2 or 3 groups in a row that are small without a change in elevation. On my other rifle that was more of a tactical rifle and didn’t shoot as well as this one I mostly tuned at 300yds.

I stubbornly tried running mine in the mid 2900's for quite awhile because it shot so well there and wanted the extra edge on the wind. Tried multiple dies to keep the .200 line in check and various shoulder bumps, which helped but never fully solved the issue. Backing down on the powder charge / velocity is what ended up solving it. It still shoots awesome in the 2850-2900 range and has not hurt my scores at mid range matches. I do miss the extra speed tho... Lapua Brass, 32" Bartlien 8.5 Twist , 180 Hybrids . Am curious to see the results of the pressure test Barrel that Frank has over at Hornady.

 

[noahburleson1]

I stubbornly tried running mine in the mid 2900's for quite awhile because it shot so well there and wanted the extra edge on the wind. Tried multiple dies to keep the .200 line in check and various shoulder bumps, which helped but never fully solved the issue. Backing down on the powder charge / velocity is what ended up solving it. It still shoots awesome in the 2850-2900 range and has not hurt my scores at all mid range matches. I do miss the extra speed tho... Lapua Brass, 32" Bartlien 8.5 Twist , 180 Hybrids . Am curious to see the results of the pressure test Barrel that Frank has over at Hornady.

I just re-ran my powder test yesterday to try and find something down in the lower range. I didn’t go low enough to find the next node down and it was a little breezier than I would’ve liked but I just can’t deny the fact that this thing just wants to shoot in the 2950-2970 range. The clickers aren’t horrible till I start getting above that so I figure I’ll just deal with them in the meantime. See N555 600yd confirmation test below. I did also end up running a seating depth test just to see if there was anything there and the only thing I found out was that I’ve shot more 1-1/2” groups at 600yds with my original seating depth than I did by changing it so I stuck with my original seating depth.

 

[Slowrunning]

View attachment 1559979
Brand new 22” 9twist Bartlien carbon barrel. 180 berger, adg fire formed brass,
H4350, 9 1/2 rem mag primer
Bullets seated at touch BTO 2.433
Brass base to shoulder 1.646

What reamer and OAL?

 

[Dbov245]

Not a lot of difference in the groups point of impact.
At what distance were these shot ?

100 yards

What reamer and OAL?

jgs no neck turn, and 3.170

 

[Dbov245]

4 and 5 shot groups today

 

[Dbov245]

I will run seating depth test later this week.
Into and away from touch.

 

[meatbag]

4 and 5 shot groups today

What distance?

 

[Evan]

I just re-ran my powder test yesterday to try and find something down in the lower range. I didn’t go low enough to find the next node down and it was a little breezier than I would’ve liked but I just can’t deny the fact that this thing just wants to shoot in the 2950-2970 range. The clickers aren’t horrible till I start getting above that so I figure I’ll just deal with them in the meantime. See N555 600yd confirmation test below. I did also end up running a seating depth test just to see if there was anything there and the only thing I found out was that I’ve shot more 1-1/2” groups at 600yds with my original seating depth than I did by changing it so I stuck with my original seating depth.

Food for thought about running hot: your barrel life will be shorter. I had a 6.5x47 that loved to shoot the 153.5 Berger at 2820. That barrel was toast at 900 rounds doing that, even though the brass tolerated it fine. That said, 900 really competitive rounds is better than 1200+ rounds of struggling with mediocre results.

 

[Dbov245]

What distance?

100 yards

 

[noahburleson1]

Food for thought about running hot: your barrel life will be shorter. I had a 6.5x47 that loved to shoot the 153.5 Berger at 2820. That barrel was toast at 900 rounds doing that, even though the brass tolerated it fine. That said, 900 really competitive rounds is better than 1200+ rounds of struggling with mediocre results.

I started with a 6.5x47 and I couldn’t imagine getting 2820 out of it with 153 gr bullets That rifle tuned at about 2740fps with a 28” barrel and 139gr scenars. Brass was about the same as the PRCW as far as clickers starting about the 4th-5th firing but I think that was more to the sizing die for the 6.5x47 not matching that chamber. That barrel currently has 1448 rds and still shoots well for what that rifle is.

As far as the PRCW goes it seems like people have been getting 1,500 rds out of it running them 2930-2960fps but it won’t be long before I find out for myself.

 

[Evan]

I started with a 6.5x47 and I couldn’t imagine getting 2820 out of it with 153 gr bullets That rifle tuned at about 2740fps with a 28” barrel and 139gr scenars. Brass was about the same as the PRCW as far as clickers starting about the 4th-5th firing but I think that was more to the sizing die for the 6.5x47 not matching that chamber. That barrel currently has 1448 rds and still shoots well for what that rifle is.

As far as the PRCW goes it seems like people have been getting 1,500 rds out of it running them 2930-2960fps but it won’t be long before I find out for myself.

I do not recommend trying it. It was stupid then and now. There was no way it was less than 75ksi chamber pressure. I think the chamber and Peterson brass were very well matched, and the Borden action had really good extraction timing and leverage. I was using a 1ft drop tube to get all the powder in. Shot my first 3” 5-shot groups at 1000yds with that combo. I have since come to my senses and pursue more reasonable combinations!

 

[Dbov245]

I will run seating depth test later this week.
Into and away from touch.

My 100 yard depth test