Anyone want to talk me out of getting 6.5 PRC?

[rabradshaw]

I have a Ruger M77 Hawkeye Long Range Target in 6.5PRC. It’s a hard hitting round. Not as accurate as my F-open rifles but acceptable accuracy. I mainly use it for tactical shooting, PRS steel, etc.
I’m using Norma brass, Retumbo @ 56.4 gr, Hornady ELDX 143gr, Fed 210. Bullet seated to 2.332” CBTO. Primer seated .002” below flush. This gets me 2863fps with an ES of 10 and a SD of 3.9.
I anneal after every firing, trim/chamfer/debur on a Lock-n-load case prep center. Full length sizing die with a neck bushing and RCBS competition seater die with micrometer top. Shoulders bumped .002”.
3 shot group at 100 yards is ,24” with a .1 mean radius.

 

[rabradshaw]

Also, I’ve never had clickers or problems with sizing my brass. RCBS Competition full length sizing due. Not taking away from those that have, just been lucky I guess because I sure don’t have all the answers….
I have nothing bad to say about the 6.5PRC. Hard hitting, pretty flat shooting. I’d use it to hunt just about anything in North America.

 

[Tangent]

I have a Ruger M77 Hawkeye Long Range Target in 6.5PRC. It’s a hard hitting round. Not as accurate as my F-open rifles but acceptable accuracy. I mainly use it for tactical shooting, PRS steel, etc.
I’m using Norma brass, Retumbo @ 56.4 gr, Hornady ELDX 143gr, Fed 210. Bullet seated to 2.332” CBTO. Primer seated .002” below flush. This gets me 2863fps with an ES of 10 and a SD of 3.9.
I anneal after every firing, trim/chamfer/debur on a Lock-n-load case prep center. Full length sizing die with a neck bushing and RCBS competition seater die with micrometer top. Shoulders bumped .002”.
3 shot group at 100 yards is ,24” with a .1 mean radius.

When you say "not as accurate as your F-Open rifles", is that down to the rifles or the cartridge? I'm thinking of 6.5 PRC for long range use, nothing too serious but more accuracy is never a bad thing.

 

[rabradshaw]

When you say "not as accurate as your F-Open rifles", is that down to the rifles or the cartridge? I'm thinking of 6.5 PRC for long range use, nothing too serious but more accuracy is never a bad thing.

I think it’s the rifle. The 6.5PRC has the ballistics and potential to be as accurate as most commonly used F class cartridges. My platform is just not the same as a custom F class rifle. I have a factory Ruger, shooting from a MDT bipod, and the only upgrade is an EC Tuner Brake. My F class is a Borden action, Bartlein barrel, bedded, EC Tuner, Bix n Andy trigger, and shooting from a rest.
I also think the glass has some input. My Ruger has a 1st focal plane reticle, the stadia lines grow and at long ranges they can actually cover the target which doesn’t allow for as precise of a lay on target.

 

[Tangent]

I think it’s the rifle. The 6.5PRC has the ballistics and potential to be as accurate as most commonly used F class cartridges used. My platform is just not the same as a custom F class rifle. I have a factory Ruger, shooting from a MDT bipod, and the only upgrade is an EC Tuner Brake. My F class is a Borden action, Bartlein barrel, bedded, EC Tuner, Bix n Andy trigger, and shooting from a rest.
I also think the glass has some input. My Ruger has a 1st focal plane reticle, the stadia lines grow and at long ranges they can actually cover the target which doesn’t allow for as precise of a lay on target.

That makes sense. I've learnt over time about the differences between factory and custom. I was very confused for a while, wondering why I couldn't get near the lands on a SAAMI spec .308. It's a Tikka, that is very good, but not the same as a custom rifle.

 

[rabradshaw]

That makes sense. I've learnt over time about the differences between factory and custom. I was very confused for a while, wondering why I couldn't get near the lands on a SAAMI spec .308. It's a Tikka, that is very good, but not the same as a custom rifle.

It also comes down to what your purpose is… if I’m shooting steel where any hit on steel is a hit then the Ruger is the way to go. Ease of mobility, ability to range with the scope, magazine fed, etc.
If I’m shooting for points where 1 point dropped can move you 8 places down then I’m gonna shoot the F class gun.
In the end it’s always about the MONEY. LOL
If anyone ever tells you it’s NOT about the money, they just lied to you.

 

[Tangent]

It also comes down to what your purpose is… if I’m shooting steel where any hit on steel is a hit then the Ruger is the way to go. Ease of mobility, ability to range with the scope, magazine fed, etc.
If I’m shooting for points where 1 point dropped can move you 8 places down then I’m gonna shoot the F class gun.
In the end it’s always about the MONEY. LOL
If anyone ever tells you it’s NOT about the money, they just lied to you.

Very true. It's why, in my opinion, Hornady were smart with the 6.5CM and PRC's. Give the average shooter a better factory option, which is where the sales are. The main reason I don't have a custom rifle is not because I don't think they're better, they just start from three times the cost of a factory here. I'm looking at a Tikka 6.5PRC Supervarmint, not cheap but has lots of potential to play around with it as and when I can afford it.

 

[Mike Hightower]

Very true. It's why, in my opinion, Hornady were smart with the 6.5CM and PRC's. Give the average shooter a better factory option, which is where the sales are. The main reason I don't have a custom rifle is not because I don't think they're better, they just start from three times the cost of a factory here. I'm looking at a Tikka 6.5PRC Supervarmint, not cheap but has lots of potential to play around with it as and when I can afford

I think the Tikka is a great choice in a factory rifle. Some others may have had different experiences with them IDK? Just speaking from my experience where I've done load work-ups for some of them and owning one in 243 for coyote hunting. I've never had a issue getting really good accuracy out of them.