What cartridge for 1k PRS

[Rob01]

Unfortunately I thought so but figured I would put it out there.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Have you decided on a cartridge yet?

 

[The pilgrim]

Have you decided on a cartridge yet?

Leaning towards another 6.5x47 lap running 139g Scenars simply because I have dies etc…
Gone off the 6.5 Creed because every man and his dog has one.

 

[drop_point]

6mm Creed. Its the easy button. People pay too much attention to cartridge in this sport when their focus should be on technique. If you can't shoot MOA from all positions, there aren't many matches you won't fare well in.

 

[ballisticxlr]

If you're shooting PRS matches and you are planning to be competitive in the annual points race (this means 100-200 rounds per match, >20 matches a year, 10+ rounds per stage or more and under 2minutes to shoot each stage in, so barrels will heat up pretty hard. PRS is harder on barrels than other games with slower paced shooting like NRA Sporting Rifle and that has very negative effects on barrel life. With 6CM get ready for a barrel a year. That's the downside to that one. All of the serious competitors I know that use 6CM change their barrels around 1300rds and few make it a year on a single barrel without degraded performance in the last month or two. They also tend to push to max while reaching for >=3100fps with 108-115gr bullets which also super doesn't help with barrel life.

For more casual PRS competitors figure 8-12 matches per year with the same shooting pace and round count per match. 1300 rounds enough for about a year of matches at one a month and enough rounds to get a load dialed in but leaves no buffer between match seasons so you have to be Johnny on the spot with the new barrels which means always having a new one waiting in the wings. This is why I like .243AI, 6XC and 6SLR. The throats last a decent bit longer (from 1800-2500rds at match grade) which allows me to get out and do some practice with my match rifle and to test my loads regularly for MV drift or groups suggesting I need to chase the lands a bit and it means I don't have to keep barrels on hand. I've got a few months between the season ending and really "needing" a new barrel so I can start the next season with the barrel from last season if barrel delivery/setup takes longer than expected. At the same time I get 2950-3100fps very easily out of any of them with 115's. 6XC is easy to get 2200rds from on a barrel and the performance difference between 6CM, 6XC, .243AI, 6SLR is not enough to write home about. 6SLR you end up with .243AI performance but a tiny bit better throat life and much improved feeding. .243AI gets surprising barrel life but has feeding issues. 6XC runs about 150fps slower than the 6CM but that makes close to zero difference on the PRS course.

Really, it doesn't matter a lick which one you get as long as you decide with all the facts duly considered.

 

[drop_point]

Leaning towards another 6.5x47 lap running 139g Scenars simply because I have dies etc…
Gone off the 6.5 Creed because every man and his dog has one.

If you've got dies, there's no reason not to go 6.5x45Lapua.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

There is a really good PRS blog which includes a lot of data regarding all the different equipment used by top PRS competitors, including an article with the data on rifle cartridges:

Rifle Caliber – What The Pros Use

Welcome to “What The Pros Use” 2018 Edition! I recently surveyed the top ranked shooters in both the...

precisionrifleblog.com

There are several of these cartridge selection articles on the PRS blog going back to near the beginning of the Precision Rifle Series, so you can also see how the cartridge selection has changed over the years. 2018 was the most recent article I saw on this topic, which probably just means another update is coming pretty soon.

 

[Rob01]

To add to the 6 Creed considerations, there is no reason or need to run bullets at 3100fps. Actually a bad idea, other than barrel life, to do it as it adds recoil which is why people shoot 6mm to have less recoil. Load the 6 Creed at the 2950fps range and you will get much better barrel life and similar recoil to the smaller rounds.

 

[drop_point]

There is a really good PRS blog which includes a lot of data regarding all the different equipment used by top PRS competitors, including an article with the data on rifle cartridges:

Rifle Caliber – What The Pros Use

Welcome to “What The Pros Use” 2018 Edition! I recently surveyed the top ranked shooters in both the...

precisionrifleblog.com

There are several of these cartridge selection articles on the PRS blog going back to near the beginning of the Precision Rifle Series, so you can also see how the cartridge selection has changed over the years. 2018 was the most recent article I saw on this topic, which probably just means another update is coming pretty soon.

PRS is a sport where everybody chases the latest and greatest. The reality is the top guys will be at the top no matter what cartridge they shoot.

 

[darkangel_r2]

Had a quick look through so if this has been covered apologies.

Have a new Kelbly Atlas Tactical short action but undecided on cartridge, looking at either 6mm or 6.5 stables but there seems a lot negatives on the 6mm for spotting hits/splashes.

6mm BR
6mm SLR
243 win
6x47 lap
6.5 Creedmoor
6.5x47 lap
6.5 Super imp

These are all the cartridges I’m considering, I already have a .308 and 300 Wsm but figure you can’t have to many.

Advice appreciated.

This is for 110-115 gn in 6mm
131-135 in 25 cal
150-153.5 in 6.5mm

barrel life worst to best
6 creed 1600
6x47
25 creed
25x47
6.5 creed
6.5x47 2600

drop at 1k best to worst
6 creed 22moa
25 creed
25x47
6x47
6.5 creed
6.5x47 29 moa

wind
They are all within like a half moa of each other at 1k.

recoil
not enough.

I chose 25 creed for my next short action standard bolt face. With berger 135s and 131 black jacks available there is enough support for 25 that I made the switch. 25 creed was a nice balance for me gives up almost no wind and elevation with better barrel life than 6mm and fits 2.86 mags easily. Also can have large and small primer brass. And creed brass is everywhere.

If you are running metal mags with no binder you can fit all these no problem. If binders or pmags you can fit all but 6.5 creed with the new 150+gn bullets.

 

[6MMsteve]

Shoot exactly what the winners are shooting scope, barrel, action, bullets ,primers, powder, work on your skills take the rifle out of play

 

[Hegre]

I have only ever shot 6mm stuff and would never ever think of going to a 6.5mm in PRS. No need for it. I have never been screwed over by a light impact. Most of the targets are well within range to report a solid 6mm impact. If they are questionable the range will have flashers on the targets anyways

I agree. I shoot 6.5x55 in an STR and my wife shoots an Impact in 6bra. I would take her rifle any day over mine up to 11-1200Meters.

 

[SongdogHunter]

id had my 6 BR/ 6 x 47L/ 6 Dasher/ 243 BRK at on target past 1000 Yards. 6 x 47L shooting 95's at 3300 FPS makes spotting your own hits possible.

 

[Rob01]

6 x 47L shooting 95's at 3300 FPS makes spotting your own hits possible.

Not legal for PRS matches though.

 

[Beiruty]

A PRS rifle is not a hunting rifle
6.5 PRC with 30" barrel, 145gr Match Burners at 3200 fps.
Rifle weight 24 lbs
Reoil? What recoil?

 

[Dgd6mm]

A PRS rifle is not a hunting rifle
6.5 PRC with 30" barrel, 145gr Match Burners at 3200 fps.
Rifle weight 24 lbs
Reoil? What recoil?

That one especially isn't.

 

[69mach]

6cx is my go to. peterson brass is easy to get and very reasonable. dies and reamer can be bought off tubs website. i run coated dtacs and they are very reasonable in price when in stock. the 115dtac has a great bc for those 1000 yard shots.

 

[Ggmac]

6.5 Rem Mag Ackley . An oldie or 7mm/300 weatherby . Still have both .