Why not try 6.5 prc in F-open
- Thread starter marchx
- Start date
Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
The 260AI with 140s does everything the 6.5prc does with less powder and decent barrel life. Put any 140 over 47-48gr H4831 and go about 3000fps with great accuracy. My current barrel has just over 1700 rounds on it and has only slowed about 50fps but is still giving me HM scores at 1K.
I would just run it and not worry about it there is way too much emphasis on barrel life these days. You shoot comp you are going to go through barrels you have to pay to play.
That is correct but as a lazy person I choose cartridges where I can buy box of brass and just load it.
Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
You can do that with the AI, fire forming loads shoot very well, too!
I just run the numbers
Running 6.5creed over 43.5gr of n555, 140gr hybrids in 30” tube I get 3331bar and get 2769fps
With 6.5 prc I can run it at creedmoor’s velocity and
Using the same bullet I get 2764fps over 43gr of n165 and 2954bar.
Of course I can go hotter and run 6.5 prc at 2881fps iver 51gr of n555, but still I get max pressure of 3274 bar.
So, I get over 100fps more and lower pressure than the creed and why on earth would my barrel life be shorter than the creed’s?
Running 6.5creed over 43.5gr of n555, 140gr hybrids in 30” tube I get 3331bar and get 2769fps
With 6.5 prc I can run it at creedmoor’s velocity and
Using the same bullet I get 2764fps over 43gr of n165 and 2954bar.
Of course I can go hotter and run 6.5 prc at 2881fps iver 51gr of n555, but still I get max pressure of 3274 bar.
So, I get over 100fps more and lower pressure than the creed and why on earth would my barrel life be shorter than the creed’s?
The 43gr n165 example should have better life than the 43.5 n555 6.5cm.
51gr is 17% more powder down the tube every shot, that will reduce bareel life.
51gr is 17% more powder down the tube every shot, that will reduce bareel life.
Steve Donlon
Gold $$ Contributor
Everyone I know that has a 6.5 PRC and a 6.5 Creedmoor gets better accuracy from the Creedmoor. And I think that will only get worse with a lighter load in the PRC. Because of your shoulder, I would forget the 6.5 PRC, the gain is not worth it with 144 gr. bullets. Maybe with heavier bullets, but then you have the recoil.
N powder is going to be harder on the throat. Do you have any H-1000, R-26 or Retumbo? Those will be way easier on the throat
Downloading the 6.5 PRC to 6.5 CM levels is rather silly. If you want to minimize recoil, 6.5 PRC is not the best choice.
Barrels are disposable. Any cartridge will perform best with a powder that maximizes case fill and has the appropriate burn rate.
N565 is a good powder for the 6.5 PRC with the 140 for class bullets. Mine runs in the 2950-3000 fps range depending on the exact bullet, with charges in the 58.0-58.5 gr range. This was identical to H1000, both in accuracy as well as ES/SD.
N165 would also likely work well. I can't comment on whether the barrel life would be different between the 2 of them.
Barrels are disposable. Any cartridge will perform best with a powder that maximizes case fill and has the appropriate burn rate.
N565 is a good powder for the 6.5 PRC with the 140 for class bullets. Mine runs in the 2950-3000 fps range depending on the exact bullet, with charges in the 58.0-58.5 gr range. This was identical to H1000, both in accuracy as well as ES/SD.
N165 would also likely work well. I can't comment on whether the barrel life would be different between the 2 of them.
swd
Silver $$ Contributor
I built a 6.5 PRC Open rifle for a friend quite a few years ago. Defiance action in a McMillan Kestros. It pushed 156 Bergers close to 3000 fps. It shot quite well but unfortunately life got in the way and he only shot 4-5 matches with it before he stopped shooting. It's been sitting in his safe for a long time. He intends to start shooting again some day.. I think it's a great cartridge and can be competitive. I believe the case capacity is very close to the 6.5x284 and would expect similar barrel life. I think you will find more success with 140 Hybrids than 144's. They just seem to be more consistent despite the BC difference.
@ marchx,..
There's nothing Wrong with, trying, a slightly Reduced charge of, N-165 and 142 SMK's or, 140-144gr. Hybrids to, see IF, you can find,.. THE "Accuracy Needed" at, the "Lower Nodes" and the Better Barrel Life that, You want !
The 6.5 PRC is, a very accurate Cart with, the Right,.. Bullet / Powder, Combo.
I'd try to, Keep the Velocity at, under,.. 3,000 FPS
Good luck, and let us Know,. If,.. you Try it !
There's nothing Wrong with, trying, a slightly Reduced charge of, N-165 and 142 SMK's or, 140-144gr. Hybrids to, see IF, you can find,.. THE "Accuracy Needed" at, the "Lower Nodes" and the Better Barrel Life that, You want !
The 6.5 PRC is, a very accurate Cart with, the Right,.. Bullet / Powder, Combo.
I'd try to, Keep the Velocity at, under,.. 3,000 FPS
Good luck, and let us Know,. If,.. you Try it !
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N-165 is one of the coolest burning powders available, along with N-160. I load N-160 in the 7-6.5 PRC and the barrel on my rifle has ~920 rounds on it. I scoped it after the last cleaning, and I saw the barest hint of fire cracking just before the lands. There's a bunch of life left in this barrel. My previous barrel shot better with RL-23, and the fire cracking was quite apparent at a similar round count, and it was done at 1,400 rounds.
@Idaho-Lefty that’s exactly what I am going to do. If recoil was no issue I would build a7prc, but unfortunately it is.
I am looking for a node provided I find accuracy I need at 2820-2900 area. At this speed with n165 barrel life should be decent.
I am looking for a node provided I find accuracy I need at 2820-2900 area. At this speed with n165 barrel life should be decent.
Estimated Barrel life of, a 6.5 Creed is,.. 3,000 to 3,500 shots.
Est Bbl life of, a 6.5 PRC is,.. 1,200-1,500 rds.
Guessing that, you'll get close to, 1,800- 2,000 Rd's,.. til' Bbl., goes South, w/ N-165 at,. "Normal" Steel Plate / Target shooting regimin's,.. "F Class",.. I Dunno ??? ( Probably NOT,.. so much ! )
Keep us posted on,.. Loads / Accuracy and Barrel round, count !
And,.. GOOD,. luck !
Est Bbl life of, a 6.5 PRC is,.. 1,200-1,500 rds.
Guessing that, you'll get close to, 1,800- 2,000 Rd's,.. til' Bbl., goes South, w/ N-165 at,. "Normal" Steel Plate / Target shooting regimin's,.. "F Class",.. I Dunno ??? ( Probably NOT,.. so much ! )
Keep us posted on,.. Loads / Accuracy and Barrel round, count !
And,.. GOOD,. luck !
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