Morning all I've just purchased a new bergara wilderness sierra in 6.5 prc . It has a 20 inch factory barrell . Has anyone any experience of 6.5 prc in a short barrell . Any pointers regarding suitable uk available powder primers etc would be appreciated. Regards Dave .
6.5 prc in a 20 inch barrell
- Thread starter Davsim
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Interested too as I’m planning a short barrel PRC.
It stands to reason that you want the bullet in the barrel as long as possible to get up to those high MVs people chose PRC for. That said, my view is that if you compared something a bit more mainstream like 6.5 Creedmoor, you’re still going to get a higher MV for same barrel length, albeit you won’t reach those awesome PRC numbers unless you had a 26” barrel.
The other concern is that the PRC case takes a fair bit of powder to fill, but in the grand scheme of things, it’ll only cost a few more quid to fuel than a Creedmoor would have.
I’m coming from an 18” .243 blaser which was wonderful to get in and out of the truck even with a mod. Hoping I can get a compromise and go 20” like you have although people are often advising they wouldn’t go less than 21” on a 6.5 PRC.
Bit of a ramble and doesn’t massively help you, but I’m keen to hear others advice, and keen to hear how your story develops.
It stands to reason that you want the bullet in the barrel as long as possible to get up to those high MVs people chose PRC for. That said, my view is that if you compared something a bit more mainstream like 6.5 Creedmoor, you’re still going to get a higher MV for same barrel length, albeit you won’t reach those awesome PRC numbers unless you had a 26” barrel.
The other concern is that the PRC case takes a fair bit of powder to fill, but in the grand scheme of things, it’ll only cost a few more quid to fuel than a Creedmoor would have.
I’m coming from an 18” .243 blaser which was wonderful to get in and out of the truck even with a mod. Hoping I can get a compromise and go 20” like you have although people are often advising they wouldn’t go less than 21” on a 6.5 PRC.
Bit of a ramble and doesn’t massively help you, but I’m keen to hear others advice, and keen to hear how your story develops.
I think powder speed is limited by max pressure; you’re pushing a relatively narrow projectile so the powder has to be slow enough to stop over pressure. Otherwise you’d need a big old lump of an action and barrel to contain it. Like I said though, a 6.5 PRC in a 20 barrel will still be faster than a 6.5CM in the same barrel. Just depends what you’re planning to use the rifle for. I’m not sure I’ll need that extra speed as I’m not shooting it miles
C h r i s
Well-Known Member
Correct, seems like a dumb idea. May as well use a 6.5 Creed and waste less gas.
To be fair I assumed the barrel was 24 " ,so lm just going to have to work with what I've got .If in the future it is insufficient for what I need I ll get it rebarreled .Until then I have the challenge of getting the best I can out of it . Thanks for all the advice so far lads keep it coming .
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To be fair, if you reload I still think you'd get 2900fps or so with the 20 inch barrel and I don't think you'd be pushing it to the extremes of pressure.
It’s certainly not pointless, but a bit like putting a 1.0L engine in a LWB Landy.
DG
I think you might struggle with a 20” tube and bullets on the “heavy” side. With a faster powder (N560 or similar) and sub 140gr projectiles it’ll be achievable.
DG
Other calibres are available which will give better performance out a short barrel than a 6.5 without the huff and puff of a PRC. The little PRC is essentially a 270 to us stalkers. You don't see many short barrel 270's, eh.
Of course you can do what you want but expect to pay for your minority sport when moving it on.
A short barrel CM is a particularly daft idea unless your stalking is at the closer ranges. It is challenged for velocity enough without lopping the end of the barrel off.
Of course you can do what you want but expect to pay for your minority sport when moving it on.
A short barrel CM is a particularly daft idea unless your stalking is at the closer ranges. It is challenged for velocity enough without lopping the end of the barrel off.
If you say so.
Overbore cartridges don’t suit short barrels as they necessitate slow powders.
A .308 would probably be as good, a .30 WSM would be better still. The wider bore allowing you to use faster powders.
Did your 18” .243 make 1700 ft-lb deer legal ?
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