6.5 prc should I get one?

[308 sako]

I’m going to be submitting my FAC renewal soon, and I want to apply for a variation at the same time. I currently shoot .308 for deer, but I really like the look of the 6.5 PRC. Around 50% of my stalking is big, open-field fallow, with some sika as well.


The .308 is doing the job at the moment, but I’d like to start shooting at longer distances, as I currently try not to shoot past 200 yards. I’d also like the option of having a second deer-legal rifle.


Is the 6.5 PRC worth the plunge? I understand I’d be better off home loading for it, which is something I want to start doing anyway. Or should I just go for a more mainstream option like 6.5 Creedmoor or .270?

 

[steve19]

No idea on the deer side as not something I do. From I what I know about the cartridge it'll definitely do the job and shoots much flatter than creed.

I'm currently waiting for a variation for a 6.5prc. I do homeload and the advantage is ridiculous. Ammo cost for the PRC is nearly 3x the price of creed. Decent ammo is £3 a shot.

Also, barrell life isnt long, 1200-1500 shots. If it's for deer and nothing else then your laughing, if it's for target as well id go with the creed.

 

[farrieral]

Go for it!

I put in for one and subsequently purchased a Tikka Ace Game chambered in 6.5PRC for the same reason, open ground, big bodied lowland reds.

I was using a .308 with great success until then (even with its tennis ball like trajectory) but the difference in terminal performance with the PRC is very noticeable! Its a pleasure to shoot, flat shooting/bucks the wind very well and hits like a hammer.

My .308 hasn't seen any deer since the PRC landed, I'm thinking it may be off down the road before long! The only reason its staying is it such a handy, accurate little setup.... but I'm fancying a .223 dedicated foxing rifle now, rather than the .243 dual purpose setup I have currently... wants not needs

I'm not too worried about barrel life, easy enough to stick a new tube on it, especially being a Tikka. Ammo is steep, £55 per 20 143grain ELD X but again if it works I'm happy with the outlay.... I do homeland and I am working away on some lead free options in the background. Although my rifle shoots the ELD X factory consistently .5-3/4" groups so that accuracy is going to be hard to beat, hence I've not pushed the home loading for it yet!

 

[6pt-sika]

I had a 6.5 PRC I bought used it was one of those Savage package deals . It came with a box of ammo and a box of once fired brass . I massaged the trigger a bit made sure the barrel was free floated got a set of Redding dies and loaded up some stuff . Oh I almost forgot I took the package scope off it was some kinda 3-9 and replaced it with an Athlon 4-16 . Went to the range shot some groups at 100 yards and was keeping three shots under 1/2” . Killed a deer with the gun and then put it away . Some guy came in the shop looking for one so I went and got it and sold it to him to get my money back . I tried three bullets in the rifle Nosler 140 BT , Hornady 140 SST and Hornady 143 ELD X . They all shot very very well . I couldn’t find any faults with the cartridge but I’m not a Savage fan although I’ve owned more than a few of them . I will say the 6.5 PRC and the 6.5-06 are pretty much the same and my 6.5 Sherman Short Mag based on the SAUM case is just a skoosh more with about ten more grains of powder . Anyway having the 6.5-06 and the Sherman built on 700’s I saw no reason to keep the PRC in a rifle I’m not overly fond of .

 

[finnbear270]

Go for it!

I put in for one and subsequently purchased a Tikka Ace Game chambered in 6.5PRC for the same reason, open ground, big bodied lowland reds.

I was using a .308 with great success until then (even with its tennis ball like trajectory) but the difference in terminal performance with the PRC is very noticeable! Its a pleasure to shoot, flat shooting/bucks the wind very well and hits like a hammer.

My .308 hasn't seen any deer since the PRC landed, I'm thinking it may be off down the road before long! The only reason its staying is it such a handy, accurate little setup.... but I'm fancying a .223 dedicated foxing rifle now, rather than the .243 dual purpose setup I have currently... wants not needs

I'm not too worried about barrel life, easy enough to stick a new tube on it, especially being a Tikka. Ammo is steep, £55 per 20 143grain ELD X but again if it works I'm happy with the outlay.... I do homeland and I am working away on some lead free options in the background. Although my rifle shoots the ELD X factory consistently .5-3/4" groups so that accuracy is going to be hard to beat, hence I've not pushed the home loading for itIcouldn't improve any on the Hornady factory stuff

I found I was unable to better the Hornady factory 6.5 PRC stuff, very accurate, every strike was visible in the scope.

 

[Ali]

Go for it!

I put in for one and subsequently purchased a Tikka Ace Game chambered in 6.5PRC for the same reason, open ground, big bodied lowland reds.

I was using a .308 with great success until then (even with its tennis ball like trajectory) but the difference in terminal performance with the PRC is very noticeable! Its a pleasure to shoot, flat shooting/bucks the wind very well and hits like a hammer.

My .308 hasn't seen any deer since the PRC landed, I'm thinking it may be off down the road before long! The only reason its staying is it such a handy, accurate little setup.... but I'm fancying a .223 dedicated foxing rifle now, rather than the .243 dual purpose setup I have currently... wants not needs

I'm not too worried about barrel life, easy enough to stick a new tube on it, especially being a Tikka. Ammo is steep, £55 per 20 143grain ELD X but again if it works I'm happy with the outlay.... I do homeland and I am working away on some lead free options in the background. Although my rifle shoots the ELD X factory consistently .5-3/4" groups so that accuracy is going to be hard to beat, hence I've not pushed the home loading for it yet!

Interesting subject.
In your opinion how does the recoil compare between both .308 and 6.5 PRC ? (Obviously if weights of each rifle are similar).

 

[farrieral]

Interesting subject.
In your opinion how does the recoil compare between both .308 and 6.5 PRC ? (Obviously if weights of each rifle are similar).

I'm not particularly recoil sensitive and there is a big weight disparity between my two rifles.

My .308 is a light setup, 20" carbon barrel and my hand loads are a pretty spicy compressed load.

Where as the 6.5 PRC has a 24" barrel and now sits in an MDT XRS stock, so quite heavy in comparison.

Not alot in in for me, the .308 is a bit more snappy, and the PRC more of a push... if that makes any sense at all

 

[ColinBr]

I'm not particularly recoil sensitive and there is a big weight disparity between my two rifles.

My .308 is a light setup, 20" carbon barrel and my hand loads are a pretty spicy compressed load.

Where as the 6.5 PRC has a 24" barrel and now sits in an MDT XRS stock, so quite heavy in comparison.

Not alot in in for me, the .308 is a bit more snappy, and the PRC more of a push... if that makes any sense at all

I'll agree with this and say the PRC is more of a push than a snap.

I've also found Sierra Gamechangers in hand loaded 130gr to be very effective.

A bit harsh on Roe but great on reds.

I bought mine to cover clearfell out to around 400 yards and it hasn't disappointed.

 

[finnbear270]

Above is a Ronin build in ................................ Yup!, 6.5PRC.

And below is a "Re Imagined" Finnbear, In, Yup! 6.5PRC,

 

[farrieral]

Since we are sharing.... started life in the Ace Game chassis which was great, but disliked it for stalking... heavy and noisy due to the metal construction (at least in my head!).

Now in the below XRS and shooting very well... target dots is 1"

PRC felled a might fine D&G stag took, lardered at 110kg!

 

[finnbear270]

Since we are sharing.... started life in the Ace Game chassis which was great, but disliked it for stalking... heavy and noisy due to the metal construction (at least in my head!).

Now in the below XRS and shooting very well... target dots is 1"

PRC felled a might fine D&G stag took, lardered at 110kg!

What about that gap down @ 7 o'clock then? (Leg pull)

 

[Dave_45]

View attachment 459935 View attachment 459936View attachment 459937
Above is a Ronin build in ................................ Yup!, 6.5PRC.

And below is a "Re Imagined" Finnbear, In, Yup! 6.5PRC, View attachment 459939

Was that finnbear previously a 264 wm

 

[HonestJohn]

Your dog looks like he got out of bed too early

 

[Mike1979]

If you want one...get it ..simples

 

[finnbear270]

Was that finnbear previously a 264 wm

Yup,! Originally rotted out.
You recognise her?

 

[Scuffy]

Quite simply.... Yes you should get one.
Not used factory ammo in mine. Load a 120g BT to 3056fps. A tad explosive on Roe at 30m but effective out to 400m. Ive shot to 900m with it on gongs no problem. As said above, recoil not a problem.
Have now loaded my 308 down to use in woodland. Haven't picked my .243 AI up since having the 6.5PRC.

 

[finnbear270]

The one I have in the Oryx, shot to 1200 recently at Orion.

 

[farrieral]

Your dog looks like he got out of bed too early

That wee dog is a fecking machine! we'd pushed some cock pheasants out of that wood and as he's primarily a peg dog and worked on feathered game, he was quite interested in what they were up to, once he'd found the stag he wasn't sure what all the fuss is about!

 

[farrieral]

What about that gap down @ 7 o'clock then? (Leg pull)

Good enough for a farm lad from Mid Wales! I do not excel at shooting paper, too impatient!!

 

[si_b1979]

Since we are sharing.... started life in the Ace Game chassis which was great, but disliked it for stalking... heavy and noisy due to the metal construction (at least in my head!).

Now in the below XRS and shooting very well... target dots is 1"

PRC felled a might fine D&G stag took, lardered at 110kg!

@farrieral, how do you get on stalking with the 24" barrel? I'm looking for a 6.5 PRC myself and considered the Tikka Ace Game, but wondered if 24" barrel would be a bit too long for stalking, particularly if going through woodland/forestry. Although it would sacrifice some muzzle velocity, I was looking at 22" barrelled rifles. Thanks.