6.5 prc should I get one?

[finnbear270]

@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.

If you are going 22" get a creed

 

[farrieral]

@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.

It isn't ideal thats for sure, I'm described as a flag pole by my stalking buddies, I'm already 6'4" so with a modded 24" barrel slung its a bit silly!

But I went with 24" to get the most out of the cartridge!

 

[Dave_45]

Yup,! Originally rotted out.
You recognise her?

I’m sure it was in Edinburgh rifles

 

[Scipio]

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 .

And the 6.5x65 rws too, maybe ? But yep, as to the TS question, it sounds like he'd be served well with a prc, or one of the mentioned equivivalents, or even other 30-06 case capacity catridges, shooting 7 or 6.8 mm bullets, like the 270, 280 rem or 7x64

 

[finnbear270]

I’m sure it was in Edinburgh rifles

Nearer Whitchurch.

 

[Mike1979]

Nearer Whitchurch.

Lol ...good old Mike N

 

[Dave_45]

Nearer Whitchurch.

I have a hankering for a 264 wm but sense will prevail and I’ll get a 6.5 prc when the 6.5 284 dies

 

[steve19]

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've shot both, tikka ace target in .308 and tikka ace game in PRC.
Im 6 foot and 15ish stone and I wouldn't say there was a noticeable difference.
308 was 155g and 24" barrell, PRC was 147g and 24" barrell.
Im guessing both loads had 42-44g of powder.

 

[Peakeyp628a]

I hope you are ok. I have a Tikka T3x in a 6.5 PRC. It shoots amazing I have a NLA load using Yew Tree NLA 114g. Very accurate and will clear any game/vermin as required. If you get one I would be happy to send you my load data. However if you do not home load get a 6.5 CM to save any ammo issues (geting it and finding the best ammo for your rifle). IMO. Loads of choice for a 6.5CM.

 

[Bowland blades]

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?

If you shoot 308 now a good shooter you can add another 100 yards on that to make a 300 shot - Once you have trained on all the common stances on steel and paper . 300 yards is not a handicap of caliber indeed double that to 600yards and train
We all like a new rifle though , just don't expect the new PRC to get you there , its just not how this works ! Learning to read and dope the wind will get you to wish of capability to 300 ( indeed its not all that difficult at all with some range time and a little helping hand )
243 win will get a trained shooter to 1000 ON PAPER with decent scores

 

[NullMac]

Any of them will do the job. I used to shoot 308 and 270 at Sika and Fallow out to 350. They all fall over if you know the range and can aim.

Never had a PRC. If you fancy one get one. It’s not going to fail.

It’s not really necessary though. You may well anchor things a bit more robustly if you put it in the right place.

270 and 308 are not really that different. 308 is a bit more loopy further out but you are allowed to aim. People sweat the marginal difference tooooo much.

I am currently running 65 Creed. The idea was that close in everything had enough power and a bit further out the 65CM has performance more like the 270 but is gentler at the shooters end of the barrel.

Seems to work fine. Can’t see any difference on the Sika. Their reputation as being armour plated is undeserved.

If you are going to shoot factory ammo though I think they are a bit stingy with the pooder, giving anaemic loads, and in that case I would go PRC.

It’s a nice loading but unless you are on a range it’s not really giving us anything we couldn’t get elsewhere.

LRF and shooting skills are more important

 

[Bowland blades]

Any of them will do the job. I used to shoot 308 and 270 at Sika and Fallow out to 350. They all fall over if you know the range and can aim.

Never had a PRC. If you fancy one get one. It’s not going to fail.

It’s not really necessary though. You may well anchor things a bit more robustly if you put it in the right place.

270 and 308 are not really that different. 308 is a bit more loopy further out but you are allowed to aim. People sweat the marginal difference tooooo much.

I am currently running 65 Creed. The idea was that close in everything had enough power and a bit further out the 65CM has performance more like the 270 but is gentler at the shooters end of the barrel.

Seems to work fine. Can’t see any difference on the Sika. Their reputation as being armour plated is undeserved.

If you are going to shoot factory ammo though I think they are a bit stingy with the pooder, giving anaemic loads, and in that case I would go PRC.

It’s a nice loading but unless you are on a range it’s not really giving us anything we couldn’t get elsewhere.

LRF and shooting skills are more important

Good Hand loading is certainly going to do more for accuracy than anything else

 

[One on top of two]

Got to love a PRC . Love mine to bits

 

[sako2506]

I hope you are ok. I have a Tikka T3x in a 6.5 PRC. It shoots amazing I have a NLA load using Yew Tree NLA 114g. Very accurate and will clear any game/vermin as required. If you get one I would be happy to send you my load data. However if you do not home load get a 6.5 CM to save any ammo issues (geting it and finding the best ammo for your rifle). IMO. Loads of choice for a 6.5CM.

View attachment 459992

I have a Tikka T3X in 6.5 PRC 24inch barrel and a Sauer 202 in 6.5 PRC 26 inch barrel going to be trying out some hand loads with the 114 TLR yew tree, if you would possibly be able to share any info of you 6.5prc yew tree loads you have tried that would be a great help, obviously i would start low and work up watching for signs. The seating depth is the importing part following speaking to Richard at Yew tree. regards
helpful point in the right direction, thanks

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Ammunition doesn't seem hard to find, it's not cheap though.

Regards

JCS

 

[Dave_45]

Any of them will do the job. I used to shoot 308 and 270 at Sika and Fallow out to 350. They all fall over if you know the range and can aim.

Never had a PRC. If you fancy one get one. It’s not going to fail.

It’s not really necessary though. You may well anchor things a bit more robustly if you put it in the right place.

270 and 308 are not really that different. 308 is a bit more loopy further out but you are allowed to aim. People sweat the marginal difference tooooo much.

I am currently running 65 Creed. The idea was that close in everything had enough power and a bit further out the 65CM has performance more like the 270 but is gentler at the shooters end of the barrel.

Seems to work fine. Can’t see any difference on the Sika. Their reputation as being armour plated is undeserved.

If you are going to shoot factory ammo though I think they are a bit stingy with the pooder, giving anaemic loads, and in that case I would go PRC.

It’s a nice loading but unless you are on a range it’s not really giving us anything we couldn’t get elsewhere.

LRF and shooting skills are more important

Great post.

 

[JoeChM]

I have one. I like it. I've not been disappointed.

As others say, ammunition isn't cheap. However, for me its a hunting rifle, not a target rifle. Ergo, with the cost of shooting being as it is, the cost of ammunition is a small factor in the cost of a day out.

Likewise, get a 24". I get 3100fps with 120gr Nosler E tip. They have been faultless on everything I've shot. Visually all strikes have been substantial and the cartridge has 'authority'.

The deciding factor for me was the ability to throw high BC long copper rounds. Not many .270s seem to have fast twist rates; the 6.5 prc does. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, but that was my experience when looking at most .270 offerings from well known manufacturers.

 

[Rafter]

Yes.

Asking that here is like walking into a bar and asking the assembled if you should buy a drink.

Go somewhere else if you are looking for someone to argue that buying a new rifle is a bad idea.

 

[Peakeyp628a]

I have a Tikka T3X in 6.5 PRC 24inch barrel and a Sauer 202 in 6.5 PRC 26 inch barrel going to be trying out some hand loads with the 114 TLR yew tree, if you would possibly be able to share any info of you 6.5prc yew tree loads you have tried that would be a great help, obviously i would start low and work up watching for signs. The seating depth is the importing part following speaking to Richard at Yew tree. regards
helpful point in the right direction, thanks

No problem. TBH it was had work to find the best powder I was so please when I managed to sort a good load. It was worth the effort.

Rifle - Tikka T3 - (22in barrel)

Hunnting Load

Powder: N165 - 59.9g
Brass: Lap 6.5 PRC
Bullet: Yew Tree 114g tipped
Primers: CCI 200 LRP
Max Mag length: 3.070
Measurement of the lans: 3.090
Coal: -0.050 = 3.040 (so a 0.050 jump to Lans)


I found that I could ask rich from Yew Tree any loading advice and he would help me to configure a hunting load for each my rifles he is well worth speaking to. I sent him a message on Facebook and he really helped me.

I have a big thing about buying British and supporting British companies and also if you find a good UK load/bullet you will always have a supply of bullets and you do not have to wait for imports fron the US etc.

I hope you get a load sorted. Let me know how you get on.

Regards

Richie

I have a Tikka T3X in 6.5 PRC 24inch barrel and a Sauer 202 in 6.5 PRC 26 inch barrel going to be trying out some hand loads with the 114 TLR yew tree, if you would possibly be able to share any info of you 6.5prc yew tree loads you have tried that would be a great help, obviously i would start low and work up watching for signs. The seating depth is the importing part following speaking to Richard at Yew tree. regards
helpful point in the right direction, thanks

I have PM'ed you.