6.5x55 or 6.5prc - Blaser barrels

[Blaser243]

I'm mulling over which to go for. Mostly for use on fallow and not crazy ranges, up to 300m.

Is anyone running copper bullets through a 1:8.66" Blaser barrel, and if so, how are you getting on? I'm thinking something form Virtus or possibly stick with the Fox that I use to good effect in various other calibres.

I can get a PRC barrel which is 1:8 for the same price as a new 6.5x55 but there is the additional cost of the bolt head to consider.

I'm thinking that if the 1:8.66 twist isn't an issue, then I can reload the Swede up to a modern pressure level if I need that performance (which arguably I don't!).

 

[Lateral]

Both are good cartridges, but the PRC obviously has the edge regarding energy, if you need it.

I've loaded the Barnes 127 LRX and they group really well in the std twist.

 

[rem284]

The prc will on paper out perform the x55. You might not really notice it though up to 300m that much. It depends on whether you want to use factory rounds or not. The cost to feed and how much food you are likely to consume. I have a 6.5-284, which is as near to a prc as you can get. I don't use it that often. I reload and don't mind the little extra cost to run it compared to the likes of a 6.5cm. It is very accurate and easy to use. It kills well

 

[Dorsettaff]

The Swede all day long! It may not "outperform" the PRC but the barrel will certainly outlast it. 140gr GMX/CX, 123 grain Fox, 140 grain SST...the venerable Swede will send them all with love and out to 300m not a lot in the UK will argue with it

 

[Utectok]

up to 300m it's irrelevant both will kill dear the deadest. 6.5x55 is more of a handloaders cartridge as you can get better performance than factory loads offer. PRC chomps through barrels expect a max of 1500 rnds of first class accuracy roughly half the life of a swede shot with decent home loads. Basically any modern deer legal cartridge will kill deer at 300m if you put the bullet in the right place I would argue a lighter load makes that easier and my swede kills the biggest reds dead at 350m no bother

 

[Blaser243]

Thanks all so far. No question, the Swede is a fine round, but focusing in on the original question - twist rates of 1:8.66" and copper bullets. I'm getting the sense that they will fly fine (although interestingly the Berger stability calculator doesn't seem to love the combination).

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

Thanks all so far. No question, the Swede is a fine round, but focusing in on the original question - twist rates of 1:8.66" and copper bullets. I'm getting the sense that they will fly fine (although interestingly the Berger stability calculator doesn't seem to love the combination).

Berger calculator is only for fully jacketed bullets, ie no polymer/aluminium tip.

Try using the JBM stability calculator with the bullets info including polymer tip and see what answer you get.

JBM - Calculations - Stability

jbmballistics.com

Most bullets info is available on their website inc polymer tip length!

Ben

 

[jon2]

Your brass will cost significantly less with the Swede and both will do what you want them to do.

I was thinking of a wildcat build myself until I checked out brass prices currently and then took a cold shower and thought better of it.

Can I afford it yes. Do I want to afford it no I don’t.

 

[gaza916]

I’ve loaded the 6.5 Swede with Vertus 110 copper in Blaser 1:8.666 with very good results. Also done the same with the PRC - the PRC is quite a significant step up in performance but, as other have said, up to 350m that wont make a jot of difference.

 

[Utectok]

Thanks all so far. No question, the Swede is a fine round, but focusing in on the original question - twist rates of 1:8.66" and copper bullets. I'm getting the sense that they will fly fine (although interestingly the Berger stability calculator doesn't seem to love the combination).

Yew tree tlr are fine and 1:8.6 is find the stability calculator that accounts for the tip measured separately

 

[jthyttin]

twist rates of 1:8.66" and copper bullets. I'm getting the sense that they will fly fine (although interestingly the Berger stability calculator doesn't seem to love the combination).

As a side note, with something you want to eat or sell, it's not necessarily optimal that the bullet will fly fine until the point of impact. You also want to bullet to track true during the terminal ballistics phase.

Terminal stability differs based on bullet design, but it never hurts to be on the "over stable" side of the equation.

I wouldn't fret over it in this case, members giving real life experience with the twist in question and certain bullet make and models. But something to keep in mind, if you only do theoretical comparison of options.

 

[Dorsettaff]

Thanks all so far. No question, the Swede is a fine round, but focusing in on the original question - twist rates of 1:8.66" and copper bullets. I'm getting the sense that they will fly fine (although interestingly the Berger stability calculator doesn't seem to love the combination).

All non toxic fly fine from my Blaser 6.5 x 55......Virtus, Yew Tree, Fox, Peregrine, Hornady, Barnes...all weights between 100 and 140 work without issue. Fox 123 grain is my go to

 

[zambezi]

Is anyone running copper bullets through a 1:8.66" Blaser barrel

Yup. I shoot a 120gr Barnes TTSX [30242] at 2780fps through my Blaser 6.5x55mm and it is both accurate and [in theory] ballistically effective out to 300m. Furthest shot I have made is 200m. I have not tested the 300m range and never intend a first shot at that distance anyway.

Barnes state TTSX expansion requires a terminal velocity of 2000fps and Strelok suggests that is the case with my load [666m/s = 2185fps @ 300m]:

 

[25 Sharps]

Thanks all so far. No question, the Swede is a fine round, but focusing in on the original question - twist rates of 1:8.66" and copper bullets. I'm getting the sense that they will fly fine (although interestingly the Berger stability calculator doesn't seem to love the combination).

I’m shooting 112 gr yew tree and 114 gr tipped through a CZ swede with similar twist with no issues, in fact accuracy is very good.

 

[Toohey]

up to 300m it's irrelevant both will kill dear the deadest. 6.5x55 is more of a handloaders cartridge as you can get better performance than factory loads offer. PRC chomps through barrels expect a max of 1500 rnds of first class accuracy roughly half the life of a swede shot with decent home loads. Basically any modern deer legal cartridge will kill deer at 300m if you put the bullet in the right place I would argue a lighter load makes that easier and my swede kills the biggest reds dead at 350m no bother

What kind of speeds are you expecting with a higher performance hand load?

 

[Utectok]

What kind of speeds are you expecting with a higher performance hand load?

I’m at around 3100fps with a 24” barrel and 114gn projectile (yew tree tlr)

 

[Toohey]

I’m at around 3100fps with a 24” barrel and 114gn projectile (yew tree tlr)

So will have fairly similar barrel life to a PRC then!

 

[Utectok]

So will have fairly similar barrel life to a PRC then!

Barrels schmarrells they all wear out eventually; the key is to enjoy doing it lol

 

[Toohey]

Barrels schmarrells they all wear out eventually; the key is to enjoy doing it lol

I am 100% with you on that one - Barrels are a service item!!

 

[rem284]

A lot of people will probably just fancy a change before they shootout a barrel unless they do a lot of target stuff