6.5 PRC Build

Hello. I had a 7x7 elk at 550 yards this past weekend, and was cliffed out across a canyon. I couldn't ethically touch him with my .308, so I'll be in the process of building a longer range rifle this winter.

I want to build a 6.5 PRC. I'm hoping to capitalize on black Friday sales to buy a Savage 110, and I just want to verify a few things before the purchase.

If I buy a 6.5 creedmore (currently the best deal at cabelas), then I would only need to replace the barrel, bolt face, and firing pin. Is this a correct statement? Thanks!

If the savage that us on sale is the new style 110 it is a short action not a long action and will not work with the 6.5 prc

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I would go 7mm, 300 prc or similar. Personal preference.

A local listing to me has a 300wsm up for grabs, perfect donor for a 6.5prc.

I was under the impression 6.5 PRC would fit in a short action with 143gr bullets. COL is 2.950. I'm not interested in heavier bullets. A short action would be favorable if it would work. Can

Anyway, plan B is to find a used donor magnum rifle at a pawn shop or some place. How much is that 300 wsm Evlshnngns?

Are there any things to look out for when buying a used donor rifle for a build? Certain models to avoid?

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Melbatoast

I was under the impression 6.5 PRC would fit in a short action with 143gr bullets. COL is 2.950. I'm not interested in heavier bullets. A short action would be favorable if it would work. Can

Anyway, plan B is to find a used donor magnum rifle at a pawn shop or some place. How much is that 300 wsm Evlshnngns?

Are there any things to look out for when buying a used donor rifle for a build? Certain models to avoid?

Thanks!

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You are correct sir my bad lol. Just read a thread on accurate shooters

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From everything I've read the 6.5 PRC is a great choice!

I’m building a 6.5 PRC right now. Just sitting here waiting on my barrel. From what I’ve read and talked to guys is if you just want to shoot factory 143 grain rounds go with a short action.

I’m wanting to shoot the 147’s or 150’s and reload so I’m going with a long action just to be safe. Hit up some pawn shops and find a used 110 action. I’m seeing prices between 250-300 and have heard of people getting them for 180


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Also I’m looking at 7mm mags and 300 Win mags something that already has the magnum
Bolt face


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6.5 PRC will not provide even minimal energy for Elk at 550 yards (minimum 1500 ft./lbs, 2000 is better), it is listed at just over 1,300 ft./lbs @ 500 yards according to data on Hornady's website.

Recommend you go with more case capacity, and heavier 7mm boolits to get adequate reserve energy that doesn't require absolutely perfect shot placement.

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Originally Posted by tobnpr

6.5 PRC will not provide even minimal energy for Elk at 550 yards (minimum 1500 ft./lbs, 2000 is better), it is listed at just over 1,300 ft./lbs @ 500 yards according to data on Hornady's website.

Recommend you go with more case capacity, and heavier 7mm boolits to get adequate reserve energy that doesn't require absolutely perfect shot placement.

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Are you thinking of a creedmoor???? If so pretty big difference.... look at your ballistic charts. The PRC actually out does the 300 WM past 1000 yards. Not that I’m saying to shoot at elk past 1000 yards. But in my experience of elk hunting sense the age of 12 and guiding in Montana for 3 years is a PRC has absolutely plenty of energy to kill an elk at reasonable distance.

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^^^
I was incorrect in my velocity/energy (must have looked at a different one in error), but the end result is the same.


First, your chart above is for the ELD-M, which is a match target bullet, with higher BC than the ELD-X hunting bullet and therefore, better long-range performance.

The factory 143 ELD-X ammo posts a MV of 2,960 (which I hear is not correct), and at that- has 70 inches of drop and 1,417 lbs of energy at 600 yards, and 265 inches of drop and 850 lbs. at 1,000. (JBM Ballistics)

The .300 WM, with the 212 grain ELD-X, a MV of 2,850 has 71 inches of drop and 1,754 lbs. of energy at 600 yards, and 266 inches drop and 1,316 lbs energy at 1,000.

So, no- it does not outperform the .300 Win Mag under any metric, at any range. The Magnum matches it in terms of drop/drift, with far more energy at any given range.

"Adequate", perhaps. But it's not up to the Win Mag in a hunting application. Punching paper, or ringing steel- is a different ballgame, where energy is irrelevant and the lighter recoil is a big plus.

Not a big hunter myself- but many customers are, and they've always told me the above energy requirements for Elk (1500-2000 at anticipated max range) are what they need.

The 143 eldx is a fine cup & core bullet for thin skinned game like deer & lopes. I use them in my Creeds for both.
For elk there are a lot better 6.5 bullets. Bonded like Nosler's 142 LRAB or even the 140 accubond. There are several "high end" semi-custom bullets that might be better suited for elk & larger game.
The 7mm & .308 caliber magnums mentioned by Evishnngns will offer more choice in "suited to the game" bullet weights. In addition to decent trajectory.
IMHO

Personally I'd run a 300 prc. More energy at all ranges thereby increasing ones margin of error. But YMMV. Keep us posted! :)

I would love to have a 6.5 PRC. It really looks like a nice round!
I would have no problem using one out to 600 or so for elk. I figure 1200 ft/lbs for elk and 800 ft/lbs for white tail are my personal minimums.... but I have seen reports of people using a 6.5 Creedmoor taking elk at 800 to 1000. I would never do that, but shot placement is king. I have a 280 AI and a 7mm Rem Mag for my two elk guns, and I think I would feel comfortable at 700 with either of those with 162's if I really had to, but I would prefer not to.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Colton

Also I’m looking at 7mm mags and 300 Win mags something that already has the magnum
Bolt face


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Any luck with your 6.5 build??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tobnpr

^^^
I was incorrect in my velocity/energy (must have looked at a different one in error), but the end result is the same.

First, your chart above is for the ELD-M, which is a match target bullet, with higher BC than the ELD-X hunting bullet and therefore, better long-range performance.

The factory 143 ELD-X ammo posts a MV of 2,960 (which I hear is not correct), and at that- has 70 inches of drop and 1,417 lbs of energy at 600 yards, and 265 inches of drop and 850 lbs. at 1,000. (JBM Ballistics)

The .300 WM, with the 212 grain ELD-X, a MV of 2,850 has 71 inches of drop and 1,754 lbs. of energy at 600 yards, and 266 inches drop and 1,316 lbs energy at 1,000.

So, no- it does not outperform the .300 Win Mag under any metric, at any range. The Magnum matches it in terms of drop/drift, with far more energy at any given range.

"Adequate", perhaps. But it's not up to the Win Mag in a hunting application. Punching paper, or ringing steel- is a different ballgame, where energy is irrelevant and the lighter recoil is a big plus.

Not a big hunter myself- but many customers are, and they've always told me the above energy requirements for Elk (1500-2000 at anticipated max range) are what they need.

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Looks to me like you are incorrect on the velocity/energy in this post as well.

Here is the abbreviated JBM table for the Hornady 6.5PRC/143 ELD-X load at 2960fps MV.
Fields are Range (yards), Drop (inches), Drift (inches), Velocity (fps) and Energy (fpe):
0, -1.5, 0.0, 2960.2, 2782.0
600, -70.1, 19.9, 2108.5, 1411.4

If you can't kill an elk with that you are placing the bullet poorly. That numbers were calculated for 0 feet altitude, which is OK if you are hunting coastal elk. AT 7000 feet, where I hunt, the numbers improve to 56.1" drop, 2311fps and 1696fpe at 600 yards.

Here is the abbreviated JBM table for the .300WM with a 212 ELD-X @ 2850fps MV:
Fields again are Range (yards), Drop (inches), Drift (inches), Velocity (fps) and Energy (fpe):
0, -1.5, 0.0, 2854.7. 3835.6
600, -74.6, 19.2, 2076.2, 2028.7

While it is true that the .300WM can outperform the 6.5PRC using selected loads and ranges for both, and selected criteria, it is also true that the .300WM will require about 20% more powder and generate about 73% more recoil to do so. And you burn that extra powder and live with the additional recoil every shot you take, most of which will be at the range. (Granted, shooters using factory ammo won't care about power consumption.)

Not sure how many elk you've taken but I have taken 14 since 2000, plus others between 1982 when I started and 1999. Elk are not hard to kill but, speaking from experience, a poorly placed bullet won't guarantee anything, regardless of the "energy reserve".

The rifles and bullet weights I've taken them with include a 7mm RM/160g, .30-06/150g, .300WM/180g, .338WM/225g and .45-70/350g, from ranges of a few yards to 487 yards. Most would have died if I had used a .308 Win or even my .257 Roberts. Over the years I've watched people take elk with .243 Win, .25-06, 7mm-08, .30-30 and .308 Win and others. You seem fixated on 600 and 1000 yards but the truth is most elk are taken at much shorter ranges. In my personal experience, for those I've taken or have witnessed being taken, that means under 300 yards for the vast majority.

At the current time I'm building a Savage 110 to either a 6.5PRC or a .270 Win. Whichever way I decide to go, I'm not the least bit concerned about hunting elk with it.