6.5 PRC testing game loads

[Kent Goldings]

I’m working up game loads for 6.5 PRC using 140 gr. Nosler Ballitic Tips. The have BC of 0.509. Not as good as ELDX. But, they should have better terminal performance.

All I had to load them was done IMR 4831. The LGS had three pounds on hand last fall and I snagged it. It’s a magnum powder that can load both 6.5 PRC and 243 Winchester.

For comparison, I had a few score of Sierra 140 gr SBT Gamekings that I loaded last fall. For these, I used Reloader 25, while I still had some. The Sierra bullets have a BC of 0.490. But, the Reloader 25 provided about 100 FPS muzzle velocity. The result was nearly identical ballistic performance out to 400 yards.

I computed a maximum point-blank range of 350 yards for both loads with the rifle zeroed 0.8 mil high at 100 yards.

I had a lot of fun engaging targets at random ranges out to 300 yards with this zero.

Ruger M77 Hawkeye Long Range Target 6.5 PRC
Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 FFP mRAD

 

[meketrefe]

Those like very nice loads. These BTs behave similar to the sst and some vmax. Like always it depends on what you want to hunt and what distance.

 

[Xae289]

What barrel length is that in? Looks like a great load.

 

[Kent Goldings]

26 inches heavy contour.

I’m kinda hoping I have enough Reloader 25 left in the jar to load up some Noslers.