Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Guns N Gear 6.5 PRC question

I zero the rifle, which is usually 3-8 rounds, depending on the rifle and how close the chamber is to my laser bore sight. Usually 3 rounds. Then, I shoot a few more for group size/ammo test. After that, I will use that rifle to hunt for a season or two. It either earns a forever place, or I send it somewhere else. Most critters die with one shot, and I kill 4-8 for the freezer almost every year, including hogs. 5 critters=5 rounds, plus 8-12 for the initial sighting and playing.

If you figure one full box, unless I'm really having fun on a long range target, divided by 5 critters, 4 rounds per critter average.

For me, it is. I can't speak for most on Aldeer, but I do know several others here that would fall into the same category. @Joshm28, for one. He's one of the few folks I know that I won't shoot against for money.

In the last 20 years, I have shot over 5,000 rounds out of numerous centerfire rifles, and I shoot an average of 2000 rounds per year of rimfire to stay sharp. If a rifle doesn't fit me, I don't buy it. Most rifles I do buy get a new trigger before a scope gets mounted. As a challenge from a buddy, I hunted my mule deer with a new, factory stock, Tikka. 358 yards, dead deer. That being said, I won't shoot at a game animal further than 500 yards, just because I understand flight time and don't want to chance wounding a critter that took a step when the trigger broke. Hogs, coyotes, etc., I don't have a self imposed limit.

My best 100 yard group is 5 rounds from a Remington 788 in 22-250 that could be covered with a dime. Exactly .28 center to center, less than .4 extreme spread. My .264 Win Mag shot 5 into 6" at 850 yards. These are hunting rifles, not target rifles. I also practice freehand/offhand, and have killed a deer at 225 yards, standing with no rest.

Based on this, I learn new rifles pretty quick, and I never accept "good enough", regardless of how much ammo or work I need to put into the rifle, even if I need to send it to a good gunsmith or have a custom load worked up. Some rifles are just picky. The ones that shoot great with factory ammo, mostly stay here.

I joke that I have been married to the same woman for almost 38 years, and am allowed no variety in that arena, so I get my variety by playing with new calibers. I have owned 2 different 6.5 PRC rifles, and sold both, as I really like the .264 Win Mag that I have, and neither did as well on critters as my .280 Ackley.

I'm running hand loads, but getting 3140fps avg out of a 24" barrel with 175g Berger ELH

The factory ammo, Hornady specifically, supposedly got way slower after the first rollout. What powder are you using?

From what I remember, Hornady changed their recipe but left the box data the same. I shot some and it was around 2800. From my notes, Federal 175eldx was the most accurate factory loads I shot. 3009fps avg. & shot a .64MOA group at 100yds.

I'm using 76.7g of N568. SD is around 4. consistently 1/2 MOA at 600yds, sometimes I'll squeak out a 1/4 MOA group.

Here is a 7 shot group from two weeks ago. 8-10mph gusts from my 8 o'clock. Didn't hold for wind, you can see the center 4 were between gusts.

Very nice. Handloading is definitely the way to go.

No kidding. Very impressive

Dang id forgot about those Lazeroni rounds and guns. I bet that thing flat out stomps a deer down.

On the business end..... You just aren't going to be impressed with anything over your existing 280 with a 6.5 PRC. That's just not happening. I've shot all the 6.5's for 40 years.

You need to look at Weatherby or Nosler calibers. You'll see a difference then.

What I am saying is .280 is pretty darn good. 6.5 anything isn't going to best it. You need to go the other way..... or give up and join Aldeer's very own .243 club. That option is always on the table as well.

280AI and even the 7mm Mashburn are kinda sweet rounds