About 6.5 PRC
Table of Contents
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy want to talk about
6.5 PRC. This recent caliber has been growing in popularity like many the PRC rounds developed by Hornady. Our objective with this blog post is to provide a brief overview of the cartridge while delving into some of its traits and use cases. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
What is 6.5 PRC?
The
6.5 Precision Rifle Cartridge, or
6.5 PRC, is a cartridge introduced by Hornady in 2018. Hornady, a company well known for producing high quality precision rifle
ammunition, has been introducing new PRC cartridges in recent years. The company describes the round as the “big brother of the
6.5 Creedmoor” while boasting compact magnum cartridge performance. As a compact magnum, the 6.5 PRC sets itself apart from cartridges such as
.308 Winchester and
6.5 Creedmoor. The cartridge is capable of a high degree of accuracy and performance beyond the 1,000-yard mark. Essentially, the
6.5 PRC is a compact magnum cartridge which is incredibly versatile and can be appreciated by a variety of end users.
Who Makes 6.5 PRC?
Currently,
6.5 PRC ammunition is loaded by a number of notable companies. Hornady, the company responsible for the cartridge, produces a number of loadings. The company produces
6.5 PRC in their Match, Outfitters, and Precision Hunter product lines. Other companies such as Norma, Barnes, and Winchester also produce
ammunition in this caliber. These cartridges are produced in a variety of loadings, often specialized for use cases such as hunting and precision shooting.
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Is 6.5 PRC Good for Long Range Shooting?
One of the primary use cases for the
6.5 PRC is precise long-range shooting. This is a common trait of the PRC rounds developed by
Hornady. Many of the match loads on the market feature specialty projectiles optimized for long range precision and performance. These loadings will often feature premium projectiles such as
Hornady’s ELD,
Sierra MatchKing, and hollow point boat tail (HPBT) offerings. These type loadings will aid a shooter in accurately reaching out past 1,000 yards.
Can You Hunt With 6.5 PRC?
Like other PRC rounds developed by Hornady, the
6.5 PRC is also an effective hunting cartridge. The cartridge is capable of effectively dispatching big game. Game like moose and elk can be humanely taken with the right loadings. As always, it is key to utilize loadings tailored specifically towards the game you are hunting. This will ensure a humane kill and optimize your hunting experience. Many of the loadings optimized for hunting will feature specialized projectiles to best dispatch game. These will typically be in the form of
Nosler Accubond,
Hornady ELD-X,
Winchester Ballistic Silver Tip, and soft point (SP) projectiles. For hunters who need lead-free ammunition, they can seek loadings with Barnes TSX bullets or similar copper projectiles.
How Available is 6.5 PRC Ammunition?
As stated above, a number of
ammunition companies are manufacturing loadings for the
6.5 PRC. While the cartridge certainly has a good deal of support as far as manufacturing goes, the round is still not as plentiful as contemporary calibers. While one can find something like
.30-06 Springfield,
.270 Winchester, or
.308 Winchester at most places that sell ammunition, this simply is not the case with
6.5 PRC. One will have to look a bit harder when stocking up on this caliber as it is not nearly as common as its common counterparts. This isn’t to suggest that the round is unobtainable, just that a bit more effort may be required to get the loadings you want. This can certainly change with time as many new rounds tend to become more plentiful as their popularity grows and they become seen as viable. It is also worth noting that reloading components for the
6.5 PRC are also available if one wanted to roll their own. At the end of the day, if you want
6.5 PRC ammunition, you can certainly get it.
Is 6.5 PRC Ammunition Expensive?
Currently,
6.5 PRC ammunition is going to demand a premium price. This is mainly due to the fact that there is practically no generic
ammunition available for this round. A majority of the
ammunition available for this cartridge are going to be specialized loadings optimized for purposes such as hunting or precision shooting. These specialized loadings will also often feature premium projectiles tailored to these purposes. These can range from open tip match (OTM),
Nosler Accubond,
Hornady ELD-X, and
Barnes TSX projectiles.
6.5 PRC loadings will generally range from 140 to 150 grains with lighter options in the 120 to 130 range also existing.
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What is the Availability of Firearms in 6.5 PRC?
While the
6.5 PRC is a relatively new cartridge, it is seeing a great deal of support when it comes to rifles chambered in the round. Companies such as Browning, Sako, Christensen Arms, and Bergara among others currently offer complete rifles chambered in
6.5 PRC. These bolt action rifles are available in a variety of configurations which range from precision-oriented to hunting-oriented setups. At the end of the day, if you are in the market for a
6.5 PRC rig, you will be able to get one.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the
6.5 PRC is a viable cartridge which is growing in popularity. Availability of firearms and
ammunition are increasing over time as the round’s reputation continues to grow. The versatility of loadings available on the market make this an incredibly versatile cartridge which will fit a variety of uses. Essentially, the
6.5 PRC is a premium and versatile cartridge which affords a high degree of accuracy and performance to the end user. We here at True Shot carry
6.5 PRC in addition to the other offerings we have in our inventory. Whether you’re looking for some
6.5 PRC or something else, we have you covered. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
View our other blog posts about specific calibers:
