What am I missing - New Cartridge

[USAF Ret]

Started reloading here recently (going to test my first loads this weekend). I own 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmoor, 30-30, 308 and 270. Most of them the good old standbys and a couple newer, but not brand new cartridges.

Lot's of new stuff out there. Been looking. Something that has good knockdown power (elk size), flat shooter (maximum point blank out to 400) and recoil that is manageable. 6.5 PRC has caught my eye and seems to be offered in most rifles now.

Sold a shotgun, so I have about $900 to spend.

What do you think?

[Pathfinder45]

A 22 LR rimfire, a 30-30 Winchester or Marlin, a model 70 Winchester in 270 or 30-'06, a lever action rifle or carbine in the same caliber as your revolver. If you have those bases covered, then spend the rest of it taking your wife to Kauai, or spend it on your truck. Either one likely needs it more than you need another gun.

[USAF Ret]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder45

A 22 LR rimfire, a 30-30 Winchester or Marlin, a model 70 Winchester in 270 or 30-'06, a lever action rifle or carbine in the same caliber as your revolver. If you have those bases covered, then spend the rest of it taking your wife to Kauai, or spend it on your truck. Either one likely needs it more than you need another gun.

Wife is disabled and can't travel. Truck is just like I want it. This is my hobby and keeps me sane. I can reload at home and the range is about 15 minutes away. It is my stress reliever.

[bamaranger]

If you don't have a good .22, I'd sure think about getting one soon. I'm suspect of anybody who does not have a .22, or shoot one often. By "good" I mean adult sized stock, decent trigger (can be a bladed type), and capable of taking a full sized 3x9x40 type scope and not be out of proportion. The whole rig should approach the feel and balance of a centerfire. A CZ, the old Ruger 77/22 would be examples. You could mod a 10/22 to get there, but the stock carbine, which I have great respect for, does not qualify for what I am trying to describe. Neither does the old Marlin 60.

Of course a .22 does not meet the specs the OP describes. Fast & flat, hard hitting, but still manageable sounds a whole lot like a 7mm Mag to me.

[taylorce1]

Originally Posted by USAF Ret

Something that has good knockdown power (elk size), flat shooter (maximum point blank out to 400) and recoil that is manageable.

You already have a suitable cartridges for elk in your stable. The .270 with the right bullet will get your really close to your MPBR goal. The .308 is no slouch in the elk killing department. I also know a few guys that are quite successful with the 6.5 Creedmoor on elk.

Plus take a look at the data, the 6.5 PRC isn't a whole lot different than the .270 Win at 400 yards. If I were in your shoes, I'd take that $900 from your shotgun and put it in a slush fund for your elk hunt. Tags and travel expenses aren't cheap for even a cow hunt out of state.

If you just have to get the 6.5 PRC go ahead. Just don't expect it to kill elk any better than what you already have. I've chased a lot of rabbits down holes trying to find something dramatically better than the .270 Win. I found a few that knock the snot out of elk, but they start with .338, .35, and .375.

[GeauxTide]

Taylorce1 said it best. The 270 is outstanding WITH A PREMIUM BULLET. Brass for the PRC series is 3x the price.

[reynolds357]

Originally Posted by USAF Ret

Started reloading here recently (going to test my first loads this weekend). I own 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmoor, 30-30, 308 and 270. Most of them the good old standbys and a couple newer, but not brand new cartridges.

Lot's of new stuff out there. Been looking. Something that has good knockdown power (elk size), flat shooter (maximum point blank out to 400) and recoil that is manageable. 6.5 PRC has caught my eye and seems to be offered in most rifles now.

Sold a shotgun, so I have about $900 to spend.

What do you think?

The 6.5 PRC is definitely a legitimate long range hunting cartridge. It is easy to find pet loads and will definitely perform on game. I am personally a 6 5 x 284 Norma fan, but it and the PRC are close. If I didn't already own a mountain of 6.5 x 284 brass, I would buy a PRC.

[taylorce1]

6.5 PRC Hornady Precision Hunter 143 ELD-X

270 Win Hornady Precision Hunter 145 ELD-X


The 6.5 PRC nets you 19 yards of MPBR and 194 ft-lbs of energy MPBR. However in a full value wind you've drifted outside of the target radius by MPBR with both cartridges. The problem with MPBR is it only accounts for vertical and never windage.

[stagpanther]

Love is never having to ask why. Buy it and have fun! Inever pay attention to the "don't buy its" if I really want it.

[USAF Ret]

Originally Posted by taylorce1

6.5 PRC Hornady Precision Hunter 143 ELD-X

270 Win Hornady Precision Hunter 145 ELD-X


The 6.5 PRC nets you 19 yards of MPBR and 194 ft-lbs of energy MPBR. However in a full value wind you've drifted outside of the target radius by MPBR with both cartridges. The problem with MPBR is it only accounts for vertical and never windage.

A bit more energy out at the longer yardage with the higher BC bullets.

[taylorce1]

I didn't say the PRC wasn't the winner on paper. All I'm saying is you have elk covered, and 19 yards and 194 ft-lbs isn't going to make you not get an elk. I also said get a PRC if you really want it.

If you're a numbers guy, the PRC makes sense. I was a numbers guy for a lot of years, and only since my daughter started hunting decided that success in the field has little to do with those numbers. I still stand by if you you're serious about hunting elk, you're better off investing in the draws with your money than another rifle. If you want to dream about hunting elk, then buy the PRC and go to your local range.

[USAF Ret]

Originally Posted by taylorce1

I didn't say the PRC wasn't the winner on paper. All I'm saying is you have elk covered, and 19 yards and 194 ft-lbs isn't going to make you not get an elk. I also said get a PRC if you really want it.

If you're a numbers guy, the PRC makes sense. I was a numbers guy for a lot of years, and only since my daughter started hunting decided that success in the field has little to do with those numbers. I still stand by if you you're serious about hunting elk, you're better off investing in the draws with your money than another rifle. If you want to dream about hunting elk, then buy the PRC and go to your local range.

Much appreciated. Thanks.

[Ed4032]

You will have to reload for this caliber. No problem for you, but it’s scarcer than hen’s teeth.

[USAF Ret]

Originally Posted by Ed4032

You will have to reload for this caliber. No problem for you, but it’s scarcer than hen’s teeth.

There is a lot of Norma ammunition out there in the low 20s for a box. It is all target ammo. My concern, reading more, is barrel life for all of the PRC cartridges.

I really like the 6.8 Western, but it seems to have had a steep falling off and Winchester and Browning seem to be the only rifles offering chamberings in this cartridge.

[old roper]

There already talk about 6.5 PRC barrel life comparing it to 6.5x284. I build 6.5x284 and I knew about barrel life but still pain.

[Scorch]

Any of the new cool kid rounds are going to have ammo supply issues. If you want to be one of the poster children for the "don't be that guy" memes on the internet, then have at it and get one. You reload, but can you get enough brass to begin with?

You want a cool new gun (yes, there are lots of them), and you want to know who thinks what of the latest and greatest? Why? My advice is simple: figure out what you want and go get it. I always reccomend a good old figured walnut and blued steel rifle. Why? Because no one sits around the campfire at deer camp and brags about plastic stocks and matte black painted rifles. Just went deer hunting with my son a few weeks ago. He was carrying a lightweight carbon/kevlar stocked charcoal gray stainless steel Remington 700 with a Zeiss scope on it. Want to know what he admired and looked at longingly? My old Mauser 98 7X57 with a blued 24" barrel sitting in a AAA myrtlewood stock. My first rifle build, 45 years ago now. It was wow and ooh and running his fingers over it. Meanwhile, the high-priced, high tech bullet slinger sat there. Buy a custom wood stocked blued steel rifle, caliber doesn't matter. You'll be happier.

[ammo.crafter]

Similar experience with a handicapped wife for many years and reloading allowed me to do what I liked yet be close to home as well.

Elk out to 400 yards and manageable recoil may be problematic.

My first thought was a 300 Win mag with a magnaported barrel.
If you have a scope that you can swap out from another rifle would help keep costs down.
Have you considered a gently used rifle?

Goo hunting~

[USAF Ret]

Originally Posted by ammo.crafter

Similar experience with a handicapped wife for many years and reloading allowed me to do what I liked yet be close to home as well.

Elk out to 400 yards and manageable recoil may be problematic.

My first thought was a 300 Win mag with a magnaported barrel.
If you have a scope that you can swap out from another rifle would help keep costs down.
Have you considered a gently used rifle?

Goo hunting~

I have a gently used Model 700 Mountain Rifle in 270. Not sure it ever even had a box shot through it. It was part of a collection for an estate sale.

I have often thought of the 7mm Rem Mag with a port. Even the trusty old 30-06. I think I want to go one "umph" above my 270 and 308 and was looking at all the new kids out there, as one of the other folks on the thread said.

[USAF Ret]

Originally Posted by Scorch

Any of the new cool kid rounds are going to have ammo supply issues. If you want to be one of the poster children for the "don't be that guy" memes on the internet, then have at it and get one. You reload, but can you get enough brass to begin with?

You want a cool new gun (yes, there are lots of them), and you want to know who thinks what of the latest and greatest? Why? My advice is simple: figure out what you want and go get it. I always reccomend a good old figured walnut and blued steel rifle. Why? Because no one sits around the campfire at deer camp and brags about plastic stocks and matte black painted rifles. Just went deer hunting with my son a few weeks ago. He was carrying a lightweight carbon/kevlar stocked charcoal gray stainless steel Remington 700 with a Zeiss scope on it. Want to know what he admired and looked at longingly? My old Mauser 98 7X57 with a blued 24" barrel sitting in a AAA myrtlewood stock. My first rifle build, 45 years ago now. It was wow and ooh and running his fingers over it. Meanwhile, the high-priced, high tech bullet slinger sat there. Buy a custom wood stocked blued steel rifle, caliber doesn't matter. You'll be happier.

That is my Rem 700 Mountain Rifle and my Marlin 30-30. Both laminate wood and beautiful. Also have a Savage 6.5 CR in a Boyds gray laminate.

[Shadow9mm]

You know my vote is 30-06 with an good bc bullet.

6.5prc is interesting
6.8 western is a modernized 270 imho. Faster twist longer throat to shoot heavier high bc bullets. Waiting to see how it catches on.

300prc seems to be catching on.

Personally not a fan of magnum length actions or belted cartridges so no 7mm or 300 mags. But thats just me.

[2wheelwander]

No one has mentioned the Brownings with the BOSS brake. Though they don't make them anymore, good used ones are still on the market. Mine is a 7mm Rem Mag. Its incredibly loud with the BOSS brake on it, but recoil isn't bad at all. Being a reloader and wanting to work up loads this is right up your alley. Elk at 400 yards is a given. Ammo is too hard to find either. Buy some brass online and have at it.

[USAF Ret]

Originally Posted by Shadow9mm

You know my vote is 30-06 with an good bc bullet.

6.5prc is interesting
6.8 western is a modernized 270 imho. Faster twist longer throat to shoot heavier high bc bullets. Waiting to see how it catches on.

300prc seems to be catching on.

Personally not a fan of magnum length actions or belted cartridges so no 7mm or 300 mags. But thats just me.

I shot a buddy's Savage a month ago. No brake and it is a light rifle. I was surprised at the recoil, expected it to be more. But did start pulling my shots after a couple of rounds. May have been the barrel heating up.

[USAF Ret]

Originally Posted by 2wheelwander

No one has mentioned the Brownings with the BOSS brake. Though they don't make them anymore, good used ones are still on the market. Mine is a 7mm Rem Mag. Its incredibly loud with the BOSS brake on it, but recoil isn't bad at all. Being a reloader and wanting to work up loads this is right up your alley. Elk at 400 yards is a given. Ammo is too hard to find either. Buy some brass online and have at it.

Dream rifle is a BAR Safari with the BOSS system. They are going for ridiculous prices on Gunbroker.

[jetinteriorguy]

I’d look at it like this, whatever you decide get it based on a caliber that has a base compatible with a common caliber so the bolt will work with it. In other words, if later on availability is impossible you can just rebarrel the rifle for something more common and still have a useful rifle without anything but a barrel swap. I’d also recommend basing a new caliber on Starline list of calibers they make brass for. This way you know you can get a substantial amount of brass up front to assure future stock in case things get scarce in a short time span on a new caliber.

[Shadow9mm]

Great points jet. Never really considered bolt face, although i have considered shell holder size before for reloading purposes.