6.5 PRC with Ramshot Magnum powder

[bluetick78]

I came across some Magnum powder recently and am going to load it with the 143 ELD-X. I was curious to hear any experiences any 'Sliders might have had with this combo?

 

[dirtytough]

@Justin Crossley used it a lot in a 6.5-06ai. I believe the non ai version is a lot closer to the PRC capacity wise but maybe he can give you a starting load.

 

[Pro953]

@Justin Crossley used it a lot in a 6.5-06ai. I believe the non ai version is a lot closer to the PRC capacity wise but maybe he can give you a starting load.

Interesting, I thought Magnum would be too slow for something with that capacity. I run it in my win mag with a 165 grain and 175 grain Barns and I still run a compressed load at times. I would thing you would run out of capacity with a PRC or 30-06 family case. Interested to hear more. Never thought of running it in my 270 might make for a fun experiment.


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[dirtytough]

I don’t know if it was compressed or not. I know he got good velocity with magnum and 140 grain Berger’s.

 

[bluetick78]

Hornady's load data shows it flinging a 143 at around 3050, and also being the slowest powder for the PRC. I'm waiting on a set of dies to show up next week so I can load some up. I've used Ramshot TAC and Big Game in various calibers with good accuracy and velocity.

 

[Justin Crossley]

My load for the 6.5-06AI was 64.5 grains of Ramshot Magnum. I was getting between 3050 and 3200 with 140 Berger VLD's depending on barrel.

The AI has a bit more capacity compared to the 6.5 PRC so I would expect you to hit max at or below 60 grains and velocity between 2950-3050. That's just a guess so work up carefully as always.

 

[bluetick78]

Thanks for the info, I was going to start down around 58 grs. Hornady shows 62.4 as max, but I've had issues in short action high capacity cartridges before with pressure signs 2 gr or more below max (270 wsm) depending on bullet length. If Nosler would get some data out for the 142 ABLR I'd try that too, but it seems like it might be a while.

 

[bluetick78]

I finally got some loaded up. Started at 57 grs of Magnum and worked up to 61.8. 62 grs gave a slightly flattened primer, so I backed down a touch to be safe. That load is averaging 5/8" groups at 100 yds and 3004 fps out of a 24" barrel. I'm happy enough with it that I'm going to use it for spring bear.

 

[Justin Crossley]

It sounds like you found a winner!

 

[bluetick78]

It took a lot of playing with seating depth and powder charge, about 75 rounds worth. If the Hornady Precision Hunter shot a little faster, I'd use that, but it's only shooting around 2860 out of my rifle.

 

[DaveR]

I just completed a ladder test with Ramshot Magnum powder, 147 ELDM, ADG 6.5 PRC Brass. I started at 58g and increased to 60.7g in 0.3g increments. I am at 4500 ft altitude. I had a faint ejector blemish on all of the brass. It never got worse, or got better. 1 bullet per powder charge. The primers never showed signs of excessive pressure. The rifle is a Bergara Ridgeback, 26" barrel. All 10 shots combined were just less than 1 moa.

58.0g 2996 fps
58.3g 3049 fps
58.6g 3026 fps
58.9g 3062 fps
59.2g 3084 fps
59.5g 3099 fps
59.8g 3134 fps
60.1g 3116 fps
60.4g 3109 fps
60.7g 3110 fps

A really nice flat node from 59.5 all the way to 60.7. I am not a reloading wizard, but this all looks really good to me! Any comments?

 

[dittydogood]

Sounds like you got a shooter, that’s awesome speed probably contributing to your barrel length, your node at 60.4 looks great and if you are getting consistency there I would just tune seating depth from there on out.
I just did a ocw on my savage 110 tactical, got up around 3025 with rl 26 and had a great node but no matter what seating depth I could not get them to group with my 156 Berger’s. I’m switching to 153 A tips and I’ll play with 135 a tips as well, and I have h1000 and a little rl26 to play with. How’s the temp stability of your powder?


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[DaveR]

I have read that the Magnum powder is good, but I haven't tested temp stability. I am far from an expert, but I don't know how much it matters relative to my shooting ability. As a side note, the day after I did the Magnum powder ladder testing, my local store received some RL 26. Now I have 2 good powders that I can use, depending on availability

 

[DaveR]

2 groups of 6 rounds each, alternating between Reloder 26 and Ramshot Magnum. The Magnum was a ton better. I've never seen this much difference between powders!

 

[bluetick78]

I heard great things about Rl 26 as well, but my results with it in the PRC have been pretty inconsistent. Ramshot Magnum has been awesome though. I'm working up a new load right now with Magnum and the 156 Berger EOL.

 

[GISHunter]

I just ordered some magnum powder and 156 Berger’s for my 6.5 prc. Have you tested any of your loads with that combo yet?

 

[bluetick78]

I haven't, I got sidetracked by an open bottle of RL25. Bear season has slowed down my reloading, but I'm going to try some Magnum with the 156 EOL and I'll post an update when that happens. Seems like it should be a good combo.

 

[GISHunter]

Didn’t draw my bear tag this year...... ugh. When I get out with that combo I’ll post how it went. Been focused on working a load up with h1000 and the 140 Berger elite hunter. Got to just under 1/2 moa but almost out of h1000 and it’s like finding gold these days.

 

[snopro176]

I just completed a ladder test with Ramshot Magnum powder, 147 ELDM, ADG 6.5 PRC Brass. I started at 58g and increased to 60.7g in 0.3g increments. I am at 4500 ft altitude. I had a faint ejector blemish on all of the brass. It never got worse, or got better. 1 bullet per powder charge. The primers never showed signs of excessive pressure. The rifle is a Bergara Ridgeback, 26" barrel. All 10 shots combined were just less than 1 moa.

58.0g 2996 fps
58.3g 3049 fps
58.6g 3026 fps
58.9g 3062 fps
59.2g 3084 fps
59.5g 3099 fps
59.8g 3134 fps
60.1g 3116 fps
60.4g 3109 fps
60.7g 3110 fps

A really nice flat node from 59.5 all the way to 60.7. I am not a reloading wizard, but this all looks really good to me! Any comments?

I did almost this exact test, same .3 increments and very similar results from my bergara b14 ridge. Ive been running magnum @58gr with a 127 barnes lrx and having a hard time changing because it's shooting so well but still doing some testing. I want to try rl26 but magnum is doing fine so..?

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[Tcorsini]

New user here… Has anyone worked up a good load with ramshot magnum and Berger 156’s in the 6.5 PRC?