Load For AZ Elk - 6.5 PRC

[Benjblt]

An “average” of 500 is wild work.

Yep, over the last 3 years my average shot has been about 100. It’s worked out nicely. Big steep country does lend itself to long shots though.

 

[voltage]

Yep, over the last 3 years my average shot has been about 100. It’s worked out nicely. Big steep country does lend itself to long shots though.

The average client on a guided hunt cannot sniff 500 consistently.

 

[HuntHarder]

FWIW, I killed my last elk with the Berger 6.5 130 vld-H. Left a large exit hole and a short blood trail. Any of the bullets you listed will work just fine. I would choose the one that groups the best and still has enough velocity at your max range to effectively open.

 

[glock233]

An “average” of 500 is wild work.

My dad and my last 4 elk averaged 521.25. 702, 630, 618, 135.

It depends on where you hunt. Cross canyon stuff the shot is what it is.

 

[Benjblt]

My dad and my last 4 elk averaged 521.25. 702, 630, 618, 135.

It depends on where you hunt. Cross canyon stuff the shot is what it is.

Wild work man.

 

[GIS]

I have shot two elk and several deer with the 147 eldms in my 18" 6.5 PRC. H1000 has had great accuracy and velocity. I have some N565 but havent worked a load up with it yet because H1000 has been shooting so well.

The two elk were at 300 yds and 680 yds. The 147 performed as expected and both died within sight.

I have been very happy with the 6.5 / 147 combo.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

 

[satchamo]

I’ve hunted late rifle in AZ. The shots can be extremely tricky and long. I support finding a self imposed limit but I’d maybe add on a 100 to your number

 

[Benjblt]

I’ve hunted late rifle in AZ. The shots can be extremely tricky and long. I support finding a self imposed limit but I’d maybe add on a 100 to your number

Yeah, it's Unit 27 late rifle. I think there's a potential for some really long shots.

 

[glock233]

Wild work man.

Here’s what 143 ELDX does at a 2000 fps impact velocity. 702 yards broadside. Heart and double lung.

This is the exit side. The photo has some cutting but most of what you see is just the damage.

 

[Benjblt]

Here’s what 143 ELDX does at a 2000 fps impact velocity. 702 yards broadside. Heart and double lung.

This is the exit side. The photo has some cutting but most of what you see is just the damage.

That's some solid damage.

 

[Blake C]

156 berger
N565 powder
But anything 140g+ order 2800 is gonna be fine.
Putting holes in vitals....thats what kills

 

[S.Clancy]

Looking for a some feedback on a load for elk in my 21" 6.5 PRC. I've been using my 300 WSM but I want to use my 6.5 PRC. I've been hunting bear and deer with the 6.5 and been using 125 HHT's with N560 going about 3080 fps. They've been hammering everything but haven't had a chance to shoot anything at distance. Hammer touts they'll do the job down to 1800 fps which is about 700 yards in the environement I'll be hunting elk. I'm a little nervous about prooving that out.

Question is do I switch to 143 ELD-X's or 147 ELD-M's? I think I can get these to just above 1800 fps out to 750 and 800 yards respectively. We've hired a guide for our hunt and he noted that average shot is about 500 but could be out further. I wouldn't trust myself out past 750 at my current skill level and that would be under absolutely perfect conditions (no wind, solid rest). Will the 147's do the job on elk and down to what velocity? Am I better off going with the 143's?

So far I have a load for the 143's worked up with H1000 at about 2870 fps. I bought Retumbo and have some N560. I've heard that you don't get full benefit of H1000 and Retumbo out of shorter barrels like mine (21") and that powders like N560 are the ticket. Thoughts?

I shot this bull @656 yds with a 270 Win and 126HH, MV ~3200. Bullet hammered him. My brother shot a bull @600, same load, same result. If your gun shoots them good I say stick with em.

My personal limit with the Hammers is I wouldn't push them below 2000-2100 fps. But you can push them really fast if you want.

 

[Benjblt]

I shot this bull @656 yds with a 270 Win and 126HH, MV ~3200. Bullet hammered him. My brother shot a bull @600, same load, same result. If your gun shoots them good I say stick with em.

My personal limit with the Hammers is I wouldn't push them below 2000-2100 fps. But you can push them really fast if you want.

I think that's about 600 yards for me. That's probably enough distance but I'd like to be able to push it a little further.

 

[S.Clancy]

I think that's about 600 yards for me. That's probably enough distance but I'd like to be able to push it a little further.

What MV and altitude? Those .264 have significantly better BC and should be able to push them as fast as the .270, depending on the powder and barrel length.

 

[Benjblt]

What MV and altitude? Those .264 have significantly better BC and should be able to push them as fast as the .270, depending on the powder and barrel length.

Muzzle velocity is 3077. Steve said I could get the 125 HHT's in the 3400's but I never got close. After 57 grains I started to see some pressure signs on the case head. I hit a nice nice node at 3155 but I didn't want to wear my Peterson brass out or do something dangerous. I'm fairly new to reloading though. The BC is .265 G7. I've got a Seekins rifle with a 21" barrel. I'd be hunting anywhere from 6000+ elevation to in the 9,000's. . in December.

 

[S.Clancy]

Muzzle velocity is 3077. Steve said I could get the 125 HHT's in the 3400's but I never got close. After 57 grains I started to see some pressure signs on the case head. I hit a nice nice node at 3155 but I didn't want to wear my Peterson brass out or do something dangerous. I'm fairly new to reloading though. The BC is .265 G7. I've got a Seekins rifle with a 21" barrel. I'd be hunting anywhere from 6000+ elevation to in the 9,000's. . in December.

What powder are you using? My buddy gets 3400 with the 124's in his Seekins, maybe he has a longer barrel?

I just ran the ballistics quick, at 3100 MV, density altitude of 7000 and ambient temperature of 10F you hold 2000 fps to around 800 yds. That seems like enough.

Edit: Also, saw your unit. That will be a fun hunt. It's tough country. I've hunted deer there 3-4 times, most realistic opportunities are under 600 or really far. A poor hit in that country would suck.

 

[Benjblt]

What powder are you using? My buddy gets 3400 with the 124's in his Seekins, maybe he has a longer barrel?

I just ran the ballistics quick, at 3100 MV, density altitude of 7000 and ambient temperature of 10F you hold 2000 fps to around 800 yds. That seems like enough.

Edit: Also, saw your unit. That will be a fun hunt. It's tough country. I've hunted deer there 3-4 times, most realistic opportunities are under 600 or really far. A poor hit in that country would suck.

Yeah, I should be an awesome hunt. We'll see how it goes. I've hunted nasty country before. It's never easy with elk but I'm hoping we can get a packer to pack anything we kill out.

Using N560. What am I doing wrong with my inputs? Is the pressure? It's not shown below but my MV I plugged in is the 3077. I know if I go up in altitude it will get much better but I'm figuring for roughly worst case. If I get up to 9300' elevation I've got 2000fps at 800 yards if that is the only variable I change.

 

[S.Clancy]

Yeah, I should be an awesome hunt. We'll see how it goes. I've hunted nasty country before. It's never easy with elk but I'm hoping we can get a packer to pack anything we kill out.

Using N560. What am I doing wrong with my inputs? Is the pressure? It's not shown below but my MV I plugged in is the 3077. I know if I go up in altitude it will get much better but I'm figuring for roughly worst case. If I get up to 9300' elevation I've got 2000fps at 800 yards if that is the only variable I change.
View attachment 1046135

I don't think it's correcting appropriately for altitude. I just correct pressure for altitude instead of entering both variables.

And I would strongly recommend getting a packer lined up for that unit. It's difficult to describe how difficult that country can be.

 

[Benjblt]

And I would strongly recommend getting a packer lined up for that unit. It's difficult to describe how difficult that country can be.

We're looking at Kym Johnson to help us out with packing.

 

[hereinaz]

Berger hunting bullets perform well down to 1800 fps. I have seen them and the ELDx and ELDm do excellent work. I really liked the Berger 140 VLDh when they hadn't released as many bullets. They always shot well for me and consistently out of 6.5 creeds.

In some spots, when the wind is dead calm at last light, you can put the long range bullets to work on elk.