Over a century after Scandinavia discovered the merits of 6.5mm projectiles, the United States has finally caught on. And just perhaps, the 6.5mm Precision Rifle Cartridge (6.5 PRC) is the finest all-around one. The 6.5 PRC is a short–action magnum cartridge that pairs the exceptional aerodynamics of 0.264-inch-diameter projectiles with an efficient not-quite-overbored powder chamber. The parent case is the .375 Ruger—also basically a .300 RCM necked down to 6.5 mm. In other words, it’s a factory-produced, SAAMI-approved ballistic twin to the 6.5 SAUM and similar wildcats. Formally adopted by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) at its June 2018 meeting, we are thrilled to introduce our hand-loads for this caliber now! Velocities run neck and neck with traditional .264 Winchester Magnum speeds and are achieved courtesy of the shorter, fatter, more efficient, effective, consistent-burning powder column. Pleasant side-effects of the efficiency are less recoil, better barrel life, and good performance in 24-inch barrels.
Thompson/Center and Hornady developed the .65 Creedmoor Ammo. The two gunsmiths came together to create ammo that would fit into the .308 Win and offer high muzzle velocity and length action. The 30 T/C was necked down to hold the 6.5 mm bullets, and this was how the 6.5 Creedmoor came to be.
The goal of creating the 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo was to maintain a 0.473-inch case head diameter. This feature allows it to run efficiently on the AR-10 platform. The developers also wanted ammo with light recoil for rapid-fire and to ensure shooter comfort. Finally, they wanted ammo that could use readily available components like powder for easy replication. With this in mind, Dennis DeMille and Dave Emary set out to work.
The result was excellent, and the resulting 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo delivered low recoil while still proving enough horsepower to drive a 140-grain bullet to a muzzle velocity of over 2700 fps. In addition, the 140-grain B.C bullets used resists the effect of gravity and wind deflection efficiently. As a result, it can provide a flat trajectory and enhance shooters' ability to minimize wind effects. You could also expect a muzzle velocity of 2,900 fps from 140-grain bullets.
With a 30-degree shoulder, the 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo offers good head-spacing, and the 0.285-inch neck offers an impressive neck tension. These design features allow it to become shooter-friendly instantly. Also, the 6.5 Creedmoor is excellent ammo for long-range targets. You can ensure deep penetration from over 1000 yards. It is used for hunting almost all games, including elk and moose.
