After a little over a year of testing loads we are finally playing with seating depth in the 6.5 PRC. Will our groups improve? There is only one way to find out...let's watch. Halfmilesniper Merch can be found at: halfmilesniper...
My 6.5 PRC shoots the factory match loads under .75” consistently. Reloads with the same bullets and H-4831 shoot .5-.75” groups when loaded to that same length. When I tested for seating length it opened up to 1” to 1.5” at .025 longer than the factory loads and .050 longer than the factory loads, but when I got to .20 off the lands it tightened back up. You might want to consider bigger steps…maybe .010 to .020 at a time. You might find another range that shoots even better than your longest test.
There is still a lot of testing to do. One factor I have to keep an eye on is the magazine...talking with the folks at MDT, because the mag is so long, they recommend loading as close to 3 inches OAL as possible for reliable feeding and at my longest, just off jam, I am at 2.995" OAL. 2.975" was still feeding reliably so I might have a little room to go shorter.
Due to the magzine I am running, which is an ACIS 3.175" magazine the folks at MDT advised that I load as close to 3 inches as possible to ensure proper feeding. The book OAL is pretty short compared to what I have been running.
@@Halfmilesniper I load 6.5 PRC for a buddy’s couple of rifles. They’re all book COAL. It’s worked well in both rifles. Everything from 120 ttsx, 140 Accubonds, and 143 eldx bullets have been accurate. Good luck with your search.
I honestly expected to see more difference, not sure why I did but I did expect more difference in group sizes, lol. The last group sure did, lol...but that could have been heat too as I was running it hot.
You shouldn't look at just group size, but also the trend looking at all the groups. You first group was lower and had vertical stinging, the next three were all higher on the same waterline and the last group strung again. I think .007 to .012 would be the node.
I tend to agree with you, and will likely give those two another try. For the next few tests I kept seating depth where it was though. I appreciate the input, thanks.
Im surprised you're loading so long. Everything I've seen said start at 20 thou off the lands. That's how ive done all my initial load development except my 6.5prc which is limited to factory mag length. I load that to the factory 147 eldm length that shoots well for me. Have you checked out eric cortina's videos chasing the lands is stupid part 1 and 2? Definitely some nice es/sd numbers you're getting. Looking forward to the next one
Hey there Eggbert, yes I have watched Erik's videos, I think they help explain why I had consitent groups across the 4 seatings...can't claim the 5th yet...not sure if that was due to the seating or due to heat as I was shooting way faster/hotter than I normally do. My mag length for that AICS magazine I am running is 3.175"...it is a very long mag so I can long long.
Next time! No worries Carbon, I understand that not everyone can make it everytime...good thing we have the reruns, lol. I really do appreciate you watching.
Always being curious how much difference will there be at 500yds & farther? It would be too easy to multiple by 5 since fps is slowing & other factors 🤔. Nice groups to help get a venison roast. Thanks. 👍🙏🇺🇸🎯
What camera are you using for the target camera ? Wonder if you were to put up a tripod with an umbrella blocking the sun on the camera if that wouldn't buy you a few more minutes? Just a thought as you seemed in more of a rush and not your normal relaxed enjoy myself at the range video
My target camera is a GoPro Hero7, usually directly in front of the target, an umbrella might get in the way. I might have to consider a small pop up, maybe that won't block or interfere with the target. I was definitely in a rush shooting this one, trying not to overheat the cameras. Heat and cold are murder on the cameras and batteries.
@@Halfmilesniper on the heat thats killing camera batteries my thought was if you had a tall enough bipod and umbrella you could have it 5 to 10 feet behind and off to the side now that also limits your time frame of the day when you can shoot as the middle of the day you wouldn't be able to use this idea unless it was in the way or pretty big or tall. If you are always using the same range you might get them to allow you to put up a sun shade down range as a permanent thing but almost doubt it though as government owned and operated facility most likely won't allow that as there is way to much red tape. Anyways just random thoughts keep up the good work
@@JeRKII all good ideas, but as you said gov't property I won't be able to make changes like that. Good thing the sun and heat only affect like 9 months out of the year, lol. I'm sure I'll figure out something.
What did you measure your jam as? On my howa 6.5 prc with 147gr eldm, I got 2.997" using the hornady oal tool. Edit: i just saw on another comment you said 2.995, so lines up with my result.
I actually only measured the OAL once after someone inquired...I have not been measuring by OAL for seating, or checking jam I have been measuring from the ogive to base for my measurement, which is 2.381". OAL measures out at 2.995" but can vary a lot based on bullet tip deformity etc.
That last group might have been affected by heat a little...I was running the gun hot trying to get this shot before the ambient heat killed my camera batteries.
What primer are you using in your loads? I’ve found BR4 to give me my best groups with a 2.955 col and that is with the 140 grain Berger Elite Hunting VLD. Lapua brass as well as Winchester brass seemed soft to me! I’m using 55.5 grains of H4831sc. Just got my garmin chronograph so I’ll see what velocity I’m getting but it’s so accurate.
Most of the time I am running some standard CCI large rifle, but I do have some Winchester large rifle and Federal large rifle magnum primers. I've never tried the BR4...I might have to though, hmmm.
