Bumping the velocity of the very popular and already highly-capable 6.5 Creedmoor by up to 10%, Hornady’s new 6.5 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge) is sure to be a hit on the competition and hunting circuits. Indeed, the first two loads Hornady is offering are a 147 grain ELD Match and a 143 grain ELD-X Precision Hunter.
Hornady says the goal of this new cartridge was to take advantage of their Heat Shield bullet tip and their high ballistic coefficient 6.5mm projectiles with a “really intelligent cartridge case design.” It functions in short- and medium-length actions and is supposed to strike a nice balance between high performance and reasonable barrel life.
The Match load fires a 147 grain pill at 2,910 fps from a 24-inch barrel. That ELD Match bullet has a G7 BC of .351 (G1 is .697).
Precision Hunter in 6.5 PRC sends a 143 grain ELD-X bullet downrange at 2,960 fps. Its G7 BC is .314 (G1 is .623).
At the time of the cartridge’s announcement, rifles and barrels chambered for 6.5 PRC can be purchased from GA Precision, Gunwerks, Horizon Firearms, PROOF Research, Stuteville Precision and Seekins Precision. And that list is sure to grow.