So, I did a far from scientific test, and dont have some of the particulars that yall are gonna want (im at work ill get water capacity of both cases when i get home friday). But I wanted to just bounce the this off THR to see if anyone has any ideas.
I have both a 6.5prc, and a 6.5-284. Same barrel lengths, similar barrel quality (the prc is actually a bit smoother, which may play a part in this). The enterwebz say capacity should be less than 1gr different, advantage -284 (Originally I thought it was more in favor of the prc)
I loaded up 20 rounds of both with exactly the same charge (which is what I worked upto previously in the prc, and got lack luster performance before abandoning) of RL-25.
Same CCI250.
Same 147 ELDm
Cases were hornady for the prc, nosler/norma for the 6.5-284.
COAL was 2.955 for the PRC, and 3.020 for the -284, which should have left them with similar internal capacity.
Shot both over my prochrono, with my Magneto speed attached. Velocity difference between the two was about 40fps, which is what ive observed before (just wanted to eliminate chronograph errors)
Im going form memory here, and ill update with actual chrono readings later.
PRC avg about 2775 (book list over 3K)
6.5-284 avg about 2950 (book lists 2900 at .2 lower charge, with a slightly shorter COAL)
Pressure signs on both (besides the constant ejector printing on the prc even with starting loads), were about average. No unusual case head marks, easy bolt lift, and primers with flat faces (less so for the prc) and rounded edges.
The 6.5-284 should actually be showing less pressure since the load is only about .2g over book max, and its .5 over book for the PRC.
Max pressure for the PRC is also about 7Kpsi over the -284
For reference ive run the PRC up to over 3K with the 147 and retumbo, just to see where pressure signs hit, and its WELL over book max, and again besides getting those ejector marks (which dont go away) there is no other signs untill bolt lift gets very slightly stiffer. The M18 has a short bolt lift which is very smooth, so any resistance is noticeable.
Im possibly attributing the ejector marks to the Hornady brass being a little soft. Ive fired the same cases 3 or 4 times each now tho, and the primer pockets are still good.
Accuracy from both guns is good to very good depending on how well im shooting that day. They both seem pretty forgiving with the 147s and changes in load weight/powder
Im kinda at loss as to why the PRC is so much slower/not building pressure.
Anyone have any ideas?
Honestly I do still need to get a box of factory ammo to see how that does, might try some new cases as well....Im not quite ready to write this rifle and round off yet.
I have both a 6.5prc, and a 6.5-284. Same barrel lengths, similar barrel quality (the prc is actually a bit smoother, which may play a part in this). The enterwebz say capacity should be less than 1gr different, advantage -284 (Originally I thought it was more in favor of the prc)
I loaded up 20 rounds of both with exactly the same charge (which is what I worked upto previously in the prc, and got lack luster performance before abandoning) of RL-25.
Same CCI250.
Same 147 ELDm
Cases were hornady for the prc, nosler/norma for the 6.5-284.
COAL was 2.955 for the PRC, and 3.020 for the -284, which should have left them with similar internal capacity.
Shot both over my prochrono, with my Magneto speed attached. Velocity difference between the two was about 40fps, which is what ive observed before (just wanted to eliminate chronograph errors)
Im going form memory here, and ill update with actual chrono readings later.
PRC avg about 2775 (book list over 3K)
6.5-284 avg about 2950 (book lists 2900 at .2 lower charge, with a slightly shorter COAL)
Pressure signs on both (besides the constant ejector printing on the prc even with starting loads), were about average. No unusual case head marks, easy bolt lift, and primers with flat faces (less so for the prc) and rounded edges.
The 6.5-284 should actually be showing less pressure since the load is only about .2g over book max, and its .5 over book for the PRC.
Max pressure for the PRC is also about 7Kpsi over the -284
For reference ive run the PRC up to over 3K with the 147 and retumbo, just to see where pressure signs hit, and its WELL over book max, and again besides getting those ejector marks (which dont go away) there is no other signs untill bolt lift gets very slightly stiffer. The M18 has a short bolt lift which is very smooth, so any resistance is noticeable.
Im possibly attributing the ejector marks to the Hornady brass being a little soft. Ive fired the same cases 3 or 4 times each now tho, and the primer pockets are still good.
Accuracy from both guns is good to very good depending on how well im shooting that day. They both seem pretty forgiving with the 147s and changes in load weight/powder
Im kinda at loss as to why the PRC is so much slower/not building pressure.
Anyone have any ideas?
Honestly I do still need to get a box of factory ammo to see how that does, might try some new cases as well....Im not quite ready to write this rifle and round off yet.
