6.5 PRC - Super Grendel

[Sticks]

(roo roo) Becky only qualifies as a variant insofar as she is a 6.5. PRC Being Precision Rifle Cartridge. Writers have referred to it as a Magnum Creedmore, as it's 29% more case than the Creed, but the 30* shoulder and launching the same pills....I'll refer to her as a Super Grendel.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]12905[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]12906[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]12907[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]12908[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]12909[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]12910[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]12911[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]12912[/ATTACH]

The two cartridges are the 6.5 PRC with a 147 ELD, next to our Grendle with a 123 ELD. The Bullets from left to right are 147 ELD, Nosler 130 RDF, 130 ELD, 123 ELD.

Becky's pedigree;
[h=2]Action[/h]

• Curtis Custom Axiom
  
• Wire EDM Bolt Lug Raceways
  
• 3 Lug Head
  
• 60 Degree Bolt Throw
  
• Rollerball tipped cocking piece to reduce drag
  
• Quick Release Firing Pin Assembly Removal System (Tool Less)
  
• Recoil Lugs Ground to .0001″ Flatness and Parallelism
  

[h=2]Bolt[/h]

• One Piece Design of the Bolt, Lugs and Handle
  
• CNC OD Ground on All critical features and dimensions
  
• Spiral Fluting
  
• Hand Lapped and Fitted to action
  
• DLC Coated
  
• Mini 16 Extractor
  

[h=2]Barrel[/h]

• Spencer/MPA Rifle Barrel
  
• 416RQ Stainless Steel
  
• Precision Gun Drilled, Reamed and Honed
  
• Pull Button Rifled
  
• Stress Relieved
  
• Hand Lapped
  
• Bore and Land Inspected
  
• Sheffield Air Gage Inspection to .0001″ on Bore and Rifle Land Variation
  
• Chamber is indicated within .0001″ or less – to the bore of the rifle
  

[h=2]Chassis – BA Competition Chassis[/h]

• Masterpiece Arms Tactical Chassis System
  
• Produced from 6061 Aluminum
  
• V-Bedding System with Additional clearance for Glass Bedding Action and Straight Section of Barrel
  
• MPA Buttstock with Adjustable Cheek Riser, Length of Pull
  
• Bag Rider
  
• Trinity Rail
  
• Night Vision Bridge
  
• Lower mounted Picatinny Rail
  
• 20 MOA Scope Rail
  
• Cerakote Finish – FDE
  
• User Locate-able Barricade stop system compatible (Barricade Stop Included)
  
• Built In Bubble Level
  
• Enhanced Vertical Grip
  
• Thumb Notch
  
• R.A.T. System Compatible
  

[h=2]MPA Muzzle Brake[/h]

• MPA Premium Muzzle Brake
  
• Direct Thread Attachment, User index-able (5/8-24 TPI)
  

[h=2]Trigger[/h]

• Trigger Tech - 18oz
  

[h=2]Specs[/h]

• Chassis Weight – 5.2 lbs
  
• Rifle Weight – 14.5 lbs
  
• Barrel Twist – 1:8
  
• Barrel Length – 26″
  
• Barrel Muzzle Thread – 5/8-24 TPI
  
• Barrel Profile – Sendero Profile
  
• Barrier Stop
  
• Front Bridge – Removable (Included)
  
• Coating – Cerakote
  
• Length of Pull – 13.75-15″
  
• Trigger – Trigger Tech
  
• Trigger Pull – 1-3 lbs.
  
• Magazine: AICS Type Magazine
  

I have 40 rounds down range (20 rounds sight in and break in), the 5 shot group that I put on paper was a .399 (bottom center) until I StoneHenged a shot and bumped it out to .683. The rest I stretched her legs with a quick setting on the Hornady app and took some targets of opportunity (Clay pigeons) at 300 and 780 (a whopping 4.5mils).

[ATTACH=CONFIG]12913[/ATTACH]

Hornady factory 147 ELD ammo was ugly. 96fps ES with an average of 2946 over 21 captured shots on the Lab Radar. The backblast from the brake I suspect kept knocking my LR off target. Same brake gave less recoil than any of my Grendle Horde.

I have 40 rounds loaded back up with RL-26 and 147 ELD. Shooting for a speed in the low to mid 2900s. I also did up some of those evil Nolser 130 RDF that I gave up on with the Grendles. Probably gong to be screaming along in the 3100s or more. Planning on taking her back out this coming Saturday - weather and work permitting.

[BCHunter]

Very nice, curious on how she does at longer distance?

[grayfox]

At 14.5 lbs..... a Grendel-elephant!!!
Bet it's a nice long range shooter.

[Popeye212]

I assume it won't fit into an Elander mag....

[ricsmall]

Sticks

When you get time I’d be interested in coal to lands with different bullets you have, if you don’t mind. Also, do you plan to try the Sierra 150’s? Interesting project to me, as I’ve been debating on building a PRC.

If you don’t mind me asking, who did the build and what was the freebore on the reamer? Thanks for any info. Great looking rifle BTW!!

Richard

[Sticks]

Very nice, curious on how she does at longer distance?

When I ran the numbers for the match that I shoot in Raton, the most I'll have to dial is 5.02mils and a full value wind at 885 yards was .86 mil. Stays supersonic to 1900y. Where I shoot locally I can get to 1800Y

Sticks

When you get time I’d be interested in coal to lands with different bullets you have, if you don’t mind. Also, do you plan to try the Sierra 150’s? Interesting project to me, as I’ve been debating on building a PRC.

If you don’t mind me asking, who did the build and what was the freebore on the reamer? Thanks for any info. Great looking rifle BTW!!

Richard

Don't know that I will get to any SMKs. MPA Designs the barrel around the 147, so I would presume the 180 reamer. After the next round of firings, I will keep a case to use for land measurement. Factory ammo is $1.63 per. delivered.

I tripped over the rifle complete on another info gathering journey down the rabbit hole, and at quite a bit below retail. When I drop a Grendel barrel on her then it will be custom with a longer throat for longer brass, and set the lands for the 130 class bullets (longer to the lands).

At 14.5 lbs..... a Grendel-elephant!!!
Bet it's a nice long range shooter.

All i have is a luggage scale, and fully dressed, empty mag, she comes in at 17.5ish pounds. Baseball bat of a barrel is not helping with that weight.

I assume it won't fit into an Elander mag....

We can be sure that the ammo will not get mixed up. And if I did accidentally manage to get a Grendel round to sit just right and get fired, that will be an interesting fire form.

[m796rider]

So those 2.955" COAL rounds fit into the AICS mag...? That's cool.

[bj139]

That's very close to 264 Win Mag ballistics.

[Popeye212]

Just got my American Rifleman mag today. Very good article on the 6.5 PRC. Question is why do they write the tests on uncommon and longer than "normal" barrel lengths. This one for instance barrel length was 28", come on man how many of us are actually gonna use a 28" barrel?

[LR1955]

Just got my American Rifleman mag today. Very good article on the 6.5 PRC. Question is why do they write the tests on uncommon and longer than "normal" barrel lengths. This one for instance barrel length was 28", come on man how many of us are actually gonna use a 28" barrel?

Popeye:

28 inches is about right for competitive rifles like High Power, F Class, and the Precision Rifle Series. I have a couple of rifles with 28 and 30 inch barrels.

17 pounds for a rifle made for Precision Rifle competition is very, very, heavy though.

LR55

[Sticks]

So those 2.955" COAL rounds fit into the AICS mag...? That's cool.

Yup. I did not look to see how much clearance, but they fit just fine, and the Grendel rounds stack nicely and feed as well - lots of room.

I plan on doing my first set of load testing this weekend. I have 30 rounds loaded up with RL26 and 147 ELDs. COAL is 2.950 3 rounds per .5 grain charge increase.

I also loaded up 10 rounds, 1 each charge weight with 130 RDF. Going to try a Ladder test and see what happens.

17# if of rifle would not be a fun Run & Gun match. Absolutely would not like to shoot more than one or two off hand. Balance point is just forward of the mag.

[bj139]

Can we post about any cartridge on 65Grendel even if not related to the Grendel? I have several other cartridges I could post about.
Here is an interesting picture.

[Popeye212]

Popeye:

28 inches is about right for competitive rifles like High Power, F Class, and the Precision Rifle Series. I have a couple of rifles with 28 and 30 inch barrels.

17 pounds for a rifle made for Precision Rifle competition is very, very, heavy though.

LR55

Thanks for the info LR1955 I now see the light... I would have to have a bigger freezer to build one of those.....

[LR1955]

BJ:

So far I haven't seen John care that much if someone posts about other 6.5mm cartridges that may not be related to the Grendel, like the 6.5 PRC for example. The 6.5 PRC is not a Grendel Magnum. It is not based in any way on the 6 PPC cartridge. Rather some Ruger short magnum type of cartridge. Two completely different cartridges.

That said, technically this forum is for cartridges based directly on the Grendel but since others have posted about various 6.5's here with no real problem, I don't see a problem either unless John says otherwise.


LR55

[Sticks]

LR55 -

If we need to close this thread, I have no problem. I don't want to overstep the subforum guidelines or start a problem.

There were a few other members here (New Zealand IIRC) that were trying the PRC out, and there is no dedicated forum for it, in fact not much on them yet at all. I thought I would start a thread where us Grenedel shooters that are also running the PRC could compare notes.

[grayfox]

I personally don't mind seeing a bit about it, out of curiosity mostly. It's too big and heavy for any of my needs, but for idle reading and chatter... seems ok.

[LR1955]

LR55 -

If we need to close this thread, I have no problem. I don't want to overstep the subforum guidelines or start a problem.

There were a few other members here (New Zealand IIRC) that were trying the PRC out, and there is no dedicated forum for it, in fact not much on them yet at all. I thought I would start a thread where us Grenedel shooters that are also running the PRC could compare notes.

Sticks:

I see no need to close the thread.

One comment about this cartridge that is somewhat interesting is that it was apparently designed for the events in the PRS or PRC competitions. Not the first time a cartridge was apparently made with a specific use in mind but not common either.

I read an article on it in the 6 BR forum and they go over all the different magnums and short magnums and extra short magnums and still don't understand why this particular cartridge exists other than to tap into the Precision Rifle interest.

So, why is it the heat?

LR55

[Popeye212]

I like reading about other calibers in the 6mm and 6.5 and the .224 Grendel wildcats. Now if you start talking about your Glock 9mm not so much.

[Swampfox]

That is a nice rifle

[grayfox]

Why the heat? Understand it is pointed at the long range mkt but my bet is Hornady saw a chance to make some $$$ on a new caliber, so they went for it.
$$$.
Capitalism all the way.