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Rifle · SAAMI

6.5 PRC

6.5 Precision Rifle Cartridge6.5PRC

High-performance 6.5mm cartridge built for long-range hunting and precision shooting.

Caliber
0.2644″ · 6.716 mm
Introduced
2018
Case
Rimless
Parent
.300 Ruger Compact Magnum
Primary use
Hunting, Target, Competition
Status
Active
Velocity2,850–2,960 fps
Energy2,600–2,782 ft·lb
Typical grains140 · 143 · 147 gr
Identity
Introduced
2018
Type
Rifle
Origin
United States
Inventor
Hornady
Manufacturer
Hornady Manufacturing
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
65 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:8
Primer
Large Rifle Magnum
Case type
Rimless
Pressure & range
Max pressure
65,000 psi
Eff. range
1200 yd
Max range
4000 yd
Recoil
16–22 ft·lb

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Proof Research Match 143 gr, 2,960 fps, BC 0.368 G7 · 100 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd29592780-1.5″—
100 yd283225470.0″0.0
200 yd27082329-2.8″-1.3
300 yd25872124-10.4″-3.3
400 yd24681933-23.2″-5.5
500 yd23521756-41.7″-8.0
600 yd22391592-66.4″-10.6
700 yd21291439-98.2″-13.4
800 yd20221298-137.5″-16.4

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingDoubleTap DT Hunting147 gr · ELD-M · 2,960 fps · BC 0.357 G7Buy now →
Best for TargetProof Research Match143 gr · Hornady ELD-M · 2,960 fps · BC 0.368 G7Buy now →

Buy links open 6.5 PRC ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

SAAMI · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀6.720.264✓
Neck ⌀7.540.297✓
Shoulder ⌀13.100.516✓
Shoulder angle30°—✓
Base ⌀13.510.532✓
Rim ⌀13.510.532✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.270.050✓
Neck length6.900.272≈
Case length51.562.030✓
Overall length75.062.955✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 6.5 PRC is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 311 active loads across 38 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 311 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
BarnesVOR-TX LR LRX BT127LRX BT3,1002,7100.238 G7
Sig SauerElite Hunting130OTM3,0502,6850.271 G7
HornadyCX130CX3,0502,6850.295 G7
RemingtonPremier Match OTM130Premier OTM3,0502,6850.271 G7
BarnesVOR-TX LR127LRX BT3,0252,5800.238 G7
NoslerTrophy Grade AccuBond Long Range142AccuBond LR3,0252,8850.315 G7
BarnesLRX127LRX3,0002,5380.238 G7
FederalGold Medal Berger130Hybrid3,0002,5970.271 G7
LapuaScenar-L136BTHP3,0002,7170.293 G7
BergerElite Hunter OTM140Elite Hunter Hybrid OTM3,0002,7970.315 G7
BergerTarget140Hybrid OTM3,0002,7970.315 G7
BergerHunting Hybrid OTM140Hybrid OTM2,9752,7510.315 G7
NoslerAccuBond Long Range142AccuBond LR2,9752,7900.315 G7
LapuaScenar-L OTM136Scenar-L2,9702,6630.293 G7
LapuaScenar-L139OTM2,9602,7040.290 G7

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

11 reloading powders listed for 6.5 PRC, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

StaBALL MatchReloader 17IMR 4955StaBALL 6.5Reloader 19H4831IMR 4831N565Reloader 23Reloader 25IMR 7977
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in 6.5 PRC

12 models in the database chamber 6.5 PRC. Browse all →

Nosler Model 21 7mm PRC 24-inchFierce Firearms Carbon Rival 7mm PRC 24-inchChristensen Arms Mesa CarbonSako 90 Peak 6.5 PRCChristensen Arms MHRChristensen Arms Mesa TitaniumProof Research Elevation MTN Hunter 7mm PRCSako 90 Adventure 6.5 PRCFierce Firearms Carbon Fury 7mm PRCSako 90 Peak 6.5 PRC 22-inchWeatherby 307 Ridge WildernessWeatherby 307 Alpine MDT

Lineage

Immediate parent
.300 Ruger Compact Magnum · necked down from

ⓘ Direct parent is .300 Ruger Compact Magnum (necked down to .264); .375 Ruger is the grandparent, not the direct parent.

Direct descendants (0)
6mm PRC
Family TreeOpen 6.5 PRC in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads311 factory loads for 6.5 PRC↗Reloading11 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in 6.5 PRC↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Introduced by Hornady at SHOT Show 2018. Based on the non-belted .375 Ruger case necked to 6.5mm, giving substantially more powder capacity than 6.5 Creedmoor without a belted case. Quickly adopted by hunters pursuing mountain game and long-range shooters who need more than Creedmoor can deliver. The 143gr ELD-X at 2960fps became its defining factory load.

FAQs

What twist rate does 6.5 PRC use?
6.5 PRC typically uses a 1:8 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is 6.5 PRC?
6.5 PRC uses a 0.2644″ (6.716 mm) diameter bullet.
Is 6.5 PRC still in production?
6.5 PRC is active; typical availability is common.
What is 6.5 PRC used for?
6.5 PRC is primarily used for hunting, target, competition.
What is 6.5 PRC based on?
6.5 PRC is derived from the .375 Ruger case.
What are the best powders for 6.5 PRC?
Reloading powders commonly listed for 6.5 PRC include StaBALL Match, Reloader 17, IMR 4955, StaBALL 6.5, among 11 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 311 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →