Rifle · SAAMI
6.5 PRC
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
- Introduced
- 2018
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Hornady
- Manufacturer
- Hornady
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 68.4 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:8
- Primer
- Large Rifle Magnum
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 65,000 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 1200 yd
- Max range
- 6250 yd
- Recoil
- 16–22 ft·lb
Introduced by Hornady
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 6.5 PRC. Parent case: .300 Ruger Compact Magnum.
Performance
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| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 6.72 | 0.264 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 7.54 | 0.297 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 13.10 | 0.516 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 30° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 13.51 | 0.532 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 13.51 | 0.532 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.27 | 0.050 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 6.91 | 0.272 | ≈ |
| Case length | 51.56 | 2.030 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 75.06 | 2.955 | ✓ |
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
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
21 reloading powders listed for 6.5 PRC, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
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
Lineage
Necked down to .264
Connected reference
History
Introduced by Hornady at SHOT Show 2018. Based on the non-belted .300 Ruger Compact Magnum case (itself a shortened .375 Ruger) 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 .300 Ruger Compact Magnum case.
- What are the best powders for 6.5 PRC?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 6.5 PRC include N550, N555, StaBALL Match, Reloader 17, among 21 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
- Secondary .300 Ruger Compact Magnum — Wikipedia (establishes .375 Ruger as grandparent, parent of .300 RCM) · parent_cartridge
- Secondary 6.5 PRC: Ultimate Guide — The Big Game Hunting Blog · parent_cartridge
- Secondary Behind the Bullet: 6.5 PRC — American Hunter (NRA) · parent_cartridge
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 84 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
