6.5 PRC for plains game hunts?

[Johnny_2_Knives]

G’day brains trust.

I am wanting to hear from guys who have hunted plains game with quality bullets in the 6.5PRC caliber if I may.

I currently own a custom built 6.5 PRC that shoots single hole groups with Barnes TTSX and I really like this rifle but I am planning to hunt plains game next year and I am aiming to hunt Kudu, water buck, bush buck and a few zebra… the latter animal being the one one I’m most worried about.

I have had plans to build another gun in the heavier 7PRC as I thought the 6.5 might be on the light side, where as the 7 will have that extra thump. Obviously shot placement is key and any hunt.

Thanks in advance, from Australia,

Al.

 

[shootist~]

My South Texas Nilgai guide mentioned his wife took a Nilgai bull with a 6.5 PRC using Barnes 127 gr LRX. Complete pass thru. The Nilgai is a tough 500 - 600 pound animal - equal if not harder to kill than a BWB or Zebra. (I took mine with a 338 WM and 210 gr TTSX.)

Having said that, a fatter bullet creates a bigger wound channel and all the other usual caveats....You pays you money.

 

[pilar]

I don’t see a problem with a fast 6.5 killing , because the high sectional density let them punch above its weight class . But I am sceptical about a slower paced 6.5 like a CM .
I like the 6.5-284 Norma , 264 win mag , PRC , 6.5-300 , 6.5-06 , with a ttsx or Norma oryx

 

[ftrovato]

Good hunting bullets (140 grains or more) and I suspect it would work perfectly on most anything up to 800 pounds.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I used a 6.5 PRC on a plains game hunt in 2023. Warthog, Bushbuck, Impala, Blue Wildebeest.
All with good results and 1 shot kills. I was using Berger 156 Hybrid factor ammo.

 

[Happy Myles]

I used a 6.5x284 Norma and took ten head of plains game with ten shots. It worked pretty well, a few looked puzzled for a few seconds then collapsed. A Roosevelt Sable ran fifty yards, stopped put his head down and died.

 

[62flint]

I don’t see why you would have an issue. I have a 6.5prc and it does well with a 127 lrx.
Personally I would take a 30cal. But the 6.5 with the 127lrx and properly place shots will do just fine
How far do you anticipate shooting ?

 

[samson7x]

I’ve seen 3 bull elk killed with 6.5prc. All fell within 25yds. Bullets were 140vld and 143eld-x. You will be fine with it on PG.

 

[sureshot375]

I have a friend over right now and he borrowed my 6.5 prc for his son. It seems to have worked fine on gemsbok and impala.

That being said, 6.5 prc wouldn't be my first choice depending on exactly where you are going and the terrain/ vegetation. I don't think the terminal performance is a problem. I think the bigger issue is deflection with a light fast bullet in brush. I love a .375 for plains game in thick conditions. Short of that I would rather have a .308 or 30.06 with 180gr bullets. If you are hunting somewhere fairly open I don't think it would be a problem at all.

 

[Ndczerwinski]

My son and daughter used my 6.5 PRC last year and took a blue wildebeest, 2 blesbok, and an impala all with 1 shot kills.

We used the factory Hornady Outfitter ammo shooting the 130 gr CX copper bullet.

 

[Johnny_2_Knives]

I don’t see why you would have an issue. I have a 6.5prc and it does well with a 127 lrx.
Personally I would take a 30cal. But the 6.5 with the 127lrx and properly place shots will do just fine
How far do you anticipate shooting ?

I have shot this rifle out to 1k on the range and rang steel with it, hence why I am very confident in its shooting abilities, but was worried about the 6.5 bullets and putting heavy boned and tough African animals on the deck.

I’m planning to hunt Zim for plains game and it’ll depend on the time of year. I have another trip back to Namibia to the sourthern area I’m looking at specifically for a good, wide Kudu bull and those shots might be longer but I personally would not shoot further than 500m.

I have read and also see on on YouTube guys shooting the 6.5x284 on plains game to great effect and the 6.5PRC is a tad better on paper and again, shot placement and sturdy bullet design are paramount.

 

[62flint]

I have shot this rifle out to 1k on the range and rang steel with it, hence why I am very confident in its shooting abilities, but was worried about the 6.5 bullets and putting heavy boned and tough African animals on the deck.

I’m planning to hunt Zim for plains game and it’ll depend on the time of year. I have another trip back to Namibia to the sourthern area I’m looking at specifically for a good, wide Kudu bull and those shots might be longer but I personally would not shoot further than 500m.

I have read and also see on on YouTube guys shooting the 6.5x284 on plains game to great effect and the 6.5PRC is a tad better on paper and again, shot placement and sturdy bullet design are paramount.

The reason I asked was the 127lrx and 6.5prc is good to 500-600 yards. According to the ballistic charts for what that is worth. I shoot my 6.5prc past 600 also and It does a great job on sttel and paper targets. If i wanted to go farther on game or shoot consistently at 500yards I would step up to my 300wm shooting a 200+gr bullet.
Sounds like we are on the same page. I say run it and have fun. looking forward to the report and pictures.

 

[50Gunner]

Quite certain your TTSX load will do it all, but, noting your location, man some 160gr Woodleigh PP Weldcores at 2850 fps loaded over Ramshot Magnum or Grand powder would be some deep penetrating slug hole bullets.

Your limit of 500 meter max shooting would be pure cake, plus, your rifle would surely have the twist to keep them spun up tight and accurate.

i load that bullet over RL-33 powder in an old pre-64 model 70 Westerner 264 Win Mag, if that rifle ever made it to Africa, that's what I'd use on all plains game.

 

[Kevin375]

I have never had the opportunity to test the 6.5 PRC and I only saw one in 2023. A group of very friendly American hunters came hunting were I was, and one of their rifles was in 6.5 PRC. Others were in 7 mm PRC and .300 PRC. I had to leave the camp but I heard they had a blast.

I have a pretty good experience with the 6.5 Creedmoor in Africa and with a good quality bullet, like Barnes TTSX 120 gr, Swift Scirocco 130 gr and Hornady Interlock 160 gr, it has always been very effective on animals like wildebeest, hartebeest, waterbuck, kudus and many others. I prefers to keep the ELD-X 143 gr for smaller games like warthogs or vermins, like baboons and jackals.
Use a premium bullet and your 6.5 PRC will do the job.

 

[MacJenkins]

Not specifically in an PRC but a 155 Lapua Mega in 6.5x55 are great. Penetrate deep and stay together. Biggest I’ve seen taken was a buddy’s wife took her Eland with one with no issues.