I’m curious your thoughts on why someone would choose a 6.5 CM over the PRC round. I still see so many shooters opting for the CM round and I’m struggling to understand why if both options are available and from my limited knowledge, it seems like the PRC is a ballistically superior round.
I think there are 2 reasons why the CM remains so popular with the 6.5 PRC on the market. The first is that there are a lot more factory options available for ammo. The majority of people don’t reload so having off the shelf ammo options is important. The second, and I think lesser reason is because of the tighter tolerances of the PRC is designed with they can be a bit pickier with what it will shoot well. Whereas the 6.5 CM seems to be more forgiving.
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I think it’s about recoil. No different then why do people get a 308 vs a 3006, or a 3006 vs a 300 win mag. Why shoot more than needed. Most people do not hunt at long range. Deer outside the western states are shot inside 200 yards most of the time. I’ve hunted 33 years and every deer has been inside 200 yards
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Around these parts more like 100 yrds.
Would also add CM is cheaper. Ammoseek has CM starting at 0.67/rnd whereas PRC is $ 1.5
Probably more factory options for rifles too
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Makes sense, thanks guys!
I do not have a 6.5 PRC. My 6.5CM is probably most accurate rifle I own - probably in large part from recoil. I have 270’s so struggle about getting a 6.5 PRC. The CM will become a grandchild rifle for first deer hunts.
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I suspect some people pick it for the same reason people have for decades picked .243 Win = less recoil. 6.5 PRC has (generally) 35% more recoil than 6.5 CM.
I agree with all of the comments above. I started with a 22-250 and a .243 Winchester back in the 70’s . But looking for a heavier bullet my 30-06 did that . Still I was looking for a long distance cartridge. Then I shot the 6.5 CM and looked at the ballistics . The bullet weight was right but not what I wanted in the 6.5 ballistic capability .
Then looking at the 6.5 PRC producing 200-300 fps improvement and ballistically superior, especially hand loading, that was the choice. 140-155 gr bullets at 3000fps with high BC’s , is a great target/ hunting cartridge.
BC’s and foot pounds of energy surpass the 30-06 out at around 350 yds. with the 6.5PRC. Use a muzzle break and the recoil drops to that of a Creedmore. I think it drops from 17.5 fps to around 14fps, .
Jim has a recoil chart on his site which is very useful !!!