I’m looking for a 6.5 PRC (potentially). The new PH3 Seekins has the extended COAL. How much of a benefit will that be if I’m reloading. I have begun buying the reloading gear, but haven’t started reloading or have any real experience.
I’ve considered the following guns.
Seekins Ph3
Bergara Squared Crest (carbon and steel barrels)
Begara barreled action
The cost is close enough on these guns that it isn’t much of a factor. I wouldn’t go crazy on the stock/chassis if I got If I got the barreled action. The seekins isn’t built on a Rem 700 platform, which makes it lose a lot of versatility in my mind. The proprietary action doesn’t sit well in my gut, but it may be a great gun regardless.
Will the benefit of the Seekins extended COAL out weigh their proprietary action or should I look at one of the Bergaras?
Well, there are probably a lot of good opinions on this one but I will take a stab at it.
The 6.5 PRC is or has become a darling of long range shooters because it gives much better velocity over the 6.5 creedmoor with high bc bullets
Has very manageable recoil so not abusive to shoot
Shot the 6.5 PRC Begara with a friend, and the 7 PRC, and for my taste the 6.5 is the more comfortable shooting caliber, and with NO brake on the 6.5.
The only thing an extended COAL gives you is the ability to seat longer and longer new high bc bullets, and also use the full case capacity space created to increase your powder charge and subsequent velocity
The larger the powder column (charge) the more barrel wear
But, more powder means more recoil, so you start defeating some of the positive attributes of the 6.5 by going that route.
I think the straight up 6.5 PRC cartridge and chamber hits a good sweat spot between the non-magnum and magnum rounds, that previously wasn’t filled (I think).
There are some other reloaders out there that may want to chime in on the COAL question.
Good luck
About the action length, 6.5 PRC can be annoying that way. It’s just BARELY able to be considered “short” and when reloading the cartridge, I’ve certainly bumped up against the max mag length, but also I never had it affect my accuracy. I was always able to seat the bullet to fit and also find a good accurate load.
So it’d be ideal to have an intermediate length action like seekins makes, but don’t feel like it’s a necessity either.
I’d love the S20 if it was a little lighter. I’m looking for a 20" barrel that is in the low 7 lbs or less. Just can’t decide what direction to go. 6.5 PRC is a 2025 purchase and a 7 PRC or similar caliber will be a 2026 purchase. If I go Seekins for the 6.5 then I likely buy one of the bergaras for the 7.
Anybody got any pros/cons for the 6.5 PRC in any of the above listed guns? My gut tells me to go bergara, but the new seekins keeps pulling me back in.
Bergara Carbon barrels get hot quickly and you’ll get 1 out 3 shots to be a flier, like a full inch to 1.5 inch outside the grouping. Not the best gun for range days, but really good with a cold bore.
That’s one of those things that you hear a lot but right now is definitely not settled science. Especially given the fact that so many people do their carbon Barrels in different Manufacturing methods.
Depends on brand. For Bergara it seems like their barrels may be a little lighter and more prone to heat as a result than say a proof barrel. I have yet to hear a complaint about proof carbon barrels like this.
Still, for hunting the Crest Carbon is very very good. Like I said, core bore it is very reliable and true.
I’d like a gun I can take to the range as well. I know I’m not going to find a light hunting rifle that excels at the range, but looking for that middle ground. I’d like to be able to get consistent practice with what I’m going to be hunting with and it not lose accuracy after a few shots.
When I was having issues with my MGLite in 6.5prc i did a lot of research as I was not happy with not being able to shoot multiple times with out having a cool down. John Mogle who owns Fierce assured me the Mountain Reaper which has a Carbon wrapped barrel would not have that issue. I bought a Mountain Reaper in 7prc and he was right. I have never had any issues with flyers due to firing multiple rounds through the Reaper. That is currently the only carbon barrel I own. My Sig Cross in 6.5cm has no problems, My Seekins Slam in 6.5prc has no problems, my Seekins gas gun SP10 in .308 has no problems, nor do any of my 5.56 gas guns. Was just a problem with my Bergara MGLite.
How much does the mountain reaper in 7 prc weigh and what barrel length do you have? How is the recoil? I’ve considered that exact gun, but it isn’t cheap. Their website list a long action in a 24" barrel at 6.6 lbs, but they don’t list any 24" barrels.
What about the Bergara Wilderness Sierra, 20in barrel in 6.5 PRC, weight 7.4lbs, threaded barrel, etc. Steel barrel so none of that waiting between shots.
I’ve looked at that gun and have strongly considered it. I may still go that route and save some money, but really wanting to try something outside of the b-14 line of steel barrels (I have a 308). That even means the crest in the steel barrel is likely out. The seekins for this particular gun may win (still waiting on weights), but I’ve pretty much stopped looking at the crest line. The seekins is about twice as much as the Wilderness Sierra, but has a ton of nice features. Just have to decide if it is worth it.
So my handloads for 6.5prc, loading 143ELDX from Hornady, are based on the following:
Based on Garmin Xero… avg fps is 2881.0fps with a standard deviation of 5.5fps.
On my Seekins Slam bullet is 2.343" to lands.
I seat bullet at 2.325"
My COL is 2.955"
Not sure if the new extended COAL is from the chamber to the lands. Would think it is extending the magazine to accommodate the longer bullet, since the 6.5prc is stretching the limits between a short action and a long action.