I recently purchased a Fierce MTN Reaper 6.5 prc and I was looking to see which factory ammo would be the best for this rifle? I will be hunting mostly Whitetail deer. I checked Backfire.TV ammo chart and it was recommending Hornady Match Ammo. Now I don’t know if Hornady March ammo is a good hunting round?
I’ve hunted with Hornady match 6.5 PRC and everything died, but I do prefer the ELDX for hunting.
It’s expensive but there is Dirt Nap ammo from Fierce that is very good. Also, I have a handload for my reaper 6.5 PRC I could share if you handload.
Thank you for your response. Would you say the dirt nap ammo is better than the Hornady match ammo? Also since I’m a newbie in guns. How would you shoot a group? 5 shots and than let the gun rest 5-10 minutes? I just want to make sure I’m getting consistent groups.
No experience with the mountain Reaper but do have other fierce firearms.
Personally, I have never found the Hornady branded ammo to shoot that well in any rifle, Fierce or otherwise. Now I do find that ithe ELDX can shoot well in
A. Ammo loaded by other companies like Federal,
B Custom Companies loads like Choice
C. Handloads
I’ve got a friend that is using the dirt nap and it is working well for him on paper. He hasn’t shot anything with it yet. It is quite expensive
I just don’t have the time for hand loads. I have 8 kids and I’m working most of the time so, I just have to stick to factory ammo.
What do you think of the Hornady Precision Hunter Ammo?
Understand, hand loading is by no means for everybody
That’s what I was saying above though, I’ve never found the Hornady Precision Hunter to be that accurate in any rifle. However you can get an eldx bullet which is the same bullet in the Precision Hunter loaded by a different company like Federal. And I found that to be much better in my rifles
But also, every rifle is different and you won’t know what it’s going to like until you try
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I second that, at least 1/2" better.
So do you think I should get some federal 6.5 prc? I also have a bergara b14 ridge sp in a .308. I never shot it yet and don’t have any ammo for it so I was wondering what ammo should I run for the bergara?
Ruben,
Every barrel will shoot a given bullet/powder combo differently due to varying factors. As stated above, the Eldx bullet will kill stuff just fine, if the ammo you pick shoot consist enough for you it will do the job if you do yours. My preference is Barnes TSX bullets but they don’t always shoot the best or smallest groups, so I might try another bullet if I am unhappy with the results. If you are limiting shots to 200 yds and closer just about anything you put in a rilfe today will do the job. ELDx match bullets are not meant for hunting but many are using them to kill critters. I never have though.
Good luck with the search. Its all part of the process.
Thank you for your reply and I understand every barrel is different. The thing is I don’t want to spend $300 on ammo until I find the round my gun wants. So I just wanted to ask some experienced hunters on their opinions.
Well, most gun makers test their rifles before they ship, and they will typically have a brand they use which allows them to establish a baseline to judge how well rifles are shooting. To start your hunt on factory ammo, I would ask Fierce to tell you which factory ammo type they use for the 6.5 model rifle you purchased. Most are spooky about giving out handload recommendations to callers. They are not handloading to test their rifles in the shop.
Good luck
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I may be the exception but my guns love the 147 eldm and the 143 eldx. Sub 1/2" groups with both. Killed my fist dear with my then new rifle using 147 eldm and it dropped straight down without a step. I shoot them routinely out too 1100 yards and hit sub moa targets. Its my hunting and lightweight nrl hunter rifle and round.
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Are you using factory ammo or hand loads? Also would you use those bullets on any rifle?
If your gun shoots Hornady Match well, I’d run it for deer but not elk.
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I purchase 4 cases of the dirtnap. Should I buy a case of that Hornady match ammo and just give it a try. What MOA does your Reaper shoot?
I have been shooting boxed ammo. Over 800 rounds through this barrel. Just learning to reload now.
I have 4 fierce rifles. Every single one likes Norma bondstrike. Check rivertown munitions, they sell the 6.5 prc 143g at a really good price. I’ve also had great luck with barnes lax 127g if you prefer a copper bullet. None of my fierce have liked hornady Eldx except my 300 wm, but i went with Barnes for that one as it was also sub moa.
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I think you mean “box” versus “case = 10 boxes”. Tell you what, I’ll ask Fierce for you, and send the response.
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Fierce uses Hornady 143 and 147 grain eldm and x for shooting their rifles. The guy said that they have also had good luck with the 130s in the rifles. Hornady makes a 130 grain copper CX bullet also. The other 130s are Nosler, Barnes, and Federal Ascent…all much more expensive.
Good luck
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Thank you so much sir! Really appreciate all the effort.