Over a century after Scandinavia discovered the merits of 6.5mm projectiles, the United States has finally caught on. And just perhaps, the 6.5mm Precision Rifle Cartridge (6.5 PRC) is the finest all-around one. The 6.5 PRC is a short–action magnum cartridge that pairs the exceptional aerodynamics of 0.264-inch-diameter projectiles with an efficient not-quite-overbored powder chamber. The parent case is the .375 Ruger—also basically a .300 RCM necked down to 6.5 mm. In other words, it’s a factory-produced, SAAMI-approved ballistic twin to the 6.5 SAUM and similar wildcats. Formally adopted by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) at its June 2018 meeting, we are thrilled to introduce our hand-loads for this caliber now! Velocities run neck and neck with traditional .264 Winchester Magnum speeds and are achieved courtesy of the shorter, fatter, more efficient, effective, consistent-burning powder column. Pleasant side-effects of the efficiency are less recoil, better barrel life, and good performance in 24-inch barrels.
