6.5 PRC vs .280AI

[cahunter805]

Speaking of “exploding target bullets” here’s the off shoulder of my wife’s bull after she punched a 140 Berger through the on shoulder. Bullet made it all the way through and was caught by the hide after going through both shoulders
View attachment 161064

Awesome results! My NM bull soaked up the 195EOL pretty well and made it about 10 yards before crashing into some trees and breaking them on his way down.

 

[CoffeeGoat]

Here’s 4 bullets. Two of them are 6.5 and two are 7mm. One 6.5 is a 140 Berger shot at creedmoor velocities and one is a 140 Berger shot at 3000fps. One 7mm bullet is a 160 grain accubond shot at 3250 FPS and one is a 168 grain accubondlr shot at 2900fps. All pulled from elk. All elk died with no drama. Tell me which bullet is which. Pick whichever cartridge tickles your fancy
View attachment 161055

Impressive, though not surprising if the bullets work as they should they should look awfully similar at the end. The big question is how much energy did they dump to get there.

I think we are splitting hairs depending on all the detail, but otherwise it wouldn't be any fun.

 

[Eagle376]

For elk the 280ai seems like a better choice especially since Barnes recently released a 152gr LRX in factory loadings for it.

 

[Hot tent]

I hope you decided on 280 AI. I use copper bullets for hunting and after 7 years of frustration with 120 grain 6.5 caliber bullets I switched to 150 grain barnes out of a 280 AI. Man what a difference. With the 6.5 120 grain copper anything past 300 yards the wind drift was unacceptable. I tried heavier copper bullets but tumbling became a issue. The 280 AI is a great caliber. I'm building a second one with a 1 in 8 twist rate mainly for target purposes. If I use a 6.5 for hunting I won't use copper bullets.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I hope you decided on 280 AI. I use copper bullets for hunting and after 7 years of frustration with 120 grain 6.5 caliber bullets I switched to 150 grain barnes out of a 280 AI. Man what a difference. With the 6.5 120 grain copper anything past 300 yards the wind drift was unacceptable. I tried heavier copper bullets but tumbling became an issue. The 280 AI is a great caliber. I'm building a second one with a 1 in 8 twist rate mainly for target purposes. If I use a 6.5 for hunting I won't use copper bullets.

Sounds like an issue of bullet selection more than cartridge although 7mm pills generally have the upper hand in that regard too.

 

[mtmuley]

Sounds like an issue of bullet selection more than cartridge although 7mm pills generally have the upper hand in that regard too.

Twist. mtmuley

 

[Petec]

The 308 is more than capable for what you described and further, but if you want a second rifle I would go PRC simply because you have more to choose from and ammo is readily available. I have one on my bench now I am setting up for a friend of mine.

The AI is good cartridge but unless you handload your choices are slim. Just my $.02