.280ai vs 6.5PRC

[T-Dozzer]

Looking to build/buy a light weight rifle. Something more of a "do all" rifle, so everything from deer, bull elk & maybe someday if Im lucky, moose. Moose being more of a less issue in this decision. I know it's not a apples to apples comparison, but the more I compare the data, the more similar these 2 are. The Ackley can shoot heavier bullets, but the downrange energy of the PRC is no slouch. I have compared factory ammo cost/availability & felt recoil. I can reload, but find my self going factory more & more due to time limitation.
I have gotten a different opinion from the handful of folks I trust, read every "vs" article & compared numerous ballistic tables side by side.
Anything else I should consider or anyone out there who knows there stuff care to throw in your 2 cents?

TIA

[opdinkslayer]

280AI if you’re building & handloading. Probably a better choice for elk as well

[T-Dozzer]

280AI if you’re building & handloading. Probably a better choice for elk as well

Thanks. I don't know for sure I would build yet. I like the Christianson Arms Ridgeline & the Savage ultra-light w/ the proof barrel.

[buckfvr]

Since you say deer & elk, 280 with 165/168 bullets.  Also, how far do you intend to shoot at game ?  Lots of less expensive rifles than the ones you mentioned that will shoot as well or better.

[headshot5]

280 AI!  for the win.

[280ackley]

.280 AI with 150 gr Barnes TSX or 150 gr Nosler ABLR will be your ticket.

[T-Dozzer]

For the .280ai votes, whats your reasoning & are you familiar with the PRC ballistics?
Alot of folks (including me at first) hear "6.5" & think its just another creedmore. Tables show it having the energy of a magnum type platform.

[headshot5]

The PRC ballistics I looked at you can run a 140gr bullet at 2900 + or - fps, which is about what the factory loads run at.  So it's close to a 270 win.    With a 280AI you can get 3000 fps or close with a 150/160 grain bullets.   I tend to enjoy heavy for load bullets so a 280AI gets the nod for versatility. 

For me overall the 280 just checks all the boxes.   

[T-Dozzer]

The PRC ballistics I looked at you can run a 140gr bullet at 2900 + or - fps, which is about what the factory loads run at.  So it's close to a 270 win.    With a 280AI you can get 3000 fps or close with a 150/160 grain bullets.   I tend to enjoy heavy for load bullets so a 280AI gets the nod for versatility. 

For me overall the 280 just checks all the boxes.   

 
Thanks, direction I was leaning as well. I do like the option to push a heavier bullet.
PRC just seemed interesting with its ballistics (mainly energy at distance)  & supposedly impressive accuracy.

[bullfisher]

The current PRC factory ammo choices are only eldx and eldm from hornady, though I'm sure more choices are on the way.
The ballistics are easy to pull the PRC away from the 280ai if you handload but not by that much. Factory ammo probably less or even.
Tough to beat the terminal performance of a 162 or 168 grn from the 280 and the extensive bullet choices give you more wiggle room than the PRC. That said I'm lovin the PRC so far. Better LR performance with 150 class loads and less wind call with very manageable recoil.
So the choice here is pretty clear to me.. ya gotta get both. So the real question is which one first 

[T-Dozzer]

The current PRC factory ammo choices are only eldx and eldm from hornady, though I'm sure more choices are on the way.
The ballistics are easy to pull the PRC away from the 280ai if you handload but not by that much. Factory ammo probably less or even.
Tough to beat the terminal performance of a 162 or 168 grn from the 280 and the extensive bullet choices give you more wiggle room than the PRC. That said I'm lovin the PRC so far. Better LR performance with 150 class loads and less wind call with very manageable recoil.
So the choice here is pretty clear to me.. ya gotta get both. So the real question is which one first 

 
All good points. Unfortunately.

[opdinkslayer]

My boy has a 280ai being built at HCA that will run 168’s over 3000. Pretty sweet setup

[fishngamereaper]

The current PRC factory ammo choices are only eldx and eldm from hornady, though I'm sure more choices are on the way.
The ballistics are easy to pull the PRC away from the 280ai if you handload but not by that much. Factory ammo probably less or even.
Tough to beat the terminal performance of a 162 or 168 grn from the 280 and the extensive bullet choices give you more wiggle room than the PRC. That said I'm lovin the PRC so far. Better LR performance with 150 class loads and less wind call with very manageable recoil.
So the choice here is pretty clear to me.. ya gotta get both. So the real question is which one first 

 
All good points. Unfortunately.

  just add a 26 nosler and your covered.

I'm PRC shopping right now and have been impressed with all the ballistics I've been looking at and how much energy the round carries down range.

[jjhunter]

Nobody has mentioned it yet, but the 6.5 PRC is a TRUE short action caliber even  with the heavies seated way out.

[hogslayer]

280AI has been around for a long time and is a proven accurate round.  The 168 Berger is a great bullet.  Peterson just came out with brass for 280’AI.   Because of the long neck, you can run 160-180 class bullets and still be seated correctly.   Gun smith I use has one and has sent me some pictures of 1.25”’groups at 600 yards with 168 Bergers going 2930 with RL 23.

[bullfisher]

Nobody has mentioned it yet, but the 6.5 PRC is a TRUE short action caliber even  with the heavies seated way out.

For the most part. My 156 berger loads are 3.04 @ 20thou. off of a .188 freebore.

[Jonathan_S]

6.5 PRC is a nifty new thing and I'm glad to see all the support it is getting but that doesn't mean it's magic. 280 Ackley and it wouldn't even be close for me. The PRC is definitely not packing magnum energy even if external ballistics make it look that way.

I shoot a 6.5-06AI which outruns the PRC handily and it definitely isn't magnum performance as much as I like it.

All that said, I would consider the PRC the 3rd best option if I wanted a short action 6.5 and that's no slouch

[Karl Blanchard]

6.5 PRC is a nifty new thing and I'm glad to see all the support it is getting but that doesn't mean it's magic. 280 Ackley and it wouldn't even be close for me. The PRC is definitely not packing magnum energy even if external ballistics make it look that way.

I shoot a 6.5-06AI which outruns the PRC handily and it definitely isn't magnum performance as much as I like it.

All that said, I would consider the PRC the 3rd best option if I wanted a short action 6.5 and that's no slouch

spot on.   Factory ammo is the only wild card. Offerings for wsm or saum extremely limited. Peterson 280ai brass excited me!

[CaNINE]

In my opinion you will find the 280AI more versatile.  Especially if you have a proper twist rate and 180 grain pills.  A guy needs to reload to get the full potential from the cartridge.  If you are on the fence about reloading to get the benefits then look to the 6.5PRC.  It's a near ballistic twin to the 6.5x284 which has a well established history a solid choice for medium sized big game.   

[opdinkslayer]

Does Peterson have the 280 ai brass in production & for sale yet?

[savagehunter]

I think you will shoot more with the prc. You said you had time restraints limiting reloading. Hornady ammo has excellent accuracy and speed. Short action cartridge that you could always load up in bullet weight speed or use monos i.e. hammers. The advantage the 280 has is on elk with heavier bullets the 6.5 will do it but leaves a very small margin of error in shot placement. If that is an issue you might look at going 300prc or 28 nosler.

[T-Dozzer]

I think you will shoot more with the prc. You said you had time restraints limiting reloading. Hornady ammo has excellent accuracy and speed. Short action cartridge that you could always load up in bullet weight speed or use monos i.e. hammers. The advantage the 280 has is on elk with heavier bullets the 6.5 will do it but leaves a very small margin of error in shot placement. If that is an issue you might look at going 300prc or 28

As far as deer & elk go, I have stuff from .243 to .300wm & some in-between. I'm not ashamed to say I favor less recoil. I guess Im looking for a goldi-locks rig that checks most my boxes so Im grabbing it most often. I've had a few .280s & liked them except for the Ruget boat paddle.
Appreciate all the input. Leaning toward  the AI, but I think the 6.5 PRC is next on deck.

[crabcreekhunter]

Have a .280AI and a 6.5-06AI (ballistically similar to the prc) shot deer and elk with both, but if elk are likely on the table the .280AI hands down.  Easy to load for, running 162s right at 3000fps and mild recoiling with a brake. 

[Taco280AI]

Ackley 

I run the 145 LRX and while the 6.5 can match or exceed that weight, not with the same bullet construction. I like tough bullets that don't fly apart, yet still expand well. And the LRX is crazy accurate.