.280ai vs 6.5PRC

[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.