I'm in the process of converting a Kimber 8400 WSM 300 WSM to 6.5 PRC and have been running some numbers. The .280 AI is a great hunting cartridge for sure, and the 6.5 PRC is being touted as primarily a PRS cartridge, but I wanted to see if the PRC makes sense as a hunting round. What I discovered when comparing similar loads is that the 6.5 PRC has less wind drift at all ranges and more energy beyond 300 yards when comparing factory ammunition, and more energy beyond 200 yards when comparing the best case handloads.
Comparing Kimber rifles, an 84L Montana .280 AI weighs about 10 oz less than an 8400 WSM Montana, is about 1/2" longer, holds one more round but will have more felt recoil given that typical .280 AI bullets have more energy at the muzzle and the rifle is lighter. I figured that a .280 AI was in my future but now I don't think it is. For the handloader, the 6.5 PRC and .280 AI hold just about the same amount of powder at around 60gr but the 6.5mm bullets should be a little cheaper than the 7mm bullets.
The green cells indicate the best performance compared to the other loads in the same image.
Comparing Kimber rifles, an 84L Montana .280 AI weighs about 10 oz less than an 8400 WSM Montana, is about 1/2" longer, holds one more round but will have more felt recoil given that typical .280 AI bullets have more energy at the muzzle and the rifle is lighter. I figured that a .280 AI was in my future but now I don't think it is. For the handloader, the 6.5 PRC and .280 AI hold just about the same amount of powder at around 60gr but the 6.5mm bullets should be a little cheaper than the 7mm bullets.
The green cells indicate the best performance compared to the other loads in the same image.