Educate me on the pros/cons of the PRC vs CM. I've done some reading but have a PRC that's been offered at a reasonable price so curious if anyone here uses it and what the thoughts of the board are in general between the two. I know 6.5 Creedmoor is pretty popular so really interested in opinions on the PRC.

The PRC is what the creed aspires to be.

What are you trying to do with it?

Would likely turn into my sons first deer rifle eventually (he's 5 now) but it would primarily be used for deer, hogs, etc.

I have a 6.5CM, and love it. Have taken everything up to elk. My hard wall for elk is 400 yards, though.

I would trade my CM for a PRC, in the right rifle. My understanding is the PRC has a bit more punch, and carries energy further. I'm not interested in stretching the legs too far on furry targets… but I would never turn down a little more knock down power on a bull or big bodied mule deer.

For 95% of real world whitetail applications, they will be identical in terminal performance. The PRC would be a better choice for South or West Texas- less wind deflection and a more energy at distance.

Only thing that the Creed is better at is being cheaper to shoot. You get about 200-300 fps more velocity in the PRC over the Creed. Also ability to shoot larger bullets. For plinking, PRC is a little expensive unless you are reloading. If I am just shooting it for fun with a high round count, then Creed is the obvious choice. Barrel will last longer and will spend less money on ammo.

PRC you can send 156 grain Berger bullets 2900-3000 fps with the right powder. 6.5 PRC is a great cartridge for hunting. I love my PRC. With suppressor it has virtually no recoil. For a short action rifle that's a lot of energy

I just loaded up a bunch of 127LRX solid copper bullets for my PRC. I haven't crono'd them yet but it will be my choice in round for hunting. I assume it will be 3100 at the most accurate powder charge.

With the same 143 ELDX bullets you can compare side by side. Energy difference of 400ft-lbs an increase of 20%.
Creed
Velocity: 2700FPS
Energy: 2315 ft- lbs

PRC
Velocity: 2950fps
Energy: 2764 ft-lbs

If its to be for whitetail/hog the creedmore is great. As stated, ammo is cheaper and usually at any Academy.

How often do you want to shoot it? If you aren't going to shoot it often, PRC is going to be a much higher performer. However, ammo is much harder to source and more expensive. So, every range trip is going to cost more. If you only shoot it twice a year, who cares. If you plan on shooting a fair amount, that can add up in both direct costs and in time sourcing ammo.

Now, here's the other thing: If you are going to shoot a lot, how comfortable are you with having to switch out barrels? PRC has a life of around 1k rounds vs around 3k for Creed (other factors play into this but the PRC is absolutely a barrel burner).

Also, when buying a used PRC, that needs to be taken into consideration. Used PRCs are starting to hit the market now that are shot up. Much less of an issue with Creed and very rare to see a burnt out 308, but I've turned away otherwise good deals on two PRCs that were obviously shot out.

This isn't a knock against the round in general, just information that should be understood.

JJ, give us the details on that beautiful rifle!

I bought a 6.5 creedmoor a few weeks ago. It came with a free tracking dog

Whaler said:

---

JJ, give us the details on that beautiful rifle!

---

I found all the parts myself, but bought barreled action from Alamo, and had Alamo Precision put it together for me. It is similar to their Altitude builds if you were to get it off the shelf.
https://aprifles.com/products/apr-altitude

6.5 PRC Alamo Build includes

Defiance Tenacity Action
AG Composite Stock (Custom Painted by Alamo)
Trigger Tech Diamond
22" Proof Sendero Barrel
Hawkins DBM Bottom Metal
Nightforce High Rings
Nightforce NX8 4-32x50
Area 419 Muzzle device and suppressor QD Adaptor
DeadAir Nomad Suppressor with E-Brake

When you guys are saying one is a higher performer than the other you are talking about range/shooting paper

To the OP, I will avoid a greater cartridge debate, but for almost all practical hunting applications there is no real advantage of one over the other. If those were my only two options I'd get the 6.5 creddmore.

That's not at all what I was saying. If I can get the same bullet to fly flatter, faster, and carry energy farther down range, that's the one I'm picking. There's no scenario hunting or range shooting where the Creedmor wins this one.

Wodanaz said:

---

That's not at all what I was saying. If I can get the same bullet to fly flatter, faster, and carry energy farther down range, that's the one I'm picking. There's no scenario hunting or range shooting where the Creedmor wins this one.

---

Strongly disagree. I have rifles in both. For white tail and hogs the Creedmoor is the clear winner. They won't know the difference in 200 fps when the bullet hits them. The extra speed only changes wind by about 5-10%. Regardless of how little recoil affects you, you will 100% shoot a lighter recoiling gun better. CM wins even more when considering this as a kids first gun.

I've yet to have a deer not die from a creedmoor round

Wodanaz said:

---

That's not at all what I was saying. If I can get the same bullet to fly flatter, faster, and carry energy farther down range, that's the one I'm picking. There's no scenario hunting or range shooting where the Creedmor wins this one.

---

Yea I totally disagree with that. That's not how killing deer and hogs works. Not even close.

I was an RO at a PRS match and had this conversation with many of the groups that came through my range. From an accuracy perspective almost all recommended the CM over the PRC. I did mention I was trying to buy a rifle that was successful both in long range competition and elk hunting.

Make a decision, own it, master it.

meggy09 said:

---

Wodanaz said:

---

That's not at all what I was saying. If I can get the same bullet to fly flatter, faster, and carry energy farther down range, that's the one I'm picking. There's no scenario hunting or range shooting where the Creedmor wins this one.

---

Strongly disagree. I have rifles in both. For white tail and hogs the Creedmoor is the clear winner. They won't know the difference in 200 fps when the bullet hits them. The extra speed only changes wind by about 5-10%. Regardless of how little recoil affects you, you will 100% shoot a lighter recoiling gun better. CM wins even more when considering this as a kids first gun.

---

Creed is a very low recoil cartridge. PRC still has less recoil than .308 and similar to 7mm-08. It's not like it's a big boomer.

With that logic you might as well shoot the 6.5 Grendel. It is better and the pigs and deer won't know any better.

Add a brake or suppressor and even my 300winmag will shoot as soft as a stock Creedmoor. Yes brakes are loud. That's why I use hearing protection and/or suppressors.
https://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/07/17/muzzle-brake-recoil-reduction/

I absolutely love my 6.5 Creedmoor. I've heard great things about the PRC but my Creedmoor is the first rifle out of the safe for hunting in Texas.

The best way I have heard the Creedmoor described is "boringly predictable". It just shoots where you put it and it's extremely easy and forgiving to shoot.

Good luck!

Sold my CM and got a 7mm PRC. I'd got with the 6.5 PRC if it were me. Own it and master it.

JeremiahJohnson said:

---

meggy09 said:

---

Wodanaz said:

---

That's not at all what I was saying. If I can get the same bullet to fly flatter, faster, and carry energy farther down range, that's the one I'm picking. There's no scenario hunting or range shooting where the Creedmor wins this one.

---

Strongly disagree. I have rifles in both. For white tail and hogs the Creedmoor is the clear winner. They won't know the difference in 200 fps when the bullet hits them. The extra speed only changes wind by about 5-10%. Regardless of how little recoil affects you, you will 100% shoot a lighter recoiling gun better. CM wins even more when considering this as a kids first gun.

---

Creed is a very low recoil cartridge. PRC still has less recoil than a 7mm-08 or .308. It's not like it's a big boomer.

With that logic you might as well shoot the 6.5 Grendel. It is better and the pigs and deer won't know any better.

Add a brake or suppressor and even my 300winmag will shoot as soft as a stock Creedmoor. Yes brakes are loud. That's why I use hearing protection and/or suppressors.
https://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/07/17/muzzle-brake-recoil-reduction/

---

I'm trying to be polite with my responses in this thread. Almost new year though, so not quite new me yet.

This entire comment is stupid BS. 6.5 PRC has about 30% more recoil than both the 7mm-08 and 308 win. 50% more than a CM.

And then you're really gonna compare a braked magnum to a bare bore Creedmoor?? Let's go the other way! Let's all shoot 50 BMG! With a good brake, and if I make it 25lbs I can hardly feel it kick!!!

I own both 6.5s, CM and PRC, I reload for both and shoot them both a lot. Apples to apples, for this application the CM is the better choice.

For stated application, CM and it's not a question.

Other applications, like long range shooting or bigger game or longer shots on game, PRC may be a better option.

If you go with a PRC, it's probably prudent to reload.

My boring answer is 270 Winchester. The most boring cartridge ever invented but flat out works like a charm. I guess it wasn't boring in 1925?

The 300wm comment was said in jest. Sarcasm isn't easily translated through a keyboard.

Winchester website showed recoil energy of 308 at 27ft- lbs and PRC at 21 ft-lbs. maybe I was misinformed.

Creed is a better option for a beginner rifle. No denying that.

If i were shooting NRL I would chose Creed. But for hunting the PRC is the gun for me.

I love my .270 and it is a phenomenal caliber! Killed a lot of animals with it.

I still like the 6.5 Creedmoor more.

The Creed is definitely a better round for a beginner. You don't want the extra recoil and muzzle blast of the more powerful PRC.

I have a .260 so I would be inclined to get the PRC. I do reload though and see the PRC as really a reloader's cartridge.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

---

I love my .270 and it is a phenomenal caliber! Killed a lot of animals with it.

I still like the 6.5 Creedmoor more.

---

I think they are both great. Just a question do you like the caliber more or the the rifle it is chambered in more.

I like the CM but I like the 260 and the 6.5x55 both better but if you don't reload I understand the popularity of the 6.5cm.

I think the 260 is an excellent round. I just wish I had it in a better gun although it is pretty accurate. Rifle is a Savage with a 22" barrel.

It's absolutely the rifle for me. My confidence in my 6.5 is way higher despite having better rifles that would probably shoot as good if not better.

I just switched my barrel from 6.5 creedmoor to 6.5x284, which is pretty much the same as the PRC performance wise. I get a little better performance with wind shooting 156gr bergers at 2850 vs 147gr eldms at 2650, but it is harder to spot my own hits, even with a suppressor on the new barrel vs bare muzzle on the creedmoor. Both will kill big game further than I will shoot with the right bullets.

I'd go creedmoor with no hesitation for a kid's first rifle for all the reasons already mentioned. I'd even say a 6 cm might be a better choice than the 6.5. Any of them will suck with poor bullets, same as a 270 or 30-06 would.

I know he's already relented, but lol at saying a 6.5 prc has less recoil than a 7mm-08. Look at case capacity or powder charges and you know that isn't true.

I was wrong on the 7mm-08. Using 2 different tests for data got me bad info. But .308 is correct.
https://backfire.tv/recoil/

308 Winchester - 18.27 ft-lbs

270 Winchester- 17.64 ft-lbs

6.5 PRC - 16.27 ft-lbs

7mm-08 Remington -14.88 ft-lbs

6.5 Creedmoor- 11.87 ft-lbs

6mm Creedmoor - 10.89 ft-lbs

.243 rem - 9.42 ft-lbs

6.5 Grendel - 6.18 ft-lbs

Well there's your problem right there, that lost was made by an imbecile. They acknowledge rifle weight play a big role, but don't list the weights they use? Stupid.

8.5 lb rifle, middle charge weights from noslers reloading data, and using 178gr and 143gr hornady precision hunter factory data for .308win and 6.5 prc respectively gets you a little over 10% more recoil in 6.5 prc using a recoil calculator. You're welcome.

6.5 Grendel > all other 6.5

Grendel is a good round. Just not made for bullets much over 120.

Interesting. Do you have a link to that Nosler calculator? Want to see my loads.

Most recoil tables I've read put 308 with more recoil with 150+ grain bullets. They have 308 lower with 125 grain. Hell if I know. Just from googling today. Need someone like Pew Science or precision rifle blog to do the testing with instruments rather than formulas.

https://www.sportsmans.com/recoil-table