So I’ve been wanting to purchase a precision long range/occasional hunting rifle in 6.5 creemoor for a while now. A friend of mine has a really nice rig in 6.5 PRC that I could purchase for a great price but the last time I looked at 6.5 PRC Ammo it was crazy expensive. I’m not into reloading so I’d be buying factory Ammo off the shelf for either caliber. My question is if you guys were in a similar situation, would you pick up the 6.5 PRC for a steal or hold out and just get a 6.5 creedmoor? I’m really just looking for any distinct advantages or disadvantages between the two. Thanks for any advice.

I would also like to hear a comparison between the rounds by the experts on here.
I know two guys with 6.5 PRC rifles that got them on a great deal, they are paper weights for now, no ammo.

The PRC will have about 200 FPS better velocity with the same bullet. PRC ammo is much higher when you can find it. For factory ammo only, the Creedmoor has shown the best accuracy I’ve ever seen. If you’re not going to reload I see no reason to chose the PRC. The Creedmoor will always enjoy better ammo availability than the PRC and likely better accuracy from factory only options.

I don’t own nor shoot a prc, but I do shoot a 6.5-284 which is basically it’s ballistic twin. I have shot out 3-4 barrels in this caliber and have witnessed throat erosion wearing that is unprecedented by any caliber even while loading something that is reasonably mild. A 6.5-284 will run a 140 class bullet an honest 3,000 foot per min. Now 6.5 creedmoor will run a 140 class bullet 2800 fps. The barrel life is easily 2-3x what a 6.5-284 is or even the 6.5 prc ..

People will argue that the case is more efficient, etc... I’m here to tell you pressure is pressure.. velocity is velocity and I don’t care if you have a 6.5 4s, 6.5 Gap, 6.5 PRC or a 6.5-284 they all hold 50+ grains of the same powders and run within 25-50 fps. The barrel wear is more than most wanna keep up with.

That 200 fps makes a big difference if your shooting 800+ yards.

The 6.5 CM is more gun than most folks will ever realize or see the fullest potential. The ammo choices are some of the very best of any caliber out there.

If you handload and can find some good components you can bridge the gap, but be prepared for similar barrel wear!

Rl26, 140 beger, Lapua srp brass and a cci 450 primer in a 24” barrel will run 2900 fps..

I’d pick the creedmoor hands down just because of brass availability alone.

Standard short action cartridge versus a short Mag.

6.5 Creedmoor brass is far more available, if you have to hire a guy like me to build the ammo.

Bullets are a problem no matter what.

One uses far less powder, has far less recoil, and far more barrel life. It will get you to 1500 yards on steel. And it will kill about anything walking out to 400 yards, medium game to 600 yards, once you become more competent as a shooter.

Walk before you run. 6.5 Creedmoor is walking, 6.5 PRC is running.

Definitely running for sure!

Just picked up my first Creedmoor, baby steps of course.

It sounds like you're trying to talk yourself out of what you really want, the Creedmoor. In your case, I don't think the savings on the rifle will be worth the ammo hassle. Go to a site that sells ammo, like Brownell's or Midway USA, etc.....there are so many different offerings in 6.5 Creedmoor. This is due to the number of these rifles out there and the long term strength of the market for this ammo. That's why I have two, and a .308.

Ammo will be your biggest enemy for the current and near future. If you are not reloading I wouldn’t get any new caliber right now. But if you’ve got money to spend and just want a new gun you’ll have better fortune finding the 6.5CM than the 6.5PRC.

You answered your own question. If you don't reload, buy the Juddmoor aka Creedmoor.

Judd is getting crushed for being a hater!

This reminds me of my first rifle purchase, a Ruger 300 win mag. Way too much gun for me at that point. Long story short, I've learned that I wouldn't need a magnum type cartridge for the type of hunting and shooting I do. in fact, I gave my brother my 300wm and told him if I ever feel the need for one then I'll come and get borrow it from him. I've never borrowed it and that was 15 years ago.

Buy the Creed since you don’t hand load, that’s a no brainer unless you don’t mind paying $100 a box for ammo. The PRC ammo has been becoming more available recently so if you end up not buying a gun soon it may be that the PRC stuff becomes easy to find again and if that’s the case I’d opt for the PRC myself. Really you can’t go wrong with either one

You may look into finding someone to build you some ammo, if you can source the brass the rest of the components are easy enough to find with a little digging.

If it's a good deal, buy the PRC and do work. Get Jason or Chad to load for it, problem solved. If it's that good of a deal you can always flip it later.

Or send me the deal, I have a CM and want a PRC too.

You say "really nice rig" in 6.5 PRC. What is exactly is the rifle?
Have you picked the 6.5 Creedmoor you want?

Whats your budget? I know where there are a few brand new, full blown customs ready to sell

Flip a coin. A deal is a Bird in the hand. IMO

Enough custom Ammo loaders that I wouldn’t stress. The two cartridges are pretty close that I think you will be happy with either

We have shot out to 900 yards with the 6.5C.

I'd give your good ole buddy Fitz the specs on that 6.5 PRC and give him a great deal!

LOVE THIS SET-UP !!!!!

So, what distance are you going to be shooting? If it isn't 4 digits regularly, by the CM and be done with it. Buying a Ferrari to get groceries and occasionally beat a Camaro SS off the red light line is overkill when a Z06 would do the same thing for a third of the price.

This is like asking...do I want the new gaymoor or old gaymoor.

You forgot the prerequisite of ——> do you have an 4 door Aggie maroon Jeep also

It’s a GAP rifle. The 6.5 Creedmoors I’m looking at are a long lead time. Can you message me details about these rifles you’re talking about?

Thanks for the advice. That’s why I’m really leaning towards just getting a 6.5 creedmoor.

Probably not far enough to justify the PRC.