#6.5prc

At the beginning of this year I was in search of a new project to start focusing on. Last year I focused on running through a variety of pistols and ARs but this year I wanted something different. I had been itching to get another Brownells Alum-Hyde II project underway and if you read the last blog I did on Aluma-Hyde, then that blog will kinda spoil this one for you to a point. The project in question as the title eludes to is a new bolt action project. I knew I wanted to try my hand at elk hunting later this year. With health concerns and that being such a brutal hunt, this may be my last opportunity. So for that I thought I would go down the rabbit hole of deciding upon a new elk bolt rifle, cartridge etc… I didn’t want to go the route of a super hard hitting magnum like the .300WSM I had done in the past. I’ve been a huge fan of the 6.5 Creedmoor and it would appear that the 6.5 PRC is a 6.5 with a tad bit more oomf. From all the research I did, the 6.5 PRC looked to be a good all around caliber for elk and deer alike. 

Brownells stocks both complete Howa rifles but they also offer Howa 1500 barreled actions as a Brownells exclusive. They happened to be running a sale and had their Howa 1500 Carbon in 6.5 PRC in stock. For less than $700 I was able to pick up one heck of a foundation for a good rifle. This rig has a 24” carbon fiber heavy profile threaded barrel. With a can out on the end it’s unusually long, but the 6.5 PRC needs this barrel length to get all it offers in terms of velocity. I went ahead and picked up a Stocky’s carbon fiber stock and worked some Aluma-Hyde magic on it using a kind of tan/ODG Multicam leaving some of the carbon fiber present. For the optic I went with the SwampFox Kentucky Long 2-12 FFP mounted on a set of EGW Keystone rings and 1913 base. Once out at the range, I quickly walked my shots in and was able to shoot sub MOA groups using Hornady 147gr ELDM match ammunition while mounted up on my Caldwell Turret shooting rest. I’m not the best shooter in the world but to be able to shoot groups like this the first time out without much effort sure is promising. One downside to the 6.5 PRC is the ammunition cost. I picked up a decent amount of Hornady Precision Hunter 143gr ELD-X and Hornady Match 147gr ELDM from Brownells to continue further testing. I believe I’ll end up running the 143gr ELDX Hunting loads but I’ve read people actually have great luck with the heavier match loads as well. In the photo below I was holding on the paperclip.

So my final thoughts so far with these Howa 1500 actions from Brownells is they’re sure a hidden gem for someone wanting to get into a good quality bolt action setup without spending a ton of money. The quality is superb and the trigger isn’t something that’s a must need to change type of scenario like some other bolt action rifles are. Pick your caliber, pick your style, stock and optic… then you’re off and running. Already looking forward to my next Howa 1500 project.