16 of 36 6.5 PRC factory loads carry 1,500 ft·lb and expansion velocity for elk; the best reach 550 yd (Winchester Expedition Big Game 142 gr AccuBond LR). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester Expedition Big Game 142 gr AccuBond LR | 142 | 550 | 3,020 | 1,657 | yes |
| Federal 143 gr ELD-X | 143 | 500 | 2,900 | 1,507 | yes |
| Hornady Precision Hunter 143 gr ELD-X | 143 | 500 | 2,960 | 1,589 | yes |
| Norma 143 gr Bondstrike | 143 | 500 | 2,953 | 1,579 | yes |
| Nosler Trophy Grade Long Range 142 gr AccuBond Long Range | 142 | 500 | 2,900 | 1,510 | yes |
| Federal 140 gr Fusion Tipped | 140 | 450 | 2,975 | 1,413 | yes |
| Federal 130 gr Terminal Ascent | 130 | 400 | 3,000 | 1,323 | yes |
| Nosler Trophy Grade 140 gr AccuBond | 140 | 400 | 2,900 | 1,295 | yes |
| Barnes VOR-TX LR 127 gr LRX BT | 127 | 350 | 3,010 | 1,199 | yes |
| Federal 120 gr Trophy Copper | 120 | 350 | 3,050 | 1,202 | yes |
| Federal 140 gr Fusion | 140 | 350 | 2,925 | 1,170 | yes |
| Hornady Outfitter 130 gr CX | 130 | 350 | 2,975 | 1,237 | yes |
| Nosler Expansion Tip 120 gr E-Tip | 120 | 350 | 3,100 | 1,272 | yes |
| Remington Premier CuT 130 gr Copper Tipped | 130 | 350 | 2,970 | 1,233 | yes |
| Winchester Copper Impact 125 gr Copper Extreme Point | 125 | 350 | 3,100 | 1,171 | yes |
| Barnes VOR-TX 130 gr TSX BT | 130 | 300 | 3,010 | 1,094 | yes |
| Berger 153.5 gr Long Range Hybrid Target | 153.5 | wrong bullet | 2,900 | 1,688 | behind the shoulder only |
| Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter | 156 | wrong bullet | 2,900 | 1,689 | behind the shoulder only |
| Barnes Precision Match 145 gr Match Burner OTM BT | 145 | wrong bullet | 2,910 | 1,637 | behind the shoulder only |
| Berger 140 gr Elite Hunter | 140 | wrong bullet | 3,000 | 1,599 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady 147 gr ELD Match | 147 | wrong bullet | 2,910 | 1,649 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 143 gr Golden Target HPBT | 143 | wrong bullet | 2,986 | 1,629 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester 140 gr Sierra MatchKing BTHP | 140 | wrong bullet | 3,030 | 1,568 | behind the shoulder only |
| Barnes Harvest Collection 145 gr Sierra Tipped GameKing | 145 | wrong bullet | 2,910 | 1,486 | behind the shoulder only |
| Browning Long Range Pro Hunter 140 gr Sierra Tipped GameKing | 140 | wrong bullet | 2,980 | 1,481 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington Premier Long Range 140 gr Speer Impact | 140 | wrong bullet | 2,975 | 1,446 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington Premier Match 140 gr Berger Open Tip Match | 140 | wrong bullet | 2,925 | 1,490 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester 140 gr Ballistic Silvertip | 140 | wrong bullet | 3,020 | 1,422 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester Super Match 140 gr BC MAX | 140 | wrong bullet | 2,900 | 1,477 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester Supreme Long Range 140 gr BC MAX | 140 | wrong bullet | 2,900 | 1,477 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady American Whitetail TIPPED 129 gr SST | 129 | wrong bullet | 3,120 | 1,362 | behind the shoulder only |
| Nosler 140 gr Ballistic Tip Hunting | 140 | wrong bullet | 2,900 | 1,295 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 140 gr Core-Lokt Tipped | 140 | wrong bullet | 2,960 | 1,380 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady V-Match 100 gr ELD-VT | 100 | wrong bullet | 3,450 | 1,247 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester USA Ready 140 gr Jacketed Hollow Point | 140 | wrong bullet | 3,010 | 1,130 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 140 gr Whitetail SP | 140 | wrong bullet | 2,887 | 965 | behind the shoulder only |
1,500 ft·lb is the number most repeated (Guns & Ammo, Backfire); Hawks says 1,200, Boddington floats 2,000. Avoid quick-opening and match bullets. Legal: SD: ≥ .243 and 1,700 ft·lb at muzzle · CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd, ≥ 85 gr. Floor used: 1,500 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.gunsandammo.com, www.chuckhawks.com, www.petersenshunting.com, regulations.justia.com.