Guest Blog: Once in a lifetime
Loading the 6.5 PRC for a once-in-a-lifetime hunt
When I first considered moving toward a lead-free hunting bullet, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Like many hunters, I'd spent years relying on lead-core bullets and had was comfortable with their predictable performance. I had been using nonlead ammo exclusively for 5-6 years to great effect, but a new rifle and the incredible good fortune of a once-in-a-lifetime tag gave me all the reason I needed to explore a lead-free load on the cutting edge of performance.
My cartridge of choice was the 6.5 PRC, and I specifically selected the now-discontinued 135-grain Badlands Super Bulldozer™ 2 (SBD2) primarily due to their incredible external ballistic profile; Boasting a .358 G7 BC, this 135-grain copper pill hangs with the likes of Berger’s legendary 156 EOL. My rifle setup was a DIY custom, built around an Origin short-action and a 22-inch Proof barrel with a 1:7.5 twist. The first challenge was managing cartridge overall length (COAL) for the 6.5 prc, a long-for-caliber bullet and a true short action does not make for an optimal combination. Due to magazine constraints with the Hawkins Precision Hunter mags, I was limited to a COAL of 2.980 inches.
I started with RL 26 powder, once-fired Hornady brass, and Federal 210M primers, running a ladder test to find a velocity node. Initial results were promising, but despite impressive velocities, I continued to look for something a bit more stable. Upon switching to Peterson brass and experimenting with different powders, Vihtavuori N565 emerged as a clear winner, consistently delivering tighter groups and exceptional stability across temperature ranges.
One major learning curve was seating depth. Initially, I seated bullets at magazine length, but as I adjusted seating depth, accuracy improved significantly. Neck preparation also played a critical role - using a VLD-specific seating stem and applying a thin layer of Neolube #2 made noticeable differences in consistency.
The true test of this load came a few months later. The hunt itself is a story for another time, but when the time finally came, the terminal performance was impressive—the bullet found its mark and upon recovery, it was clear the SBD2 performed as advertised, with a shank exit on the offside and two petal exits. He only took a few short steps before calmly expiring.
Through this experience, I learned that going lead-free does not have to be a compromise - rather, I think it is possible to match or exceed traditional expectations. If you're considering making the switch, don’t hesitate. The journey might teach you as much about your equipment and shooting as it does about conservation and stewardship.
About the Author:
Tristan Henry is a Hunter and Full-Time Conservation Professional
He lives in central Oregon and works as the Oregon Field Representative for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
