This Unmatched 6.5 Mag Kills the 6.5 PRC: The 6.5 Sherman Short (SS) Overview

When it comes to high-performance, short-action 6.5mm cartridges, standard options like the 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC have dominated the market. But what happens when you take a short-action magnum case and optimize it with wildcat engineering principles? You get the 6.5 Sherman Short (SS).

Having built a custom 6.5 SS rifle and put it to the test on an unforgettable hunting trip in South Africa with Peter Milan of Impact Shooting, Gavin Gear breaks down everything you need to know about the Sherman Short lineup and why the 6.5 SS outperforms the 6.5 PRC. Watch and read on for the full overview!

Disclaimer

Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by reading this article and/or watching video content you accept these terms). The content on this website (including videos, articles, ammunition reloading data, technical articles, gunsmithing and other information) is for demonstration purposes only. Do not attempt any of the processes or procedures shown or described on this website. All gunsmithing procedures should be carried out by a qualified and licensed gunsmith at their own risk. Do not attempt to repair or modify any firearms based on information on this website. Ultimate Reloader, LLC and Making With Metal can not be held liable for property or personal damage due to viewers/readers of this website performing activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website. By accepting these terms, you agree that you alone are solely responsible for your own safety and property as it pertains to activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website.

Understanding Sherman Wildcats

Started by Richard Sherman, Sherman Wildcats focuses on unique, validated wildcat cartridges that may not be SAAMI or CIP approved yet have a proven track record in both hunting and competitive shooting. Sherman Wildcats aligns the industry around complete end-to-end support for these custom cartridges.

The cartridge families span three categories:

Short Action: Includes the SST (Short Mag Tactical) series with a 30-degree shoulder for smooth feeding, the Sherman Short family featuring a 40-degree shoulder and shallow body taper, and the Alpha 7 SWC (a 7mm short-action max-potential performer built on a 308 case rim)

Medium Action: Features the Sherman Max line, optimizing cartridge overall length and bullet seating for medium actions

Long Action / Magnum: Includes the Sherman Long, Sherman Mega (blowing out WSM cases to a 40-degree shoulder), and Sherman Magnum for maximum long-action velocity

Meet the 6.5 Sherman Short (SS)

The 6.5 Sherman Short is engineered to take the short-action magnum to its absolute performance peak.

The case capacity is approximately 72 grains of water compared to approximately 67 grains in the 6.5 PRC. This represents about a 7.5% increase in case capacity. The 6.5 SS has a sharp 40-degree shoulder (modeled after Improved designs) which provides optimal burn efficiency. This cartridge features a shallow body taper and optimal bullet seating depth, keeping the bullet further out of the powder column and avoiding the neck-shoulder junction.

This prevents “donuts” that ruin extreme spreads (ES) and standard deviations (SD). The 6.5 SS is designed around a 2.950-inch internal magazine (such as a Hawkins Hunter bottom metal or non-binder plate AICS steel mags). The optimal twist rate is 1:7.5 to 1:8 twist barrels.

6.5 Sherman Short vs. 6.5 PRC: Head-to-Head

While many shooters are familiar with Hornady’s SAAMI-certified 6.5 PRC, the 6.5 SS refines the geometry to squeeze out superior exterior ballistics:

The increased powder capacity results in higher velocities (reaching 3,100 to 3,100+ fps with heavy 144–156gr bullets). This means that the 6.5 SS shoots significantly flatter than the 6.5 PRC.

The 6.5 Sherman Short has about 260.15 inches of drop at 1,000 yards compared to about 306.26 inches of drop with the 6.5 PRC and approximately 392.23 inches of drop with the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Real-World Hunting Results: South Africa

I put the 6.5 SS to the ultimate test on a hunting trip in South Africa with Peter Milan of Impact Shooting.

I used a custom rifle equipped with a Foundation Gideon hybrid stock, Hawkins Hunter DBM, TriggerTech Diamond two-stage trigger, and suppressor. The load featured the Berger 156-grain Elite Hunter. This bullet downed game decisively with exceptionally fast, ethical, and humane drops. Combined with Peter Milan’s success, the setup achieved a flawless 7-for-7 record on the trip at distances from 200 to 680 yards.