7mm PRC: Complete ballistic data (recoil, trajectory, energy)
Hornady has an incredible track record with cartridges over the last 20 years: 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 300 PRC, 17HMR. The list goes on. In fact, I’d guess that 60% of the new hunting rifles in most gun stores today are chambered in a cartridge designed by Hornady.
The 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge is a long-action centerfire rifle cartridge designed to shoot 180 grain bullets at 2,950 fps. It is intended for long-range shooting due to its ability to utilize high BC bullets, and is also uniquely suited for hunting large animals such as elk.
Pros and Cons of the 7mm PRC
- Ideal for elk hunters who want extended range capabilities
- Tough to beat for shooting at short ELR distances such as 1,000 yards (though the 300PRC will certainly outperform at distances around 1 mile)
- Laser-like trajectory can drop less than 20″ at 400 yards
- Incredible resistance to wind deflection due to its ability to shoot high BC bullets at fast speeds
- Shoots some of the highest BC bullets on the market. Being a 7mm, having a suitable max COAL, and using a fast twist rate, it can handle even the longest 7mm bullets.
- Likely to have industry-wide adoption for chamberings in popular rifles if this cartridge should follow the success of the other PRC cartridges.
- Works well in shorter barrel lengths due to the fat case with a modest length and overall case capacity.
- May take years before ammo becomes easily available. 300PRC was announced 4 years ago, and it is one of the hardest cartridges to find on shelves.
- Recoil is on the upper end of what most adult shooters can tolerate to shoot accurately without a muzzle brake or suppressor.
- Long-action cartridge adds 1/3 lbs to some rifles, and doesn’t allow for as short of barrels
Comparing 7mm PRC to Similar Cartridges
The 7mm PRC is similar to a 7mm Rem Mag, but it can shoot heavier bullets with higher BC’s, has no belt which causes problems for reloaders, and slightly less case capacity so longer barrels are not necessary. Think of it as a modernized 7mm Rem Mag.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy | Action Length | Caliber |
| 28 Nosler | 180 | 3100 | 3,840 | Long | 0.284 |
| 300 PRC | 225 | 2,800 | 3,916 | Magnum | 0.308 |
| Gunwerks 7 LRM | 180 | 3,025 | 3,657 | Long | 0.284 |
| 300 Win Mag | 180 | 3,000 | 3,597 | Long | 0.308 |
| 300 WSM | 180 | 3,000 | 3,597 | Short | 0.308 |
| 7 PRC | 180 | 2,950 | 3,478 | Long | 0.284 |
| 6.8 Western | 175 | 2,840 | 3,134 | Short | 0.277 |
| 7 SAUM | 180 | 2,825 | 3,189 | Short | 0.284 |
| 7mm Rem Mag | 180 | 2,825 | 3,189 | Long | 0.284 |
| 280 AI | 180 | 2,760 | 3,044 | Long | 0.284 |
The Precision Rifle Cartridge line is now broad enough that for many hunting uses, shooters will have a tough time deciding between the 6.5 PRC, 7 PRC, and 300 PRC.
As you can see from the above table, the 7mm PRC is most similar to the Gunwerks 7 LRM. In fact, Aaron Davidson, CEO of Gunwerks, jokingly said that the new 7PRC is the 7LRM. Obviously, there are many technical differences between the two, but they do fill a nearly identical hole in the market.
Personally, I have said for a long time on the Youtube channel that my ideal hunting cartridge would be a 7mm shooting 180 grains at 3,000 fps. That’s exactly what the 7PRC is, but it is by no means the only cartridge that offers those specs.
My prediction? The 7mm PRC will beat the following cartridges in sales over the next 20 years: 280AI, Gunwerks LRM, and the 7mm Rem Mag. Personally, I like all three of those cartridges for different reasons, but I think this new cartridge will become so popular over the next few years that those cartridges will quickly fade in the rearview mirror. Obviously, the 7mm Rem Mag isn’t going to just vanish in the next 10 years. It’s an incredibly popular cartridge, but over time, I expect the 7 PRC to overtake it.
The following table compares the 7 PRC to several other cartridges using Hornady’s Precision Hunter line of ammunition.
| Energy at 200 | Max Effective Range (2,000 fps) | Drop at 400 | Drift at 400 | Bullet Weight | Muzzle Velocity | |
| 7 PRC (175gr ELDX) | 2840 | 770 | 23 | 7.3 | 175 | 2975 |
| 7 PRC (195gr Berger EOL) | 2891 | 720 | 25.5 | 7.0 | 195 | 2825 |
| 7 PRC (160gr CX) | 2563 | 690 | 23.5 | 8.5 | 160 | 3000 |
| 300 Win Mag | 2812 | 561 | 26.1 | 11.3 | 200 | 2820 |
| 7mm Rem Mag | 2519 | 684 | 23.23 | 8.5 | 162 | 2940 |
| 280 AI | 2359 | 615 | 24.99 | 9 | 162 | 2850 |
| 6.5 PRC | 2270 | 686 | 22.63 | 8.2 | 143 | 2960 |
| 270 Win | 2233 | 594 | 23.47 | 11.6 | 145 | 2970 |
| 308 Win | 2062 | 388 | 32.5 | 12.8 | 178 | 2600 |
| 7mm-08 Rem | 1844 | 450 | 29.3 | 11.8 | 140 | 2800 |
Recoil
The recoil of the 7mm PRC produces 27.7 ft-lbs of energy at a recoil velocity of 14.1 fps. That is more recoil than a .30-06 but less than a .300 Win Mag. It is on the upper end of what most large adult shooters can comfortably tolerate.
When I first shot the 7 PRC in a lightweight rifle, I was surprised by the stout recoil; however, adding a muzzle brake or a suppressor tames the rifle dramatically. I shot a coyote yesterday with the 7 PRC and had no problem seeing the bullet impact the coyote and the aftermath without losing my view of the target in the scope due to recoil.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight | Muzzle Velocity | Recoil Energy | Recoil Velocity | Powder Charge |
| 28 Nosler | 180 | 3100 | 35.8 | 16.0 | 83 |
| 300 PRC | 225 | 2,800 | 35.4 | 15.9 | 76 |
| 7 LRM | 180 | 3,025 | 30.5 | 14.8 | 73 |
| 300 Win Mag | 180 | 3,000 | 28.7 | 14.3 | 69 |
| 300 WSM | 180 | 3,000 | 27.9 | 14.1 | 66.5 |
| 7 PRC | 180 | 2,950 | 27.7 | 14.1 | 69 |
| 6.8 Western | 175 | 2,840 | 24.4 | 13.2 | 67.5 |
| 7 SAUM | 180 | 2,825 | 23.8 | 13.1 | 63.5 |
| 7mm Rem Mag | 180 | 2,825 | 23.4 | 12.9 | 62 |
| 280 AI | 180 | 2,760 | 22.3 | 12.6 | 62 |
| 6.5 PRC | 147 | 2,910 | 16.2 | 11.1 | 50 |
7 PRC Cartridge Design
Before SAAMI drawings of the 7 PRC were released, I fully expected the 7 PRC to follow the industry-wide trend of overbore hot-rod cartridges. I thought for certain it would have more powder capacity than a 7 Mag so Hornady could advertise the new cartridge “beating” the old standard.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the cartridge is quite mild. The 7 PRC has very slightly less case capacity than the 7mm Remington Magnum, but also has a twist rate and neck length capable of shooting much heavier bullets than are common in a 7 Mag.
| Cartridge | H20 Capacity | Max COAL | Case Length | Shoulder Angle | Head Diameter | Neck Length |
| 28 Nosler | 98 | 3.34 | 2.59 | 35 | 0.534 | 0.2756 |
| 300 PRC | 96 | 3.7 | 2.58 | 30 | 0.532 | 0.3076 |
| 7 LRM | 82 | ? | 2.514 | 30 | 0.528 | 0.382 |
| 300 Win Mag | 83 | 3.34 | 2.62 | 25 | 0.532 | 0.2639 |
| 300 WSM | 77 | 2.86 | 2.1 | 35 | 0.535 | 0.2979 |
| 7 PRC | 78 | 3.34 | 2.28 | 30 | 0.532 | 0.2868 |
| 6.8 Western | 75 | 2.955 | 2.02 | 35 | 0.535 | 0.2765 |
| 7 SAUM | 74 | 2.825 | 2.035 | 30 | 0.534 | 0.3108 |
| 7mm Rem Mag | 82 | 3.29 | 2.5 | 25 | 0.532 | 0.2712 |
| 280 AI | 65 | 3.33 | 2.525 | 40 | 0.472 | 0.3455 |
Bullet Weights
The 7 PRC is designed around the 180-grain ELD-Match bullet; however, some people will certainly point to the fact that the 7mm Rem Mag has been able to shoot 180-grain bullets for many decades. The specified twist rate for each cartridge dramatically impacts the ability for a firearm to spin a bullet fast enough to stabilize a long bullet in flight.
Shooters will gravitate toward heavy-for-caliber high-BC bullets in the 7mm PRC. I have a table showing the highest BC 7mm bullets, but here are a few bullets likely to be popular in the 7mm PRC:
- 175gr Hornady ELD-X
- 160gr Hornady CX
- 180gr Hornady ELD-M
- 195gr Berger EOL
- 183gr Sierra MatchKing
- 180gr Berger VLD Target
- 180gr Berger VLD Hunting
- 175gr Berger Elite Hunter
- 175gr Nosler Accubond
Below are the specified twist rates for many similar cartridges to the 7 PRC. A faster twist in the rifling of a barrel allows the bullet to spin more quickly to stabilize longer (and consequently heavier) bullets.
| Cartridge | Twist Rate | Bullet Weight Range |
| 28 Nosler | 1:9 | 120 – 185 |
| 300 PRC | 1:8.5 | 175 – 250 |
| Gunwerks 7 LRM | 1:9 | 180 (Factory) |
| 300 Win Mag | 1:10 | 125 – 220 |
| 300 WSM | 1:10 | 125 – 220 |
| 7 PRC | 1:8 | 160 – 195 |
| 6.8 Western | 1:7.5 (Browning), 1:8 (Winchester) | 110 – 175 |
| 7 SAUM | Varies | 120 – 185 |
| 7mm Rem Mag | 1:9.5 | 120 – 185 |
| 280 AI | 1:8 (Varies) | 120 – 185 |
Converting Your Rifle to a 7 PRC
Backfire was the first publication to put together a 7 PRC as soon as the SAAMI specs for the cartridge were released. Building a rifle with no reloading data and no established manufacturing was a challenge, but now you can easily get a rifle rebarreled for 7 PRC.
I highly recommend Preferred Barrel Blanks for this job. I had them make me a short 20″ carbon fiber-wrapped barrel chambered in 7 PRC. I’m getting impressive velocities despite the short length, and the accuracy has been insanely good–one of the most accurate rifles I’ve ever shot.
Be cautious when rebarreling a rifle into any of the “PRC” cartridges. Due to the extremely tight tolerances of these cartridges, I’ve seen MANY manufacturers struggle with delivering barrels that spike pressures or have brass that doesn’t fit right. The #1 reason I recommend Preferred Barrel Blanks is because they’ve sorted through those issues and can deliver problem-free prefit barrels.
The cool thing is that Preferred Barrel Blanks does prefits for just about any action you already have. You can get a new barrel for your Ruger American, Tikka, Bergara, Savage, etc. Or, you can of course use a custom action like a Terminus, Defiance, etc. As long as it’s a standard long-action, you should be just fine putting a 7 PRC barrel on it.
If you’re new to this, just call Preferred Barrel Blanks at (435) 635-6900 and tell them you read about them on Backfire and you want a 20″ carbon fiber-wrapped prefit barrel like the one they made for me. When it gets mailed to you, you screw it on and you have a 7 PRC! Simple as that. Below is a picture of the 7 PRC that Preferred Barrel Blanks built for me (Note: I also bought a MDT HNT26 chassis from them, which they had in stock).
Factory Rifles Offered in 7 PRC
I have a complete article on the best rifles available now in 7mm PRC.
As soon as the cartridge was officially announced, Hornady announced many rifle makers that will be producing factory offerings for the 7 PRC.
Factory Mass-Market Rifle Makers
- Christensen Arms
- Fierce Firearms
- JP Sauer and Sohn
- Mossberg
- Remington
- Ruger (in 2023)
- Savage
- Seekins Precision
- Springfield Armory (in 2023)
- Proof Research
Custom and Premium Rifle Makers
- Allterra Arms
- Altus Shooting Solutions
- Best of the West
- GA Precision
- Gunwerks
- Hill Country Rifles
- H-S Precision
- Horizon Firearms
- McWhorter Custom Rifles
- Short Action Customs
- Stuteville Precision
- TS Customs
- West Texas Ordnance
I was somewhat surprised by the list of firearms manufacturers who are not yet jumping on board with the 7 PRC. Tikka, Browning, and Bergara are conspicuously missing from the list and yet they all chamber for the 6.5 PRC.
Since this new cartridge has been announced, I’ve talked with my contacts at many of the major rifle manufacturers and have been surprised by how many of them are extremely frustrated with working on PRC chamberings in their rifles. There have been many changes to the reamer specs of the other PRC cartridges, and the tight tolerances make manufacturing difficult.
Reloading for the 7 PRC
I’ve done a significant amount of handloading and reloading for the 7 PRC over the last few months. Using dies from Whidden, I got to work.
Initially, I expected H1000 or Retumbo to be the best powders for the 7 PRC since they are fan favorites of the 7 Mag. I quickly saw that the 4 fewer grains of case capacity in the 7 PRC made these powders not ideal. So far, my favorite powder for reloading the 7 PRC is H4831SC using standard large rifle primers.
The challenge of loading for any of the PRC cartridges is the extremely tight tolerances. Even fairly experienced reloaders sometimes struggle to get reloaded brass to fit properly into the rifle.
Obviously Hornady makes dies for the 7 PRC, but I personally am not a fan of their dies. The only other company I’ve seen with die sets is Whidden Gunworks. They sent me their full-length bushing resizing die and micrometer seating die and I’ve been amazed with the quality. Seriously, it’s by far the nicest die set I’ve ever owned–and I’ve tried just about every brand out there.
Loading the 175gr ELD-X Bullet in the 7mm PRC
Important Note: This is anecdotal testing. Your results may vary. Unlike a load data book from one of the ammunition companies, I am not measuring pressure with a computer. I’m just looking at the brass for symptoms of being over-pressure, but sometimes those symptoms don’t show up until a cartridge is significantly overpressure as could be measured by a computer. This is for academic purposes only. Do not rely on my anecdotal testing for your rifle. If ya do… you might blow your face off.
First, let’s take a look at H4831SC powder loaded with a 175gr ELD-X bullet. This is using CCI Large Magnum primers, and shooting out of a 24″ test barrel.
| Powder Charge | Velocity (fps) | Notes |
| 61gr H4831SC | 2,754 | |
| 61.5gr H4831SC | 2,806 | |
| 62gr H4831SC | 2,823 | |
| 63gr H4831SC | 2,918 | |
| 64gr H4831SC | 2,950 | |
| 65gr H4831SC | 2,975 | |
| 65.5gr H4831SC | 2,995 | |
| 66gr H4831SC | 2,988 | |
| 66.5gr H4831SC | 3,010 | Lightly compressed load |
| 67gr H4831SC | 3,037 | Pressure signs |
Next, I loaded H1000. Unfortunately, the chronograph (Labradar) glitched out and didn’t record all the velocities, but I did at least shoot the following two that were recorded. Note that BOTH of these are a compressed load, so you couldn’t really go much faster than this with H1000.
This is again shooting the 175gr ELD-X bullet out of 24″ test barrel with a large magnum CCI primer.
| Powder Charge | Velocity (fps) | Notes |
| 68gr H1000 | 2,912 | Compressed load |
| 69gr H1000 | 2,958 | No obvious pressure signs, but I didn’t feel I should compress further. |
Last, I shot Accurate Magpro powder with the same 175gr ELD-X and CCI large magnum primer out of a 24″ test barrel. Here’s what I found.
| Powder Charge | Velocity (fps) | Notes |
| 66gr Magpro | 2,700 | |
| 67gr Magpro | 2,756 | |
| 68gr Magpro | 2,789 | |
| 69gr Magpro | 2,836 | |
| 70gr Magpro | 2,848 | |
| 71gr Magpro | 2,928 | |
| 71.5gr Magpro | 2,942 | Still a decent amount of case capacity left. |
I also received some information from a gentleman in Canada who built a 7PRC. Here’s what he reported using a 175gr ELDX, Federal 215M primers, and Reloder26 powder. Here’s that data using his 24.5″ barrel:
| Powder Charge | Velocity (fps) | Notes |
| 63gr Reloder 26 | 2825 | Most accurate group |
| 63.5gr Reloder 26 | 2850 | |
| 64gr Reloader 26 | 2895 | |
| 64.5gr Reloader 26 | 2935 | |
| 65gr Reloader 26 | 2940 | |
| 65.5gr Reloader 26 | Error | Given Hornady’s target load of 180gr at 2,950fps, this is likely a max load. |
| 66gr Reloader 26 | 3,020 | |
| 66.5gr Reloader 26 | 3,030 | |
| 67gr Reloader 26 | 3,100 | No visible pressure signs, but likely overpressure |
| 67.5gr Reloader 26 | 3,112 | |
| 68gr Reloader 26 | 3,128 | Recoil increased noticeably |
| 68.4gr Reloader 26 | 3,141 | Leakage around primer, VERY overpressure |
After seeing these numbers, I’m most interested in pursuing H4831SC for this cartridge. H1000 ran out of space for powder before I reached max velocity. Magpro had a lot of case capacity left, but wasn’t getting the velocity I’d hope to see without just burning a ton of powder.
Personally, my load for the 175 ELD-X in the 7mm PRC will be 64gr of H4831SC, which should yield around 2,925fps. I believe that should be a max load but still safe in my rifle, efficient loading, and impressive speed.
It seems that the cartridge was designed to compress the load right at the point where you’d reach pressure with these common powders.
Interestingly, I loaded 61.2 grains of H4831SC in a 7mm Remington Magnum, and a 7mm PRC. I used the same primer, and the same 175gr ELDX bullet. However, the 7mm PRC shot on average 105 fps faster.
There is still quite a bit more case capacity left with Magpro (my guess would be you could go to 77 grains before it compresses), so that could be an option for max velocity, but you’d be going through quite a bit more powder to get there.
Loading the 195 Berger EOL Bullet in the 7mm PRC
For this load, I chose the 195 Berger EOL and loaded it to max COAL of 3.34″. I used CCI large magnum rifle primers, and lovingly caressed each bullet before sending it on the ride of its life. I’m still using the same 24″ test barrel by Preferred Barrel Blanks for this cartridge.
| Powder Charge | Velocity | Pressure Signs |
| 64gr H4831SC | 2,850fps | No pressure signs |
| 65gr H4831SC | 2,911fps | Over pressure (Ejector mark) |
| Powder Charge | Velocity | Notes |
| 64gr H1000 | 2,652 | No pressure signs |
| 65gr H1000 | 2,710 | No pressure signs |
| 66gr H1000 | 2,792 | No pressure signs, compressed load |
| 67gr H1000 | 2,839 | No pressure signs, compressed load |
Loading the 150gr Hornady CX Bullet in the 7mm PRC
Note that with these loads, I switch to a standard large rifle primer–not a magnum primer.
| Powder Charge | Velocity | Notes |
| 64gr H4831SC | 3,121 | |
| 65gr H4831SC | 3,131 | |
| 66gr H4831SC | 3,198 | Possible Pressure Signs |
| 60gr H4350 | 3,197 | Pressure Signs |
| 61gr H4350 | 3,291 | Pressure Signs |
I personally worked up my load using the 150gr Hornady CX bullet, but now Hornady has announced a new 160gr CX bullet with a much higher BC and only one band instead of the two bands on the 150gr CX. I will likely switch to that bullet once it becomes available.
Surprisingly, the factory ammunition for the 160gr CX bullet offers the same 3,000fps muzzle velocity as the 175gr ELD-X bullet. I expected it to go a little faster in the CX due to the lighter weight, but copper bullets can also increase pressures, so it seems that Hornady wasn’t able to get any increased speed out of it.
History of the 7mm PRC
Hornady officially announced the cartridge on October 26, 2022 at the NASGW Expo. The 7mm PRC was approved by SAAMI on June 7, 2022 and the public introduction was released on June 16, 2022. Backfire’s Youtube channel was the first publication to break the story of the cartridge’s SAAMI approval, and Backfire was also the first group to build a 7mm PRC and show it to the public.
Will be interested in seeing which manufacturers chamber this round. Hopefully more options than what the 6.8 Western.
Awesome article and information. Thank you. Quick question – the 7mm rem mag recoil is listed below the 7saum and 6.8 western in this table. Is that right? Also, any chance you could add 270wsm to the tables? Thanks!
Cool round. But, I shoot a 195 EOL with a 1:9.5 twist out of a weatherby vanguard 7mm Rem Mag. I do lose stability out past 1000 yards but still great performance. I am swapping to a 26″ 1:8 Krieger barrel, which after that the PRC will be just another Gucci round for me. I shoot only 7mm rem mag in 3 different set ups and for me, there aren’t nearly enough pros to just switch the tack on the near impossible feat of obtaining brass. The numbers aren’t much better and the only pro I see is getting decent numbers with a shorter barrel. Still a cool round for someone first using a .284 round.
Dear Jim,
since I´m a fan of your youtubes, my question to you:
do you know the 7mm Blaser Magnum?
https://bobp.cip-bobp.org/uploads/tdcc/tab-i/tabical-en-page36.pdf
I´m hunting with this cartridge with 145 gr TTSX on red stags till 250 kg untill 300 m:
it works. At 300 m my Blaser R8 shoots on 2 cm with these bullets.
cheerio, Christoph
Christoph Pirker
DE Scheidegg/Bavaria
Jim, I’m wondering why you did not include the Winchester 284, in your comparative with the lineup. The 284 as used by benchrest shooters at 1000-yard matches uses a 180-grain bullet in along action. Those shooters could use the information that Hornady is providing herein
George Holt
Jim,
I reload, and finding 300 PRC and 6.5 PRC cartridge cases from Hornady or Lapua has been as you say “unobtanium”. Starline Brass has plans to produce these cases in the future. 300 PRC and 6.5 PRC ammo has challenging to find too, but is finally showing up with Federal and Sierra joining Hornady. With the ammo and reloading components markets starting to normalize, when do you think 7mm PRC ammo and reloading components will be available this year?
You have stated several times you would not use 6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5 PRC for large game like elk. Based on the 7mm PRC data you shared, would you use the 7mm PRC for elk and large North American game?
Really enjoy your channels and content.
Thank you,
Kent
I ABSOLUTELY would use 7mm PRC on elk. In fact, it may be about the best choice on the market for my personal preference.
You think they will come out with a 7mm Western?
Unfortunately, no. Winchester told me they aren’t planning a series.
Jim,
I was about to embark on a 7 Saum build in a long action to use the longer, higher BC bullets. Now I think that build is going to be a 7 PRC. I’ll keep you posted! Should be the next level do it all cartridge.
Thanks for all of your work!
I just finished my 7saum……might need to do an identical build but in 7prc and compare. Eh, someday.
What action and barrel are you using?
Hi Jim,
Thank you for all the proactive information gathering you’ve done for the community. I reload and would be VERY interested in learning more about being able to use less powder to achieve higher velocities with the the same bullet in 7 PRC vs 7 rem mag. Maybe you could do a future video on it?
Cheers!
Well done mate , won’t 7wsm do the same?? Just wondering.
Hi Jim,
I’m a big fan of the channel and look forward to more on the 7mm PRC. I have the 6.5 PRC and 300 PRC, and I’m sure a 7mm PRC will be in my future. I’m a big fan of the 7mm. To me it’s in the Goldilocks zone. This spring I built a 7mm REM Mag with a long throat in a 28 inch barrel 1:8 twist from McGowen Barrels. I was hoping to optimize the cartridge . ( I know you prefer shorter barrels especially for hunting). This setup is for long range target shooting. I’ve been playing around with Berger 190g Long Range Hybrid Targets. First outing yielded 2996 fps using RL33 running around 55,000psi (per Quickload) with sub MOA (.694 @ 5 shots) groups. I’m still working on a load.
Looking forward to seeing what the 7mm PRC can do by comparison. If it performs like my 6.5 PRC and 300 PRC, I’m guessing it will be a winner too.
Thanks for your content.
Cheers!
how will the 7mm prc compare to the 7mm sherman short or 7mm sherman max
It has more case capacity than the short, and is very similar to thr max. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find any standard case diagrams for the Sherman cartridges so that’s really all I can say.
Wonder where I could get reloading dies?
Whidden is making some right now.
Made my own dies. Newlon blanks. Worked up load with 195 bergers. 61.6 grains H4831sc. 2950fps with 32 inch barrel. Great cartridge. Everything was sub 1/2 moa from 59.5 to 62 grains. Final load 61.6 grains 1/4moa.
Great video and I’ve been following and hoping that a 7 PRC would come for years now. The one disagreement I have is that I think the 7PRC will affect the 28 Nosler sales more than they will the 7RM or 280AI. Seems like the 7 PRC is 90% of the 28 Nosler without the extremely short barrel life and 20% less recoil. The 7 RM is too established to go away similar to how the 300 PRC didn’t completely eliminate 300 WM sales… nor did they likely affect 30-06 sales. I think the 280AI is a completely different animal as well. If the 7 PRC has significantly more recoil (which your chart has it showing about 25% more) then I don’t know that 280AI will be greatly affected for hunters. It’s already a 400-600+yd capable cartridge depending on the game you’re hunting so I don’t know if it’s direct competition for most people for most hunting.
As a competition gun and a capable do all cartridge the 7 PRC absolutely checks just about every box there is… I look forward to adding it to my 7mm-08 (for 120-150gr bullets) and 280AI (for 140-175gr bullets) as a capable 7mm magnum that isn’t tremendously overbore and specialized for heavier (160gr+ bullets).
Hi Jim,
Great job on all the information on the 7mm PRC.
I’m looking for a new elk rifle and am very excited about this new caliber. How do you think it will shoot the Barnes 168 gn LRX in case this new lead ammo ban goes through? Any idea on predicted velocities for it? Ideal extreme powder’s?
Thank you very much in advance,
Steve
Jim, I’m in the middle of building a 7PRC. Still haven’t been able to find brass. Any suggestions?
Thanks, Jake
RCC brass is the only place that has it, but the prices are wild at $6 per piece.
Seems like they are trying to reinvent the wheel given that the 7mm STW (strangely missing from this article for comparisons) does everything the 7mm PRC does and more for over 40 years: 180gr in the 3000-3200fps range. Not like they are going to get away stuffing a 7mm PRC into a short action any less than the 7mm STW even when the former has a shorter COAL. Given both being non-belted magnums, I am just not seeing the allure, that say a 300WSM brought to the market in a short action capable package. Had they had a COAL for this cartridge that worked in a short action, then I could see it being a winner. Not being a downer on innovation, but 7mm STW is made by a lot more manufacturers than I see 7mm PRiCey ever being made by. People may argue that the 7mm STW has come and gone, but with the PRS-ELR hybrid competitions becoming more common, even range directors like Scott Satterlee admit the 7mm’s are the ones to be on the lookout for, going forward. Current F-class are almost all .284 (another strangely missing cartridge in this article’s comparison) which says something about what the disciplined shooters, regularly shooting out X-rings at 1000m, think.
Count me in as a 7mm STW shooter. I’ve got a Remington Sendero with a Brux 1:9 twist. I’ve got it sending the 162 grain ELD-X 3200 FPS. That’s a dead whitetail deer out to 1200 yards lol. I hope brass makers continue to make 7mm STW brass.
Ok went out with new 7 PRC rifle. F-Class 32” barrel. 61.6 grains H4831sc with 195 berger gives 2975fps. 5/8 to 1” groups at 500 yards. Hornady has made the perfect 7mm case.
You did not compare this cartridge to the 7mm RUM? How will that compare?
Jim, nice summary on the 7PRC. Couple questions for you. Who’s reamer did you use? And were you making your own brass or using RCC machined brass? (They are the only company that has any 7PRC brass that I know of…
I just completed my 7PRC build, and have started testing. Using a 30” Bartlein barrel, Manson reamer, RCC brass, and wanted to do some comparisons to your results.
Thanks Clay
Exact same setup. RCC brass and Manson reamer. I’d love to see what data you get so I can include more data in this post.
Where did you find reloading dies?
Whidden has the dies for 7 PRC. Great stuff. Tell them I sent you.
Someone forgot the grand daddy of 7mm mags! The 7mm Weatherby! While I was thinking that the 7 prc might be the way to go, I’m just going to re-barrel my 7mm weather with a faster twist! While I like and support new cartridges, does the PRC provide anything new?
I have been saying for years a lot of the 2.5 inch cases would have been better off reduced to 2.250 – 2.3 inch .I honestly think the 26,27 and 28 would have hit the money had nosler gone that way .
I enjoy your videos. I guess the 7mm WSM is dead. I have an m70 classic with a 26” Brux barrel. 66 grs of H1000 behind a Berger 184 Hybrid produces 3,000 fps. Re#26 69 grs pushes a 162 gr A- max 3225 fps. I have two bags of W-W virgin brass and enough multi-fired brass to last me the rest of my life.
Regardless keep the videos coming
Larry Whitehouse
Why is it a foregone conclusion that “Shooters will gravitate toward heavy-for-caliber high-BC bullets in the 7mm PRC”? Personally my mind goes towards hot rodding medium-to-heavy-for-caliber mono’s in the 150-175 grain range at 3200 -> 3000+ for long range expansion on game. This would negate most of the recoil pain and serve as a solid replacement for 7mm Rem Mag without the belt pain.
You’re right. I’m sure people will certainly use the cartridge for many things.
Agreed that Whidden Gunworks makes the best reloading dies available. Great folks to deal with too.
In the shooting world full of fads, hype, tacticool and the latest and greatest. It’s just another very similar round with no clear huge advantages, maybe only recoil. I’ll keep pushing my 7RM 180gr at 3050 with 72.2gr Retumbo with brass more available than I could ever want or need.
i have a 6.5 prc after reading this page on 7mm prc theres not enough extra hump in this new prc to justify buying one, I have three 7mags but I also have a 300wsm that lays down the gauntlett and beats this prc at everything. I also have a 264 mag but the 6.5prc will do anything it will do but with a lot less powder. Now im gonna say this , without reloader 26 powder I would have no need to own this 6.5prc, this powder is like magic. Maybe yall will find some magic power that will do likewise for the 7mm prc. Im gonna leave it right here, I own a lot of rifles but if I didnt there are 3 rifles that I could own and cover every game animal in north america. The .204 ruger for varmints, 6.5 prc for deer and elk but also moose, then the daddy of short mags the 300wsm which can really handle elk moose and brown bears
Would like to see this compared with the .30-06 and .308.
Thank you for your efforts and info on this. I’ve been curious how it would shake out/compare to the 7SAUM when seated long. I’m running a 20” tube on a Bergara action. I do have a gain lands so it’s not a 100% apples to apples comparison. Looking at your H4831sc chart I’m a little faster at 62.7grs than what you had at 63grs. I think the biggest win for the PRC however is the factory support that the SAUM lacks. Hopefully with it’s introduction it will make SAUM brass easier to find because more people will go for the PRC moving forward. I think Hornady just hit another home run with this one.
What barrel length has Hornady created the 7mm PRC for? In other words what barrel length will produce a 3,000 fps muzzle velocity using the factory loaded Precision Hunter 175 gr ELD-X bullet?
24″ is the reference data from Hornady, but I have a 20″ barrel and am still getting nice velocities.
What are the speeds you’re getting with your 20″ barrel? That’s what I’m really most curious to know.
What are the speeds you’re getting with your 20″ barrel? That’s what I’m really most curious to know.
7 PRC looks like the best large deer caliber. Nice build Jim. Maybe one day you could get a donor barrel from a sponsor, and cut it down in the field (no recrown) every inch from 28” down to 18” to see what all the velocities are?
That’d be awesome to see.
Hi Jim, I’m a follower on YouTube, I really enjoy all of them.
I’ve left comments but could use some advice.
First know I’m a disabled hunter who is in my early 60’s, I have a spinal issue from an accident and just had shoulder surgery, I can’t walk far anymore.
I’m looking to set up a rifle I can tripod and reach out without ripping my shoulder off. I currently shoot a 300 Win Mag.
Loaded with IMR 4830 @ 70 gr. And shoot 168 Barnes tipped triple shock bullets along with Berger VLD at same weight and load.
My scope has seen better days but my Weatherby Accumark is like new and I really like it.
All the scopes I like seam to be out of my price affordability. But these eyes have seen better days (literally).
Any recommendations
I do reload and my rifle seams to like 70 grains.
For what it’s worth longest shot was 823 yards with my Leupold vx2 3-9 but that was eight years ago
Thanks, God Bless
7 PRC would be a nice step down in recoil from a 300 win mag as long as you choose a lighter bullet. Something like a 145gr Barnes LRX would be a great choice. It’ll get tons of penetration and you could shoot that light of a bullet VERY fast.
Ciao Jim caccio in zona Alpi in Italia cammino molto e vorrei un arma leggera . Quanto pesa il sistema che hai realizzato? con canna da 50 inch. che velocità riesci ad avere? grazie
Hi Jim, I hunt in the Alps area in Italy, I walk a lot and would like a light weapon. How much does the system you made weigh? with 50 inch barrel. what speed can you get? thank you
Good day mate I’m a subscriber to your youtube channel, I’ve watched you one program were you showed us the 7mm PRC and i fell in love instantly. Were did you had your rifle made? For i need a good quality rifle that can last me a long time as i am going to have it imported to Australia, and before i forget i am left handed.
Thanks in advance
JJ
So you’re telling me Springfield Armory is planning on making a 7 PRC Waypoint 2020 in 2023 ?!?!?!
I was looking at having Preferred Barrels make me a 7mm PRC similar to what you have shown. I see yours has a suppressor. Can you tell me which suppressor you are using? What is the mounting method, QD or threaded? Did you supply or install the muzzle device or did you get one from Preferred Barrels? If it’s a can that takes a threaded muzzle device or a QD mount then who installed the device and did you time it for minimal POI shift?
Thanks for all the helpful info on the 7PRC. It really looks like this might be the do all cartridge I’ve been waiting for. I keep watching to see everyone’s long term thoughts and hunting performance. So please keep letting us know how it works for you.
It’s a direct thread. PBB will just thread the end in a typical 5/8×24 pattern and then you’ll use a direct thread suppressor like a Dead Air Nomad.
Where can I get 7 PRC brass? I have a Ridgeline now