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 80% 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.
Hornady revealed in an interview on the Backfire Youtube channel that they plan to officially announce 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 is also the first group to build a 7mm PRC and show it to the public.
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 drops less than 20″ at 400 yards
- Incredible resistance to wind deflection
- 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.
- 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.
- Long-action cartridge adds 1/3 lbs to some rifles, and doesn’t allow for as short of barrels
- Needs a 24″ or 26″ barrel to take advantage of the extra powder, but if you put a 7mm PRC and a 7mm Rem Mag both in a 20″ barrel, the 7mm PRC would still shoot faster.

Building the First 7mm PRC in the World
As soon as the SAAMI specs for the 7mm PRC were announced, I immediately got to work building one. Since Hornady won’t announce the cartridge until the end of October, and since I talked to many different component makers who made me custom items to make the build possible, I can confidently say that this is the first public 7mm PRC rifle build in the world. I’m sure there are hundreds in existence at some of the big rifle makers, but they are under NDA until the cartridge is made public.
Big thank you to Preferred Barrel Blanks for making me a barrel as soon as I got a reamer in, and also to MDT for sending out an Oryx chassis for the build. If you’re building a 7mm PRC, contact Preferred Barrel Blanks and they can make you a prefit.
Loading the 175gr ELD-X Bullet in the 7mm PRC
Important Note: This is anecdotal testing in my personal rifle. 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 70k or 75k psi–which is an unsafe pressure. 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 | Compressed load |
67gr H4831SC | 3,037 | |
68gr H4831SC | 3,025 | |
69gr H4831SC | 3,113 | Obvious 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. |
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 66.2gr of H4831SC, which should yield exactly 3,000fps. I believe that should be a max load but still safe in my rifle, efficient loading, and impressive speed. I did all my testing with a CCI Large Magnum primer, but I have not yet tested standard large primers to see which is better.
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) |
66gr H4831SC | 2,949fps | WAY over pressure (Don’t even think about it) |
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 |

7mm PRC Compared to Other Common Cartridges
Please note that the table below isn’t an apples-to-apples comparison. This is mimicking Hornady Precision Hunter ammunition, but that means the 7mm Rem Mag is using a much lighter bullet than the 7mm PRC, for example, since we don’t yet know any velocity numbers for the 7mm PRC for that load, and if Hornady will release a heavier 7mm ELD-X for this cartridge.
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 |
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 |
Comparing the 7mm PRC to Similar Cartridges
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 |
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 kill the following cartridges: 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.
7 PRC Cartridge Design
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 |
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 barely less than a .300 Win Mag. It is on the upper end of what most large adult shooters can comfortably tolerate.
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 |
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
- 180gr Hornady ELD-M
- 195gr Berger EOL
- 197gr Sierra MatchKing HPBT
- 190gr Berger Long Range Hybrid Target
- 185gr Nosler RDF
- 183gr Sierra MatchKing
- 180gr Berger VLD Target
- 180gr Berger Hybrid 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.
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 | Likely 150 – 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 |
Will be interested in seeing which manufacturers chamber this round. Hopefully more options than what the 6.8 Western.
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.
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!
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!