175gr ELDx is NOT getting it done

1

I have exhausted the 175grain ELDX for 7PRC. I can’t consistently get it below 1 MOA at 100 not matter what load, powder or case I use. So, moving on. I have a box of Berger Elite Hunter 190gr and a box of Sierra Tipped Game King 180gr coming. I have never shot Bergers, but I have the SGK and have had really good results with them. I know the Bergers are really good.

My question is, what other bullets would y’all recommend for 7mm/.284 with high BC and at least 168gr?

2

The Nosler 7MM 168GR ACCUBOND LONG RANGE has a G1 of .616. Their Nosler 175 gr AccuBond Long Range has a G1 of .648. I like them in that weight class and the projectiles have worked well for me in several different calibers.

3

What rifle? I’m convinced the 7 PRC does not do well in a lighter platform, enough so that when I replace the barrel on my PH3 I’m going 24" fluted sendero to confirm my theory.

4

Customized Bergara Crest Carbon, weighs just under 10lbs. I’ve had this a while, and with Federal Premium ELDx, I get 3/4 minute accuracy which I was very pleased with. Its not the rifle or the weight.

5
  1. A little lighter than you’re looking for, but considering they punch above their weight class, the 160 lrx from Barnes.
  2. The Elite from Berger, but the 175 version. I’ve seen a number of real Long Range Hunter types including the owner of Gunwerks state that the 195 is just too heavy. It’s going to slow. By the time you realize the advantage of the higher bc, you’re well out of standard hunting range. Therefore use the 175
6

I bought the 915s :(… so we’ll see. I am exhausting all options before I turn to copper.

7

Norma bond strikes, if you go directly to the Nosler.com you can usually find a better deal then 2nd hand online.

8

Hey Ben… I know it has already been mentioned, but the 175gr Berger Elite Hunter would be worth a try. It sure shoots good groups in my 7PRC CVA Cascade LRH (1/2 - 3/4) as well as my custom 284 Win. (~3/8 avg). I use Vihtavuori powder and Federal Gold Medal Magnum Match Primers.

9

What data are you seeing with the 175? Velo/SD/ES?

10

I have never had success with the accubonds in any caliber, but my 7PRC shoots the ABLR sub half MOA consistently with box ammo. The 175 grain. Excited to use it on a cow hunt later this month.

11

7PRC… Peterson Brass (Lapua wasn’t available at the time), VV N560 Powder

Velocity - 3075fps; SD - 9.1; ES - 22.1

With N560, the ES seems to be a little higher than I want… but you get speed. Going to try N565 to get SD and ES down but know I will give up speed.

12

I’m researching my custom build and looking at 6.5 Sherman Short, 7mm SWC, and 7mm SS. If you’re looking at high BC boat-tail bullets, you’re probably thinking about 400-600 yards. In which case you should probably be looking at the G7 number for BC. G1 is best used when looking at flat bottom fat pointy bullets.

From my digging, the 180 Hybrid (for hunting) seems like a solid choice, though not at close range. The 168 Gr Burger seems like another excellent option - faster, still plenty of oompf at 600 yards. The G7 numbers are much closer across that range (168 - 190) than the G1 numbers. While those G1 numbers sure do look appealing (great for marketing purposes), they’re really not a good representation of what’s happening.

13

Ben you my need to consider that your rifle barrel is the problem and not 175 eld-x or the powers. Especially if you know you are capable of shooting small groups with other rifles. Has your rifle ever shot any ammo sub moa? Chasing accuracy with a gun that won’t shoot is expensive and frustrating. I learned this the hard way with some of my rifles. Best of luck with your reloading but do consider it may be the gun. I know the 175 eld-x is capable of shooting .3" groups regularly in my ph2 7 rem mag.

14

Appreciate the thought, but as I wrote earlier
“…and with Federal Premium ELDx, I get 3/4 minute accuracy which I was very pleased with. Its not the rifle or the weight.”

Barrel is fine. I still get those results with the Federal Premium ammo. With Hornady Precision Hunter, I don’t.

15

Between your experiences, Steve’s recent posts, as well as Jim’s most recent YT vid, I can’t help but feel like there is something truly special about the 7prc and RL-26. Hornady invented a cartridge/bullet combo that only works with one powder

16

Maybe… We need someone stateside to make their own version of that powder

17

I’m sure China is working hard at a copy

18

You might try the Berger 175 elite hunter that I really like but also a totally different grain weight May make a more drastic difference.

19

Has anyone tried the Federal Fusion bullets? I’ve been wanting to try then and see if they tighten up with a more forgiving geometry then then ELDx.

20

I tried them. I was getting 3/4 minute results. Very similar to the ELDx Fed Premium 175s