7 PRC Velocity Debate x Backfire Challenge EP 2

Hunting
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As the great Hornady 7 PRC velocity debate rages on in another thread, I thought it interesting to put it in the context of Episode 2 of the Backfire Challenge. Now it was a real miss on Hornady’s part, but variances in velocity from factory ammo aside, I still think the 7 PRC is a great cartridge. I recently gave my 270 Win to my eldest son and I’m considering replacing it with either a 6.8 Western or a 7 PRC. So, no hate on the 7 PRC from me.

I am curious for the community’s thoughts, but given the results of the last Backfire Challenge episode, past a certain power level, for lack of a better, I am not sure it really matters what particular cartridge you choose for a hunting application. If your intent is to shoot targets at long range then it seems the ability to shoot the new high BC bullets really comes into play, but the latest Challenge episode really calls into question in my mind if the “average hunter” (myself included) can ethically take shots on game animals past 500 yards. First caveat, on any given day, if you know your rifle, have a good shot, and conditions are favorable, each of us has to make the decision whether to take the shot. Second caveat, if you are an expert at long range shooting and your confidence level is higher that you can make the shot, that also makes a difference, given you keep the bullet’s retained energy at that distance in mind.

OK, caveats out of the way, for most of us, it seems somewhere around 400 yards, give or take, is max ethical range. That agrees with my own assessment of my shooting ability. At those ranges, I am not sure it really matters whether you are shooting a 7 RM, 300 WM (WSM), 6.8 Western, 7 PRC, etc. For me the lesson is practice and learn your rifle so you can make a good shot. The cartridge isn’t going to improve your skill. At those hunting ranges, I don’t think one will really be that much better or kill the animal any deader, if you make a good shot. So pick the cartridge you like, practice, know your ability, and enjoy the hunt.

5 Likes
7 prc velocity issues
2

It’s a fine point.

I might say that given the results of the challenge, most hunters, even those that are very passionate amateurs, shouldn’t hunt past 250 or 300.

Within 300, cartridge matters pretty little. Bullet composition would be far more important.

If you’re one of the 0.5% that really has any business shooting 600 yards on game, I’d say cartridge matters a decent amount to minimize mistakes, but not anywhere near as much as your experience and skill matter.

3

People are always looking to purchase their way into skills. Hardware solutions for software problems.

Also doesn’t help that there are too numerous to count YouTube videos of Elk ( or whatever) kills at 1000+ yards.

1 Like
4

The backfire challenge videos along with the lies that go deeper video has really gotten my head thinking and spinning. The craze in the hunting world over the last few years was all about the 6.5 prc up until a year ago. Over the last year it has switched to being the 7 prc as the hot chic on campus that everyone thinks they want and need. The velocity of the 7 prc really isn’t as high as it is advertised and is not a whole lot more than the 6.5 prc. The recoil of a 7 prc in ft-lbs is 25.2 and the recoil of the 6.5 prc is 16.27. (That is a big difference in more recoil more the 7 prc)

These things got me thinking along with the fact that we all think we are better shooters than we really are (example is the backfire challenge). Most hunters should not be hunting at distances of longer than 350 yards. If this is the case in almost all scenarios you really do not need a 7 prc or a 300 win mag or a large rifle cartridge with big recoils because any rifle will be sufficient enough to take down a big game animal at an ethical distance.

Do you think the 7 prc or some other cartridges really have a big advantage over the 6.5 prc or the 6.8 western? This is very interesting! :thinking::thinking::thinking::thinking::thinking::thinking:

5

I strongly disagree with this statement. I have said on other threads here that I think that most cartridges below 7mm RM or 06 are not suitable for elk hunting. Little Crow has a youtube talking about penetration through an elk. His statement that a bullet that does not exit or a heart shot can take 3-4 minutes for an elk to expire. They can disappear from you in that amount of time. I reiterate - there is a huge difference between a spike or cow and a 6x6 mature bull. Pun intended. I really dislike the thinking that you can kill an elk with a 22. Sure - same as saying you can kill one at 600 yds. But the odds are not in your favor and not ethical to try. 6.5’s, 7mm-08, 308 I do not think should be considered for bull elk hunting. JMHO.