Hey Jim, saw your latest vid on the 7mm PRC. So, now what for those of us who were in the 7mm PRC market. Would it be better to go 300PRC with the Fierce Rogue or Rival for a long range rifle?
Thanks
Ben
PS - I was looking for the database you have on ammo with velocity, drop and energy. Where is that?
It would interesting if this group could upload our velocity info in a way that lets us make some conclusions. I have not tried my federal ammo yet but I did post what I saw from one box of Hornady ELDX.
Some of us should call customer service there to see what they say. I also wonder why I am seeing then same velocities at 2800 from a shorter barrel than what Jim used. And others online as well. I have a 22 in barrel and getting an avg of 2820 from one box.
Between the slower 7 PRC velocities and actual accuracy %’s being demonstrated in the Backfire challenge, part of me is really thinking of just sticking to the classic 7 RM or 300 WM for hunting.
I really like the idea of modernized cartridges that can do everything a bit better, but it feels like Randy Selby may have a good point about getting too caught up about high BC bullets.
I’d guess you’re going to start seeing more gun manufacturers offering higher twist rate barrels for the older cartridges and that will let you stabilize heavier bullets.
It feels like we are in both an amazing and amazingly frustrating point in rifle history where we keep waiting for that big breakthrough. I wanted it to be the 7 PRC, but I’m becoming less convinced as time goes on.
This video has me debating as well. I have been considering getting a 7 prc in the next couple of months, but now it has me rethinking if I should just get a 6.5 prc or get something else now.
Can a manufacturer change the twist rate for a cartridge that is for general consumption? Are the SAAMI rules that have to be adhered too? I do not know.
I still really like 7 PRC. I am just disappointed in the factory Precision Hunter load. The Federal is much better, and handloaders have no issue.
I was told by an insider today that Hornady originally loaded 7 PRC with Reloder 26 and was able to get around 2950 fps. Then they ran out and switched to a ball powder that is not nearly as fast but didn’t tell consumers it was changed and didn’t update the velocity on the box. That sucks.
OK - this is interesting. AFter I posted this I saw an accuracy comparison video between the 7PRC and 300PRC and it wasn’t close - 7PRC was significantly more accurate at 1000+ yards (different guns, but same barrel manufacturer).
I’m not a handloader (at least not yet), but I primarily shoot Hornady. So, is this a Hornady only issue?
In terms of the speed lower than advertised?
Yes, at this time it’s only been reported with the Hornady Precision Hunter load. Curious if anyone has tested their CX loading to see how it’s doing.
I wonder if we can get Seth Swerczek to discuss this with his marketing and quality guys on his podcast. 
I would suppose that the 7PRC was coming out when powder and ammo in general was hard to get and they did not want to suffer the problem of having a bunch of rifles released with no ammo to support it. So they did what they did to make sure 7PRC was on the shelfs no
matter what. And will they switch back is RL26 supply catches up?
I’m surprised by the quick rush to judgement on the 7 PRC based on this one test. I understand the reality for those that don’t reload and the lack of available options for off the shelf ammo. The availability of ammo will improve with time so you need to look at what the cartridge can reliably do when loaded to potential. The biggest advantage of the 7 PRC is a SAMMI spec rifle that can shoot heavy for caliber bullets.
I have a 7 PRC build in process and will continue on with confidence and excitement. It will be pushing a hybrid 180gn bullet at or above 3,000+ fps. I do have the benefit of reloading my own ammo with access to a wide variety of high performance powders.
My cousin had a custom 7PRC built with the Alex Wheeler reamer. During load development, it was very difficult to determine the best charge as all the groups were a ragged hole with single digit ES’s. It was the most impressive load development I had ever seen. He can hit 3,000 fps with a 180 Berger with no pressure signs at all. I get this is a custom build at not an over the counter offering, my point is the potential of the design.
While Hornady has dropped the ball on factory ammo offerings, this will change. I predict that the 7 PRC will become more capable as more ammo producers step up.
FYI…you can buy or rent the Alex Wheeler reamer, put it on a T handle and ream your current chamber to get the same performance. I did it on a 6.5PRC and it worked like a charm, No more clickers!!!
I have a box of cx I’ll be testing this weekend. Ill let you know what I come up with.
I echo David’s thoughts. This is a big failing by Hornady, but it’s likely temporary. Even with the reduced velocity, 7 prc is still a formidable round.
I am shooting hornady rounds to get brass. But also measuring and sighting in while going through those 100 rounds which as you all well know is a cost of almost $300. My bro has taken to shooting a 28 nosler. He is getting over 300 fps in his browning rifle than I am in my savage ultralight. Expected for the 24 vs 22 inch barrel and the round. But 300 fps is significant. But he is working through $105 a box to get brass to reload. I have confidence in the 7prc but as Jim said in his video, they should be honest. And it was not just the one test. I have measured mine and looked at other youtubers that are experiencing the same or similar results.
Do you have the average FPS for your 7MM PRC and your brother’s 28 Nossler? I’m curious where you’re landing. And what is your brother shooting that’s $105/box?
Nolser Trophy I don’t have his average screen shot but it was like 3150 fps. I can ask.
This is mine for 14 shots
I wanted to see how the 7 PRC and 7 RM compared at realistic hunting ranges. If anyone is able to calculate the Hornady 7 PRC with their current performance, please let me know and I’ll update the spreadsheet. Some of the data averages are skewed because there’s not as many options, but I’m trying to present an unbiased comparison of the cartridges for hunting.
Let me know what you think or if you find an error that needs to be fixed.
*Added more 7mm cartridges and the 6.8 Western
Personal thoughts after reviewing it all:
The 28 Nosler ballistics are insane. The higher recoil doesn’t concern me, but the short barrel life (400-800 shots from what I read) kills it for me. It’s also stupid expensive per round.
7 PRC still beats the other cartridges for the most part assuming the other manufacturers ballistics are close to what they advertise. The cost per round is a lot closer to the 7 RM than I expected it to be.
Thanks David. Would you mind sharing the components your cousin was using?
You bet. ADG Brass, CCI 250 primer, H-1000 and Berger 180 VLD hunting.
The charge is for his rifle so all others start low and work up; 68.5gn H-1000 @ 2,994fps. The ES is consistently single digit.
Barrel is from Hells Canyon Armory, Benchmark barrel wrapped with proprietary carbon fiber wrap. His action is a Bat Vesper sitting in a Manners LRH stock.
I shot some federal premium with ELDX and got about 2865 fps 35 to 40 fps more than hornady eldx in same rifle with 22 in barrel. I also shot 180 eldm and got 2780 compared to 2830 for eldx 175 hornady. My accuracy seems to be ok. Right at 1 moa but I need a better system. Not a fan of lead sleds and I need to get better bags - particularly the rear bag. The 7mm PRC with banish 30 is easy to shoot when I can hold a good sight picture. The savage has a descent recoil pad - not a Backstop but not available yet so it will do. I do have one stupid problem. I changed the bolt knob for better leverage. With a crappy rear bag - starts with a C - oh well, the knob hits my trigger finger on recoil and that was making me flinch. I am not a recoil sensitive person in general but that hits the second knuckle and hurts.
I was about to buy a nice 2200 7 prc…but after that video and then Joseph VD and Ron S… had a video out on the 280 ackley improved… I have a custom 280 ai in my safe that will shoot the head off of a crow at 250 yards… If I can do it the gun definately will…it just weighs a ton…the gunsmith took some liberties with it and made it a whitetail stand gun…hiking 15 to 20 miles in the mountains is a pain… I have done it… it weighs 11.75 lbs with scope…so the stock weighs about 3.25 lbs I am going to call some stock manufacturers and ask them what the lightest weight stock that is reliable that I can put under that gun…and get some otc federal termial velocity and shoot them this season…then set my shop back up and start reloading for that gun… If that fails I have a 300 wm…2 30-06s…a 308…I have to many guns as is…Jim saved me 2200…minus a stock…
so which stock would yall go with.
