Jim, I already have a 300wsm not sure if I should build a new one and just stay with one type of ammo. Or build a new 7prc?
Have a turn around at the refinery in February so I should be able to build a very nice rifle.
Either way I’m wanting to build a Jim approved rifle.
Chassis, barrel, action, can, scope, mounts the whole 9yds
Ooh. That’s a tough a tough call. 300wsm is a fantastic cartridge. What load is it shooting now and how accurate is it? Wondering how similar it’s ballistics would be to a 7prc.
My 7 PRC shoots handloaded 168 LRX at 2830 at max book charge. Book calls for 2900-3000 at max.
300 WSM shoots factory 165TTSX at 3130 fps.
I got my 300wsm earlier this year and I am just starting to work up a load for it using a 180 gr Barnes TTSX. Max book velocity with Hunter powder, which somehow I was able to put my hands on, gives 3107 fps with a 24" barrel, which my rifle has. So far, I’ve been shooting factory ammo…Hornady Outfitter with a 180 gr CX with a stated velocity of 2900 and Norma Bondstrike 180 gr with stated velocity of 3084.
For comparison, the Barnes data shows the heaviest 7mm load being a 168 gr LRX. With H4831 you get a max book velocity of 2986 and with RL25 you get 3040 fps. That is again with a 24" barrel.
I realize you don’t always get book velocity in real life, but it does seem like the wsm is a little ahead of the prc, shooting a heavier projectile a little faster. Of course you get a better BC with the 7prc (Barnes does have a 175 gr .308 LRX with almost the BC of the 7prc). I suppose it might depend on how much you like your current wsm and what you want to do. If it’s shooting well, you like it, and you want to try stretching the distance at the range, I might try something new and go with the 7prc. Or would I go with the 6.8 Western? Guess I’ll have to cross that bridge when I get my next rifle.
I haven’t gotten loading my own ammo yet. Someday…
Easy decision. Build something new. Shooting is shooting. Reloading is reloading - time to bring up a new gun the same. I have 300WM and 7PRC. The PRC will let you open up long range bullets better than the WSM. Not sure what you are going to do but if over 1000 yrds for fun is in the future something with long sleek bullets would be nice and can still pop an elk. BTW my 300 does not sit in the closet either. I think the main thing is I don’t think many would go WSM for a chassis rifle and modern ballistics. Fine to hunt with, out to reasonable ranges. Part of the fun for me is the learning and exploring new cartridges whether from flint lock to the latest whiz bang. A 7PRC certainly lets you also explore new glass to support longer range shooting - something like the Athlon that Jim sells.
And if not 7PRC something like that generationally -300 PRC or some of the 6.5’s or whichever.
I have a 280 Rem yet I still sit here thinking about a 7mm-08. What can I say - it’s not a disease - it’s a condition.
IMHO.
PS the word flint lock as one word is not allowed.
I love my 300wsm right now, but I’m wanting to build a new rifle next year. Start from nothing and build a complete masterpiece. That not only I want to shoot, but looks amazing and makes me want to shoot it.
If I stayed with the 300wsm it would keep my ammo types down. Which I wouldn’t hate.
I get wanting to keep ammo types down, really, but in that case I’m with @rosskruse. Go with the PRC and build your masterpiece.
I am certainly not one to ask about ammo types. I will say my hunt buddy shoots a tikka 300 wsm and it is a great gun but… he does not reload and the last couple years threw him off of what his gun was set up for. The WSM ammo selection was thin for him.
If I know what I know now, I would not have built a 7 PRC, I would have bought a .300 WSM. It appears the 7 PRC can only achieve advertised ballistics with a certain kind of powder, which is not available (even to Hornady). Much easy to get over 3,000 FPS with the WSM. Since you have a fantastic hunting rifle, I would propose something easy on the shoulder and a great range toy, maybe 6 dasher, 6 CM or 22 CM.
I am getting 2950 in a 22 in barrel from my 7mm PRC using 160 gr CX factory ammo. Granted not a heavy for caliber bullet and only from one lot measuring on my Xero. I am seeing 2850 for the 175 gr stuff from several boxes. I am not disappointed. Certainly if you want the ultimate screamer in 7mm go with a 28 Nosler. My bro has one in a 24” barrel and is getting about 150 fps more. Proof Research barrel with a Banish 30 on mine. And some point I will start reloading.
Your mileage may vary.
