7mm PRC

Anyone loading lighter projectiles for deer? 175 gr seems a bit heavy. Thinking more in the 139-147 range? Trying to justify using my new rifle for deer season this Fall. I noticed that Hornady has published 7PRC load data for a 139gr CX.
 
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Anyone loading lighter projectiles for deer? 175 gr seems a bit heavy. Thinking more in the 139-147 range? Trying to justify using my new rifle for deer season this Fall. I noticed that Hornady has published 7PRC load data for a 139gr CX.
Interesting point.

Edited my response, had stuff in there not super related to exact question you asked. I would be interested in responses. I have my ideas and I have seen a person shoot a deer with a 7 PRC in PH 175 gr ELD-X. So, it was a effective but I think you asked a good question.
 
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Anyone loading lighter projectiles for deer? 175 gr seems a bit heavy. Thinking more in the 139-147 range? Trying to justify using my new rifle for deer season this Fall. I noticed that Hornady has published 7PRC load data for a 139gr CX.
I haven’t loaded that light, but I have killed a deer and a couple antelope with mine using the 180gr Berger hybrid. 18” barrel, 2620 MV, 220-400 yards to impact, .284 in, golf ball size out. One Antelope at 260yd was facing me, bullet did not exit. Planning to continue shooting them.

I couldn’t get mine to shoot the 165 TGK’s. That was as light as I went.
 
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So not trying to start anything with the 162 bullet convo but I'm running an 18 inch barrel an only whitetail maybe muleys one day so the 162 is more than adequate for my needs get good velocity in my 8 1/2 lb suppressed short rifle. Idea is one place I hunt is wooded an then fields so if I go on a walk about. I stand a better chance at a 400 yard shot with my short 7prc than my short 7mm-08 cause my 300 has a 26 inch barrel an with suppressor I hit it off everything. So I wanted a short light setup for my walk abouts but enough as to get the job done without a bunch of hold over. I think some 7rm fans just jump all over it like 22-250 fan boys do on the 22 Creedmoor which I have both guns an take Creedmoor hands down. We're all here to help each other an with this gun I've needed it. Once I resized brass I had major pressure issues I'm not even at book max with N560 so like I had to start all over.
 
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So not trying to start anything with the 162 bullet convo but I'm running an 18 inch barrel an only whitetail maybe muleys one day so the 162 is more than adequate for my needs get good velocity in my 8 1/2 lb suppressed short rifle. Idea is one place I hunt is wooded an then fields so if I go on a walk about. I stand a better chance at a 400 yard shot with my short 7prc than my short 7mm-08 cause my 300 has a 26 inch barrel an with suppressor I hit it off everything. So I wanted a short light setup for my walk abouts but enough as to get the job done without a bunch of hold over.
Yeah, even if the factory 7 PRC MVs are not as high as they started out, the BC makes it a very accurate bullet. And, in their statement, Hornady did say they can no longer get the powder that started the 7 PRC but they ensure the accuracy, which is ultimately more important to some than barrel-burning speed.
 
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Yeah, even if the factory 7 PRC MVs are not as high as they started out, the BC makes it a very accurate bullet. And, in their statement, Hornady did say they can no longer get the powder that started the 7 PRC but they ensure the accuracy, which is ultimately more important to some than barrel-burning speed.
I'm getting just over 2800 with rl23 which I have 3lbs of I'd like accuracy to be little better. I may try n565 again since I can find it. It an n560 had good accuracy with an grains I loaded.
 
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Just my thoughts on carbon barrels. They have less metal in them to act as a heat sink. I have one on a 10/22 which shoots extremely well. I wouldn't have one on a fullbore range rifle. I can see they would be a good option for hunting where only a couple of shots are required. Sounds perfectly fine for hunting, check out competitive range shooters, they're using the heaviest metal barrels they can get away with.
In my experience, which consists of only one rifle so far, my Proof Research CF barrel doesn’t have any problems shooting good, consistent 5 shot groups with good components. It’s usually in the 3/8-1/2 moa range and rarely shoots worse than 5/8. I think the manufacturer means a lot with carbon fiber barrels. Also, 180 grain VLD Hunters are a little more consistent than the 175 ELDX in my rifle.
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In my experience, which consists of only one rifle so far, my Proof Research CF barrel doesn’t have any problems shooting good, consistent 5 shot groups with good components. It’s usually in the 3/8-1/2 moa range and rarely shoots worse than 5/8. I think the manufacturer means a lot with carbon fiber barrels. Also, 180 grain VLD Hunters are a little more consistent than the 175 ELDX in my rifle.View attachment 8452698
That's a good group if the job is hunting.

@Gogga Has good points, I think. Depending on the job of competition shooters, who want heavy rifles. Those guys may want bull barrels on heavy rigs that are great for minimal muzzle flip.

The hunter, however, is going to carry his rig from 200 yards to a mile or more. Then, the carbon fiber barrel definitely seems more appropriate. And guys are just not taking more than 3 shots at a target, such as an elk.

A gun with this results here might as well have stenciled in the stock "Elk Harvester."

But I may have misunderstood if the idea is that carbon fiber is also good for competition. I don't know enough to definitively say one way or another.
 
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Actually, the point was that a well made carbon fiber barrel can shoot good 5 shot groups. You have deduced properly that this is a hunting rig with an AG Composites stock. I’m no bench rest competitor, but I also have a few rifles that have heavy barrels that all shoot similarly in my hands. That was my point, that the one carbon fiber barrel that I have shoots just as well as my heavy Kriegers and Bartleins. A better shooter may have different results.
 
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Actually, the point was that a well made carbon fiber barrel can shoot good 5 shot groups. You have deduced properly that this is a hunting rig with an AG Composites stock. I’m no bench rest competitor, but I also have a few rifles that have heavy barrels that all shoot similarly in my hands. That was my point, that the one carbon fiber barrel that I have shoots just as well as my heavy Kriegers and Bartleins. A better shooter may have different results.
Thanks for clarifying. Like I said, I had misunderstood and you cleared it up for me. I learn something everyday.
 
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Anyone loading lighter projectiles for deer? 175 gr seems a bit heavy. Thinking more in the 139-147 range? Trying to justify using my new rifle for deer season this Fall. I noticed that Hornady has published 7PRC load data for a 139gr CX.
I just got my 18 inch barrel 7PRC a month back and have a bunch of 1x fired brass that I wanted to fire form. I was surprised by the results of these loads using 150 gr TTSX. I am not at home to look at my data book but I was getting single digit SD/ES and better than 1MOA with initial load ladder which I used 3 rounds. I still haven't hit pressure signs but I think I am gonna load some where I think I have an accuracy node at around 2900 ft/sec and get back with results using IMR 4350, peterson brass and WLR primers.
 
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4 shots, 4 kills for me on the 7 PRC with the Hornady Outfitter load this last season. All of them were deer, no elk. Pretty happy. 3 of the 4 went down where they stood. #4 was dead on his feet, he just didn’t realize it for a little ways. If you’re looking for factory, definitely try it out. It was crazy accurate in my rifle. A lot of penetration too. Shot a muley doe facing me at 360 yards. She toppled over and rolled with her legs in the air. That was it. Around 30” of penetration, ending up in the spine.
At least someone has a gun that will shoot that ammo. I have tried it in 4 different rifles of various caliburs from 300 WSM, 6.5 PrC, 7 PRC and .270 win without finding barrel that will shoot it well, IMO opinion anyways.
 
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At least someone has a gun that will shoot that ammo. I have tried it in 4 different rifles of various caliburs from 300 WSM, 6.5 PrC, 7 PRC and .270 win without finding barrel that will shoot it well, IMO opinion anyways.
Other than cleaning the barrel down to the metal, which is what I have heard about mono copper bullets, I am wondering if it is a Hornady powder problem. For example, Federal 175 gr ELD-X is already closer to the box MV of 3,000 fps.

What if Federal made a mono copper? Might that work?
 
One thing that was mentioned by Unknown Munitions is that they’ve found that if a rifle likes Hornady Match or Precision Hunter, then it won’t like Outfitter. If it likes Outfitter, then it won’t like Match or PH. That’s been true in my case.
 
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If you are using Barnes, I got an email from them that basically said go 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 thousand from lands with
minimum “jump” of .050”
I’m having good luck with McGuire Copper Rose Solids 160gr and retumbo. Shooting sub moa at 700 and 1000

70.5 of retumbo at 3120
-.020 for the 160gr Copper Rose
ADG brass
215GM
24” proof
Also, to add, the McGuire’s are the only solid that shoots in my gun. Tried almost every solid out there and never got below 2 moa.

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I’ve only used Peterson for my 6BR and it’s been Flawless. I’ve only used ADG for my 7PRC and it has been great too. The ADG 7 PRC was read to load out of the box except for ID/OD chamfer. Very consistent case length and weight on the few random I measured. Box to box.

The ADG primer pockets are tight, which led me at first to think they were too shallow. Pin gage and mic measurements showed them to be in spec and I just needed to adjust my primer seater.
 
For those who have used both, which is better? Peterson, or ADG?
Currently have both in 7 prc. Both are great. I can’t say either is definitively better than the other.

Edit pic below is for the same load, in my 18” 7prc shooting a 180 hybrid. I’ve since redeveloped the load using only Peterson brass and N570 and have gained 220-230fps.
IMG_7521.jpeg
 
Did you not try to push it up to 69 grains with H1000?

That’s what I plan to shoot. I will not use N570 because it eats barrels like a hungry little bitch.
I did not. Had a ton of N570 leftover from a rifle I sold so gave it a shot. It shot everything accurately I just wanted to use the n570 and gain some velocity. It’s an 18” hunting rifle so I wasn’t planning on getting 2000 rounds out of it

Edit to add- when I did the h1000 load development on the ADG it had great groups and very low SD. It met what I was seeking to achieve with the build so I just stopped. When I got the Peterson brass I just wanted to compare apples to apples at the same charge and see how it would do.
 
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Have you tried ADG?

I also like Peterson brass as noted above, but I can’t see a distinct difference between the two.
I have tried ADG and the brass was harder to work with when resizing. It seems much harder if that makes any sense. I really had to force everything on the press. Also, my dimensions on the Peterson brass seem to be truer. I am able to get almost perfect COAL when loading with it. Sorry I don't have a more scientific answer, but all I can say is use Peterson with confidence. I also shoot a lot of Lapua, but consider Peterson as good or better.
 
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ADG does seem like harder brass. I do not have a hardness tester to back up that statement.
On the ADG train. I’m two firings in and my shoulders haven’t needed to be pushed back.

I feel like I’ve read of brass not growing for a couple firings but this is my first time experiencing it and I’ve used Norma, LC, Peterson, Starline, Nosler, and Hornady in various cartridges during my not so lengthy reloading career compared to others. I’m sure there might be a scientific explanation to it. Maybe someone can enlighten me.
 
On the ADG train. I’m two firings in and my shoulders haven’t needed to be pushed back.

I feel like I’ve read of brass not growing for a couple firings but this is my first time experiencing it and I’ve used Norma, LC, Peterson, Starline, Nosler, and Hornady in various cartridges during my not so lengthy reloading career compared to others. I’m sure there might be a scientific explanation to it. Maybe someone can enlighten me.
I have never tested the above noted theory. I always bump mine back .002 to ensure reliability. Any brass should stretch to the size of the chamber, and I would imagine would stay that length for multiple firings, right?
 
I have never tested the above noted theory. I always bump mine back .002 to ensure reliability. Any brass should stretch to the size of the chamber, and I would imagine would stay that length for multiple firings, right?
I am used to bumping my shoulders every firing but this ADG brass just isn’t growing 2x firings now. Measuring with mitutoyo calipers and SAC comparator kit so I’m fairly confident my tools are sufficient and I’m not getting bad gouge.
 
I am used to bumping my shoulders every firing but this ADG brass just isn’t growing 2x firings now. Measuring with mitutoyo calipers and SAC comparator kit so I’m fairly confident my tools are sufficient and I’m not getting bad gouge.
My Peterson brass did not really change much the first 3 firings but the 4th showed 0.004 more length. It is what it is. I will either keep my same bump or decided to adjust the resizing die to minimize working the brass. Not sure if it will affect the performance of the load or not changing it. I might decide to experiment a bit.
 
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Good to know. I’ll be on the look out
My Peterson brass did not really change much the first 3 firings but the 4th showed 0.004 more length. It is what it is. I will either keep my same bump or decided to adjust the resizing die to minimize working the brass. Not sure if it will affect the performance of the load or not changing it. I might decide to experiment a bit
 
As an aside to post 687, I recently purchased a Springfield Waypoint 2020 in 7 PRC. It came with one 3-round Accurate Mag 3.850". I bought two 5-round Magpul AICS L mags to supplement. Unfortunately, the Magpul feed lips are slightly too thick to clear the receiver mag cut. Posting so others don't make the same mistake.

These will NOT work in a Springfield Waypoint 2020 7PRC: https://magpul.com/pmag-5-ac-l-magnum.html.
 
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There is a new friend at out local range that bought a Christensen Arms MPR in 7prc with a carbon barrel. Has anyone got one of these carbon barrels to shoot a 1/2 moa 5 shot group?? He can get 3 sometimes 4 shots in a 1/2 moa but never 5. He has tried 165gr to 190gr and still no use. I have advised him he probably need to re-barrel with a 26-28 Bartlein, Kreiger, Rock Creek or even Schneider steel barrel. What are the Hide's thoughts??
Yeah I have one and have had good luck with the 180g eldm 13ths off touch adg brass retumbo 69.0 g and br2s. 3114 fps. See short for last round of 5 shot groups. I tested a lower load at 30deg from January top left, 1st 3 rds clustered then the next two speed up alot (mid 90 temp) then shot the rest with that last 5rd string back to back, grouping around 0.5 inch

 

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5 shots at each charge weight out of a 26" Bartlein. Peterson brass, Berger 180 hybrids, H1000, Federal 215 primers. Important info to keep in mind here - These are shots 10 - 49 out of a new barrel. Things have sped up about 65-70fps since then.

62gr - 2671
63gr - 2735
64gr - 2777
65gr - 2830
66gr - 2874
67gr - 2920
68gr - 2975
69gr - 3031
 
5 shots at each charge weight out of a 26" Bartlein. Peterson brass, Berger 180 hybrids, H1000, Federal 215 primers. Important info to keep in mind here - These are shots 10 - 49 out of a new barrel. Things have sped up about 65-70fps since then.

62gr - 2671
63gr - 2735
64gr - 2777
65gr - 2830
66gr - 2874
67gr - 2920
68gr - 2975
69gr - 3031
FWIW I thought I’d be good at 67.5 no pressure on single shot ladder test. When I went back with 5 rounds I had pressure on 4 of 5. Dropped .5 grains same thing pressure on 3 out of 5. Ended up having to drop 1.5 settling at 65 to get rid of pressure signs on shot strings of 3-5 rounds.
 
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Loaded up some SMk 183g with my 22” bartlein carbon today. N565 and H1000. Pardon my daughter’s handwriting, she’s 8 😎. Thought I’d share the info. Haven’t shot groups yet. Pressure showed at around 3000fps on both powders which is better than I expected with a 22” tube. Also it was hot out 85-90 degrees at 1100 elev. But nothing too bad. Even over 3100 was just a slightly tight bolt lift. Ejector smear and craters were marginal. Hornady match ammo was shooting .4moa at 2850-2900 out of this rifle. I took one of those match180’s apart and it’s got 69.8 grains of something (n570?) not h1000.
 

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9/1/2024
22”proof Research
Round count: 360 (end of day)

Temp: 83f
Humidity: 72%
Pressure: 29.97
Altitude: 775 ft ASL

165TGK/H4831sc/ADG/F215

61- 2815
61.5- 2833
62- 2882
62.5- 2896
63- 2908
63.5- 2927
64- 2970
64.5- 2968
65- 3001
65.5- 3025 (Hornady book max on 162-166 @65.2gr, no published load data for 165TGK in 7mm PRC)


FACTORY 160CX
10 shot average
1.10 MOA @130 yards (6 shots, finding paper on first 3)
2933 FPS
SD- 16.1
ES - 45
 
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