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choosing the right 7mm variant this time around

JGRIFLEWORKS

JGRIFLEWORKS

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Minuteman
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Apr 11, 2024
25
10
Morales Texas
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#1
I had a custom 7prc built back in early 23 after it was released due to the fact at the "time" I didn't know how to reload, and I wanted to hit the easy button. Transition to Present day I'm completed set up to reload proficiently. A buddy of mine reached out wanting to purchase my 7prc so without hesitation I ordered another 7mm barrel. However, I'm not sure on which direction to go. The sole purpose of said rifle will be to hunt with mainly sitting in a deer stand but with the full intentions on it being a Colorado gun or a taking down nilgai if need be. I am stacked up on 175 elite hunters cci br2, and g15ms, what variant would you choose? I'm not one to chase velocity however a 3000-fps gun is what I was hoping for, and I've been looking at the following variants:
7ss and or max
7x300 norma
28 Nosler
thanks in advance for any positive feedback
 
#2
JGRIFLEWORKS said:
I had a custom 7prc built back in early 23 after it was released due to the fact at the "time" I didn't know how to reload, and I wanted to hit the easy button. Transition to Present day I'm completed set up to reload proficiently. A buddy of mine reached out wanting to purchase my 7prc so without hesitation I ordered another 7mm barrel. However, I'm not sure on which direction to go. The sole purpose of said rifle will be to hunt with mainly sitting in a deer stand but with the full intentions on it being a Colorado gun or a taking down nilgai if need be. I am stacked up on 175 elite hunters cci br2, and g15ms, what variant would you choose? I'm not one to chase velocity however a 3000-fps gun is what I was hoping for, and I've been looking at the following variants:
7ss and or max
7x300 norma
28 Nosler
thanks in advance for any positive feedback
Click to expand...
The 7 PRC or 7mm RemMag is what you seek… 😂
 
#3
JGRIFLEWORKS said:
I had a custom 7prc built back in early 23 after it was released due to the fact at the "time" I didn't know how to reload, and I wanted to hit the easy button. Transition to Present day I'm completed set up to reload proficiently. A buddy of mine reached out wanting to purchase my 7prc so without hesitation I ordered another 7mm barrel. However, I'm not sure on which direction to go. The sole purpose of said rifle will be to hunt with mainly sitting in a deer stand but with the full intentions on it being a Colorado gun or a taking down nilgai if need be. I am stacked up on 175 elite hunters cci br2, and g15ms, what variant would you choose? I'm not one to chase velocity however a 3000-fps gun is what I was hoping for, and I've been looking at the following variants:
7ss and or max
7x300 norma
28 Nosler
thanks in advance for any positive feedback
Click to expand...
Most of the magnum 7mm would do you well for the intended purpose you stated with one exception the Nilgai.
Shooting Nilgai with most rounds lesser than one of the magnum 30's or bigger might be akin to attacking Mike Tyson with a rolled up newspaper.
They are notorious for soaking up rifle rounds and running out of sight.
I'm sure you could do it with a 7mm magnum variety but just my two cents and if you do have a shot be ready to quickly put more rounds into it.
 
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#4
7 PRC with a custom throat for your choice of bullet will suit you well. 7-300 PRC if you’re dying to burn barrels fast, but the 28 Nosler is just too overbore and doesn’t allow for proper bullet seating.
 
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#5
XLR308 said:
Most of the magnum 7mm would do you well for the intended purpose you stated with one exception the Nilgai.
Shooting Nilgai with most rounds lesser than one of the magnum 30's or bigger might be akin to attacking Mike Tyson with a rolled up newspaper.
They are notorious for soaking up rifle rounds and running out of sight.
I'm sure you could do it with a 7mm magnum variety but just my two cents and if you do have a shot be ready to quickly put more rounds into it.
Click to expand...
Didn’t one of those rokslide dude’s just kill a couple Nilgai with their new 6UM? Full disclosure, I have no idea what it takes to kill those funky looking things other than put holes where they need to be.

OP, Why not another 7 prc? Overbore cartridges like those aren’t going to have much barrel life. We’ve all been down rabbit holes figuring this stuff out, lots of range time, groups shot, frustration, etc… Unless you just want one of those and to build a new rifle, then fuck it and send it!
 
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#6
XLR308 said:
Most of the magnum 7mm would do you well for the intended purpose you stated with one exception the Nilgai.
Shooting Nilgai with most rounds lesser than one of the magnum 30's or bigger might be akin to attacking Mike Tyson with a rolled up newspaper.
They are notorious for soaking up rifle rounds and running out of sight.
I'm sure you could do it with a 7mm magnum variety but just my two cents and if you do have a shot be ready to quickly put more rounds into it.
Click to expand...
I highly doubt that .024" of bullet diameter will really be that big of a difference between the 7 PRC and .300 PRC...

However, if he stepped his game up to the Berger 195 Elite Hunters in the 7 PRC, then he'd be much closer to the .300 PRC performance without having to change anything he currently has, other then bullets.
 
#8
XLR308 said:
Most of the magnum 7mm would do you well for the intended purpose you stated with one exception the Nilgai.
Shooting Nilgai with most rounds lesser than one of the magnum 30's or bigger might be akin to attacking Mike Tyson with a rolled up newspaper.
They are notorious for soaking up rifle rounds and running out of sight.
I'm sure you could do it with a 7mm magnum variety but just my two cents and if you do have a shot be ready to quickly put more rounds into it.
Click to expand...

The ability of an animal to "soak up rounds" is more properly called, "an inability of the shooter to transect the vitals with a shot"

This is also known as being a shitty shot.
 
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#9
7mm bore is one of my favorites. I went through the 28 Nosler phase. It's a monster 7mm that will easily push those 175 Bergers at 3200+. I was even pushing 195 Bergers at close to 3200 with ease, although my barrel preferred 180s so that is what I fed her. SAAMI freebore is easily overcome by any competent smith. Great brass is readily available. It's an awesome cartridge, and in my opinion it is probably the maximum practical case capacity for the 7mm bore. Suppressed 28 Nosler will put a big smile on your face. The ballistics are truly staggering with a heavy Berger.

That said, it is a pretty extreme cartridge from a barrel wear standpoint. I was constantly chasing the lands, and I ultimately pulled the barrel after about 700 rounds. As fun as the Nosler is, the barrel wear made it one and done for me.

7-300 Norma is only slightly more case capacity than a 28 Nosler. Improving it will get you a bigger bump. I would avoid this cartridge for two reasons: One, optimizing for the Lapua boltface will lead you to a 1-1/8" tenon action/barrel, which is going to make for a heavy hunting rifle. Two, this cartridge REALLY needs RL33 to take advantage of that capacity, and that powder is the unicorn of all unicorns.

I now shoot a 7 Rem Mag throated for 180 Bergers. I can push them 2950-3000 with ease. ADG brass is outstanding and readily available. It's a much more user friendly magnum, and not having to constantly stress about heating up the barrel makes it more enjoyable. It's pretty much a ballistic twin to the PRC, so old school or new school, pick your poison. You mentioned Colorado - I live and hunt in CO, and in my opinion the PRC/RM class is pretty much the sweet spot.
 
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#10
Rem Mag or PRC.

Just me, but I’d load a bullet of heavier construction (Partitions or TTSX’s) for exits through Nilgai shoulders and party on.
 
#11
MK20 said:
The ability of an animal to "soak up rounds" is more properly called, "an inability of the shooter to transect the vitals with a shot"

This is also known as being a shitty shot.
Click to expand...
Have you ever shot one ?
The large bull Schimitar Oryx I shot was close to 500 pounds the first shot was a little over 100 yards the 200 grain Accubond from a 300wm at 2860 fps broke both shoulders and blew a hole through the heart big enough to pretty much slide you hand through.
It emmiediatly took off running, when it made it to the brush line now at 230-240 yards it turned around to see if anything was still following it and I put the second round through the neck breaking it's spine.
Nilgai bulls can weigh up to a bit less than double that of my Oryx and the hide is about 1" thick at the shoulders and seals up when shot and doesn't bleed much externally.
Your comment was kinda funny but uninforrmed, searching for an animal in south Texas brush isn't easy. It's dense and everything has thorns on it ( Cat claw and mesquite trees and the various varieties of cactus )
Getting a large animal out of that brush wouldn't be particularly easy or pleasent even broken down into quarters.
 
#12
I don't want to get off the wagon wheel to much here, worst case scenario I take my 338 lapua and there's no conversation about where the animals going. With that being said yes, my gunsmith as a reamer that allows more free bore to run the heavy's if I wanted to go the Nosler route. and I'm not opposed to going back with a 7 prc but I had a lot of inconsistencies with it and partially I think that was due to the fact I opted for a preferred barrel. Instead of running a Bartlein like I normally do.
 
#13
Well, if you broke both shoulders and put a hole in the heart then it is obvious, by your own admission, that a bigger caliber wouldn't have helped. It still would have run.

If you want a DRT you will need to use HE.

Once again, if you transect vitals, the animal will die.
 
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#14
7 PRC should get you really close to 3k fps with 175's

If you want more I'd go 7-300 PRC or 7-300NM. I have a bad taste from 28 Nosler. I've heard of good ones but the only one I've played with doesn't make the speed it should
 
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#15
MK20 said:
Well, if you broke both shoulders and put a hole in the heart then it is obvious, by your own admission, that a bigger caliber wouldn't have helped. It still would have run.

If you want a DRT you will need to use HE.

Once again, if you transect vitals, the animal will die.
Click to expand...
No doubt it would have died from the first shot but it would have been a real pain in the ass if it would have been able to make deep into the dense brush were it stopped and I shot it again.
The hide at the shoulders was about 3/4" thick with only a single entrance wound and very little to no blood to follow we found the 200 grain bonded bullet stuck under the hide on the off side.
A bigger caliber might have had enough energy and hydrostatic shock to actually put it down on the first shot or atleast have an exit wound and more blood to follow if it made it into the brush.
Looking back on it a high neck shot just behind and below the jaw line would definitely have anchored it and would do the same on a Nilgai I just wasn't expecting it to take that much energy and damage and still run off.
The picture below shows just how little blood actually came out from all that damage and was basically none on the ground to follow.
17380789020246761783060338855745.jpg
 
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#16
XLR308 said:
No doubt it would have died from the first shot but it would have been a real pain in the ass if it would have been able to make deep into the dense brush were it stopped and I shot it again.
The hide at the shoulders was about 3/4" thick with only a single entrance wound and very little to no blood to follow we found the 200 grain bonded bullet stuck under the hide on the off side.
A bigger caliber might have had enough energy and hydrostatic shock to actually put it down on the first shot or atleast have an exit wound and more blood to follow if it made it into the brush.
Looking back on it a high neck shot just behind and below the jaw line would definitely have anchored it and would do the same on a Nilgai I just wasn't expecting it to take that much energy and damage and still run off.
The picture below shows just how little blood actually came out from all that damage and was basically none on the ground to follow.View attachment 8603204
Click to expand...
Nice animal. It’s amazing how much some animals can soak up before going down and then in another similar situation it may go down almost immediately.
 
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#21
Taylorbok said:
7 PRC should get you really close to 3k fps with 175's

If you want more I'd go 7-300 PRC or 7-300NM. I have a bad taste from 28 Nosler. I've heard of good ones but the only one I've played with doesn't make the speed it should
Click to expand...
Factory federal ammo with the 175 eldx averages 2950 out of my 22" barrel 7 PRC. Hand loading would definitely get into the velocity OP is looking for.

I'm obviously biased as I own one, but the 7 PRC is arguably the best 7mm if you want good velocity with heavier bullets, decent barrel life and if you're in a pinch, you can find factory ammo pretty easy.
 
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#22
Yeah, African plains game- from what I’ve read and heard- soak up more rounds than comparable NA game. I won a Scimitar oryx hunt this year, and this is what was found under the skin on the off side of my animal. This is only the second non pass through that I’ve had. The other was a bull elk.

This is a 162 gr ELD-X at a mv of 2900 from a 7mm RM. The shot was 186y.
IMG_6901.jpeg

I’m not sure what the other Oryx hunter was shooting, but his took 2 bullets from less than 100y to ground. Both shots were in the vitals, about 3” from each other. Neither exited.

There were also 2 Gemsbok hunters. One shot his bull at ~90 yards, and had to put a finishing shot in him. I didn’t see both entrances, but neither exited. I’m not sure what he was shooting. (The hunt description specified a minimum of 270 caliber and a 150gr bullet).

The other gemsbok hunter put 3 bullets into his animal at under 100 yards. None exited. 2 were recovered, and they look like advertisements for copper bullets…
IMG_6897.jpeg


Up until a few years ago, the management area had sable on it. The biologist hated hunting them because it was kind of a boring and frustrating hunt. They didn’t show the fear/skittishness of other game, and would just stand in the pasture as a vehicle approached. The hunter would put a bullet in them and the sable would just stand there. I want to say he said some took as many as 5 bullets before they decided they were through. Then they just kind of keeled over. Boring because there wasn’t much to the “hunting.” Frustrating because they were bullet sponges.

I’m not arguing shot placement. Just remarking on the toughness of these animals. For perspective, several years ago I blew a 140gr TSX from a 270 win clean through a 300+ lb pig and through a 150ish pig behind the first. This year I put a 100 gr tsx from a 12” 6.5 Grendel through a ~200 lb pig and a few weeks later my son used the same gun and load to down a 250+ lb pig. Both were pass throughs. What’s the point? Pigs are reputed to be “tough”, some even claim near mythical properties of a boar’s “shield.” If a pig is “tough,” African game are mythically so.
 
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#23
XLR308 said:
Most of the magnum 7mm would do you well for the intended purpose you stated with one exception the Nilgai.
Shooting Nilgai with most rounds lesser than one of the magnum 30's or bigger might be akin to attacking Mike Tyson with a rolled up newspaper.
They are notorious for soaking up rifle rounds and running out of sight.
I'm sure you could do it with a 7mm magnum variety but just my two cents and if you do have a shot be ready to quickly put more rounds into it.
Click to expand...
Nilgai die like every other big game species. The biggest problem with nilgai, their vitals are further forward that traditional N American game. Instinctually hunters shoot them behind the shoulder in the crease, missing lung/heart. A 6.5 or larger with a proper bullet like an accubond, partition, even BERGERS GASP! will kill just fine. Buddy went to Africa 2 years ago, killed 16 animals with a 65prc pushing 156s at 2850fps. 2x Eland, kudu, nilgai, waterbuk, gemsbuk, nyala, nothing needed a second shot and a lot of them were anchored on the spot. The 300mag stigma comes from guys putting the bullet in the wrong spot. 6.5 short mags, even the creed, are becoming more and more common in Africa. Bullet construction and placement are important. This is the data I've accumulated from taking to a handful of guys who've been to Africa or multiple trips, plus a few guys in TX managing nilgai population on a very large ranch.
 
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#24
BJames said:
Didn’t one of those rokslide dude’s just kill a couple Nilgai with their new 6UM? Full disclosure, I have no idea what it takes to kill those funky looking things other than put holes where they need to be.

OP, Why not another 7 prc? Overbore cartridges like those aren’t going to have much barrel life. We’ve all been down rabbit holes figuring this stuff out, lots of range time, groups shot, frustration, etc… Unless you just want one of those and to build a new rifle, then fuck it and send it!
Click to expand...
Jacob Bynum of Rifles Only talks about killing one with his AI ATX in 6cm. Not saying this is the preferred caliber but it worked. He also shoots more than 99% of the people on here so there is that. Any 7mm magnum variant would be just fine.
 
#25
4O6shootist said:
Nilgai die like every other big game species. The biggest problem with nilgai, their vitals are further forward that traditional N American game. Instinctually hunters shoot them behind the shoulder in the crease, missing lung/heart. A 6.5 or larger with a proper bullet like an accubond, partition, even BERGERS GASP! will kill just fine. Buddy went to Africa 2 years ago, killed 16 animals with a 65prc pushing 156s at 2850fps. 2x Eland, kudu, nilgai, waterbuk, gemsbuk, nyala, nothing needed a second shot and a lot of them were anchored on the spot. The 300mag stigma comes from guys putting the bullet in the wrong spot. 6.5 short mags, even the creed, are becoming more and more common in Africa. Bullet construction and placement are important. This is the data I've accumulated from taking to a handful of guys who've been to Africa or multiple trips, plus a few guys in TX managing nilgai population on a very large ranch.
Click to expand...
I went for the heart shot on my Schimitar because I didn't want to cause additional damage to the meat. And you are correct the heart is more forward and lower if I would have taken the high shoulder shot it would have most likely put it down faster.
When I was a kid I shot a whitetail that was a little over 400 yards away that crumbled up on impact and emmediatly jumped back up and ran out of sight.
It made it about 150 yards before bleeding out to this day I haven't seen anything similar and at the time I at first thought I didn't hit it until I walked to the impact sight and saw the pink lung blood on the ground.
That was a learning experience for me and the sounder of wild pigs I walked into carrying the deer in the dark.
I about shit myself when they spooked and went in all directions and I did the same.
 
#26
4O6shootist said:
Nilgai die like every other big game species. The biggest problem with nilgai, their vitals are further forward that traditional N American game. Instinctually hunters shoot them behind the shoulder in the crease, missing lung/heart. A 6.5 or larger with a proper bullet like an accubond, partition, even BERGERS GASP! will kill just fine. Buddy went to Africa 2 years ago, killed 16 animals with a 65prc pushing 156s at 2850fps. 2x Eland, kudu, nilgai, waterbuk, gemsbuk, nyala, nothing needed a second shot and a lot of them were anchored on the spot. The 300mag stigma comes from guys putting the bullet in the wrong spot. 6.5 short mags, even the creed, are becoming more and more common in Africa. Bullet construction and placement are important. This is the data I've accumulated from taking to a handful of guys who've been to Africa or multiple trips, plus a few guys in TX managing nilgai population on a very large ranch.
Click to expand...
When I went to Texas for aoudad they strongly recommended a 7mm magnum or larger. Mine fell to a single 130 eld-m from a 20” creed. Crazy what happens when you shoot animals where the guide tells you to.
 
#27
HaydenLane said:
When I went to Texas for aoudad they strongly recommended a 7mm magnum or larger. Mine fell to a single 130 eld-m from a 20” creed. Crazy what happens when you shoot animals where the guide tells you to.
Click to expand...
When it comes to Audad rams any shot counts since there is no meat damage to worry about.
The fucking buzzards and coyotes don't even want to eat those nasty bastards.
I have heard stories of people throwing away cast iron pans after attempting to cook them and completely stinking up a whole house.
 
#28
HaydenLane said:
When I went to Texas for aoudad they strongly recommended a 7mm magnum or larger. Mine fell to a single 130 eld-m from a 20” creed. Crazy what happens when you shoot animals where the guide tells you to.
Click to expand...
As you witnessed your 6.5 creed was more than up to the task because you could put the bullet where you and your guide wanted it.

The U.S. has fudd-based magnumitis. Although, that has been changing somewhat recently.

Magnums get you a couple hundred more yards of range to keep the bullet within the velocity window to expand, either controlled or semi-violently - that's about it. Retained energy is a reference point and not much more - mostly fudd bullshit repeated since Townsend Whelen stated it long ago.

Put a performing bullet (or 3 for larger bodies) in the lung/heart area within a range that the bullet will perform and the critter will die. Depending upon terrain, animal and your shooting ability will determine where to put the follow up shot (heart/lung, neck, break shoulder, etc) because larger animals many times act like they're not even hit for up to a minute. I've witnessed .300WM to .375 H&H hit Elk to Moose sized game in the boiler room and they just stand there and don't even realize they're dead.

People regularly drop moose, elk, caribou sized game year after year with essentially .243 - .308 non magnum calibers for North American game. Caliber rules per state are largely based upon Whelen's logic and the average persons lack of ability to shoot worth a damn.

Going for dangerous game in Africa? You're likely with a guide carrying a caliber that could wreck a T-rex - in this case I'd likely still choose heavier caliber with a more stout bullet.

EDITED: For atrocious grammar and punctuation (or something).
 
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#29
So, I’m going to conclude this one up from my phone (might be punctuation errors) I’ve shot many wild game as we own a ranch in the Texas hill country. there mostly dead right there or inside 20 yards from 6creed to 338 lapua. 32 years of being on this earth I’ve got more experience then most and I can only be greatful for it. I was only including what I was going to be hunting just so most people had an expectation idea I had already repurchased a 7mm barrel and just wanted to throw out a few calibers without going into left field of other subjects. Decided on the 7 max. Thank you all for all the positive input
 
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#30
A 7SS would be cool, but too much work, IMO. I shoot a 7 PRC now, but honestly, sometimes I wish I'd went 7mm-08, since it's looking more and more like elk hunting is a fantasy for me. 7mm-08 wouldn't be appropriate for long rang western hunts, but for hunting deer from a tree stand, it kicks ass.

If you're dead set on just one gun, I'd probably do a 7 PRC. It really is just the easiest way to go.
 
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#31
Seymour Fish said:
Had a partition disintegrate on a big bulls neck. 180@3180. Accubond next
Click to expand...
Have killed a few with a 6.5CM. Admitting they were neck shots 100-150 yards.

Son killed a very nice bull at 472 yards with a 300wm, 180gr winchester failsafe. 1 and done.

This was a 7PRC 175eldx at 100 yards.
Screenshot_20250210_220504_Gallery.jpg


OP, 6 ways to get what you are after. 7PRC is a very balanced round.
 
#32
JGRIFLEWORKS said:
So, I’m going to conclude this one up from my phone (might be punctuation errors) I’ve shot many wild game as we own a ranch in the Texas hill country. there mostly dead right there or inside 20 yards from 6creed to 338 lapua. 32 years of being on this earth I’ve got more experience then most and I can only be greatful for it. I was only including what I was going to be hunting just so most people had an expectation idea I had already repurchased a 7mm barrel and just wanted to throw out a few calibers without going into left field of other subjects. Decided on the 7 max. Thank you all for all the positive input
Click to expand...
I don’t think you’re going to go wrong. The various 7’s get to be so similar in one way or more, you could throw a dart at a list of them and go with whatever you hit. My next barrel on my hunting rig will be a 7-300 WSM throated for 180’s. Why do that over a 7 saum, 7-6.5 prcw, or 7 SS? Curiosity more than anything, and I simply want to.
 
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