28 nosler vs 7prc build. What are your thoughts?

[Wyocritterdoc]

I currently have a 24inch, 1:8 twist .284 barrel blank sitting at the gunsmith. I'm trying to decide between having it built to be a 28 Nosler or a 7prc. I plan for this to be my do everything gun from speed goats to elk and everything in between. Even moose if I can get a tag. My main hangup is barrel life and cost to shoot. Is barrel life truly significantly shorter on the 28 nos? Once the initial investment of getting the brass for the 28 is over, I'm assuming it will be close to the same price to reload and shoot as the 7prc?

 

[TaperPin]

It’s always fun hearing what guys have been getting for barrel life. I’d think the PRC would be similar to the Rem mag and I would be happy if it made it to 1000 rounds with lots of cooling. I’ve heard a gunsmith say his 28 Nos barrels last about 800 rounds. If barrels are $1k that puts PRC barrel cost at $1 per shot and the 28 Nos at $1.25.

My first really good 7 mag barrel was so fun to shoot it was toast in 12 months. Since then I’m much more likely to save good hunting rifles for hunting and put most rounds down range with a lower cost trainer of some kind, even if it’s also a 7 mag.

Without RL26 for the PRC it’s not quite as fast as advertised. I’d be more likely to to use a 28 Nosler since it doesn’t have to be loaded to max pressure to get decent velocity.

 

[Wyocritterdoc]

It’s always fun hearing what guys have been getting for barrel life. I’d think the PRC would be similar to the Rem mag and I would be happy if it made it to 1000 rounds with lots of cooling. I’ve heard a gunsmith say his 28 Nos barrels last about 800 rounds. If barrels are $1k that puts PRC barrel cost at $1 per shot and the 28 Nos at $1.25.

My first really good 7 mag barrel was so fun to shoot it was toast in 12 months. Since then I’m much more likely to save good hunting rifles for hunting and put most rounds down range with a lower cost trainer of some kind, even if it’s also a 7 mag.

Without RL26 for the PRC it’s not quite as fast as advertised. I’d be more likely to to use a 28 Nosler since it doesn’t have to be loaded to max pressure to get decent velocity.

I currently don't reload so I will likely be shooting factory rounds for a while. I'm not opposed to looking into getting started though. Would shooting factory loads change your thoughts any?

 

[Taudisio]

They are in different leagues imo. Think 7mag vs 7rum. Decide what your goal is and pick the one that suits your needs. 200ish fps difference from load data.

 

[Wyocritterdoc]

They are in different leagues imo. Think 7mag vs 7rum. Decide what your goal is and pick the one that suits your needs. 200ish fps difference from load data.

Can you elaborate what you would think some goals would be if this was your rifle. I'm in Wyoming so that's where the majority of my hunting will be done.

 

[huntnful]

I currently don't reload so I will likely be shooting factory rounds for a while. I'm not opposed to looking into getting started though. Would shooting factory loads change your thoughts any?

Without reloading just go 7PRC and 180 ELDM’s. You’ll be set

 

[wapitibob]

Without reloading just go 7PRC and 180 ELDM’s. You’ll be set

^^ this is the answer

You are wasting the 28's potential without a custom throated reamer and hand loading. Even then, the barrel will be toast in 500 shots if you're using N570 to push the 195's. I'm on my 4th barrel in a 7stw which is almost identical to the 28. 5th barrel is at the smith and being chambered to 7PRC.

 

[huntnful]

^^ this is the answer

You are wasting the 28's potential without a custom throated reamer and hand loading. Even then, the barrel will be toast in 500 shots if you're using N570 to push the 195's. I'm on my 4th barrel in a 7stw which is almost identical to the 28. 5th barrel is at the smith and being chambered to 7PRC.

Facts. I started blowing 195 Berger’s apart after about 600 rounds with N570 in my 28. I had to switch to monos just before season since they’d hold together.