7 PRC or 300 PRC?

[Article 4]

Wonder what folks think. As a pure hunting round, given most hunters rarely successfully shoot past 500 yards at an animal, (i know everyone here can though LOL) why would a guy opt for a 300 PRC over a 7MM PRC to hunt in the lower 48? Especially when we eliminate the possibility of hunting a Grizzly Bear (a discussion for another time) Is owning a big 30 cal even truly necessary anymore?

 

[bradmacmt]

A 300 Mag of any stripe never was "necessary" any more than 7 Mag's are "necessary." I'd be happy with a 308 Win on anything in NA including grizzlies. America, for a couple generations, was a 30 Caliber Country, but that has changed. However, if I just absolutely "had" to have a magnum of some stripe, it would probably be a 300 WSM. I prefer SA cartridges, have 1000's of various 30 cal bullets, and Lapua now makes brass for it. I'd make mine with an 18" bbl and a can. Otherwise, I think a 7mm RPC would be tough to beat.

 

[Mule3006Elk]

I like 0.284" caliber b/c better wind drift profile. WInd is the variable we have the least control over.
I currently have 2 30 cal rifles. I'm looking at a 280 AI d/t wind bucking.

 

[elkunter45]

I like the 300 PRC, this is my rifle build a Howa action with a bartlin barrel in a 300 PRC cal. The scope is Zwarovski Z6 3-18x50 reloaded with a Hammer bullet

 

[hunting1]

I agree with Brad but since you asked the 7 PRC all day. Pretty rare with bear and you will be fine for a one time or chance encounter.

 

[Article 4]

I love my 30 Nosler too. Hade it since 2014 and everything that the 210 able touches. Dies
Also built a 7/300 PRC wildcat. 173 eldx at 3190 and 180 Berger runs 3109. Bus are excellent and it’s bad medicine for deer and elk.

 

[Flyjunky]

I like 0.284" caliber b/c better wind drift profile. WInd is the variable we have the least control over.
I currently have 2 30 cal rifles. I'm looking at a 280 AI d/t wind bucking.

I’ve seen people say this in regards to wind between the 7 vs 300 but I don’t get it. Where are these numbers coming from? Using what bullets?

 

[TaperPin]

There is still a difference on game between these two. When a bigger heavier bullet is going through something, more happens in there. I still get a chuckle out of watching ballistic gel being shot by the PRC trio - the 6.5 jiggles it, the 7mm shakes it good, and the 300 breaks the bench it was on and the block does a double back flip. The video slow mo shows a big difference as well.

The argument hydrostatic shock doesn’t mean anything, only permanent cavity wounds do, may apply to pistol cartridges or a 223, but not rifles in the real world. Antelope get shot in the gut quite often because they run a lot. Gut shots with 243, 25-06, even 270 will just run off and 1/4 or 1/2 mile away they’ll stand out there until you finish them off. Gut shots with a 7 mag are different - they aren’t going anywhere - they still need to be finished off, but they are hurt enough from the hydrostatic damage to stop moving. That’s why when the biggest antelope I’ve ever seen is about to run over the ridge it’s nice to have a 7 mag.

Muledeer or elk aren’t going to stop from a gut shot, but organ damage from hydrostatic shock is like the jumping block of gel - the force to break the bench and make the block do a double back flip is doing the same thing in the chest cavity. On less than ideal shots it’s nice to have more bullet than less - this trend of only planning for ideal standing still broadside shots is a pipe dream - I’ve seen way more elk hauling ass 75 yards away in the timber than were ever lounging at the side of a meadow with a “Shoot Me” sign hanging off an antler. *chuckle*

 

[Mule3006Elk]

I’ve seen people say this in regards to wind between the 7 vs 300 but I don’t get it. Where are these numbers coming from? Using what bullets?

I run Terminal Ascent. However 300 WM 200 grain bullet with s.d. 3 compared to 7 mm PRC 170 grain bullet s.d. 3. Using a 20 mph wind at 500 yards there is a 2.8" difference in drift in favor of the 7 mm.

I guess they made a 300 PRC 215 grain TA bullet but no longer available? When I compare that bullet to 7 mm PRC the 7 mm PRC 170 grain bullet the 7 mm has 1.5" less drift. Both have s.d. > 3.

7 mm PRC 155 grain bullet 2.75 s.d. compared to 30-06 175 grain bullet s.d. 2.64 there is a 7.5" difference in drift in favor of 7 mm.

I run 2 30 cal and I have had great results. When I run the numbers with the bullet I use the 0.284" comes out on top regarding drift. Personally, I don't think I will feel less gunned with a 7mm when compared to a 30 cal.
I love to hunt pronghorn which means lots of wind. Any advantage in the wind I'll take it. I would have no issues using a 7 mm on elk.

I'm currently in the market for a rifle. I have been running a lot of ballistics as of late. When I run 6.5 CM, 6.5 PRC, 270 WIN, 270 WSM, 280 AI, 7 mm RM, 7 mm PRC, 30-06, 300 WM. I didn't run 300 PRC b/c TA doesn't currently offer. But....7 mm take the top 3 spots for lowest wind drift. For me, since wind is the variable I have the least control over, it has become the variable I pay the most attention to when I'm comparing cartridges that I'm interested in.

 

[Flyjunky]

So, my question as always when these comparisons (any gun comparison) is why do people compare a heavy, high bc, bullet in one cartridge but not the other?

Run numbers on the 7prc 180 gr vs 300 shooting a berger 215.

Need to compare apples to apples. Don’t short change one cartridge to make it look worse.

Also, if you’re trying to cheat the wind why use T/A?

 

[Mule3006Elk]

So, my question as always when these comparisons (any gun comparison) is why do people compare a heavy, high bc, bullet in one cartridge but not the other?

Run numbers on the 7prc 180 gr vs 300 shooting a berger 215.

Need to compare apples to apples. Don’t short change one cartridge to make it look worse.

Also, if you’re trying to cheat the wind why use T/A?

I ran the numbers based solely on TA options. I like bonded bullets, high weight retention, low meat damage. That's my choice and I have had excellent terminal performance with them.

Pretty straight forward, pick you pill, run the numbers, pick what you want. I ran numbers with fairly close s.d. for example purposes.

I have 30 cal and love them. But my next rifle, mainly pronghorn but not exclusively will be a 0.284. I'll take the drift advantage.

Lets not derail the op thread. I would simply run the numbers with the said cartridges and pills then select which ever cartridge meets your needs. Personally, I emphasize drift. Others may emphasize something else but that's the beauty. We have choices. Any rifle I consider will do the job so I don't worry about drop d/t modern BA and Kestrel devices etc. Drift is the most difficult IMO especially in the field when it my be hard to call (Flats/sage etc.) with little reference.

Either of the OPs cartridges will do the job and then some.

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

I prefer more established cartridges (such a 300 WM, 300 Wby, 7mm Wby, and 7mm Rem Mag), but if the essence of your post is a 7mm versus .30 cal debate, I'll say this.

At the ranges most people actually shoot animals at, the .30 cal is going to hit harder and do more damage. The 7mm will also likely work fine (I've certainly had fine results from my 7mm Wby), but I don't see how the 7mm can be said to have any real advantage until you get to extended ranges (say past 500 yards).

My go to rifle is a 300 Wby. I just ordered a custom 28 Nosler with the long range thing in mind. We'll see if I ever justify its use.

 

[rileybassman]

So, my question as always when these comparisons (any gun comparison) is why do people compare a heavy, high bc, bullet in one cartridge but not the other?

Run numbers on the 7prc 180 gr vs 300 shooting a berger 215.

Need to compare apples to apples. Don’t short change one cartridge to make it look worse.

Also, if you’re trying to cheat the wind why use T/A?

Hornady 175 eld-x vs 212 eld-x using their (Hornady's) load data for their factory ammo and the 7 wins sub 1k. Granted you can hot-rod handload either one... but in 10 mph crosswind, according to their data, the 300 has 7" more drift, and 34" more drop. At 1k, energy is within like 40 ft. lbs too.

 

[WCB]

I run Terminal Ascent. However 300 WM 200 grain bullet with s.d. 3 compared to 7 mm PRC 170 grain bullet s.d. 3. Using a 20 mph wind at 500 yards there is a 2.8" difference in drift in favor of the 7 mm.

I guess they made a 300 PRC 215 grain TA bullet but no longer available? When I compare that bullet to 7 mm PRC the 7 mm PRC 170 grain bullet the 7 mm has 1.5" less drift. Both have s.d. > 3.

7 mm PRC 155 grain bullet 2.75 s.d. compared to 30-06 175 grain bullet s.d. 2.64 there is a 7.5" difference in drift in favor of 7 mm.

I run 2 30 cal and I have had great results. When I run the numbers with the bullet I use the 0.284" comes out on top regarding drift. Personally, I don't think I will feel less gunned with a 7mm when compared to a 30 cal.
I love to hunt pronghorn which means lots of wind. Any advantage in the wind I'll take it. I would have no issues using a 7 mm on elk.

I'm currently in the market for a rifle. I have been running a lot of ballistics as of late. When I run 6.5 CM, 6.5 PRC, 270 WIN, 270 WSM, 280 AI, 7 mm RM, 7 mm PRC, 30-06, 300 WM. I didn't run 300 PRC b/c TA doesn't currently offer. But....7 mm take the top 3 spots for lowest wind drift. For me, since wind is the variable I have the least control over, it has become the variable I pay the most attention to when I'm comparing cartridges that I'm interested in.

Federal never released a 215 .308 cal TA...New this year is the 300prc with a 210gr Terminal Ascent .663 G1 .341 G7 @2850fps

7prc
170gr Terminal Ascent
G1 .645 G7 .325
2950fps
@500yds Drop -43.4", Wind(10mph) 12.8", 2262fps, 1930ftlbs

300prc
210gr Terminal Ascent
G1 .663 G7 .341
2850fps
@500yds Drop -46.8, Wind(10mph) 13.1, 2193fps, 2243ftlbs

Not arguing with you at all just providing actual TA differences with the 210gr .308 cal...which imo no animal is going to know the difference

 

[chindits]

Don’t know why I would even entertain that question. I wouldn’t pick either prc for elk moose or smaller unless there was some sort of tax write off I would get by buying another rifle

Obviously neither are “necessary” to take any animal within 500

 

[rileybassman]

Not arguing with you at all just providing actual TA differences with the 210gr .308 cal...which imo no animal is going to know the difference

Yep, to me this is the point - if no animal will know the difference, why not go with the less punishing round.

 

[Flyjunky]

I won’t derail further after this post but Hornady says 2840 for a 212 Eldx out of a 300prc vs 3000 for the 175 Eldx….of course it will show the 7 outperforming. I don’t know anyone who would/is shooting that slow out of a 300prc. That is ridiculously slow.

 

[WCB]

Yep, to me this is the point - if no animal will know the difference, why not go with the less punishing round.

100% my thoughts as well

 

[Flyjunky]

Yep, to me this is the point - if no animal will know the difference, why not go with the less punishing round.

Then why not just go 6.5prc? Less punishing than both of the others and holds its own in drift with 156 or 147.

 

[rileybassman]

I won’t derail further after this post but Hornady says 2840 for a 212 Eldx out of a 300prc vs 3000 for the 175 Eldx….of course it will show the 7 outperforming. I don’t know anyone who would/is shooting that slow out of a 300prc. That is ridiculously slow.

Yep, Hornady is notoriously slow I agree... But it was the most apples to apples comparison I could do.

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