7mm PRC short barrel?

[prcwv]

Yeah that's 18 inch. I could get more with Hornady Brass but can't even keep a primer in them after 3rd resize. I'm using peterson. When I used virgin brass I could really push it. They are finicky. Mine likes about .020 off nothing less nothing more. I just go off comparator not sure what my overall length is offhand.

 

[BossGobbler2024]

Yeah that's 18 inch. I could get more with Hornady Brass but can't even keep a primer in them after 3rd resize. I'm using peterson. When I used virgin brass I could really push it. They are finicky. Mine likes about .020 off nothing less nothing more. I just go off comparator not sure what my overall length is offhand.

Are you saying that a 0.20 jump worked with LRx bullets? I haven't gone shorter than 0.050 jump. I have Peterson brass as well. I am finding that resizing the brass is inconsistent, even annealing every firing. I am on the 3rd firing now. I get comparator readings of 48.07 to 48.13 and sort them to work loads. These are all brass I got from 1x fired gunwerks sale from a guy on this forum.

 

[prcwv]

Yeah my bad on the 0 lol. I'm running ELDM not sure what the bc is compared to LRX I'm assuming LRXs are longer. I have to bump shoulders back little more than what saami says. I kept bumping an trying in chamber till I got it where I liked it. I tried up to .40 or 50 I think comparing to factory ammo an it wasn't happy. Looks like the 162 ELDM are higher BC which surprises me

 

[TJ427]

I have a CA Ridgeline FFT in 7mm PRC with at 22" bbl. I think i found a good load/node tonight with 63.0-63.4 gr of RL 26, Hornady 180 gr ELDM's at 2775 fps
View attachment 726063View attachment 726064View attachment 726065

Nice setup! Going to do something very similar with 22 inch barrel. The suppressors seem to come out to equivalent of a 26 inch barrel (when applied to 22 inch barrel), so still manageable in the field.

 

[BossGobbler2024]

Update on my load workup. I went down many rabbit holes and ended up back where I started with 168 grain LRx bullets in my 18 inch 7 PRC. I loaded 10 rounds with 72.3 g of H1000. I ended up with about 3/4 MOA group at 200 yds with 2850 avg velocity.

For those curious about using a faster powder like TAC or Varget, I have been playing with those as well and have 35 rounds to shoot this weekend with Varget and 175 Eldx. I shot 59.3 gr of Varget this week and was getting 2866 or so velocities and 1.25 MOA at 200 yrds. The bolt was a bit sticky so gonna back off some and shoot 57.3-58.1 grains with same bullet. I just can't help myself, I have to know if will give good results.

 

[Bert01]

I’ve got a 20” Ace barrel, the first box of 180 eld-m is averaging right at 2800.

 

[loadsandlattes]

I appreciate yall putting your data out there. I’ve got a Tikka 7RM that I tossed in a HNT26 chassis and sent off to Unknown Munitions to be rebarreled into a 20” 7PRC. Factory 7RM barrel was at something like 860 rounds, so figured it was good of a time as any.

I also went ahead and ordered 250rds of factory 175ELDX. Will be running suppressed. I should have it back early October, I’ve got a ELR match mid October I’m using to break it in. I’ll report back with my data when done!

 

[BossGobbler2024]

I appreciate yall putting your data out there. I’ve got a Tikka 7RM that I tossed in a HNT26 chassis and sent off to Unknown Munitions to be rebarreled into a 20” 7PRC. Factory 7RM barrel was at something like 860 rounds, so figured it was good of a time as any.

I also went ahead and ordered 250rds of factory 175ELDX. Will be running suppressed. I should have it back early October, I’ve got a ELR match mid October I’m using to break it in. I’ll report back with my data when done!

Curious what it costs to do something like that with a gun?

 

[loadsandlattes]

Curious what it costs to do something like that with a gun?

Sure!

I don’t remember what I spent originally on the rifle - something like $900 maybe?

Tikka Roughtek 7RM Rifle - $900
NF NX8 4-32 - $1800
HNT26 Chassis - $1800

Shipping To & From Unknown Munitions - $100

20” Hells Canyon Barrel swap, thread, and mount - $1300

I guess I’m all in around $5-6k? I already had the rifle and the scope, it was a hunting setup I put together a few years ago. Killed a lot of critters with that 7RM combo. So I guess I’m only out of pocket around $3000 to get it rebarreled and into a lightweight chassis.

 

[JRS3]

For a mainly deer (WT and MD) with occasional elk, plus suppressed, I thought I wanted a 20” CF barrel but am now considering an 18”. The gun will live with a direct thread can, maybe a Scythe. I like shooting 180 hybrids but could try 175 ELDX. Help me!

 

[Sevens]

For a mainly deer (WT and MD) with occasional elk, plus suppressed, I thought I wanted a 20” CF barrel but am now considering an 18”. The gun will live with a direct thread can, maybe a Scythe. I like shooting 180 hybrids but could try 175 ELDX. Help me!

Do the 18”. I have a 20” and wish it was shorter.

 

[BossGobbler2024]

For a mainly deer (WT and MD) with occasional elk, plus suppressed, I thought I wanted a 20” CF barrel but am now considering an 18”. The gun will live with a direct thread can, maybe a Scythe. I like shooting 180 hybrids but could try 175 ELDX. Help me!

With my 18" barrel, I feel like I am good to 500-600 yrds, @2800 fps+ 168gr LRX. The rifle is well balanced with the suppressor attached and very manageable.

 

[69thokayestshooter]

2900 out of an 18” is nuts

Agreed!

 

[Ktwebb33]

Love following this thread. I battled building a 7prc when I already have a 22" 280ai. I'm getting very similar and in some cases more velocity with that rifle and 59gr of 4831sc. Throwing that out there for anyone on the fence about a short barreled 7PRC.

I still love the 7PRC cartridge but I decided that 22" was still too long for some of the tighter spots i deer hunt so I went shorter and smaller to an 18" 6 Creed.

Love seeing all the load dev info and everyone's setup. Keep it up guys.

I am atop this fence you speak of. I want to build an 18” 280ai (suppressed), but am also looking at 7prc. One part of my puzzle is my omega 300 is only rated down to a 20” barrel for the 7prc. I’ve had 22” barrels and I’m not the biggest fan for handling it suppressed in the woods (a little long)…I’m worried 20” won’t feel much better than the 22”, hence why an 18” 280ai is on one side of the fence, and a 20” 7prc is on the other… not sure which side to jump off onto.

Anyone who totes around a 20” suppressed care to add their experience/opinion?

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I am atop this fence you speak of. I want to build an 18” 280ai (suppressed), but am also looking at 7prc. One part of my puzzle is my omega 300 is only rated down to a 20” barrel for the 7prc. I’ve had 22” barrels and I’m not the biggest fan for handling it suppressed in the woods (a little long)…I’m worried 20” won’t feel much better than the 21”, hence why an 18” 280ai is on one side of the fence, and a 20” 7prc is on the other… not sure which side to jump off onto.

Anyone who totes around a 20” suppressed care to add their experience/opinion?

Sure. It’s good, but could be better at 18”. My can is 5.75” and 20” barrel. It’s noticeably better than previously rifles but on a LA I’m still thinking an 18” would be better sometimes. 20 is a compromise but keeps some velocity. On a 7PRC I’d probably stick there with a 6” can or less. But if you are thinking longer can I’d go 18. I’m using a folding chassis this year to help with overall rifle length.

 

[Ktwebb33]

Sure. It’s good, but could be better at 18”. My can is 5.75” and 20” barrel. It’s noticeably better than previously rifles but on a LA I’m still thinking an 18” would be better sometimes. 20 is a compromise but keeps some velocity. On a 7PRC I’d probably stick there with a 6” can or less. But if you are thinking longer can I’d go 18. I’m using a folding chassis this year to help with overall rifle length.

No intentions of getting another can, so I’d be limited to 20” if I went 7prc. If I went 280ai, I’d go with the 18”.

 

[SloppyJ]

I am atop this fence you speak of. I want to build an 18” 280ai (suppressed), but am also looking at 7prc. One part of my puzzle is my omega 300 is only rated down to a 20” barrel for the 7prc. I’ve had 22” barrels and I’m not the biggest fan for handling it suppressed in the woods (a little long)…I’m worried 20” won’t feel much better than the 21”, hence why an 18” 280ai is on one side of the fence, and a 20” 7prc is on the other… not sure which side to jump off onto.

Anyone who totes around a 20” suppressed care to add their experience/opinion?

I have a couple 22s (300prc, 6.5prc, and 280ai) and I just finished up an 18" 6creed. The 18 is sweet and makes me wish I had more that short. I also built a 16" Tikka 223 for my son which is also nice. If your main use is tight woods, then go 18. These rifles will be super handy in my neck of the woods. If it's a mix, then 20 for some extra velocity.

The other thing is, I'm using a Scythe and a wolfhunter which are both around 6". The omega is an inch longer so keep that in mind too. If you're going steel barrels, remember that you can always get it cut shorter too.

 

[Ktwebb33]

I have a couple 22s (300prc, 6.5prc, and 280ai) and I just finished up an 18" 6creed. The 18 is sweet and makes me wish I had more that short. I also built a 16" Tikka 223 for my son which is also nice. If your main use is tight woods, then go 18. These rifles will be super handy in my neck of the woods. If it's a mix, then 20 for some extra velocity.

The other thing is, I'm using a Scythe and a wolfhunter which are both around 6". The omega is an inch longer so keep that in mind too. If you're going steel barrels, remember that you can always get it cut shorter too.

Yea my omega is ~7”. Wish I could go 18” 7prc, but I can’t. I’ll either have to go 18” 280ai, or bump up to a 20” if I decide 7prc. I’m in the Ouachita mtns of the SE US. Mostly mixed woods. I realize both would serve me well. Just checking out all my options before I decide and order a barrel. It will be carbon by the way.

All things being equal, I’m not sure the difference between an 18” 280ai and an 18” 7prc, real world data. If they were relatively close, it would make my decision a little easier to just go with the 18” 280ai, since an 18” is really what I want.

 

[prcwv]

I am atop this fence you speak of. I want to build an 18” 280ai (suppressed), but am also looking at 7prc. One part of my puzzle is my omega 300 is only rated down to a 20” barrel for the 7prc. I’ve had 22” barrels and I’m not the biggest fan for handling it suppressed in the woods (a little long)…I’m worried 20” won’t feel much better than the 21”, hence why an 18” 280ai is on one side of the fence, and a 20” 7prc is on the other… not sure which side to jump off onto.

Anyone who totes around a 20” suppressed care to add their experience/opinion?

I have an 18 inch 7prc shoots good but had to get the AW2 reamer an still can't run book max. I'm getting 2825 with 162s which isn't bad. But just cause of the head ache I wish I'd did 280 ai. Also run a Resonator R2 with no issues.

 

[Ktwebb33]

I have an 18 inch 7prc shoots good but had to get the AW2 reamer an still can't run book max. I'm getting 2825 with 162s which isn't bad. But just cause of the head ache I wish I'd did 280 ai. Also run a Resonator R2 with no issues.

Thanks for the info.