7mm PRC Tikka - what bullet?

[gtriple]

I've got my 18" 1:8 Tikka 7mm PRC almost built and am about to get the loading done for it from @Unknown Munitions . I'm looking for a little help on bullet choice.

I'd like to shoot the absolute heaviest and highest BC bullets possible due to the short barrel and decreased velocity. The 175gr ELD-X was my first thought, but now I'm considering the 195gr Berger EOL or another match bullet. This is going to be for elk, moose, and possibly brown bear, so I'm thinking the hunting bullets like the ELD-X or EOL would be better than an ELD-M.

It is currently in a Stocky's VG2, so it is limited to the factory mag size. But I've got an XLR on the way, so I'll be able to go up to the 3.56" mag length once that arrives.

What's the overall length with the Berger EOL? Is the 1:8 twist fast enough?

 

[WeiserBucks]

1/8 will handle any 7mm bullet available except heavy mono's. 195s have been really hard to get for quite a while and I don't even like them to begin with. I've been using 180 Hybrids for years and they've worked great for me.

 

[hiker270]

I have been shooting both the 175 ELD-X and the Berger 175 Elite hunter in my Christensen 7mm PRC. Both have been under MOA with H1000 powder. The Berger may be a bit better and I believe this is gonna be my choice for elk next season.

 

[wapitibob]

I’m going to shoot 195’s and n570 when I get to my 7prc.
195’s were available at multiple outlets this month.

 

[SDHNTR]

Just me, but once brown bears enter the equation I want a bonded or mono bullet! I felt small with a .375 and 300gr Barnes!

 

[gtriple]

Just me, but once brown bears enter the equation I want a bonded or mono bullet! I felt small with a .375 and 300gr Barnes!

Yea, you're probably right. If I was specifically hunting brown bears, I may opt for something larger or swap to an LRX or a bonded bullet.

 

[gtriple]

I have been shooting both the 175 ELD-X and the Berger 175 Elite hunter in my Christensen 7mm PRC. Both have been under MOA with H1000 powder. The Berger may be a bit better and I believe this is gonna be my choice for elk next season.

What's your opinion on the ELD-X vs Elite Hunter for penetration/terminal performance?

 

[Bfish22]

I think the 175 or 180 bergers are the sweet spot for the 7 prc. I’ve read of some poor terminal performance from the 195 which makes me leary of that bullet. It may or may not have something to do with the very shallow nose cavity of the 195, but that is just a theory. I also don’t think the prc has the hp to push a 195 where it should be for optimal performance. Run the numbers of a 175 at 3000 fps and a 195 at 2800-2850. The juice isn’t worth the squeeze in my opinion.

I’m getting sub moa from the 175 berger in my tikka 7 prc pretty easily before any real load work up. Still waiting on the right buck to try it out on before hammering a couple does late season. I don’t have any terminal performance experience with the 175 eldx.

 

[Bfish22]

I should note, the 195 performance problems I’ve read were talking about elk. The hunter had seen a lot better results with the Berger 180’s.

 

[amassi]

Sounds like you’re looking for a solution to a non existent problem.
Just shoot the 180 eld-m or 175 eld-x. No need to jump outside of those 2. They’ll quite literally kill everything in North America even the aforementioned then edited brown bear
Added bonus they’ll fit in your factory magazines right now


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wapitibob]

A 195 and N570 will go 2950; proven load, but not mine

 

[WeiserBucks]

A 195 and N570 will go 2950; proven load, but not mine

Probably not in an 18"

 

[wapitibob]

Probably not in an 18"

Yea I missed that, I shoot 26" barrels

 

[BjornF16]

180 ELD-M would be my first choice…I’d only look elsewhere if it didn’t shoot well

 

[gtriple]

Sounds like you’re looking for a solution to a non existent problem.
Just shoot the 180 eld-m or 175 eld-x. No need to jump outside of those 2. They’ll quite literally kill everything in North America even the aforementioned then edited brown bear
Added bonus they’ll fit in your factory magazines right now


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Definitely. I've had excellent performance from the ELD-X in 5 or 6 different cartridges. Probably should just use it. Lol

 

[FOT223]

Get a box of each and see what shoots the best out of your rifle

 

[LightFoot]

Since it’s a short barrel, I’d go with the 168 VLD and get as much velocity as possible. I’ve also heard about the issues with terminal performance on the 195 EOL. I’m using factor 180 ELD-M from a 20” but if I was having a load built, I’d go 168 -180 VLD.


>>>——JAKE——>

 

[amassi]

Since it’s a short barrel, I’d go with the 168 VLD and get as much velocity as possible. I’ve also heard about the issues with terminal performance on the 195 EOL. I’m using factor 180 ELD-M from a 20” but if I was having a load built, I’d go 168 -180 VLD.


>>>——JAKE——>

While the 168 is a great bullet it needs 400 fps to “outrun” the 180 eld-m
@ 3000 fps and 2700 respectively the come up and wind holds are nearly identical. The 180 is .1 mil less wind
The 168 is going 38 fps faster at 1000, but being lighter that’s irrelevant

 

[LightFoot]

While the 168 is a great bullet it needs 400 fps to “outrun” the 180 eld-m
@ 3000 fps and 2700 respectively the come up and wind holds are nearly identical. The 180 is .1 mil less wind
The 168 is going 38 fps faster at 1000, but being lighter that’s irrelevant

Sound reasonable.


>>>——JAKE——>

 

[Pharmseller]

160 AccuBond?