7PRC or stay with 6.5PRC

[ReaptheHeat]

Currently in a similar predicament between 300 PRC and 7 PRC. Most of my hunting will be whitetail in SC but I start going out west this year and looking to upgrade from my 308. Would the 300 be way too much? Looking at the X Bolt with muzzle brake

Go 7... You will be grateful for the lower recoil.

But 308 is plenty good for 99% of shots you will take. I haven't shot over 350 yards at an animal and I hunt open sage and aspen. I think guys overestimate the ranges they need to shoot animals out west at.Get a new gun if you want and tell the wife RS says you need a new gun.

If you can dial the 168 ABLR in the 308 that seems to be a killer bullet for its class.

 

[TaperPin]

This is the old 270 vs 7 mag decision. The 6.5 is very similar in performance to the 270. To 500 yards neither you or the animals could tell these apart.

The 7 rem mag and 7 PRC are likewise very close. Even if factory velocity is a little slow, being in the range of the 280AI isn’t a bad place to be.

I started out a huge fan of the 270, but shooting side by side with an older friend and his 7 mag I quickly became a convert. His mule deer went down faster, his elk went down faster. Larger heavier bullets penetrate and disrupt important bits better. Folks saying size doesn’t matter would be using 223’s or 6mm’s if they really believed that.

Hard to go wrong either way.

 

[omicron1792]

Keep seeing this 500 yard number for 6.5prc. Where does that come from. My dope shows well beyond 500 yards. I get out past 700 at 1800fps and I have a 20” barrel.

 

[Lou270]

6.8W. You will get hooked. Come to the dark side…

Lou

 

[ReaptheHeat]

Keep seeing this 500 yard number for 6.5prc. Where does that come from. My dope shows well beyond 500 yards. I get out past 700 at 1800fps and I have a 20” barrel.

500 yards is just a catch all number for most people's maximum "ethical" hunting range. Even though most people can't put down an moa group off a bench at 200 yards. Not to get off topic but holy crap so many people zero at 100 as their only practice and think they can shoot at 500.

Shooting off a pack in -10, snow, and slope is just a different ball game all together.

 

[7mm-08]

Since you've indicated that 500 yards is your maximum shooting distance, I see no practical advantage in going to a 7 PRC from the 6.5 PRC caliber you already have. That being said, if you are enamored with the 7 PRC, give it a try. I say that with this premise in mind - the animals you shoot under 500 yards will not know the difference.

 

[7mm-08]

Where do you get the 500 number from?

The OP set that number. Refer to his original post.

 

[Gila]

6.8W. You will get hooked. Come to the dark side…

Lou

I run a T3x action with a 6.8 Western and a 284 Winchester. I also use the newly upgraded Labradar v1.

I am well down the path to the Sith! LOL

 

[omicron1792]

I see. In another thread someone talked about 6.5 was good to 500. I see now.