Sub 500 ft/lb difference at 500 yards and energy potential is a poor metric to base things upon as difference bullets express their energy differently. Monolithic 7mm bullet at 2000 ft/lbs will do far less work than a frangible 6.5mm bullet at 1000 ft/lb when bullets are placed in the same spot. Potential energy is a terrible metric to base caliber discussion upon.
So compare apples to apples.
Subjectively, at 500 yards as the OP stated, 2" of wind drift differential isn't going to make or break the shot on the same call for each gun in a hunting scenario. When you stretch distances out past the OP's self imposed distance of 500 yards, the 7mm PRC can offer more leeway on wind calls but you are still sub 5" difference in drift on a 10 mph 90⁰ cross wind at 800 yards. Not a lot of gain for a bunch more recoil.
As I replied before, 6.5 PRC 147 ELDM vs 7mm PRC 180 ELDM is sub 500 ft/lb difference from my rifles using factory Hornady ELDM ammo in both rifles. 1588# to 2076# at 500 yards. The 7 isn't going to kill an elk deader. Not sure how you arrived at 1000# difference.
I happen to be in the market for one
ammo.com
ammo.com
I'm using actual verified crono data from my 22" 6.5 PRC and 24" 7mm PRC barrel that has been proofed at 512 and 778 yards using the "Shooter Ballistics calculator". The factory Hornady ELDM ammo box reading (which is generous at best and many times an out right fallacy) shows a 564 ft/lb difference between the 2 loads but NOBODY is getting anywhere close to 2975 fps in the factory 180 7PRC ammo. I'm getting 2835 fps in one lot and 2852 in another lot. With my 6.5 PRC the box value is 2910 and I'm getting a consistent 2843 fps on the lot I have. If you do apples to apples using the same manufacturer with the same line of bullets with the heaviest for caliber bullets, your difference is far less than 1k ft/lb.
I stand corrected. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
No problem. They are both great cartridges. I will always have a 7mm PRC in my safe as it does in a factory round using the 180 ELDM what my custom barreled 300WM does using a hot handloaded 215 Berger at 1000 yards. The 180 has 6" less drift and has just under 100# of energy less than the 215 does with less powder and less recoil. I'll use those rifles for the days we are sitting in an ambush position and longer shots are standard. For days when I'm hiking all day or working the timber, I'll be carrying one of my 6.5 PRC or a 6mm bullet launchers. Seems like to further I practice shooting, the closer my shot opportunities come. I haven't shot anything past 500 yards in 10 years but my tags still get filled.
