Long Range Build - 7PRC, 7BC, 300PRC?

[Woodsman44]

I'm having a hard time making up my mind - need some help guys! I'm looking to build a 1000+ yard elk gun. I have a Tikka t3x that I was planning on using for the build but I'm also looking at Seekins or Proof rifles for more mag length. I will continue to shoot suppressed so 20-22" barrel is ideal. This will be a backcountry rifle so balancing light weight with LR consistency is critical. Also considering a Seekins Element Hunter for the folding stock or a MDT HNT26 on a Tikka build. I'd like to keep the rifle-only part of the build under $4k.

Which of the 3 cartridges would you go with? I'll reloading all 3 (yes, even the backcountry). It looks like at elk elevation I'll have enough velocity and energy at a little over 1000 yards with 22" in the 7PRC and 20" in the 7BC. 300 PRC will take me farther, with more bang. I prefer shooting bonded bullets and am also looking at the Afterburn 201 30 cal or 164 7mm bullets. This affects mag length. I've had great success on elk with 300 WSM and 300 WM with 200 accubonds but have never hunted with a 7MM for elk. Lots of folks seem to push 30 cal minimum for elk, especially long range.

And please don't make this a discussion on whether to take shots this long, bonded vs non-bonded bullets, etc. I'm looking for cartridge recommendations and gun build ideas based on the goals. Thanks for the help!

 

[silver15tacoma]

To answer your 7mm enough for elk question...yes I've killed two bulls with my 7BC (170g TA) this year. One at 350 and the other at 250 but I don't see why it wouldn't work at longer ranges. I have shot it at the range out to 900 yards. I've also killed 3 bulls with 300WM (200g Hornady PH) at similar ranges. Both caused similar trauma that I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference if I walked up to the bull not knowing what caliber I shot it with. Now using both I'd pick the 7BC every time just because of the decreased recoil and being able to run a shorter barrel.

Now for rifle choice I'd defiantly take a look at the Weatherby's in 7BC.....lots of options

 

[glock233]

6.5 PRC or 7 PRC is all you need.

 

[missjordan]

7 PRC


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[Woodsman44]

To answer your 7mm enough for elk question...yes I've killed two bulls with my 7BC (170g TA) this year. One at 350 and the other at 250 but I don't see why it wouldn't work at longer ranges. I have shot it at the range out to 900 yards. I've also killed 3 bulls with 300WM (200g Hornady PH) at similar ranges. Both caused similar trauma that I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference if I walked up to the bull not knowing what caliber I shot it with. Now using both I'd pick the 7BC every time just because of the decreased recoil and being able to run a shorter barrel.

Now for rifle choice I'd defiantly take a look at the Weatherby's in 7BC.....lots of options

If I go 7BC I’m probably going to rebarrel my Tikka. I would love to have a 20” 7BC suppressed. Just want to make sure I won’t regret going with the more powerful 300PRC.


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[686]

What velocity are you thinking from a 20-22” barrel for the 7PRC? 2900 would be pushing it in my experience, with a 168gr bullet, you’d be a little light on killing power at 1000 yards:

This is the 175gr ELDX @ 2950 I shoot from my 24” barrel 7prc. A little better, but feels marginal on killing power to me. I think 1800 fps is bottom end for ELDX expansion. I would plan on a 175 grain or larger Hornady ELD or Berger if you really want to shoot 1000 yards on game.

 

[wpeach1912]

300 Norma mag (AI if you really want some sauce) with 245 Berger’s is the ticket for the 1000+ game. The 7 BC is promising with the 195s out of a 22+” barrel, but not sure about the consistency of the factory ammo. I would also suggest a heavier rifle. Like 13+lbs and a good bipod like the ckye pod. It takes a lot to ride a magnum in a sub 12lb rifle. At that range, the consistency of the ammo starts playing a very large role in hit probability. At the end of the day, you can make any of those cartridges work. Spend a lot of time and a couple of burned out barrels practicing

 

[Woodsman44]

Based on what other guys are getting, 175 eldx 22” would be 2850-2900 so I’d have to push it hard. Here’s what I’m showing at 9900 elevation and 2900

Here’s 7BC with the 164 Afterburn at 9900

And here’s 300PRC with the 201 Afterburn at 9900

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[686]

300 PRC killing power will be better at 1000 yards, but better from a longer barrel, and a bigger action than the 7BC. I would say: either build a lightweight compact 7mm and keep the shots inside 8-900 yards depending on where your velo comes out; or build a 24-26” 300 PRC that is heavier but more optimized for putting a bigger payload at 1000 yards at 1800 fps. Here’s the ELDM at 1000 from a 26” barrel (2810fps factory spec):

What elevation are you hunting at? Targeting trophy bulls or cows?

 

[Woodsman44]

I’ve shot most of my elk around 9900. If I’m much below 8000 I’ll just have to adjust my max range. 13 lbs is heavy! But doable.


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[686]

Hunting at 9900’ helps a lot; bring the 7PRC back in for me:

 

[IrkedCitizen]

300prc shooting 230gr Berger Hybrid Target bullet with N570 powder.

This is how I would build it.

BAT Vesper LA $1970
Unknown Munitions DBM and magazine $350
Patriot Valley Arms Osprey Barrel Works prefit $745
Trigger Tech Diamond 2 stage $315
RokStok R700 LA with LOP kit $585
Total $3,965 plus shipping

 

[686]

I’ve shot most of my elk around 9900. If I’m much below 8000 I’ll just have to adjust my max range. 13 lbs is heavy! But doable.


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For me, solid support is even more important than rifle weight. I shoot off of a Tricer bipod and a big bag or tripod rear support; or Leofoto tripod front support tied into an Arca rail and big bag or shooting stick rear support. My 7prc is 10lbs without the bipod attached, and then I’m packing the tripod, bipod, shooting sticks, etc.

 

[nm.otter]

Don't overlook the lowly 6.5mm PRC. Using factory ammo box velocities (24" barrel) and assuming you can easily load to those on a 20" barrel:

143gr ELD-X is still going 1950 FPS at 1,000 yds, drop 21.8 MOA
147gr ELD-M is doing 1960 FPS and dropping 22.2 MOA

 

[Woodsman44]

I don’t think I could drop to 6.5 for this build. I’m having a hard time with 7mm


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[Woodsman44]

For me, solid support is even more important than rifle weight. I shoot off of a Tricer bipod and a big bag or tripod rear support; or Leofoto tripod front support tied into an Arca rail and big bag or shooting stick rear support. My 7prc is 10lbs without the bipod attached, and then I’m packing the tripod, bipod, shooting sticks, etc.

I use similar - tripod and rear shooting sticks are what I use in the field but I haven’t stretched that to 1k+. I’ll need to practice of course. 10lbs would be comfortable for packing, should be good for either 7mm, but I’m not sure about the 300. If I push the 201’s I’m assuming that would reduce the recoil to just a little over 300wm, which has been fine thus far to 800 yards in a 9lb rifle for me. I’m curious what rifle weight other guys are using with the 300 for long range.


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[TedO]

I've always been told you need 1700 ft/lbs of energy to ethically kill a mature bull. The 300PRC would give you that at 1000yds. Also agree that heavier rifles with longer barrels shoot best at long range. And you could run a longer barrel and build a nicer rifle if you didn't have to budget in a suppressor.