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

[peaceful_ruler]

Killed a mature bull at 1055 yards with the federal 170 TAs, found bullet on off side under hide. The bullet was perfect mushroom 1/3 of the way down. Plenty of energy in my opinion.
7prc seekins ph2
26in barrel

That 7mm 170 TA looks like a killer. Any kills up close with it yet? I wonder how well it would retain weight at a 50 yard high velocity elk shoulder bone hit.

 

[MtnHawker]

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

Not to derail the thread but what rifle you running the 7bc in? I was looking at those Weatherby's since the Seekins ph3 have been on hold for awhile. I'm really curious about the Backcountry family (assuming they launch another new peak alloy based cartridge next month).

 

[Balderdash]

I'd go 7 PRC for your stated purposes. I am gathering parts for a rig similar to what you describe right now. It will be a Tikka action, 22" threaded, light contour barrel, Stocky's VG, Bushy 3-12 LRTSi. I've hunted with a very similar 7mm RM for years, so not really breaking new ground, but the 7 PRC is a much better fit for a Tikka.

The BC is intetesting, but I have read reports of heavy bolt lifts and other overpressure signs with them, so not sure its the best idea with extant actions? Time will tell on that. Further, I don't need more performance than I can get from a 7 PRC; honestly, I don't even "need" that much. An 18" 6.5 CM or 7mm-08 can accomplish about anything I need out of a big game riffle, and I should be building more lightweight, handy, short action rigs instead of more long range magnums, but a guy likes what he likes.

I have a 1:8 300 win mag with a long throat that I assembled just prior to the 300 PRC coming out. It cuts tiny groups and is exceptional for delivering a largish hunk of lead to far off targets; however, with heavy bullets over 76 grn H1000, recoil can be onerous. I don't run it with a can because recoil reduction wasnt enough, so went back to a brake with ear muffs. The rig weighs 10 + lbs with scope and ammo. More with a bipod. I generally prefer a lighter rig for elk country, and I dont care to go lighter on something like a 300 PRC.

As far as the 6 UM - I'm sure I'll get push back here, but I'd go 6.5 PRC all day over a proprietary round that, based on what I read on these foruns, has had some developmental hiccups. I'm sure the recoil threshold for routinely spotting shots vs not is different for each person, and that, by extension, the breakover point for a few folks could fall between a 6.5 PRC and a 6 UM; however, it seems more logical to me that any reported difference in recoil and shot spotting between a 6.5 PRC and a 6 UM shooting similar BC bullets will be more attributional than actual. Further, any quantifiable difference between the two is likely to be so minimal that its not likely to be paradigm shifting.

 

[Hrtbthntr]

That 7mm 170 TA looks like a killer. Any kills up close with it yet? I wonder how well it would retain weight at a 50 yard high velocity elk shoulder bone hit.

Nothing close yet, a deer at 525 this year is the closest. I would say it's the closest bullet to the original accubond I've found. Great blood trail on everything so far.

 

[silver15tacoma]

Not to derail the thread but what rifle you running the 7bc in? I was looking at those Weatherby's since the Seekins ph3 have been on hold for awhile. I'm really curious about the Backcountry family (assuming they launch another new peak alloy based cartridge next month).

I have it in the Savage 110 Trail Hunter Lite 16.25". I Also threw it in a MDT Field Stock and it shoots sub MOA. I have made a post about it if you look at my post history!

 

[Woodsman44]

That looks like a sweet setup!

Update: I’m going with a 6UM. Should be complete in 3 months as the stock is the hold up. But I should be able to fire form brass with a different stock in about a month . Thanks for all the help!


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