Which bullet

gabenzeke

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Starting to get parts for a build and need to decide on a bullet. Will be a 7 prc, and barrel length will be as short as I can go and expect a muzzle velocity of 2900 ish. Intend to hunt deer, black bears, and elk out to 800 yards. Would you choose the 168 Berger vld or the 180 eld-m and why?

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Pure numbers? I think it's a bit of a wash as far as drop, drift, and retained velocity/energy between the two. Drop is within a few tenths, wind a tenth of two, and energy 100 ft*lbs. So as far as making his goes they are pretty equal. Elk alone at 800yds puts me into the 180gn bullet, ELD-M or Berger Hybrid, for momentum and retained mass. The 175gn Elite Hunter is also a good option. On elk, I also think it's a real solid 600yds rig (deer I'll buy 800yds) but further and I'm solidly in the .338 camp for elk or bear.
 

rootacres

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Jan 5, 2018
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Im trying the Hybrids in my 300 PRC, no feedback just yet but people seem to like them on game. I have used the 168 VLDs in my 7 SAUM for years. At 2840 fps the bullet has performed flawlessly thus far on elk. Granted my shortest shot was ~300 and the longest as about ~325.
 

Seeknelk

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Buddy and I killed two bulls with his 7wsm a while back. 180 eldmurder worked very well. 760 yards. It cheated the breeze extremely well. It dropped both and expanded, came apart as it should and did a lot of damage. First round kill on first. First round hit on first dropped it, missed second, added a bit more for wind, third killed it. Neither went anywhere. I'm sure the 175 eldx and 180 berger are great also. Probably a bit more velocity than the PRC will push but very close. Elk won't know and it'll be very nice to shoot.
 

Stalker69

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Apr 12, 2019
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Starting to get parts for a build and need to decide on a bullet. Will be a 7 prc, and barrel length will be as short as I can go and expect a muzzle velocity of 2900 ish. Intend to hunt deer, black bears, and elk out to 800 yards. Would you choose the 168 Berger vld or the 180 eld-m and why?

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Why not shoot both of those, and as many others as you can, and see what your gun likes. And why, because your gun may choose something other then those two as it’s favorite. Just my opinion of course.
 
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gabenzeke

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Why not shoot both of those, and as many others as you can, and see what your gun likes. And why, because your gun may choose something other then those two as it’s favorite. Just my opinion of course.
I understand the gun may end up liking something else, but I'm wanting to build the rifle around a specific bullet. If I end up needing to go a different direction, that's fine. Just hoping to narrow it down from the start.

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MCOBB2

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Aug 31, 2022
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I feel like the 180+ is the ideal for that cartridge. Similar to the sub 200 gr in the 300PRC; you CAN shoot lighter but it kind of defeats the mapping of the cartridge design IMHO.
 

TxLite

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At 9000ft I hit 1800fps at 900 yards with an 18” 7prc and 180 Berger hybrid. Muzzle velocity of 2620.

Not sure you need 2900mv to reach your goal but you’re going to need probably 24” barrel to hit that velocity.

Edit: technically close to 950 yards
 

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TxLite

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I'm wanting to build the rifle around a specific bullet.
This is the path I took on mine. Wanted a 18” barrel, picked a bullet I wanted to use, and a range I wanted to use it at (0-700). With that info I picked a cartridge and built the rifle around that.

Ended up with the one listed above and have been very happy with the setup so far this season, and have killed 2 Antelope with it. One at 400 and one at 261. The 180 hybrid worked great. Golf ball sized exit on the one at 400 and no exit at 261 (shot in the chest head on).
 
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gabenzeke

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This is the path I took on mine. Wanted a 18” barrel, picked a bullet I wanted to use, and a range I wanted to use it at (0-700). With that info I picked a cartridge and built the rifle around that.

Ended up with the one listed above and have been very happy with the setup so far this season, and have killed 2 Antelope with it. One at 400 and one at 261. The 180 hybrid worked great. Golf ball sized exit on the one at 400 and no exit at 261 (shot in the chest head on).
Which powder are you using?

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TxLite

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Which powder are you using?

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H1000. Considering playing with retumbo and n570 when I get some time to mess with it.

Accuracy has been great and single digit SD’s. Just thinking of trying to squeeze a little extra velocity out of it because I like to tinker.
 

MTWILEY23

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Oct 11, 2023
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H1000. Considering playing with retumbo and n570 when I get some time to mess with it.

Accuracy has been great and single digit SD’s. Just thinking of trying to squeeze a little extra velocity out of it because I like to tinker.
Another H1000 fan here. Has been more consistent for me but not as fast as N560 w/ 175 Berger EH, 175 Eld-x and 180 Eld-m in my 7 PRC. Still pushing each to about 2900 fps, with low single digit ES's in best loads.
 

Bleeb

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Nov 11, 2023
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There's the Nosler Accubond LR and Federal Terminal Ascent. I'm going to work up loads with the ABLR 175s, and am waiting to get my hands on some TAs. I'd love to find some RL-26 pixie dust too.
 
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