7-6.5 PRC vs 7 PRC
- Thread starter bobinpa
- Start date
Owens85
Gold $$ Contributor
I don't know a whole lot about them but I do know they are completely different as in size. The 7 prc is a good bit larger the the necked up 6.5 7mm version. And the 300 is bigger in size then the 7prc. If I was using one for target shooting I'd opt for the 6.5 necked up. Hunting id go with any of them in original configuration.
bobinpa
Gold $$ Contributor
I know there is a big difference in size. I'm just curious as to why some guys feel one is "better" than the other for target shooting. I guess where I'm going with this is if the 6.5 necked up to 7mm gives great performance, what advantage will the bigger 7 mm give over that?
NZ_Fclass
Silver $$ Contributor
Yep - and we can get rid of the 7-30 Waters, 7-08, 284, 7x57 and all those other pesky little cartridges that just cause confusion and heartache.
Vin81
Gold $$ Contributor
The case capacity of the 6.5 prc is similar to the .284. They both shoot the 180 gr 7mm bullet. Its been the go to at 1k yards
6.5mm bullet doesn't perform as well.
The 7prc is a completely different case and capacity, more recoil.
If you watch the Cortina interview with Wheeler on you tube, he talks about it extensively.
6.5mm bullet doesn't perform as well.
The 7prc is a completely different case and capacity, more recoil.
If you watch the Cortina interview with Wheeler on you tube, he talks about it extensively.
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bobinpa
Gold $$ Contributor
Thanks. I will do that.
CJ6
Silver $$ Contributor
Personally I like my cases as full as possible to give the desired results with the bullets I'm using. Meaning a smaller case that's near 100% full + or - is what I'm after vs a larger case that's only 75-85 % full. From what I've shot over the years this works better.
WSnyder
Silver $$ Contributor
If you follow what works for BR and F-Class, the case capacity that is just big enough for the job (you could probably say what bullet/bullets are to be used here) ends up shooting the smallest and probably more consistently. That idea has been posted up and stated many times on this forum by some very good gunsmiths and shooters.
NZ_Fclass
Silver $$ Contributor
It would appear, in the literature and by experience that best accuracy is achieved by close to 100% powder loads - often, as in my 308, over 100% (ie compressed) loads. There's an interesting video by Hornady's ballistician on case design that is well worth your time.
The big cartridges have been all tried in F-Class. I have seen the Magnum 7's and even a Dakota 30 on the range, but other than burning powder - not that they were not accurate - but punishing in energy and cost for the shooter.
The big cartridges have been all tried in F-Class. I have seen the Magnum 7's and even a Dakota 30 on the range, but other than burning powder - not that they were not accurate - but punishing in energy and cost for the shooter.
No doubt about it, but I also do not see the 7 - 6.5 being loaded with H-1000, Retumbo, N570, Reloader 50, etc. I do not have quick load, so can do no comparisons. I have no idea how it would look, but would be interested to see the data.
One Eye Pete
Gold $$ Contributor
Im strictly a club level F-Class shooter (with a decent record) that just built a 7-6.5PRCW rifle. I have been shooting a very accurate.284 Shehane but the reasons I switched to the necked up 6.5 PRC case are:
1. I can’t get 284 Win Lapua brass. (Peterson brass is excellent and available but in my chamber it has a tendency to give me clickers)
2. The magnum case head of the PRC supports the primer pocket better and thus will last longer under heavy loads
3. I believe a short fat case is inherently more accurate than a long skinny one. (not totally sure on this but I do have strong feeling)
The one thing I do know for sure is that for match shooting accuracy trumps velocity. The 7PRC will give more velocity than the necked up 6.5 but not necessarily more accuracy. The 7 mm bullets generally have a higher BC than the 6.5s which is an advantage. The 69 grain water capacity I’m getting from the necked up 6.5 PRC case is easily giving me 2930 fps with a 180gn 7mm bullet which is more than enough. As stated in some of the posts above a full case (90%+) is good for accuracy. The 7mm PRC case with its higher capacity when filled up to 90%+ will give more velocity but will also burn out the barrel a lot quicker and recoil harder. At the price of a good barrel today that means something. Now for hunting where you don’t need pinpoint accuracy don’t shoot as many bullets and you want higher velocity and flatter trajectory that’s where you want the 7 PRC.
As far as which powder in the 7-6.5PRC it seems like the powder the top level shooters are using is VV N-555. I’m giving VVN-160 a try because it is about the same burn rate as N-555 but being a single based powder it should give me much better barrel life. I’m not done with load development yet but so far the results are encouraging. H1000 is just too slow for the necked up 6.5 case but it probably would work better in the 7PRC CASE.
1. I can’t get 284 Win Lapua brass. (Peterson brass is excellent and available but in my chamber it has a tendency to give me clickers)
2. The magnum case head of the PRC supports the primer pocket better and thus will last longer under heavy loads
3. I believe a short fat case is inherently more accurate than a long skinny one. (not totally sure on this but I do have strong feeling)
The one thing I do know for sure is that for match shooting accuracy trumps velocity. The 7PRC will give more velocity than the necked up 6.5 but not necessarily more accuracy. The 7 mm bullets generally have a higher BC than the 6.5s which is an advantage. The 69 grain water capacity I’m getting from the necked up 6.5 PRC case is easily giving me 2930 fps with a 180gn 7mm bullet which is more than enough. As stated in some of the posts above a full case (90%+) is good for accuracy. The 7mm PRC case with its higher capacity when filled up to 90%+ will give more velocity but will also burn out the barrel a lot quicker and recoil harder. At the price of a good barrel today that means something. Now for hunting where you don’t need pinpoint accuracy don’t shoot as many bullets and you want higher velocity and flatter trajectory that’s where you want the 7 PRC.
As far as which powder in the 7-6.5PRC it seems like the powder the top level shooters are using is VV N-555. I’m giving VVN-160 a try because it is about the same burn rate as N-555 but being a single based powder it should give me much better barrel life. I’m not done with load development yet but so far the results are encouraging. H1000 is just too slow for the necked up 6.5 case but it probably would work better in the 7PRC CASE.
That was very informative, Thanks. Looking forward to your results with the n-160.
My point exactly. I understand that the 6.5PRC necked up is the new greatest cartridge ever known to the F-Class world (I may even have one chambered up), But, I have seen no data at all presented on a 7PRC loaded to case capacity with a slow powder and not not pushing extreme velocities. The necked up 6.5 development would appear to have started before the arrival of the 7PRC. The 6.5 arrived on the scene in 2018, the 7PRC not until 2022 per my understanding. Necked up versions of the 6.5 were well in place before 2022. So, once again, I do not have quick load available, and have no idea of the theoretical results, but seems to me a 7PRC loaded to nearly full case capacity with a slow powder might actually be a good option. I would love to see some people with the data available run some scenarios for discussion.
Does Lapua even make 7 PRC brass? Where would the small PRC cartridge be if Lapua didn’t make it? Guys that wanted a 7 PRC size case have had a decade plus to pick a short mag by the time it came along. If you always thought a short magnum was unnecessary, the 7 PRC isn’t appealing because it is slightly bigger than the SAUM.
If you’ve been shooting a short magnum for years, the 7 PRC is a sideways move in performance, so no urgency, especially if the brass choices are limited. The small PRC collects the .284 shooters that wondered how am I being helped by a rebated case head when loose primer pockets because of machined away brass, is the only reason why I have to keep buying more?
By looking at it, the 7 PRC should work great, if running hot in long strings, when conditions are bad.
If you’ve been shooting a short magnum for years, the 7 PRC is a sideways move in performance, so no urgency, especially if the brass choices are limited. The small PRC collects the .284 shooters that wondered how am I being helped by a rebated case head when loose primer pockets because of machined away brass, is the only reason why I have to keep buying more?
By looking at it, the 7 PRC should work great, if running hot in long strings, when conditions are bad.
Sandstorm
Gold $$ Contributor
The 7 PRC case capacity is around 72gr where the 7-6.5 PRC is around 60gr.
I don't see the need in using more powder than required to get the job done, however it may have its place in certain applications as David eluded to. I have not heard of anyone using it in F-Class yet.?
No Lapua does not make 7 PRC brass and that's also a deal killer for most.
I don't see the need in using more powder than required to get the job done, however it may have its place in certain applications as David eluded to. I have not heard of anyone using it in F-Class yet.?
No Lapua does not make 7 PRC brass and that's also a deal killer for most.
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