7 PRC Load Development

[Mags33]

I wanted to get thoughts on what guys are doing with this cartridge. Brand new rifle build for hunting. 40 rounds down the barrel so far. Chrono'ed 10 shots today with an average of 2809 - Hornady 175 ELDX. This seems slow even with a 22" new barrel. I've never trusted the box speeds. What are you guys doing to get the most out of this round and your Hornady brass? Still waiting for ADG to get some in stock.

Specs for reference on the speed
22" Proof CFB
86 degrees
35% Humidity
28.36 BP
3726 DA
1660 Actual Altitude

Thanks, Arron

 

[davidjoe]

It seems slow to me as well. The smaller 6.5 PRC case should develop that velocity with the same barrel and a 175 grain bullet, I would think. I don’t shoot either one but follow the discussions on the three PRC cases.

I’m assuming you shot two boxes of factory rounds. Hornady tests with a 24” barrel but their website shows 3,000 MV.

 

[Tucker65]

Reloading for 7 PRC - Hawkins Precision

Reloading 7 PRC - Learn how six different powders work in Hornady's new 7 PRC. Powders include H1000, N565, H4831SC, RL23, and Retumbo.

hawkinsprecision.com

 

[Mags33]

Reloading for 7 PRC - Hawkins Precision

Reloading 7 PRC - Learn how six different powders work in Hornady's new 7 PRC. Powders include H1000, N565, H4831SC, RL23, and Retumbo.

hawkinsprecision.com

Thank you, I read this article. Good info, but I’d like more experiences from different people.

 

[STOMP442]

I just finished up load work on my first 7PRC build. 65.0gr of H1000 and a 190gr Berger LRHT is giving me 2782 fps out of an 8.4 twist 24" Proof barrel. I am using ADG brass and CCI Mag #250s with the bullets at a .025" jump. Rifle is shooting half MOA or better with this load.

 

[Mags33]

I just finished up load work on my first 7PRC build. 65.0gr of H1000 and a 190gr Berger LRHT is giving me 2782 fps out of an 8.4 twist 24" Proof barrel. I am using ADG brass and CCI Mag #250s with the bullets at a .025" jump. Rifle is shooting half MOA or better with this load.

Thanks for the info. The factory ELDX is .062 jump. I’ll tweak that with hand loads. Even if you went with 175’s I’m not sure you’d get 3000 fps out a 24” barrel. Makes me wonder where Hornady gets these numbers. Not that I need 3000 fps. I’ll take less speed and tighter groups to a point.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

My son got, 2,950 Average FPS ( 10 shots ) out of, a New 24" Proof, 7PRC at 3,200 feet Elev. .4's group to 5/8ths MOA , 3 days ago, at around, 85 degrees Temp with Factory 175 gr. ELD-X, Hornady ammo.
He will start Handloading 180 ELD-M's for longer Ranges with, StaBall HD in about a Month ( it's Bow, Elk season now ). Plans on keeping a 175 as first up in Magazine for Elk to 500 yds and the 180's for, beyond that.

 

[Tucker65]

Thank you, I read this article. Good info, but I’d like more experiences from different people.

I have built a couple of them using 24" Proof carbon barrels. With 68gr of Retumbo pushing a 180gr Berger velocity was 2925. I hit 3000 fps with it but the groups opened up at the higher speeds and shot much better around 2925 fps. at .020 off the lands.

In the other rifle I used H1000 with the same 180gr Berger's. It shot real well but pressured out early before reaching the speed the guy was after. I was just shooting it to test the rifle for accuracy so I didn't continue with any actual load development on that one.

 

[Mags33]

I appreciate all the info, fellas. I’ll keep this post updates as to my progress with my hand loads when I start them.

 

[Mags33]

Update for all who are interested.
So far my best results with 175 ELDX are....
Peterson Brass .310 Bushing
CCI 250
65.4gn of N560
-.025 off the lands
2915 fps
.616 MOA 5 Shot Group

I'm going to mess around with 175 Bergers next.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Update for all who are interested.
So far my best results with 175 ELDX are....
Peterson Brass .310 Bushing
CCI 250
65.4gn of N560
-.025 off the lands
2915 fps
.616 MOA 5 Shot Group

I'm going to mess around with 175 Bergers next.

Not having been around a 7PRC yet, are you enjoying it in terms of recoil or anything else compared to others you have shot?

 

[6.5 forever]

Update for all who are interested.
So far my best results with 175 ELDX are....
Peterson Brass .310 Bushing
CCI 250
65.4gn of N560
-.025 off the lands
2915 fps
.616 MOA 5 Shot Group

I'm going to mess around with 175 Bergers next.

Thank you for the detailed information. Good to see real experience on a new cartridge.

 

[Mags33]

Not having been around a 7PRC yet, are you enjoying it in terms of recoil or anything else compared to others you have shot?

I think recoil is relatively tame, considering. I was expecting more, but I shoot this round suppressed out of a 22" Proof CFB. The rifle with a scope and suppressor (Omega 300 - 14.7oz) is just around 11 lbs. That being said, the first 20 shots were unsuppressed as I was doing barrel break in, and you can feel it for sure. Not crazy kick, but it gets your attention. With the suppressor and good technique I don't lose sight picture all that much. But, you will lose sight picture with poor technique. I've shot my brothers 7 rem mag - no suppressor - and to me, it kicks more.

 

[Conrad]

From what I have read the initial lots of Hornady ammo were faster (possibly loaded with R26) and now they are slower. Myself, and 2 buddies all have 22" Proof carbon barrels and 2 of us bought ammo early and recorded 2880-2900 with 175 ELDX. I put together rifle for other friend and we recently chrono'd with his ammo recently bought and it was 2800 (avg), but velocities were starting to climb a little, very new barrel.

I have done 3000+ with R26 with the 175 ELDX and 175 Elite Hunter. 2900+ with 180 ELDM and 190 LRHT.

H1000 is 100+ fps slower, but I have no fully tested it yet. I would say the horse power is there with the right combination of powder/bullet.

Initial tests show all 4 bullets are accurate. Jumped all of them .050".

 

[Mags33]

From what I have read the initial lots of Hornady ammo were faster (possibly loaded with R26) and now they are slower. Myself, and 2 buddies all have 22" Proof carbon barrels and 2 of us bought ammo early and recorded 2880-2900 with 175 ELDX. I put together rifle for other friend and we recently chrono'd with his ammo recently bought and it was 2800 (avg), but velocities were starting to climb a little, very new barrel.

I have done 3000+ with R26 with the 175 ELDX and 175 Elite Hunter. 2900+ with 180 ELDM and 190 LRHT.

H1000 is 100+ fps slower, but I have no fully tested it yet. I would say the horse power is there with the right combination of powder/bullet.

Initial tests show all 4 bullets are accurate. Jumped all of them .050".

Great info, thanks Conrad

 

[Dloh2o]

175 ELDX Factory
22" Douglas Barrel just over 100 rounds through it
2883 fps
ES 15 SD 7.5
.410 5 shot group

160 CX
H1000 72 gr
Peterson Brass
CCI 250
3033 fps
ES 24 SD 10.4
.505 5 shot group (4 in same hole, wasn't able to confirm if it's was me or not)

Just received some RL26 that I have had on "notify me when available" since New Years Eve 2019. Excited to give it a whirl soon

 

[6.5 forever]

175 ELDX Factory
22" Douglas Barrel just over 100 rounds through it
2883 fps
ES 15 SD 7.5
.410 5 shot group

160 CX
H1000 72 gr
Peterson Brass
CCI 250
3033 fps
ES 24 SD 10.4
.505 5 shot group (4 in same hole, wasn't able to confirm if it's was me or not)

Just received some RL26 that I have had on "notify me when available" since New Years Eve 2019. Excited to give it a whirl soon

Hope you got a bunch of the RL26!!!

 

[countrykang8]

I am shooting a Bergara Crest 7 PRC with 22" barrel.
ADG Brass
COL 3.300"
Fed GM210M
H1000 68.2 gr
Berger 175 EH

 

[prcwv]

So gonna try a few different powders I got more RL23 than anything so probably leaning that way. What you think on primers? Federal 215M or 210M? 162 ELDM new Peterson Brass

 

[6.5 forever]

The slower the powder, the more you might lean to a magnum primer.