195 Berger in 7 prc

[FrogFire7]

Agreed. There are several big name hunting and outdoor industry companies that are constantly re sparking these caliber battle debates on social media. If they're doing interesting things with a cartridge then I'm all for it but mostly it's these entities just spitting out garbage because they've run out of meaningful content. If I see another post by Meateater titled something like 30-06 vs 270 win, or 243 vs 6.5 creedmoor, I'm getting rid of all my first lite clothing. It's mental maturation guys, do better.

I never read those either... However to say that you'd get rid of all your first life stuff over something like that is pretty extreme (I'm sure, or at least hoping you are kidding to make a point). The fact is that we probably both soaked stuff like that up at some point in our shooting/hunting careers. Got to start somewhere.

And to that point, I'm happy they are engaging a large segment of the population.

Once you get past that stage... I guess that's what this forum is for

 

[DakotaFire101]

I never read those either... However to say that you'd get rid of all your first life stuff over something like that is pretty extreme (I'm sure, or at least hoping you are kidding to make a point). The fact is that we probably both soaked stuff like that up at some point in our shooting/hunting careers. Got to start somewhere.

And to that point, I'm happy they are engaging a large segment of the population.

Once you get past that stage... I guess that's what this forum is for

It was a "pulling my hair out" type of comment to make a comparison. I doubt I'd ever get rid of my first lite clothing which has been fantastic and a definite value add in my kit. But they are owned by meateater. I am not a fan of that sort of population segment engagement. I would feel more comfortable if they came out and wrote articles about how the 6.5 creed is the best beginner cartridge, or the the 7mm rem mag is the best for the beginner western hunter. I'm using examples only and they do not reflect my true opinions. My problem is the "caliber battles" do nothing but create anxiety around an already fairly thought rich field. I believe that there are some things better learned through experience and not some hipster millennial typing up an article behind a desk in Bozeman. For example, I killed my first deer at 11 years old with a 22-250 remington and it took 5 poorly placed shots to bring it down. I had never shot that gun before that day, it was my dad's prairie dog gun. Now 22 years later after I've been building rifles and reloading for over a decade, I understand that there are so many nuances when it comes to caliber selection. To say one is king over another one is simply ridiculous. Is my 338 edge a better hunting rifle than my 7mm saw? I'll tell you the short answer is no it is not. This year I watched my good friends kid absolutely pancake his first deer with a 22 creedmoor I built him loaded with a berger bullet at less than a hundred yards. If you ask the experts online and read the articles, none of that should have worked. That deer should've ran off into oblivion. Instead she folded like a pizza box and dumped on the spot. This is why I despise these publications that post these nonsense "caliber battles" they all work!

 

[FrogFire7]

It was a "pulling my hair out" type of comment to make a comparison. I doubt I'd ever get rid of my first lite clothing which has been fantastic and a definite value add in my kit. But they are owned by meateater. I am not a fan of that sort of population segment engagement. I would feel more comfortable if they came out and wrote articles about how the 6.5 creed is the best beginner cartridge, or the the 7mm rem mag is the best for the beginner western hunter. I'm using examples only and they do not reflect my true opinions. My problem is the "caliber battles" do nothing but create anxiety around an already fairly thought rich field. I believe that there are some things better learned through experience and not some hipster millennial typing up an article behind a desk in Bozeman. For example, I killed my first deer at 11 years old with a 22-250 remington and it took 5 poorly placed shots to bring it down. I had never shot that gun before that day, it was my dad's prairie dog gun. Now 22 years later after I've been building rifles and reloading for over a decade, I understand that there are so many nuances when it comes to caliber selection. To say one is king over another one is simply ridiculous. Is my 338 edge a better hunting rifle than my 7mm saw? I'll tell you the short answer is no it is not. This year I watched my good friends kid absolutely pancake his first deer with a 22 creedmoor I built him loaded with a berger bullet at less than a hundred yards. If you ask the experts online and read the articles, none of that should have worked. That deer should've ran off into oblivion. Instead she folded like a pizza box and dumped on the spot. This is why I despise these publications that post these nonsense "caliber battles" they all work!

You definitely make some valid points. Again, I essentially agree on the caliber battle articles, and the type you suggested may be more beneficial.

I do appreciate that they are engaging a broad segment of the population who isn't as experienced as us with caliber and bullet selection, though. While those articles are a little "click-bait" oriented, they lead the reader to the next article which may include more practical tips on how to use thermals, or foraging in the office season, or whatever.

The caliber battles kind of remind me of early teens promoting whatever caliber they killed their first deer with as "the ultimate deer killing rifle". But I do feel they serve a purpose... If nothing else it may open reader's eyes to thinking about some nuances they may not have considered, when the guy behind the gun counter told them that a 6.5 creed is the only gun they'd ever need. It's a starting point for our obsession

 

[Huntaddict]

For me, I think the caliber debate is as much about attracting new customers more than say taking someone that has a 280ai, 7rem, 28N etc, etc.... and having them buy/build a 7PRC. I like the caliber a lot but chose to build my own by taking 300 PRC and simply necking it to 7mm about 5 years ago. I can run 180 grains and above and get everything I will ever need.

For me when I think about big long bullets, it is whether you have a Saami chamber or not and the bearing surface of the bullet being in contact with the neck. Ideally it should be nearly 100% if not 100%. This optimizes pressures and ensure the brass is expanding at the same rate without "bulging" the first .015 of the neck. Repeatedly doing this can cause issues stressing the brass. Sometimes sloppy chambers don't allow for it. Also, I like to run by hunting rifles as full as I can - so optimizing this helps do that.

Custom guns can optimize this all day with reamer specs and freebore optimization.

 

[RB II]

I run the 195s in my 28 N idling at 2970 with H1000. Super accurate. I love that load.
I run the N570 with the 169 HH at 3250. Even more accurate. Love that load also.