7 PRC vs 300 Win Mag

[John45-70]

Per same bullet weight the wm will give you more range. If shooting 1k or less the prc will have an edge? I try to be subjective as I'm not a 28cal fan, but I did finally get 2 28cals in the last 2 years (7-08rem & 7saum). Can't have only 1 cartridge per caliber ! Now I need another 224, 243, 338 and 458cal. You could get a 7rm as there should be more ammo selection and availability over the 7prc? Wait until tomorrow as federal has a new offering in 7?

The wm with 212 grain eldx, retumbo powder out does the 7 prc!

 

[ARlife4me]

The wm with 212 grain eldx, retumbo powder out does the 7 prc!

I'm more of a 26cal fan, but there's respect for the 28 and 30's.

 

[HSmithTX]

I have both magnum 7's and magnum 30's. I usually reach for my 308, I have total confidence in it for anything I need to do inside about 500. I either forgot or never knew elk could take a 7-08 or a 308 with a cup and core bullet through the lungs at 500 and live....... They don't, this stuff about elk being hard to kill gets silly. After that 500 yard 308 I'll usually grab a 300WM, I love the cartridge and all of mine are throated for loads in the 3.600" or longer range so the 'short' neck you hear about doesn't matter. The factory rifles came that way, personally I haven't seen one that didn't. All of the normal negatives you hear about the 300WM I just don't see when using them. The magnum 7 doesn't really shine to me until you get into that 28 Nosler speed, it is WELL flatter and significantly less wind drift than the slower cartridges like the PRC. The 28 will outrun my 30's out to a LOT farther than I am going to shoot a critter, even the 300RUM. The 28 is very nice to shoot when it's windy, it offers a little forgiveness that slower cartridges just don't. It's a little more forgiving of a ranging error as well in my experience. Given the choice between the 300WM and the 7PRC I am 100% going to take a 300WM.

 

[Hikinghunter]

Here's how I'd decide

1. Use a ballistics calculator to see what your max range is with both (I like 2000fps and 1500 ft/lbs for elk))
2. Think about how much it will cost to buy or make enough ammo to become proficient shooting at different positions, in wind, etc.
3. Consider the easier resale of popular calibers like 300WM.

The 7PRC is kind of an easy button for great ballistics, but if you don't hand load you'd be better off getting the 300wm with cheaper ammo so you'll practice with it.

 

[Clem Bronkoski]

I do have a bit of a issue with the Bergara in 7prc. Bergara's 7PRC comes with a 1:9 twist. From what I understand the 1:8 is a better option. With that in mind I'm considering the 300WM with its 1:10 where I can push an equal or heavier bullet with good stability.
I don't want to go less than a 180 gr bullet (or 175 Berger).
I can use all the advice I can get from your long rangers. I only have 300 yard capability at my range right now.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I do have a bit of a issue with the Bergara in 7prc. Bergara's 7PRC comes with a 1:9 twist. From what I understand the 1:8 is a better option. With that in mind I'm considering the 300WM with its 1:10 where I can push an equal or heavier bullet with good stability.
I don't want to go less than a 180 gr bullet (or 175 Berger).
I can use all the advice I can get from your long rangers. I only have 300 yard capability at my range right now.

Some 300wm like the X-bolt long range pro have a 1/8 twist instead of 1/10. If you want to go with 200gr or larger bullets that's what I'd go for.

 

[Wanashoot]

I am shooting a 300 WM with a 26 in 1-8 twist. I shoot 212 ELDX at 2860 not a hot load. I stopped there because it shot 1/2 moa. I am using H4831 and running them out to 3.5 OAL. I can only feed 2 in the gun at that length due to magazine. I have shot a Bull Elk with this load and DRT.

 

[mmacfive]

I'm not tracking how the 309 WM neck length affects case capacity?

 

[tomcat818]

I'll second what the captain said:

I run 215gr Berger's out of a 26" barrel 2920 fps heavy enough

215gr HT's over N570 2905 fps 8 twist 26" barrel. I'm seating them - .015" short of mag length @ 3.595" COAL so the case neck length is not a limiting factor. This and H1000 combo are proven very effective out to 795yds (longest I've seen) on elk but have not heard of many reports such as this for the 7PRC. From what I've heard the 7PRC is not living up to the velocity #'s initially advertised for factory ammo and for reloaders brass life is an issue.

So far OCW testing is good with this combo liking accuracy, velocity, and consistent POI with this powder. Next step is to take the 78gr load and see if I can fine tune it to under 0.5"

Be advised: these charge weights\components are safe in my rifle but may not be in others always work your way up from a safe starting charge weight and look for over pressure signs.

 

[highfinblue]

I do have a bit of a issue with the Bergara in 7prc. Bergara's 7PRC comes with a 1:9 twist. From what I understand the 1:8 is a better option. With that in mind I'm considering the 300WM with its 1:10 where I can push an equal or heavier bullet with good stability.
I don't want to go less than a 180 gr bullet (or 175 Berger).
I can use all the advice I can get from your long rangers. I only have 300 yard capability at my range right now.

The one I bought had an advertised 9 twist, but I called Bergara, and they said all their 7PRC's were twisted 8. I'm get pretty impressive velo's out of the 22" barrel, and I like the short barrel as I shoot suppressed. I'm mostly working on 160 grain bullets at the present, but I've shot up to 180's and velocities over 2900 fps have not been difficult to achieve so far. Accuracy is the only thing I wish were better, but I believe that I will find that with a few tweaks. I've read some guys are doing well with 195 grain Bergers, and I'll end up there is nothing else works. I have a 28 Nosler for elk, I really wanted to work up a good whitetail load but cannot imagine the PRC would not be sufficient on elk at 800 yards. Unless they're pumped up with adrenaline, they're really not that hard to kill, and at distance a man is generally shooting a calm feeding animal. It's not like I've killed a hundred, but I've never seen one go past fifty yards with a well-placed bullet, especially at distance.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I'm not tracking how the 309 WM neck length affects case capacity?

I think you meant 300wm. It has a a 25 degree shoulder and shorter neck, this means the case can hold a few more grains of powder and bullet can not be seated as deep into the case.

 

[Hikinghunter]

The one I bought had an advertised 9 twist, but I called Bergara, and they said all their 7PRC's were twisted 8. I'm get pretty impressive velo's out of the 22" barrel, and I like the short barrel as I shoot suppressed. I'm mostly working on 160 grain bullets at the present, but I've shot up to 180's and velocities over 2900 fps have not been difficult to achieve so far. Accuracy is the only thing I wish were better, but I believe that I will find that with a few tweaks. I've read some guys are doing well with 195 grain Bergers, and I'll end up there is nothing else works. I have a 28 Nosler for elk, I really wanted to work up a good whitetail load but cannot imagine the PRC would not be sufficient on elk at 800 yards. Unless they're pumped up with adrenaline, they're really not that hard to kill, and at distance a man is generally shooting a calm feeding animal. It's not like I've killed a hundred, but I've never seen one go past fifty yards with a well-placed bullet, especially at distance.

Agreed. You don't want to go hunting them with a .223 or anything, but a 7prc is plenty. I shot an elk with a 175gr .284 bullet going 3000fps this year. It was quartered away at 500 yards, the bullet went through 3 feet of elk and completely destroyed the front shoulder on the way out. More than enough.

 

[Clem Bronkoski]

I just got back from Europtics and I pulled the trigger and my apologies to the 7PRC followers but I settled on the 300 Win Mag and also on the HMR in lieu of the Sierra Wilderness!
My reasoning was that I got the HMR for only $50 more and it would have cost me $125-$150 to convert the Sierra to use AICS mags. Also the HMR sports a 2" longer barrel and is 2 lb heavier. This rifle's primary purpose is long range target shooting with an occasional use as a hunting rifle where long shots is a possibility.
I also purchased a 20 MOA rail a set of Athlon rings and a Athlon Midas 6-24x50 MOA scope.
The prices were excellent especially the scope, only $400!
Now to find some brass!

 

[dogz]

This is just me, but I'd take the Big 7 each and every day over the 30, especially to 500 or less.

Keep in mind I like my rifles sub 9 lbs all scoped and ready to go as well I despise brakes so for me the 7 is the way to roll.