7mm PRC starting load Please

Factory ammo at 300.... custom 7prc..2nd pic is handloads @100.. 3 shots chrono said 2961...2960.8...2960.5.. h1000.. 180 eldms
 

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A point of reference thats worked for me is to take the same load for a 7 rem mag and knock 2 grains out of it and work up. So if there is no data on the prc with your powder and bullet, but there is data for the rem mag with the powder an bullet. Pick a middle charge, knock out 2 grains and start there. It worked for me when there was virtually no data on the 7 prc out there.
To add to this, some of the loads on Hodgdon are within a grain of data and actual loads I worked up for my 7rem mag when i had it. The capacity is the same and the preasure limit is higher so theres not much reason not to go this route.
 
I was pretty dead set on a 22 inch barrel.

It's may be my opinion only, but I felt like the 20 inches too short for the PRC and seven mag. My 26 inch with a 7 inch suppressor on the end of it hangs every stick, limb, tree stand arm, everything else that can make noise it hits walking through the woods. I was excited for the 20 inch but at the same time and all my reading from other forms gives me the impression the 22 inch is the minimum sweet spot length and 24 inch ( while optimal ) is still a little bit long when you add a suppressor on the end of it.

Any other thoughts on that?
Id run the 20" you want. at most you'll lose what 50 yards off of your extreme outter range? So for the price of a much handier rifle you might have to sneak from lets say 900yds n get to 850yds. Seems plenty haha.
Even if your range is shorter than that the relationship of velocity to range still applies and with these bullets at good speeds you will have plenty of range when you need it and will enjoy the handier rifle every time you pack it.
 
Id run the 20" you want. at most you'll lose what 50 yards off of your extreme outter range? So for the price of a much handier rifle you might have to sneak from lets say 900yds n get to 850yds. Seems plenty haha.
Even if your range is shorter than that the relationship of velocity to range still applies and with these bullets at good speeds you will have plenty of range when you need it and will enjoy the handier rifle every time you pack it.
You are perfectly correct and (yes) we all know better than to chase the fps numbers, but most of us have a tendency to do it anyway.

The Hill Country YouTube video shows the 20, 22, and 24" lengths and the practical difference is so small, adding to that, 99.9% of my shots are going to be within 400 yards max (most between 80 and 250 or so yards) so it really shouldn't matter. However, for no logical reason I would like to get to at least 2900 with 175's or with the 168's.
 
You are perfectly correct and (yes) we all know better than to chase the fps numbers, but most of us have a tendency to do it anyway.

The Hill Country YouTube video shows the 20, 22, and 24" lengths and the practical difference is so small, adding to that, 99.9% of my shots are going to be within 400 yards max (most between 80 and 250 or so yards) so it really shouldn't matter. However, for no logical reason I would like to get to at least 2900 with 175's or with the 168's. I can't fix my own stupid.
 
So WAR308, I save my H4831SC for my 270 Win and 270 Weatherby Mag loads. I had a couple of lbs. of IMR 4831 sitting unused for years so I thought I would just use that powder and the old 154 Grn. Hornady bullets just to get the feel of the new rifle and scope, and fire form the cases at the same time. Just having fun putting some shots on paper. THEN, I discovered my Hornady Sizing Die, will not size without bushings. I thought since it came with an expander ball it would size like a regular simple sizer die! NOPE, must have a bushing. So, I just got the .314 bushing from Midway . Will Try it this weekend.
 
You are perfectly correct and (yes) we all know better than to chase the fps numbers, but most of us have a tendency to do it anyway.

The Hill Country YouTube video shows the 20, 22, and 24" lengths and the practical difference is so small, adding to that, 99.9% of my shots are going to be within 400 yards max (most between 80 and 250 or so yards) so it really shouldn't matter. However, for no logical reason I would like to get to at least 2900 with 175's or with the 168's.
I hear u. All i wanted with mine is 100-150fps more than my 22" 284 with a 150 high BC mono (BD2) 2850. And then once i see Hodgdons new data and saw a 350fps gain possible i get all excited about it. Hahahaha
Im similar to you in that I shoot most animals within 250, and truly most under a 100 but still I pop out on top in alpine or across canyons in timber/brush country I want to be able to reach out if I cant get closer.
 
Finally got to the range yesterday and tested Staball and H1000 in 175ABLR as well as 160gr AB. As a reminder, I'm developing loads for a Browing X-Bolt Suppressor Ready 20" 7mm PRC. The gun is stock other than a $8 MCarbo spring that let me set the trigger exactly at 2lbs which is my hunting favorite (All of my 5 or 6 active hunting rifles are all set exactly the same - I like the same trigger feel every time). I have three x-bolts and really like them for what they are at the price point. In my experience, X-bolts are exactly what think promote, lightweight hunting rifles with some really good accuracy in my experience.
This information is for my gun only and I don't suggest you try using any of my information presuming it will work in your gun or anything you are reloading: It is only the results of my load creation.

As a note, I don't load for target, but for hunting where I may have to take 2 or 3 relatively quick shots at most. I was thinking I've only had to use two shots one on occasion and 3 shots on one occasion in 39 years of hunting (not much).

I loaded the Staball up to 72gr with ADG brass, Nosler 175 ABLR, and COL was 3.331. I got light extractor marks at 71.1 and heavier but not horrible at 72gr, but I would consider it the top end for my gun. I didn't get the velocity I had hoped for, but the 8 SD was great at 71.1 and a avg velocity of 2793. The 72 gr loads averaged 2827 and a 6 SD for the four rounds. I did trickle the grains in to get as close to the load number as I could get. The 71.1 was a sub .7 so they did group well. The 72's opened up with a flyer that could have been me. The barrel toped out at 188 degrees after the third shot. I liked the node area, so if I go back to the Staball, I'll try to go in the 69.5 to 69.8 range and see what happens there.

I shot 160gr AB's with H1000 with 70.4 and 70.8 gr. The 70.4 gave me 2902 fps, and the 70.8 gave me a 2935 average. SD's was 12 fps which I consider excellent for my purposes. The group was also sub moa, but I think I pulled one while the guy next to me was trying to tell me some story just before he realized I was just being kind, but trying to focus on shooting - not talking :)
I didn't see any real pressure signs on the H1000, while it's over the published max, it just didn't seem to be an issue, although I don't think I want to push much more than 71. I set these at 3.213, but think I would take the 160 AB's out to 3.28 or 3.3 to get them about 20 off the lands (My 7mm mag and the AB's like the jump of 40 to 50 off the lands, but I don't think it's gonna be the same with the PRC for whatever reason)

Next up is testing the 175's with h1000,and maybe 4831SC. I will also try the N560, 565, and 570 when I get down to the supply house in the next week or so.
 
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Thank you for you explanation of your load choices ! I shot my 7PRC today for the second time ! I was able to load the new unfired Hornady cases ! Again I used 57.7 Grns of IMR4831 with the old Hornady 154 Grn Spire points ! Horn book calls the starting load 2800. FPS ! Since I have a 26 inch barrel I think it should be close to that velocity! Next week I will load snd test fire the previously fired cases and use 180 Grn match bullets with H1000 powder ! I think the 312 bushing in the. Hornaday FL Size die will provide sufficient neck tension to properly seat and hold the bullet .
 

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Thank you for you explanation of your load choices ! I shot my 7PRC today for the second time ! I was able to load the new unfired Hornady cases ! Again I used 57.7 Grns of IMR4831 with the old Hornady 154 Grn Spire points ! Horn book calls the starting load 2800. FPS ! Since I have a 26 inch barrel I think it should be close to that velocity! Next week I will load snd test fire the previously fired cases and use 180 Grn match bullets with H1000 powder ! I think the 312 bushing in the. Hornaday FL Size die will provide sufficient neck tension to properly seat and hold the bullet .
Those would be fun. Looks like those from the late 70's or the Civil War era - LOL.
 

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