Below, we break down the complete 7mm PRC load data, 1000-yard ballistics charts, and compare its recoil directly to the 7mm Rem Mag and 300 PRC.
What is a 7mm PRC?
7mm PRC Cartridge Specifications & Dimensions
| Specification | Measurement / Detail |
|---|---|
| Parent Case | .375 Ruger (Shortened/Necked down) |
| Action Length | Standard Long Action |
| Bolt Face | .532″ (Magnum) |
| Bullet Diameter | .284″ (7mm) |
| Max COAL (Overall Length) | 3.340″ |
| Case Length | 2.280″ |
| Optimal Twist Rate | 1:8″ |
As with the the 6.5 PRC and the 300 PRC that are already out and have enjoyed large initial success and hype, the PRC in 7mm PRC stands for Precision Rifle Cartridge, and just like it’s siblings, it is a product of Hornady’s cartridge design division. The 7mm obviously stands for the bore of the bullet, which is a 7mm or .284 bullet. The full official name is the 7mm Precision Rifle Cartidge, but we know most will call it the 7mm PRC or the 7 PRC.
The first speculation about a 7mm version of the PRC that is not just a necked up 6.5 PRC or necked down 300 PRC, was on this thread on Snipershide back in 2020.
Brass
Thanks to the fact that the 7mm PRC is a Hornady design, which means it has the power of the Hornady marketing machine behind it, are many manufacturers jumping on the bandwagon and manufacturing components for it. We will first saw Hornady brass for the 7mm PRC cartidge, with factory loaded Hornady ammo also, and the other brass manufacturers like Alpha, ADG, Peterson and Lapua also brought out their own.
Why a New Cartridge
Well, because the 6.5mm market segment has been covered well from Hornady with the 6.5 Creedmoor and the 6.5 PRC both of which capitalize on the modern reloading powders and case designs, so has the .30 caliber market with the 300 PRC, so naturally Hornady needed something in the 7mm market segment as well, to round out the Precision Rifle Cartridge family. We are really glad they designed a specific cartridge for it, and not just neck up the 6.5 PRC, as that would make the new cartridge inferior to many of the other 7mm offerings already on the market. Although that has since been done by benchrest shooters as a wildcat.
7mm PRC Twist Rate
Because the 7mm PRC was specifically designed to make full use of the newer, heavier and longer 7mm bullets that offer great BCs, you will need fast enough twist barrels to stabilize those long projectiles. So 1:8 twist or faster is recommended. The 7mm PRC rifles that have started coming out on the market are mostly 1-8 twist from the factory.
7mm PRC Ballistics
The aim ballistically for Hornady with the 7mm PRC, is for a cartridge that will fire a 180gr 7mm bullet at around 2950 to 3000fps. With the high BC of some of the 7mm bullets, ballistically this 7mm PRC will outshine most 6.5mm and 30cal cartridges. The ballistic data below was calculated with a Hornady 180gr ELD-Match 7mm bullet fired at 3000fps muzzle velocity.
7mm PRC Ballistics & Trajectory Chart (175gr ELD-X)
Based on Hornady Precision Hunter 175gr ELD-X (G1 BC: .689) fired at 3,000 fps with a 100-yard zero.
| Range (Yards) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Drop (Inches) | Drop (MOA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 2,863 | 3,184 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 300 | 2,602 | 2,631 | -10.4 | -3.3 |
| 500 | 2,356 | 2,157 | -36.4 | -6.9 |
| 700 | 2,123 | 1,751 | -81.5 | -11.1 |
| 1000 | 1,798 | 1,256 | -194.2 | -18.5 |
7mm PRC for Hunting
There is not much that will be able to withstand a 180gr bullet at 3000fps. For long range hunting, this cartridge really shines if we take for example the consistently expanding 180gr Hornady ELD-Match, fired at 3000fps from this 7mm PRC, which would mean that the bullet will be traveling at 2000 fps at 900 yards, which is still well above the terminal velocity of that bullet. Want to shoot an elk at 900 yards with a medium recoil rifle that you can easily carry around with, well then a 7mm PRC chambered rifle is the way to go!
7mm PRC vs 7mm Remington Magnum
In the 7mm PRC vs 7mm Rem Mag debate, the 7mm PRC is more efficient and can make better use of modern reloading powders, so will offer slightly lower recoil, with similar velocities from less powder. The other benefits of the 7PRC vs 7Rem mag, is that the 7mm PRC does not have a belted magnum case, which is harder to reload for and you get fewer reloads from a case, and because of the 30 degree shoulder of the 7mm PRC, the brass cases will also not stretch as much with every firing.
7mm PRC vs 28 Nosler
The 28 Nosler shoots at faster muzzle velocities, but is an overbore cartridge that requires a very long chamber, with the Hornady hype behind the 7mm PRC, brass and ammo should be much more readily available soon enough. Because the 28 Nosler is overbore, it has a much shorter barrel life than the 7mm PRC, with some guys only getting around 1000 rounds through the barrel of their 28 Nosler before it start losing velocity.
7mm PRC vs 7mm SAUM
Two very evenly matched cartridges, if you already have one, it would not be worth it to get the other as well. The 7mm PRC has a lower 30 degree shoulder angle, so it may feed from a magazine easier than the 7mm SAUM, and the 7mm PRC has very slightly more powder capacity so offering very slight muzzle velocity advantages, but hardly noticeable. With Hornady behind it, we should also see more available components and ammo for the 7mm PRC compared to the scarce 7mm SAUM. The 7mm PRC is basically the 7mm SAUM ballistic twin that will get better factory support and marketing behind it.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 7mm PRC
The 7mm PRC requires a standard long action. It has a maximum Cartridge Overall Length (COAL) of 3.340 inches, which allows it to fit perfectly into standard long-action magazines without the need for a magnum-length action like the 300 PRC requires.
In an average 8.5-pound hunting rifle, the 7mm PRC generates approximately 22 to 25 ft-lbs of free recoil energy. This is slightly more recoil than a 7mm Remington Magnum but significantly less than a 300 PRC, making it very manageable for most shooters, especially when paired with a muzzle brake or suppressor.
The expected barrel life for a 7mm PRC is between 1,200 and 2,000 rounds of precision accuracy. Because it pushes large volumes of slow-burning powder through a .284 caliber bore, throat erosion will occur faster than in a 6.5 Creedmoor, but it generally outlasts more overbore cartridges like the 28 Nosler.
The SAAMI specified twist rate for the 7mm PRC is 1:8″. This fast twist rate is required to properly stabilize modern, high-BC, heavy-for-caliber bullets ranging from 175 grains to 195 grains. Check our twist rate calculator to see if your twist will work with the bullet you want to shoot.
The 7mm PRC is a more modern, efficient design than the 7mm Rem Mag. It eliminates the useless belt, utilizes a faster 1:8 twist rate for heavy bullets, and features a longer throat geometry that prevents long, high-BC bullets from intruding into the powder column.
AJ Deysel is a competitive rifle shooter in the PRS and NRL Hunter series, a lifelong hunter, and a recognized ballistics specialist whose load development expertise has been featured by industry leaders like Hornady. He is the founder and lead editor of LoadDevelopment.com. Read more about AJ or view our Editorial & Testing Guidelines.
This will probably drive the 7 SAUM into obscurity. But that’s Remington fault AGAIN, just like what the 6.5 Creedmoor did to the 260 Remington. They don’t support their developments thoroughly.
Cannot wait, exciting times ? is truly progress at a time in man’s history, an example of the astounding developments, applications, and expressions of mans ingenuity.
7mm prc is the modern day 7mm family’s evolution . Sir silly of factory ammunition builders decide to push it with other rifle builders that warranty accuracy warranty’s such as Bergara . I feel it will do better then the 6.8 western due to more ammunition manufacturers will adopt the 7mm faster as it will do what the 6.5 and 300 prc will but with less re oil then the 300 and heavier bullets then the 6.5 , I see the 7mm PRC becoming more popular then both specially for the guy or gal that wants one “prc” rifle .
Typos corrected ,
7mm prc is the modern day 7mm family’s evolution . If factory ammunition builders decide to push it with other rifle builders that warranty accuracy warranty’s such as Bergara . I feel it will do better then the 6.8 western due to more ammunition manufacturers will adopt the 7mm faster as it will do what the 6.5 and 300 prc will but with less recoil then the 300 and heavier bullets then the 6.5 , I see the 7mm PRC becoming more popular then both specially for the guy or gal that wants one “prc” rifle
The last sentence should be very true. I already see replacement barrels being offered in 7mm PRC chambering. This cartridge should be as much of a modernized 7mm-08 as the 6.5mm PRC was to the Creedmoor or Rem 260. I personally would have preferred to see the 7mm PRC come out sooner, as 7mm is a very desirable bullet for distance shooting, but I think I see why Hornady waited.
I reload the 7mm mag and chronograph velocity of 2999 average no pressure using H1000. I really don’t see why i would buy a 7 prc
I just love the reference of being a 900 yd ELK cartridge…LOL.
WAY too many already think the 6.5 Creedmoore is a 900 yard ELK cartridge and a lot of those can’t hit a paper plate at 200 yards.
Simply say it would make a good ELK cartridge and leave it at that.
👍🏻
As a guy that works on ballistics almost daily, I knew that some company would figure it out eventually. Reloaders /wildcatters had figured it out years ago when the 7mm-300WSM was being used in long action rifles with fast twist rate barrels. As Winchester and Remington both dropped the ball by giving up so much performance potential for .5″ bolt stroke on a rifle action. So the concept has been proven for a long time. Back in my younger days it was about the “Bean Field Guns” but now for me it’s about the “Cross canyon gun.” Defying the wind( as gravity is a constant ) is a pretty high priority on my list of demands on a Hunting/Match Rifle… The 7mmPRC according to Hornady has given me a bolt action option that’s on par for my custom single shot Encore throated for the 195gr EOL projectile @ 2878fps. Thanks Hornady for having the insight and fortitude to make 7mmPRC happen…it was needed!