New Rifle - 7MM PRC Question

[Sackett]

I’ve been wanting a rifle in a caliber I could hunt just about anything on the North American Continent with for quite some time and one with potential to shoot long range if I chose to do so. I’ve pretty much narrowed it down to the 7 mm PRC due to BC offering in that caliber and the number of factory offerings while being more economical than the 28 Noslers and other new cartridges. I really liked the 6.8 Western but there’s just not much ammo availability for it. I will be shooting it suppressed and am debating on which barrel length to go with. Offerings are anywhere from 20-26”. I watched a HCR YouTube episode comparing barrel length speed on each one and it wasn’t too bad and didn’t seem to affect accuracy. Do y'all have a preference on rifles and barrel length when shooting suppressed? I obviously don’t want a 26” barrel, but even a 24” barrel seems too long when adding a suppressor.

[lonestartiger01]

I think you'd be fine with a 20" or 22" barrel. I don't have any experience with a 7PRC, but I do have some with a long barrel and long, relatively heavy suppressor. The rifle has a 24" barrel and it was certainly cumbersome to move with it through brush, and due to it's weight I could not carry it with the shoulder strap. That issue will be corrected with using a shorter, ultralight can, but I'm also in the market for a rifle with a shorter barrel

[TxBowHntr]

Mine has a 22" barrel which is as long as I would go. Currently I shoot it with a Muzzle Brake, which puts it to 24"(ish). When I put my can on it ( 27"-28" I am guessing), it made it pretty unwieldy in a box blind situation but I didn't have any issues when I was traipsing around eastern Montana.

[M16]

Wait for the 7mm back country if you don’t reload.

[Sackett]

Wait for the 7mm back country if you don’t reload.

I'll have to do some research on that round. Do you know who is introducing it?

[M16]

I'll have to do some research on that round. Do you know who is introducing it?

Federal. Several rifle manufacturers are suppposed to be releasing models in this caliber. Excellent velocity with a short barrel. It’s going to be running around 80,000 psi and has a special designed case to withstand the pressure.

https://www.federalpremium.com/backcountry.html

[freerhunter16]

I'll have to do some research on that round. Do you know who is introducing it?

Federal. They are targeting the shorter barrel, suppressed market. It is based on a different case material that can withstand higher pressures. Therefore, able to obtain more speed in a shorter tube. They claim 3000 fps in a 20” bbl. It is yet to be determined whether or not it will “catch on” or not.

I think the 7 PRC in a 22” tube is what you seek. I have one and love it. It’s killed 2 bull elk, 2 mulies and a bunch of whitetails with it with great results.

[Big pig]

I prefer 16.5” barrels with a suppressor. So nice in the truck or blind. And lighter when hiking. But I am only hunting Texas.

That 7 PRC sure looks like a great round on paper.

good luck.

[brrdnk]

Savage website has 2 models of the 7mm backcountry listed. One in 20" and one in 16". looks like a very promising cartridge. Steel alloy allows for the higher pressures. This will be the next thing in Cartridges. Similar to the .277 fury. Seekins rifles has several rifles in this caliber.

[willie]

I have the browning x bolt in 7 prc, it is a tack driver for me. shooting pigs in the eyeball at 100yds or so. Fun gun for sure. shot one deer at 285yrds and was right where i wanted it. i'm in the market for a suppressor too. Buy it , you won't be disappointed.

[canny]

I have had a couple 7 PRC rifles and still have 1 in a Weatherby Mark V Live Wild. The first one I had was equipped with a 22" barrel and suppressor. It was manageable in a blind with the 7" Q Trash Panda suppressor. Really wasn't much different than maneuvering a rifle with 26" barrel plus a 2" brake, which is common. The rifle I have now is a 24" barrel, I decided to not run it suppressed as the barrel is more of a sporter contour and frankly I did not care much for the appearance. Also, I will be using that rifle off horseback while elk hunting and it will not fit in the scabbard with the suppressor so I would have to shoot it unsuppressed anyways.

Its a nice concept to shoot 100% suppressed and a lot of folks commit to that. I have found for me I shoot suppressed only on rifles that are well suited, or ones that I shoot the most, such as my 24" APR 6.5 PRC. That is my main go to rifle for most hunting situations and I just deal with the extra length. For me a total barrel length 26" and under with suppressor attached is where I stay, except for the 6.5 PRC I mentioned.

[Texans42]

Wait for the 7mm back country if you don’t reload.

Bullet offering is minimal and not really ideal, plus if you get a rifle that doesn’t meet your MOA accuracy, you don’t have load work up
option

[Texans42]

I’ve been wanting a rifle in a caliber I could hunt just about anything on the North American Continent with for quite some time and one with potential to shoot long range if I chose to do so. I’ve pretty much narrowed it down to the 7 mm PRC due to BC offering in that caliber and the number of factory offerings while being more economical than the 28 Noslers and other new cartridges. I really liked the 6.8 Western but there’s just not much ammo availability for it. I will be shooting it suppressed and am debating on which barrel length to go with. Offerings are anywhere from 20-26”. I watched a HCR YouTube episode comparing barrel length speed on each one and it wasn’t too bad and didn’t seem to affect accuracy. Do y'all have a preference on rifles and barrel length when shooting suppressed? I obviously don’t want a 26” barrel, but even a 24” barrel seems too long when adding a suppressor.

I built a 6.4lb 20” and run 175 eld x and 175 EH, right around 2800 with both. Run AB raptor 8 for finished length of 26”. Been on numerous hunts with it from Elk, bear(not fur friendly though, prefer 223 or 22CM), DBHS, Aoudad, Mule deer etc, backpack and horseback. I’m .3 MOA cold bore at 500 pretty consistently.

The only hunt I wouldn’t take it on is an unlimited BH/dall/stone/goat, I’d take a sub 6lb bare 18” 6CM on those. Weight vs recoil.

every bullet is designed for a min impact velocity… Bergers around 2k, eldx around 1600… do the math if that exceeds your range than don’t worry about speed.

also the lighter you build the rifle, the more numerous and robust the peripherals options can be. Example Optics, suppressors, bipod’s, rings etc.

Nut shell don’t stress over barrel length, build what you WANT to grab every time you head out the door.

[TCB]

Just picked one up in a Savage Trail Hunter Lite with 20" barrel last night. Can't wait to start shooting it and see how it runs.

[M16]

Bullet offering is minimal and not really ideal, plus if you get a rifle that doesn’t meet your MOA accuracy, you don’t have load work up
option

Maybe have a little patience. It hasn’t even hit the market yet. Not everybody reloads.