Thread: Discussion around 7mm Magnums

Originally Posted by Philipo

The Rem mag is still a great performer for what we hunt in NZ, one of many 7mm's I've owned over the years but I'm very looking forward to my soon arriving 7PRC to turn up.

Someone on here mentioned that there wasn't much difference between the 6.5 & 7PRC but by my calculations theres over a 25% increase according to their H2O capacity

6.5CM - 52.5, 6.5 PRC - 62.0, 7mm PRC - 78.0 & 7mm RM 82.0


Attachment 223861

All factory Hornady "precision" ammo apart from the 6.5PRC ( but similar to factory )




PS - Just a couple of observations, I'm on the fence with the 6.5 PRC, I've had a couple & I love the cartridge, it's great fun to shoot but not sold on it's killing performance & while I still like the Rem mag, down side being a magnum the projectile in factory ammo are seated very deep to mag fit, something that modern cartridges seem to have improved on.

The 6.5 PRC cases Iv weighed have held 68gr H20. The norma and Lapua 6.5x284 hold the same 68gr + or - a point , hence my opinion the that a wildcat 7mm/ 6.5 PRC would be a waste of time when a standard 284w will be its ballistic twin . Also makes me wonder why the 6.5 PRC even came to be when its just a slightly fatter 6.5x284 and only .12" shorter.
The 7mm PRC is a different beast as you stated.

Originally Posted by sneeze

The 6.5 PRC cases Iv weighed have held 68gr H20. The norma and Lapua 6.5x284 hold the same 68gr + or - a point , hence my opinion the that a wildcat 7mm/ 6.5 PRC would be a waste of time when a standard 284w will be its ballistic twin . Also makes me wonder why the 6.5 PRC even came to be when its just a slightly fatter 6.5x284 and only .12" shorter.
The 7mm PRC is a different beast as you stated.

I think you find the short fat powder columns of the magnums are just going to achieve the same speed in a shorter barrel than their counter part

Originally Posted by Gkp

I think you find the short fat powder columns of the magnums are just going to achieve the same speed in a shorter barrel than their counter part

Maybe but Iv seen no evidence of it. The difference here is only .12 of an inch. I think the vagaries of different barrels, brass, powders, individuals comfort zones and confirmation bias will have any real world difference lost in the noise.

Originally Posted by sneeze

The 6.5 PRC cases Iv weighed have held 68gr H20. The norma and Lapua 6.5x284 hold the same 68gr + or - a point , hence my opinion the that a wildcat 7mm/ 6.5 PRC would be a waste of time when a standard 284w will be its ballistic twin . Also makes me wonder why the 6.5 PRC even came to be when its just a slightly fatter 6.5x284 and only .12" shorter.
The 7mm PRC is a different beast as you stated.

Water capacity does not reflect usable capacity. How much powder can you get in under a bullet in a factory rifle without having to change magazines, bolt stops etc?

Originally Posted by sneeze

The 6.5 PRC cases Iv weighed have held 68gr H20. The norma and Lapua 6.5x284 hold the same 68gr + or - a point , hence my opinion the that a wildcat 7mm/ 6.5 PRC would be a waste of time when a standard 284w will be its ballistic twin . Also makes me wonder why the 6.5 PRC even came to be when its just a slightly fatter 6.5x284 and only .12" shorter.
The 7mm PRC is a different beast as you stated.

Easier to get components for the prc. I know lots of the f class guys are shifting to the 7 6.5 prc in place of 284 for component availibility alone.


The extra 0.14 inches of length gives you enough room to shoehorn it into a short action with 162s without sacrificing a bunch of powder space. Good option for somone looking to make a short action work.