Patiently Waiting
- Thread starter CT.HNTR
- Start date
Yoteklr
Work, load, shoot, hunt, repeat
- Apr 19, 2022
- 266
- 539
Get a 7mm Remington magnum. It will out run the 7 prc with less pressure. ADG has outstanding brass available.
Every Hornady PRC cartridge to date (6.5, 7mm, 300) has had sizing problems after a couple of firings because of the .200" line not sizing enough. Guys are having to fix their chambers with an Alex wheeler reamer.
Just my 2 cents.
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
- 3,366
- 5,487
This is sound advice.
rjm158
Handloader
- Oct 15, 2009
- 708
- 641
^^^^This^^^
I have two Tikkas in 6.5 PRC, one stepson has a Sauer S100, the other has a Bergara, and I originally had a Mauser M18. No issues with any and 98.5 % of the brass used is Hornady. We all use the "standard" Hornady dies so that isn't a factor. I/we have no actual experience with either of the other two PRC's so I can't speak to that.
As for the Sako/Tikkas appearing, my guess is that IF they are going to chamber that cartridge, it will likely appear at SHOT Show 2025. However, if there are issues with the round (as I've heard/read there is) there is always the possibility they will bypass it and stick with the 7mm Rem Mag which is tried and true. I have one of their 7RM's and it is a stellar performer.
Just my .02.
Ron
I have two Tikkas in 6.5 PRC, one stepson has a Sauer S100, the other has a Bergara, and I originally had a Mauser M18. No issues with any and 98.5 % of the brass used is Hornady. We all use the "standard" Hornady dies so that isn't a factor. I/we have no actual experience with either of the other two PRC's so I can't speak to that.
As for the Sako/Tikkas appearing, my guess is that IF they are going to chamber that cartridge, it will likely appear at SHOT Show 2025. However, if there are issues with the round (as I've heard/read there is) there is always the possibility they will bypass it and stick with the 7mm Rem Mag which is tried and true. I have one of their 7RM's and it is a stellar performer.
Just my .02.
Ron
- Thread starter
- #7
I might give this some consideration as it's rare to hear anyone say anything bad about the 7mm Rem Mag. What loads, bullets and weight's do you use? Is it suitable for elk?
rjm158
Handloader
- Oct 15, 2009
- 708
- 641
I have primarily used mine for whitetail as that is all the big game we have to hunt where I live. I have tried several different loads (no issues) but use mostly Sierra factory loads with their 150 gr Gamechanger. This is because I could get the ammo cheap, and it shoots sub-MOA from my rifle. I have killed several deer with this combo, and it worked fantastic.
With the correct bullet/load I would not hesitate to hunt elk with it as it should have ample horsepower within its parameters. As long as the accuracy was there, I wouldn't be scared of it. Others who have hunted elk far more than me can give a more informed opinion.
Ron
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,402
- 6,210
I've taken moose, elk, black bear, whitetail, and mule deer with my 7mm RM. I used 175 grain bullets for years, though I've more recently found myself gravitating to 150 grain pills.
Dr. Vette
Handloader
- Apr 16, 2012
- 1,480
- 365
Tikka is supposedly waiting on CIP approval (European version of SAAMI) before considering chambering it.
Never mind that most of their rifles are sold in the USA…
Never mind that most of their rifles are sold in the USA…
celebritysilver
Beginner
- Dec 12, 2024
- 1
- 0
The 7mm PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge) has gained popularity, but manufacturers often take time to assess demand and production capabilities before launching new calibers.
All of the issues with sizing brass in the PRC chambers is using tougher brass like ADG and Lapua. The die to chamber dimensions are too close for tougher brass that springs back more coming out of the sizing die. when the brass is too close to the chamber size it doesnt spring back enough to create the proper clearance for extraction. That causes "clickers", or brass sticking in the chamber. Hornady brass doesnt do that becase the brass isnt as thick/tough at the base. Alex Wheeler made reamers that are .002 bigger at the base to allow for more clearance.
I dont know if its my reamer being a bit small but my dad and I have the same issue with our 6.5 Creedmoors using fired brass from any of the top manufacturers. Hornady brass is fine but ADG, Peterson, and Lapua all have clickers. I barely shoot my 6.5CM but I will probably order a reamer with a larger base or a custom sizing die with a smaller base. BTW I tried 4 different sizing dies, including sending a Hornady die back to Hornady and a small base die. Hornady sent a new die back that had the same dimensions. Only the small base die works but it takes a ton of effort to size the brass and it shrinks the base about .005. That means the die is closer to .007 under size and that cant be good for brass life.
I dont know if its my reamer being a bit small but my dad and I have the same issue with our 6.5 Creedmoors using fired brass from any of the top manufacturers. Hornady brass is fine but ADG, Peterson, and Lapua all have clickers. I barely shoot my 6.5CM but I will probably order a reamer with a larger base or a custom sizing die with a smaller base. BTW I tried 4 different sizing dies, including sending a Hornady die back to Hornady and a small base die. Hornady sent a new die back that had the same dimensions. Only the small base die works but it takes a ton of effort to size the brass and it shrinks the base about .005. That means the die is closer to .007 under size and that cant be good for brass life.
filmjunkie4ever
Handloader
- May 4, 2011
- 1,964
- 1,351
I’ve not used the 7mm Rem Mag as much as others here but as a guide, I frequently see rifles thusly chambered in the field.
I have personally taken two mule deer bucks and one cow elk with a 7mm Rem Mag. All three were taken with IMR-4350 and the 160 grain Nosler AccuBond traveling right at 2900 fps mv. I did not recover a bullet in any of those game animals.
My brother in law shoots the same bullet in his 7mm STW and between himself and others who have borrowed that rifle, over 20 elk have been taken with that rifle/load. It is my opinion that the 160 grain AccuBond is the best all-around deer/elk bullet in any 7mm Magnum.
That said I have seen 7mm Rem Mag wielding clients and friends take deer and elk with the 139 and 154 grain Hornady Interlock and 162 grain ELDX, 140 grain Barnes TTSX, the 150 grain Winchester Ballistic Tip and 175 grain Powerpoint, the 140, 150, and 175 grain Remington Corelokt, the 168 grain Berger VLD, the Sierra 160 grain Gameking BTSP, and with Nosler bullets of all weights and styles.
In short, to me, the lower 48 hunter that must have a magnum is best served with a 7mm Rem Mag. Rifles, ammo and components are as common as bare feet on the beach. The recoil is manageable, accuracy excellent and performance spectacular. It certainly is the “easy button.”
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The 7mm Rem Mag is suitable for just about every big game animal in North America.
While it would most likely do in a pinch on a larger brown bear, it wouldn't be my first choice as i would want a larger caliber with heavier bullets for that work (and there is a reason why so many guides use 338 Win Mags or larger for this).
I have taken elk with the 7mm Rem Mag and it worked just fine. And my preference is bullets in the 160-165 gr class. While I have used cup and core bullets with good success, I have gravitated to the AccuBond because of it accuracy and on-game performance of the bonded bullet design. While I do not have as much experience with the Terminal Ascent and Trophy Bonded Tip bullets, so far their accuracy and on-game performance has also been very good, and I am continuing to test and use these in various cartridges/calibers where their accuracy and velocities are performing up to or better than expected, expectations.
I have taken way more elk with the 7mm caliber (280 Rem, 7mm Rem Mag, and 7MM STW) than any other, but also like the fast 30 sand 338s for elk too, having used the 300 WSM and 338 Win Mag with great success.
(The 338 just impresses elk! There was a time when Craig Boddington stated it was THE elk cartridge. When things get a little western on elk, the 338 helps sort it out...but as with any cartridge, ensuring good bullet placement is key! The 338's extra punch does assist with getting through their heavy bone and muscle to the vitals when bullet placement is a little less than optimum.)
When I has my first 7mm Rem Mag, I was using the then produced Federal Premium 165 gr SGK ammo (this bullet only produced for this ammo) and it worked very well with 1/2" MOA accuracy and good on-game performance. It also accounted for mule deer, mountain goat and moose.
Now that I have acquired another 7mm Rem Mag, I have purchased the following to test for best performance in the new-to-me rifle:
- Federal ammo in the 155 gr Terminal Ascent and 160 gr Trophy Bonded Tip, and
- Nosler ammo in the 150 gr Ballistic Tip and 160 gr AccuBond.
I am hoping that there will be nice weather day over the Christmas Holidays where I can get to the range and test it out, as it will be arriving on Boxing Day (as my daughter is taking delivery of it for me tomorrow, and will be bringing it to me when she visits).
As already stated, the 7mm Rem Mag is a great cartridge, with manageable recoil, very good accuracy, and great on-game performance. It is also easier for less experienced hunters to learn to shoot well than the fast 30's as there is less recoil. I see many guns store workers pushing first timers into 300 Win mags when I believe they should be recommending the 7mm Rem Mag instead, IF/WHEN a magnum cartridge is deemed necessary.
(Honestly most would be better served with 30-06 based cartridges instead (270 Win/280 Rem/30-06/338-06/35 Whelen) or even better yet, short action 308 based cartridges (7mm-08/308/338 Federal/358 Win), as they have even better manageable recoil, and reliable on-game performance when kept within their designed capabilities. And these new hunters should be encouraged to get closer (inside 200 yards) and take only good shot opportunities instead of pushing their inexperienced hunting and shooting capabilities leading to wounded/lost game and/or unpleasant hunting/shooting experiences. Set them up to win!)
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