I thought this might happen. I held off on a 6.8 western because of the limited rifle availability and the 7 PRC was coming out. I wanted to give time to let the dust settle on the 7 PRC and rather than outperforming the 7 REM Mag, it seems to be closer to the 28 AI. After watching this, I think I’m gonna get a 6.8 western.
@hmoobshow2482 got mine in a browning x bolt and the brass is plenty good enough for hunting,if shooting long range tournaments on paper you might see a difference in brass quality,but in a hunting situation fluctuations in temperatures from day to day are going to show more difference than miniscule fluctuations in brass.
I’ve been hearing people whine for years about .277 due to the lack of bullet weights. Now we have that issue resolved but yet still no love? The 6.8 seems to me to be one of the best balances of bullet weights and recoil of any of the newer whizz bangs.
Don't throw your PRC's away just yet guys. The 6.8 Western is a great round and if I had one I wouldn't run out and trade it in. This was not an Apples to Apples test IMO. I'll keep my 280 Ackley Improved for now as it's right there with the 6.8 Western, the 7mm Rem Mag & 7mm PRC. If I was in the market for a new rifle however...the 7mm PRC is looking awfully good. Just sayin'.
I love my 6.8 western. I handload the 162 gr hammer hunter's, the nosler 165gr, and rhe berger eol 170 gr and between using the staball HD and magpro I am averaging over 2800 fps with a 20 inch barrel. Thanks for the video. These all have been easily. 50 inch or less at a 100 yards.
Man you all are really getting some great results. This guy with a 145g eld is not seeing near the velocity in 6.8 with stabal ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-X3FASYU-PYI.htmlsi=I2cAED8_nOEz4qrc
@@ReloadingWeatherby did you try different powders? My shooting partner has 175’s going 3140ish near max with rl-26 and 195 Berger eol at 3000ish with rl-25 powder. 26” barrel
Not entirely true, I have a contact down at Barnes that claims that the 6.8western is on their radar. Supposedly they have done some load development for it but they are hesitant to release factory ammo for it.. something political I think, he never did say why but said there development team has definitely been playing with it. Also "Supposedly " the reason they released the LRX in .277 was aimed at 6.8 western. Take this all with a grain of salt, but interesting none the less. Also I talked with the VP of choice ammunition and he stated that they sell lots of 6.8 western and his take is that the cartridge is doing well. He said he hopes nobody else makes it because they like the lack of competition.
My first rifle was a 270 and I have always loved how it shoots so flat. It has never disappointed me in hunting. We have a family joke about how much I love the 270. When Winchester and Browning announced the 6.8 Western. I was all in. I really wanted one. That was going to be my next cartridge. However with the lack of support from rifle manufacturers for the first year, I held off. Over time I saw rifles start to show up, but I would always check for ammo at my sporting good stores and just never saw many bullets of the shelf. At my sporting good store they knew I was interest in the new cartridge but with the adoption of ammo being slow, they started to push me towards the 6.5 PRC. I finally caved and bought a 6.5 PRC, but I still am hoping that we can save the 6.8 Western. I think it is the new 270. Sorry to hear that you had a disappointing range day. Good information as always. Thanks for sharing.
I wouldn't give up yet on the 6.8! I expect we'll be hearing more of it to come! As a teen(50 years ago) I had so much wanted a 270. My dad though gave me his Sporterized Mod.94 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser which I loved! I absolutely love the action on that 1917 Mauser which is in pristine condition! Fast forward 40 years which was spent in the Navy(retired) plus Government Contract work and not a lot of hunting. Planning on buying a new hunting rifle and the 7mm PRC has caught my eye. Now seeing the 6.8 Western and I really like it! As far as the 270 Winchester goes, as well as it shoots, I think it has always had one hand tied behind its back with the 1:10 rifling! Lately they're coming out with 1:8 and 1:7.5 twist rifling. I think this is going to give new life to the .270 Win! I was also looking at the 25-06. As well as it shoots, it seems to me to be limited like the 270 with the 1:10 rifling with the biggest bullets being around 117gr. Berger though is now manufacturing 133gr hunting and 135gr Target Ammo paired with quicker twist rifling also! I think this will give new life to the flat shooting 25-06 also. I'll be watching both the 25-06 and the 270 to see what comes in the new future. I say this because I plan on getting back into hunting and would like a smaller cartridge [25-06) and a larger one for all of North America. Either the 6.8 Western, 7mm PRC or the 270 Winchester! I'm excited. I'll be getting at least 2 new rifles!
@@timk4502 Your story parallels mine in so many ways. I was still able to take leave and go hunting about 50% of the time, fortunately. I still work for the government, but I live in the PNW, so I’ve been hunting religiously for the last 12 years. I enjoyed your takes on those carriages you’ve mentioned. I looked at those as well, especially the 25-06 and almost pulled the trigger, but then Covid hit and you couldn’t find a rifle or ammo. The only ammo at the time I could get off the shelf was 6.8 Western. I liked the idea of the carriage because I love my 270 Win. I figured I’d purchase a rifle once it became available. Long story short, I’m glad I did. I absolutely love that carriage!!! I have the 6.5 PRC, and these two are very close, but the Western packs a bigger punch than the 6.5 and it shoots heavier bullets than my 270 Win. My Western has become my favorite over everything else, especially for elk hunting. I still would like to get my hands on one of those 25-06 rifles though. That seems like a sweet carriage. One you never hear about anymore is the 257 Roberts. I love short actions, so it’s even more appealing, but I never see ammo or rifles for that carriage. Shame Good luck
What's funny is the step up from 6.5 prc to 6.8 western when the 6.5 prc is a step up from 270. Or at best case scenario the 270 is on par with 6.5 prc. My 24 inch 6.5 prc shoots 130 factory Federal at 3100 and Hornaday 142s at 2930. For some unknown reason the 6.5mm just isn't enough.
There is no doubt that 7PRC is overrated & hyped, and that 6.8W is underrated & suppressed. I personally like them both but I prefer the design of the 6.8W for general purpose hunting and I would be inclined to choose a 280AI over a 7PRC. However, I am very confident that additional load development effort could yield higher 7PRC velocity than the testing that you showcase in this video. Also, I think the 175gr ABLR is a much better bullet choice for the 7PRC in order to realize its full potential. You might want to consider trying a slower burn rate powder for your 7PRC. If you want good velocity without sacrificing stability H1000 looks to be a viable contender. If you are willing to trade some stability for even more velocity N560 might be worth a try. Personally, I have found staball powder to be twitchy and unimpressive. The best powders I have tried are from the Hodgdon Extreme line of stable single based powders and the Vihtavuori 100 and 500 series powders. Cheers!
I really don't like Staball HD and most likely will be done with it. None of my rifles have liked the powder. I have done some testing with H1000... it was slow. I will be using that powder going forward. Really want to find a load this gun likes
Allterra Arms posted a video awhile back showing 3 different lots of factory 7prc precision hunter ammo. Each lot had different powder in it and the velocity average between the 3 lots was pretty large. The 7prc does what it was designed to do but not with shitty Hornady factory ammunition.
My Browning X bolt Max LR 26" bbl in 6.8 Western got 2920 fps with the same 165 ABLR factory load, and it sure did perform on game. I haven't worked with a 7PRC but I have to believe it's considerably more capable than that. I bought a Mossberg youth model bantam 6.5 creedmoor Patriot for my daughter and it's more accurate than any of my hunting rifles. But from what I've seen Mossberg's Patriot is either hit or miss. There's got to be some reason we don't know about regarding why no other manufacturers are supporting 6.8 Western because it certainly isn't a lack of consumer interest - the 6.8 Western is one of the most talked about cartridges out now. I really hope things get better for that caliber.
It was three years ago when I shot that ammo, plus where I'm at the elevation is much lower than where you are. Maybe they are loading it a little hotter now. I wasn't disappointed in the velocity I got because for me factory ammo has usually come up a little bit short of advertised velocities but not always. One of the big reasons I started hand loading almost forty years ago.@@ReloadingWeatherby
I have a 7prc with a 26" barrel. With 71.1gr of Staball HD and a 175gr Nosler Accubond LR I'm getting 2976 fps. Checked with a Garmin chronograph. Spread 13.7, SD 6.
Here we go again... Andrew, let's go to the range and you can shoot my ammo out of the rifle. I'm not making this up. You probably don't realize this... Mossberg sent me the rifle. I am trying my best to get this to shoot well.
Try testing the Federal loaded 175 Eldx. It ran around 2950 from my 7prc with a 24” barrel. All 3 Hornady loads ran at 2900 fps from my rifle. My 7prc does pretty much the same thing as my 7 rem mags when hand loaded. My custom built 7 SAUM won’t shoot a 175 grain bullet past 2750 without pressure and I have a friend with a Tikka in 7mag that won’t break 2800 with a 168 vld without hitting pressure so I think individual chambers play a big part.
Been trying to tell this guy he is using the wrong powder federal rounds will get close to 3k and he buys a trash gun in 7prc he is just a hater my 170 grain terminal ascent will get 3k in a 24 inch barrel got proof of it
@@Matt-en1kn I agree with you. I tried 4831sc last year because it was all I could find and it was on the slow side which is what the data predicted. Now I have Staball HD and I am getting 2967 out of a 22 inch Savage barrel and I am still a grain away from book max.
@@JJ-iu5hl yep he was a hater on the 7prc from the get go I have got over 3k with factory ammo from federal 24 inch barrel. What gets me is he got a trash gun then continues to bash the 7prc guy is a clown and a Weatherby fan boy and will not respond to me anymore 🤔
I like the comparison. Hard to say it is a good comparison because of grain weight. Barrel length and you went with a 2-3K rifle vs a $500 rifle. Im a fan of the 6.8 and the 7 PRC so apples to apples. Compare a Fierce to Fierce same barrel and optimum loads for both. All that said im glad this data is put there and hope 6.8 doesn't die iff.
The most impressive part of this video is the 30 06 performance 👏. A 118 year old cartridge with that type of performance. I don't own either a 7mm PRC or 6.8 Western. I have a 30 06 and a 7mm rem mag. The upside of ammo availability because i don't reload is a notable fact. Especially here in Canada where Especially 6.8 Western ammo is hard to find. The low velocities of the 7mm PRC are puzzling. A larger case should develop more velocity, it's physics if nothing else. The only hypothesis i have is how the powders being used in the 7mm are developing pressure. Beyond that it's a mystery.
Lots of conjecture all around, honestly let the results speak for themselves. I'd love to see someone post some videos of faster 7prc at sammi spec. It's so hard to find unbiased comparison anymore. I feel like reloading wby is pretty fair.. if he has bias ots towards weatherby cartridges for some reason 🤣 kidding just taking jabs at him cause I can. I like weatherby to be fair.
One of the most underrated cartridges that never caught on, if only Hornady came out with it and named it the 270 prc it would have gotten a strong following.
Fast twist vs slow twist so in theory you’re not actually comparing them apples to apples because the main reason for the western is to shoot the heavy for caliber bullets in a factory produced rifle.
Basically identical overall, wsm will likely shoot the lites a little faster 50fps or so is my guess but what you gain with the ability to shoot heavies is worth while imho. Also the 6.8 western will fit factory magazines with the long heavies better than the wsm will. It's hard to believe it but the 6.8 western is actually shorter even than the 6.5prc which I own and in factory ammo doesn't legitimately fit my magazines and also when feeding my bullet tips scrape against the feed ramp hard core enough to damage the balistic tips. Quite disappointing. This issue is not evident with the 6.8 western.
I have been trying to decide between the two,and admittedly always leaned towards getting the 6.8. Now after everything Ive seen,Ive pretty settled the debate in my mind,6.8 it will be.Now to just get enough money for one.
@thomasdaniel6495, you won't regret it. I have xbolt Hells canyon long range i haven't chronograph yet I'm shooting .25 inch groups @ 100 yards with the Winchester copper impact 162gr and the browning 175gr Sierra gamekings. It hates the 165 that he is testing here on vedio.
I was thinking about my next rifle and the caliber I was gonna go with.. I already have a 270wsm. I just put a Nikon Buckmaster scope on it and put it, bore sighted it and put it back in the box.. I did basically the same thing to my 6.8 Western. I was thinking of the 6.5 prc until I saw the fictitious ballistic that Hornady was posting and true ballistic of the chronographs, AND the life expectancy of the PRC's barrels.. I'll be getting a second 6.8 Western. Winchester does NOT put "fictitious" numbers on their ballistic charts. Hornady.. ???
The thing that upsets me is the marketing and the people who pushed these Hornady rounds. 6.5 creed and the PRC’s. They were at times advocating that you needed to sell what you had and rush out to get these new cartridges or you would be left behind! But as an old man now I’ve seen this before. My 300 H&H in a modern action shocks people who think it’s just a big case that barely beats a 30-06. Then it edges out their factory loads for the 300win at the range. I’m not saying these new “modern” rounds aren’t good, rather that they are not a technological leap ahead, as claimed.
You are shooting a mossberg rack grade barrel and when you say max load is that by a loading manual or based on pressure signs and then backing off? Seems very slow for a 7prc
Every 7PRC I’ve seen in the wild is delivering similar lackluster velocities with factory big H ammo, often times in higher end rifles. They all see my 28 Nosler and scoff that it is a “barrel burner”. I agree with them that “yes, while it may, it is also a laser that over performs on the advertised velocities and out shines your results here by at-least 400 fps
Yes, the nosler is overbore but its a merciless low-drop low-drift murder machine at the very, very limit of beneficial returns for 7mm, it’s the practical 7mm endgame. The PRC is a graceful step back to the short Mag glory days 20 years ago, blown up for the last 20 years of bullets. It’s a SAUM with a leased Lexus and a Scotch budget. People believing it’s in the same class as the Nosler aren’t even drinking the Hornady koolaid, they’re fantasizing in broad daylight.
TBH, I wanted a 28 nosler over the 7PRC... until I looked at Ammo prices and realized that if I wanted something cheaper than my 300 weatherby, then I needed to go with one of the PRCs. I realllllly love the 28 nosler and want to own one some day.
@@tylervolentine1286 oh yeah until you start using the great equalizer, handloading, yea no. It was filthy expensive before covid, I can’t imagine what it is now.
But here's the complaint, 7 prc isn't fast enough. If you want faster get the 28 Nos. If you want what the PRC does keep it an be happy it does the job. I can load my 28 Nos to be a 300 Win Mag at any distance. Now I don't shoot competition with it. Just hunting.
@@jcarry5214 Yeah, hand loading is awesome. Components are still stupid expensive sadly. That's why I was looking at the PRC lineup... I also wanted less recoil than 300 wthby with I think the Nosler lineup is abouuut the same recoil wise.
It seems that the only thing the 6.8 western does that the 7 prc doesn't is this: reliabily reaching advertised velocities (half kidding haha). Both great cartridges, i considered buying a 7 prc but I finally pulled the trigger on a new xbolt in 6.8. My reasoning was this: similar performance for less recoil, higher sectional density and bc in the bullet weights I want to shoot, a shorter action, I can always reload to offset lack of factory offerings. Plus its got a cooler name, now when I get ready to shoot I can say "its about to get western" 😂
6.8 Western is what I hoped the 7mm PRC would be; a true short action "magnum" with tolerable recoil, performance gain, flatter shooting, high accuracy potential. I'm a big 7mm cal fan, I generally hunt with 7mm-08 (my favorite cal) and hoped the 7mm PRC would be the short action, non-belted 7mm mag that I could reach for when I was hunting an area where I might be shooting Elk/Moose past 500 yards. Turns out the PRC isn't a true short action, isn't nearly as hot as it's advertised, and doesn't really out perform other calibers when on the chrono. My hand loads with 7mm-08 are pushing 162g ELDM's at around 2700fps.... That's 1400ft ft-lbs at 800yrds. Hard to want to burn all that extra powder, kill barrel life, increase recoil, for a 7mm PRC that is way over hyped. The 6.8 on the other hand, has a lot going for it if you're looking for some extra fps and distance. I wish Winchester would market it hard and work to get more manufacturers chambering rifles in it. Anyways, you're not the only one that's finding less than stellar numbers on the PRC and realizing the classic .270/.284 and 30 cal offerings are still getting it done.
I think the heaviest bullet Hornady makes in .277, is the 145 grain ELD-X. I have an old Savage 110 in .270 Win, that absolutely loves them! With a max load of IMR4350, I’ve gotten sub 3/4 MOA groups pretty consistently.
Because it was optimized for ahort bullets, the 7-300 and to a certain extent the SAUM are better in the same length with less powder and less leftover than the 7wsm. The PRC is basically the 7wsm improved to its natural action length for grownup bullets. That’s my cynical rebuttal, I do know what you mean as a short mag fan.
Thanks for the video. This really sealed it for me on picking a 6.8 Western up. I hope some of the rumors I've read about Barnes in these comments are true. Having more options on factory ammunition is what could help its rise in popularity. Whether or not Winchester would capitalize on it is a different issue.
The 6.8 could be awesome, it just needs support. I own a Seekins element in 7mm prc. I absolutely love the rifle and I do believe with the initial success the 7mm prc will stick around. With that the cartridge isn't anything ground breaking its just the easy button for people that don't reload. My results are factory Hornady 175 Eldx velocities @2835(chrongraphed and verified to 1000 yards). With hand loads Ive pushed to 2900fps, that was an over max load of H1000 with 175 ABLR's. I've got to try a few different powders but 3000 fps might be a stretch even with handholds out of my 22"
Doing load development now out of seekins ph2 26” tube adg brass h-1000 & 180 grain eldm and found pressure heavy bolt and extractor mark at 70.9 grains and 3163 fps over my magneto speed at 4500 ft elevation but settled at 68 grains where my best node was at 2945 fps sd 2 es 5 I’ve got about 130 rounds down the barrel
GunWerks already had the 7 LRM shooting 175-180 bullets at 3000. The 7 prc is a shorter case, they made it shorter on purpose and just relied on the Hornady Marketing Machine.
The 7 prc is barrel length specific to powder type and burn rate. Your 30-06 on the other hand is quite interesting and You might just want to consider going Akley Improved on it and run it full throttle. 6.8 is a better round than the prc. As hornady should have used a 300 prc variant and maximized the action length capability. Great video, love to see the 257 B with a heavyweight bullet.
I know it's not apples to apples, by my 270wsm with 150 Nosler BT with H1000 and WLR is getting 3140. 24" Rem700. Maybe some day experiment with 165's.... but very happy with 150's...
Very similar to me, 270WSM, 150gn Berger VLD, RL26 in 24" barrelled Weatherby Vanguard giving a very accurate 3160fps. I had no luck getting this velocity with bullets that had longer bearing surfaces as the pressure climbed much earlier.
This is why I bought the 300 PRC and didn’t fall for the hype of the 7mm PRC. I saw the case dim. and started crunching the numbers and it wasn’t making a lot of sense to me so I waited to see what happened and to see if brass was available. Definitely glad I went with a 300 PRC I’m getting around 3080 with a 208LRX
@@ReloadingWeatherby I’ll be honest what I was hoping Hornady would do and what they should have done was neck the 7mm PRC down to 6.5 mm. Then neck the 300 PRC case down to a 7mm but I had a feeling they wouldn’t. A ton of Wildcatters are already running with a 7mm-300prc basically a 7mm Sherman
I have thought of both of these cartridges… but I have a Sako S20 in 30-06 and with H4350 getting 180gr to 2925 fps and have been using the 190gr Bergers and Nosler AccuBond LR at 2855fps So was kinda thinking just keep using to old 30-06 for now… I have some 176gr A-tips I will be trying out as well…
Glad you posted this video. I will have to make one too... I am very disappointed with the 7mm PRC and all the people comparing calibers by looking at published data on the cartridge box... Ron Spooner is guilty as charged. I bought the 7 PRC after the good experience with the 6.5 PRC... The 3000+ fps for a 175gr bullet in a 24 inch barrel is pure advertising BS 😵 To get that speed when reloading cartridges, I have to push up the pressure waaays above safe levels.
Thanks for your comment. I was able to get 2941 FPS with a 175 ELD-X by going over book max. I did hit a good amount of pressure and I was still about 60 FPS below book advertised velocity.
That would be too easy to figure out which one will outperform the other, wouldn’t want to do that. I love both cartridges but won’t buy the western until another major manufacturer loads it. Still hoping Federal picks it up, (definitely would prefer a short action) even if it doesn’t have quite the performance of the other, they both have plenty
I wanted a 6.8 western but of course nobody wanted to make brass for it so I got a 6.5 prc and a 7 prc. Haven’t shot the 6.5 prc and have considered selling the barrel off and getting a 6.8 western but of course I have a crap ton of 6.5 bullets. I just don’t get everyone whining about the velocity of the 7prc. They have proof they achieved what they claimed but I do agree they should have claimed 2950 and good accuracy. Reloading with accurate mag pro and 180 eld m in a Bergara 22” I’m getting about 2850 and not even pushing max loads. I just threw together 1.5 grains higher than minimum load. Think I should be able to get 2950 with my rifle loaded to max but 2850 usually is a good place to stay for velocity especially if you aren’t going over 600 yards.
Every range day is a good range day.. Its all skill building.. data collecting.. gear testing.. Always something to learn.. you're better than the day you were before..
Well apples to apples a 26" CA MPR in 7mmprc shooting factory 180eldm velocity at 2975 fps. 0.75 to 1 inch group Not sure why your getting the results you are getting Retumbo and 180 grain eldm reload in a 26" im getting an 2950 0.5 inch group. Not showing pressure signs so im going to work it up more to get into a higher node. Your assumptions on barrel length and velocity and powder selection i think is what is throwing the numbers off for your comparison
@ReloadingWeatherby 24 inch mossburg 2825 eldm 180g plus 100 is 2925...I'm getting 2975 in a 26 inch but you can call it 2925 That is a 180g bullet I think the cartridge is capable of 3000 in a 26inch. Buy a 26" 7 prc and see how the 175s perform or an even load a lighter 162eldm and see just how the velocity performs
I bought a new bergara HMR 7mm PRC last summer. Hornady factory precision Hunter. I thought the labradar was wrong when it said 2865. It wasn't. I was pretty disappointed. As I got about 60 rounds through the barrel it sped up a little to around 2880 average. Still 120 shy of the 3000. I haven't hand loaded the 7mm PRC. yet, but I'm eager to start. I think it's capable of more and can hit 3000 with the right powder/bullet combination. My 28 nosler outperforms it by 150 fps with nosler factory 175 ABLR ammo. A little more recoil but not a ton.
That 6.8 western is sweet, if companies made a fast twist 270 win it wouldn’t stand a chance. If they come out with a 1:8 twist 270 win and made longer bullets that would breathe new life into that great round. Had the 7prc and didn’t keep it long it was a patriot and just traded shortly after getting it. 7 rem mag is king of the 7s it can take all kinds of game and has. Standard length action with recoil of an 06 and performance for every animal except dangerous ones even then it will do the job cuz ele were killed with a 7x57
Backfire channel would have said something along the lines of... "It all went downhill from the time you said it was chambered in a Mossberg..." He kinda spooked me away from any of their cheaper options tbh. No such thing as a budget PRC giving you built PRC performance. That other rifle was a Fierce for goodness sake... Would hope it outperformed your MB.
Why do you think Hornady chose a 24 inch barrel? Are the max 7mm PRC loads showing any over pressure signs? Maybe all the data is way too lawyerized for safety.
I'd really like to see how the 7 PRC would have done with a 26" barrel, and for true apples to apples, a 24" on the 6.8 Western. I'm currently getting 2930 out of my Ruger American (also 24") with the 175gr ELD-X and H1000. That's a bit slow for the cartridge's capability, but, I think I just have a slow barrel. I say that because H4831 and Ramshot LRT couldn't get the 175gr above 2875, even at max loads. The reason I haven't pushed the H1000 load harder is because I just don't care to right now. It shoots cloverleaves, and there's not a single animal in my woods that a 175gr bullet at 2900+ fps cant take out. I also have a fantastic load with the 195gr Berger EOL over Retumbo. Another cloverleaf round, but, it's only at 2830. I would like to speed that one up, I just don't have the barrel for it.
I agree with you why Hornady doesn’t support the 6.8 western. If the 6.8 western had the same support as the 7prc it would be just as good or better. Those 165 grain ABLR Bullets are 🔥!!
Very curious about your primer choice. Seeing velocities well below expected forces me to wonder if you are getting optimal burn rate. Also an apples to apples comparison for me would be showing how both calibers perform within their optimal configurations- Heavy for caliber bullets. You aren't going out choosing a 7 PRC over a Western to shoot light projectiles.
CCI 250 Magnum primer. When I compare two different calibers, I like to use bullets that have the same b.c. and sectional density. My rifle would shoot a 190 gr or 195 gr at very slow velocities.
@@ReloadingWeatherby Up the primer. As a general rule CCI warm, federal hot, Win hotter. I appreciate the testing of similar bullet weights but it's not really representing the PRC for what it is. Still quite interesting to see the results though! Cheers.
I have a Browning hells canyon speed in 6.8 Western- love the gun & caliber We all know Hornady have a hugh marketing machine and are doing their best to block the 6.8 Western But I think people & other gun manufacturers are slowly getting onto the benefits of the 6.8 Western I don’t reload so I’ll just keep 500 to 1000 rounds in stock at all times Love the Browning ammo in the 175 g
What kind of velocity do you think a 20” 6.8 western would get? Do you think that the 7prc could even contend with a 22”? Because it’s supposedly very efficient and everyone it seems is pushing the shorter barrels on the prcs
Go check out Rogue Summit hunter channel. He has a 20 inch 6.8 Western. I think he was getting almost 2800 FPS with a 165 gr. I do think I have a slow barrel on the 7mm PRC
Staball HD is not a a consistent powder with my findings. I bought a few jugs when it first released. For my 6.5prc and 6.5 saum. I found producing way slower velocities compared to H1000 and VVN565.
@@OutsidetheEchochamberyou saying he doing all these test for a click bait scenario ? I have a 7prc barrel coming to spin on my impact action. I went with a benchmark barrel. Im gonna see how it does. I am not really a 7mm fan. I do have a custom 280AI. For a light cartridge I run. 6.5saum and a magnum 30cal for a heavy hitter.
@@dennissheehan7930 it’s been well documented that the Hornady factory ammo has been getting lower than advertised velocities, some have ran with it as a 7 prc problem, it isn’t. Federal factory ammunition is getting advertised velocities and so is any decent hand loader.
@@ReloadingWeatherby cartridge dimensions don’t lie. There’s no way it could outperform ,with a 24in barrel, a 7rem mag. I’d still like to see what a broken in 7prc with a 26in barrel can do…
@@ReloadingWeatherbyNot sure what the 7 PRC owners were expecting that they aren't getting but for me shooting Barnes 168 LRX's @3006 in a 22 inch barrel with consistent 5's has me completely satisfied. RL 26 66.5 3.28 col. 12 ES 5 SD. Maybe I just got lucky? Good video, keep em coming!
As a SAUM guy, I think the 7PRC is great, it's a long action short mag! With the bonus of factory support and OTC rifles! But that's what it is. It's an improved short mag. It's an improved 280 Improved. Anyone who thought it was magically more than that, yeah I feel bad for them.
@@ReloadingWeatherbynah man… you aren’t doctoring anything… I think your powder choice for your 7PRC is sub-optimal. There is way more performance left on the table. Waay too soon to draw any conclusions on that cartridge, you are just getting started man. Be patient and do not give up. Last year my buddy picked up a copy of the quickload software and we have been using it to aid in the trial selection of powders for load development. It is an invaluable tool for short listing what powders are viable and worth trying… and it saves money because you inevitably waste less money on powder trials that do not pan out. Cheers!
To be fair to the PRC, maybe the case works better with a different powder. But the PRC is getting lit up online now by many and they are all finding that Hornady lied about the velocity on the boxes and maybe what the PRC can do. Backfire did a video on this as well.
I had a Mossberg Predator in 6.5 PRC.....velocity was way under what it should have been (think 6.5x55 swede velocity) and the best group I ever got was just under 1.5" Upgraded to a Tikka, and wow.
First, you do a great job with your videos. I have both calibers in x-bolt rifles. Both shoot sub moa with most ammo. I don’t have a chronograph so can’t report on velocity but accuracy in browning rifles is in my mind very good for hunting and some long range shooting. I have taken both rifles out to 500 yds and wouldn’t hesitate to take the shot on an animal!
I bet if you tried between half a grain and 1 grain less than max in the prc your group would really tighten up. Iv always found if max doesnt work back it off a bit and you find a node. Personally i think the substantial explosion of max load caused excessive vibrations in the barrel. Not that im a 7 prc lover, im not. Opposite actually but i bet if you werent going for max velocity (which rarely yields best accuracy) you would find good accuracy. The ablr is a good bullet. But as you said sometimes they are touchy about their ojive to the lands. Usually they like bring loaded close to the lands.
Awesome video! Thanks for the continued great content. I'm very curious in your friends 30-06 load as I am about to try a load with the same 190ablr and 4831sc. Can i ask what charge weight he was able to achieve that velocity? Also i only have large rifle magnum on hand not standard large rifle. Will that have an adverse effect on accuracy? Thanks in advance
I have been wanting a 6.8 for quite some time now. Especially since i do not own anything in the 277 caliber. I will pick this cartridge over any hyped up PRC any day lol
I agree Staball HD is not a great powder. None of my rifles have liked it. With that being said I've test H1000 with the 180 gr ELD-M, accuracy was better but a max load of H1000 only got me 2802 FPS.
@@ReloadingWeatherby did you try the 175s with it? I was getting 3050 at max load with a 24in barrel. I will tell you the accuracy was better on the ELD-X at 2950ish though.
@@jerryhall1541 My most accurate load with the 175 ELD-X is with H4831SC. Im getting 2780 FPS... I'm not trying to break any velocity records. I just want the gun to shoot good groups. I need to test 175 ELD-X and 180 ELD-M with H1000 more.
I thought i would return to this comment section after watching handloader tv on youtube. He has newly built rifle from Yavapai gunsmith college. Hes getting some awesome velocities and groups.Its called 7mm PRC range day. There are some large grain weight projectiles including a 197 grain Sierra hpbt averaging 2935 ft per. second. Lots of 180 &185 grain loads as well. Lots of 3000 to mid 2900s in this range trips.Hes using a lot of reloader powders and getting great groups and velocities.His results start at the 22min mark if you dont want to watch the whole v ideo.
I shoot 168 grain AccuBond LR bullets with Retumbo powder in my 28 Nosler all day long. No way is it too light for 7mm PRC. I shoot 170 grain bullets of various make and powder flavors in my 6.8 Western. Still developing loads for it to determine what bullet it likes best for mulies, elk, and pronghorns. So far, so good.
I considered getting a barrel done in 6.8 Western last year for my custom rifle but little to no industry support kinda makes it DOA IMO. I don’t blame Hornady for killing the cartridge. There just wasn’t any support and clear messaging from Winchester/Browning. Everyone is so focused on the “Western” Hunter but there are plenty of states out East that don’t allow elk hunting with smaller than 27 caliber. All of the 6.5’s are illegal to hunt elk with and this should’ve been a part of their marketing for the “all around and modern short action magnum” that they refined from the 270 WSM. There a lot to love on paper but until ADG, Peterson, Alpha, and/or Lapua start making factory brass for the 6.8 western and component bullets, primers, are regularly available I don’t see the point of introducing it when they did. The 7 PRC is great but a lot of the problem is that the initial loading numbers were all measured with Reloader 26 for the SAAMI tests. A lot depends on the Lot numbers… I don’t think people need to chase velocity over accuracy though. I don’t think that the PRC is disappointing but I think there’s a problem with magnum cartridges in many of these cheap guns IMO. I’ve see a lot of mid range and higher end factory guns shooting great with most factory ammo but it seems to be all over the place with cheap guns. The biggest benefit of the 7 PRC is widespread adoption in factory support. Ammo, rifles, components for reloaders, and 7mm only being second to 30 caliber in the number of options available are huge benefits. Again, regarding velocity, it is what it is but if accuracy remains a problem I’d say scrap the existing gun for a new barrel at this point. It seems to be all over the place with lost ammo that you’ve shot or made.
6.8 is the best yet most underrated group of rounds, most 6.8 rounds from classic .270 win. all the way to the new 6.8x51 all of them are pretty stellar rounds.
I just placed an order for a second one after how well my 20" X-Bolt has performed. I'm more or less getting half inch groups with 2,850ish fps out of such a short barrel.
@@Tyanmax99 that velocity is great out of a 20inch barrel I have the 26" hells canyon long range barrel way to long for my taste was considering cutting 4-6" off. Have not chronograph mine yet will do on my next outing.
@@OutdoorBoys.308 I would say if you decide to cut it, cut it down to 22" inches. That's still short enough that using a suppressor doesn't become too unwieldy plus you'll gain a little more fps. Also, if you haven't yet, try Magpro. Seems the Browning barrels like it.
Interesting video. Thanks I don't know what to say about the results, other than "Interesting ". I just bought a 6.5wby rpm, and nearest my calculations, it has around the same case capacity as the 7prc. I wish wby would release all the calibers in that case, because that 6 lug action is pure awesomeness.
Here are the numbers when you compare factory ammo against each other. My 7mm PRC with the Hornady Precision Hunter ammo 175 ELD-X at 2852 FPS 6.8 Western with the Winchester 165 gr ABLR at 3062 FPS The 6.8 Western beats the 7mm PRC out to 750 yards. At 1000 yards the 6.8 is still flatter but has 20 ft.lbs of less energy and almost identical wind drift.
First the Mossberg is a much cheaper rifle than the Fierce. Federal 7 PRC ammo is getting advertised velocity or quite close to it - according to some other vids using Garmin Xero chronos. Hornady alleges they switched powders and that's why 7 PRC 175 Eld-X and other loads are 150-175 FPS slower than what's printed on the box. While I think that's shady, Federal 7 PRC ammo is getting as advertised, and other handloaders are claiming much faster velocities than what you are getting. I think 6.8 Western is a great round, but it just doesn't have the support or popularity behind it.
Isn't it pretty well known at this point that Hornady was pulling the wool over everyones eyes with the advertised velocities of the 7mm "PRC"? I thought they addressed it and more or less said they're getting those velocitys in perfect conditions in a custom rifle.
😃👍Another Excellent Video Austin! So, What We Learned is That The Short/Fat Cartridges That May Survive Are the 300 wsm, 6.5 prc, and the Verdict is Still Out on the 277 Sig Furry? 🤷♂ Would I Really Prefer Any Of Them (7mm prc, 300 prc, 6.8 Western, 270 wsm, etc...) To Their Standard Length Counterparts For Hunting, With Less Factory Ammunition Options and One Less Round in the Chamber Than Their Non-Magnum Counterparts and Less Available Rifle Choices? 🙄NOPE! 😜
I wish a competitor to hornady would start making 6.8 western and market it as a 7prc killer because as of what we are seeing now it is. Hornady has been dominating the cartridge world for a while and and I think they messed up with the 7prc at least with the factory ammo. They have the marketing but unless they fix the numbers I think we will be seeing a lot of used 7prc rifles in the next few years. Point being I think this is a great time for the 6.8 western to make a comeback
@@TL12352 if it wasn't released at the hight of the China flue when people were not able to go to stores maybe it would have done better. Point is that it is better out of the box from factory.
This is just my $.02 but I think I’d unload that 7PRC and find another example. If that thing isn’t going to give you any advantage over a 7RM, or even the 7-08, it’s time to get rid of it and find a better specimen. Years ago when I reloaded for my 7RM I was able to do much better with 175’s and 4831SC. If the 7PRC can’t do any better than that across the board, it’ll never overtake the 7RM, I don’t care how many 180’s you stuff down its throat. Just not enough juice for the squeeze IMHO. YMMV.
I never even tried staball HD just from what I seen it works but not as good as a lot of the other powders. Gotta use what ya got but I'm getting 2900 with N560,RL23 an RL26 with a 18 inch 7 an 162s. I'm going to try the Federal Eldx ammo this week. The 155 terminal ascents averaged 3000fps from 18 inch gun. I'd say probably good ol alliant powder in it. Hate that the accubonds didn't do that well I may hold off on buy them now lol. Great video as always. I'm a 30 caliber fan boy first 7 I've had to reloaded for. I debated on 6.8 but components don't seem to be as available as they were when they first came out. Always appreciate your time an money you spend on these videos not cheap by far anymore
