7 PRC help. Loads

[NW NM hunter]

My seekins 7prc loves the 162hht, running between 3130 and 3160 with n560. The 141hbc also showed promise but I found a load first with the 162 that was 0.5 or less consistently. But i run adg brass not sure how the hornady brass would compare. I do also use a lee crimp just under a 1/4 turn.

 

[shooters]

My seekins 7prc loves the 162hht, running between 3130 and 3160 with n560. The 141hbc also showed promise but I found a load first with the 162 that was 0.5 or less consistently. But i run adg brass not sure how the hornady brass would compare. I do also use a lee crimp just under a 1/4 turn.

Thanks. I almost always run ADG brass as well, but usually when I'm working up a load I start with the cheap brass and once I find something that's somewhat consistent or promising, I switch over to ADG and usually only have to do a tad bit of case volume modification and run the busing dies and mandrel and call it good.

 

[highfinblue]

Fed 215M's, N565, and Berger Elite Hunters seated .020" under is just what mine loves. Tried several different powder, bullet options, but as soon as I started feeding it the N565 and Bergers it is amazing. My son and I shot four deer and a coyote last season, and all were dead before they hit the ground.

 

[WWG55]

New 7 PRC.
1:8
22"
Has 108 rounds down the tube. Broke in properly (which I don't believe in anyhow)

Hornady Brass
Tried Fed 215M, Fed 210M and REM 9 1/2 out of each load.
I've only shot Barnes 145 LRX out of it.
I've tried all three primers above.
Seated bullets into the lands and all the way in having a huge jump.
Tried Norma 217 from min to max
Tried H1000 min to max
Tried N560 min to max.
No matter the configuration of primers, powder charge, powder type, or seating depth, the thing does not change. It holds about 1.25 -1.50" group at 100 yards.

I have not tried any other bullets. I was kind of dead set on the 145 LRX.
I've never had luck with Barnes bullets out of any rifle I've ever built or factory. I do have 160 LRX to try as well. So now I'm not sure if I just need to give up on the Barnes and stick with the ELDX or ELDM's. I could always try Hammers, Maguire, Cutting Edge, other coppers, etc. But I really wanted to try and stick with the Barnes for price and easy to find.

Is there anything else I should try here or just give up on the Barnes for good?

I had good luck with Berger 180 and N560. Several other bullet and powder combos did quite well https://www.mossyoak.com/our-obsession/blogs/how-to/loading-for-the-7mm-prc

 

[daddaman]

Thanks. I almost always run ADG brass as well, but usually when I'm working up a load I start with the cheap brass and once I find something that's somewhat consistent or promising, I switch over to ADG and usually only have to do a tad bit of case volume modification and run the busing dies and mandrel and call it good.

I would try your ADG brass and a heavier LRX if you really want to shoot a Barnes, the light one could be your issue. I was a Barnes fan for 25 years but changed last year to the Berger Hybrids based on recomendation from James Eagleman at Barbourcreek. He recommended the Hybrid over VLD or EH so I could hunt Elk without changing bullets. The 180 Hybtids run faster than the VLD or EH out of my 28 Nosler. Just finishing up a new build and getting 3350-3370 with 86.5 gr of N570 with Peterson Brass and GM215M. Runs slightly faster with 87.0 and no pressure signs just not as accurate.

 

[Carlos88]

Try shooting the rifle with a dirty barrel. At least 10 shots then keep shooting for groups. I nearly pulled out most of my hair trying to get a .260 Rem Mountain Rifle to shoot. Changed everything in varying combinations. Bullets, primers, brass, OAL, you name it (even standing on my head and spitting wood nickels).

Went to the range with a buddy, took the .260 and a couple of others to shoot. I was determined to smoke the barrel with the final batch of bullets. I think I had a couple of different batches. Anyhoo, I started shooting, same size groups so I kept shooting. Got to around shot 8 and noticed the 8th shot had taken a left turn on gone back into the first 3. Like right on top of the first shot. I stopped shooting, let the barrel cool and shot the 10th and it was right next to the 9th.

Turns out the rifle would not shoot anything until 8-10 shots were sent down range. It would shoot <1.00" for the next 45-50 shots then a flyer would appear, then another and I knew it was time to clean it, shoot 8-10 then shoot for groups. It was maddening. I could've rebarreled it but it was so predictable that I decided to leave it as is. Still have the rifle after Dad got his hands on it.

I cleaned the barrel real well, then gave it to him along with 50 cartridges loaded with 120gr TSXs.

We ended up with the same amount of hair left.........

 

[quandary]

My 7PRC hates H1000. 4831SC works with it. It also shoots 160LRX ok. Likes the 175 Bergers EHs best. 175 ELDXs are ok as well.

Out of curiosity what barrel are you running?

 

[JKB57]

try H1000 and 175gr ELD-X after you clean your barrel good and get the copper fouling out,seekins rifle are designed for longer heavier bullets

 

[Hard Head]

New 7 PRC.
1:8
22"
Has 108 rounds down the tube. Broke in properly (which I don't believe in anyhow)

Hornady Brass
Tried Fed 215M, Fed 210M and REM 9 1/2 out of each load.
I've only shot Barnes 145 LRX out of it.
I've tried all three primers above.
Seated bullets into the lands and all the way in having a huge jump.
Tried Norma 217 from min to max
Tried H1000 min to max
Tried N560 min to max.
No matter the configuration of primers, powder charge, powder type, or seating depth, the thing does not change. It holds about 1.25 -1.50" group at 100 yards.

I have not tried any other bullets. I was kind of dead set on the 145 LRX.
I've never had luck with Barnes bullets out of any rifle I've ever built or factory. I do have 160 LRX to try as well. So now I'm not sure if I just need to give up on the Barnes and stick with the ELDX or ELDM's. I could always try Hammers, Maguire, Cutting Edge, other coppers, etc. But I really wanted to try and stick with the Barnes for price and easy to find.

Is there anything else I should try here or just give up on the Barnes for good?

Have not tried your bullet. The reason I have a 7prc is I love long range shooting,nothing but 180 and 190 go down the bore,I use cci250's ,used fed 215 and found there was a difference in 55 fps and cci was 1/2 " groups while the fed was 1",now these were the old style 215 before the sell out. Tried all different seating depths and have found that the 180 ELD Match loves just touching the lands at 3.445". Granted the 7 rem are a lot alike but the prc was designed for heavy for cal. long range shooting. I use Peterson Brass,hate Hornady brass used it in my Lapua and was junk,never again. My powder is STABALL HD,70.5 gives me 2950 with a sd of 5fps + or- a few that was with a 10 shot string into .625". You might try playing with the torque on your action screws, start at 45" # and work up to about 55 at 5 # increments.or tru something around 165 in weight. The reason I hate Hornady Brass is the neck tension goes down the tube real fast causing different bullet pull and velocity which means accracy,keep playing ,you'll find it! Pete

 

[Okanogan]

I can get Hornady 160 CX to shoot 1/2 MOA with my Seekins and a friend at the range has had the same success with them out of his Ruger American. We're both using LR primers. I'm using RL26 and he is using RL23. A large jump up 0.100"+ seems to work with that bullet.

 

[shooters]

To answer some of the questions. I've tried in the lands and way way out.
Clean barrel and a barrel with 30-40 rounds down the tube (dirty). Still no grouping with the Barnes. I do have some 160 LRX to try now.
Again, the ELDX and ELDM shoot great. Everything else I own I shoots Berger 215/230/156/245 etc. All shoot exceptional in all my guns and all with Vit powder.

I'd imagine I could get this 7 to shoot if I went away from the Barnes. Will order Hammer HHT's today. Still want to try the 160 Barnes now.

As for the barrel, it's a Proof. All my other builds have Bartlein Carbons that shoot phenomenal. I'm guessing it's not the Proof since this 7 shoots the ELDX and ELDMS great.

Thanks for the help. I'll take all the info into consideration and give it a try this week.

 

[cajun]

I would stick with what it likes. I would take any of those over any copper bullet. Not a fan.

 

[djacobs629]

I would give the 160 LRX a good look. It straight up shoots in mine and my buddies 7 PRC's. Sub 1/2"

 

[shooters]

I might have to try the 160's. Hammer recommends the 152 HBC. But dang. Almost $200 for 100 bullets shipped. That's prob more than I care to spend.