7MM Rem Mag vs 6.5PRC in a 22" barrel

[silverbullet555]

I am bouncing around between the 2 cartridges for a semi-custom hunting rifle based on a Tikka action.

We hunt the mountains of Idaho so weight is a consideration.
I hunt suppressed and my suppressor is 9" long hence the desire for a shorter barrel.
I don't see myself taking shots past 600 yards, but want a rifle capable beyond that.

I'm a "there's no replacement for displacement" fellow and am working on changing my mindset on bullets and V-8 engines.

I'm not looking outside these two cartridges though I know there are tons of good alternatives.

I can roll my own, but love the fact that Hornady sells eld-X ammo that shoots pretty darn well.

I'm not sure what my question is, mostly just looking for thoughts on that choice.

 

[dogz]

both will do the job just fine, the 7 RM ammo will naturally be easier to find if one isn't being overly proactive

 

[Quintus]

7 em em. Endless brass options. Endless bullet options. Endless factory ammo options. Same light bullet flexibility with far more heavy bullet versatility than the 6.5 PRC. The powder column is a little longer, but the big 7 will do fine in a 22.

 

[silverbullet555]

7 em em. Endless brass options. Endless bullet options. Endless factory ammo options. Same light bullet flexibility with far more heavy bullet versatility than the 6.5 PRC. The powder column is a little longer, but the big 7 will do fine in a 22.

That's kind of why the 7RM is even in the picture. The potential to upsize if needed and the opportunity to downsize if needed. I don't pretend to have the intimate knowledge on how effective uploading and downloading is, but in my mind it makes sense.

 

[Quintus]

The 120 TSX in the 7mag makes a fantastic deer/antelope load to 500 yards.

 

[DJ Fergus]

I've got three 7mm rem mags. I'm very fond of the 7mm rem mag. I've got a 6.5 prc in the works.

 

[silverbullet555]

I've got three 7mm rem mags. I'm very fond of the 7mm rem mag. I've got a 6.5 prc in the works.

Something tells me I will likely end up with both in due time.

I took my elk last year with a 6.5CM but would like something with a little more punch. That creed also took antelope and mule deer last year.

 

[Quintus]

I hunted with the 6.5PRC last year and it is a fine option with the available bullets. a .264 140 partition at 3050 is a masher...so is 160 .284.

 

[6.5-300 BEE]

If you're building from scratch, I'd pick one of the newer non belted magnums. That said, if I wanted a 7mm Remmag, I just buy one of the zillions 700s out there after borescoping it. Shorten the bbl, thread it up and go hunting. Last year I messed about with one of the original 700s w/a stainless factory bbl. Put it in a Boyd's bargain bin stock and put the fixed 10X Bushnell I had laying around on it. Loaded it up with Barnes 145 LRX BT over 65 RL22. Did 3000 fps and dropped 3 in 3/4". Would kill any elk that walks. Had about $700 in it and sold it on to a novice hunter.

So why did I sell it ? Have this:

 

[silverbullet555]

If you're building from scratch, I'd pick one of the newer non belted magnums. That said, if I wanted a 7mm Remmag, I just buy one of the zillions 700s out there after borescoping it. Shorten the bbl, thread it up and go hunting. Last year I messed about with one of the original 700s w/a stainless factory bbl. Put it in a Boyd's bargain bin stock and put the fixed 10X Bushnell I had laying around on it. Loaded it up with Barnes 145 LRX BT over 65 RL22. Did 3000 fps and dropped 3 in 3/4". Would kill any elk that walks. Had about $700 in it and sold it on to a novice hunter.

Left handed with a barrel thick enough to thread properly are not all that easy to find unfortunately.

I do appreciate your thoughts on non-belted magnums though.

 

[montana west]

a 7mm mage remington is one of the best long rang hunting rifles ever built.. only in a 24" to 26 bbl. in a 22 you have a 280 rem at best. I am a 6.5 man been that for 50 years, but the 7mm rem is a better rifle for big game and it is not even close..

 

[Backcountry sports]

I am bouncing around between the 2 cartridges for a semi-custom hunting rifle based on a Tikka action.

We hunt the mountains of Idaho so weight is a consideration.
I hunt suppressed and my suppressor is 9" long hence the desire for a shorter barrel.
I don't see myself taking shots past 600 yards, but want a rifle capable beyond that.

I'm a "there's no replacement for displacement" fellow and am working on changing my mindset on bullets and V-8 engines.

I'm not looking outside these two cartridges though I know there are tons of good alternatives.

I can roll my own, but love the fact that Hornady sells eld-X ammo that shoots pretty darn well.

I'm not sure what my question is, mostly just looking for thoughts on that choice.

I use a cooper 7mm model 92 5/34 lbs 24 inch and its threaded with scope couple of ounces over 7lbs 800 or more yes is fine 600 a breeze

 

[sammartin7]

My suppressed 22" 7mm rem mag was doing 3035fps with a 162 Amax and H1000. I now run the 180eld-m @ 2917fps with RL-26. Hand loads but more than capable to 600.

 

[Truc]

I have a similar cartridge to the 6.5 PRC, it's a 6.5 Rem Mag. I had it built on a model 7 with a 23" barrel. If you're going short, reload with faster powders. I use IMR4350, nice mild load but deadly on WT with the 125 partition at over 3000fps.