Are new calibers 7mmPRC,300PRC,the WSMs practical,realistic option for hunting??

Funny thing about the introduction of new cartridges, especially 6.5CM, 6CM, and all 3 PRC cartridges.......most of the debate centres around...."why do we need another cartridge" what can the 6.5 Creedmoor do the 260 can't, what can the 6.5 PRC do the 264 win mag can't, what can the 7 PRC do the 7 REM Mag can't.......why the phuck do we need a 300 PRC when we have the 300 win mag, 300 Wby 30 Nosler,300 RUM, for the most part we don't for practical hunting distances hell all we need is a 270 win and a 30-06 nothing else is really needed if you want to use that mindset,

But the one thing you can't take away from the new cartridges is tighter chamber tolerances, sensible design and no unnecessary belt on the Magnum based cartridges, factory ammo thats crazy accurate and for the most part very well supported with aftermarket components, I was in Cabelas today and lots of Creedmoor and PRC ammo available, stopped into Canadian Tire same thing.

when your 7mm PRC can do this consistently at 100 yards with factory Hornady Precision Hunter 175gr ELDX Im a believer....


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One can argue from the standpoint of practicality all day long, and be spot on.
Another can argue from the standpoint of better design, tighter tolerances, and effective efficiency...and also be spot on.
The truth is, that there is no wrong answer.
Only the individual can determine what is best for them, and how they want to go about achieving their desires and expectations. At the end of the day, if they get what they want and are willing to pay whatever price it takes to achieve their personal goal(s), then all the power to them. In today's current market, it may take a little longer, or cost a little more, to obtain it...but as with most cycles, it will swing back around and you will be able to acquire what you need, whether it be for the short term, or as indicated above by some, for the long term. Patience is the key here vs the need to be instantly gratified.
We are fortunate to have the choice!

While some cartridges may be the latest and greatest, and may soon fade away, there really isn't anything wrong with them. They can be made to shoot accurately, and they will kill game, when the shooter does their part, just as the older designs have done for decades or longer. One can debate the merits of one over another all day long. The truth lies in the one that reliably kills the animal and puts meat in the freezer!

Firearms can be compared to women...where the heart wants what the heart wants...and one will not be happy (or seem to to be happy) until one acquires the object of their desire.
 
From purely a hunting prospective, and thinking along the lines of 'high SD bullets kill better', new chamberings allow shooting very heavy-for-caliber bullets compared to older standard rounds
With proper bullet design, should a 180 .284 kill any differnt than a 180 .308
 
I shoot a 300wsm for Moose hunting. Love it, but in terms of practicality, a 30-06 or 300wm or even 300h&h would be more versatile as far as bullet weight vs performance goes.

For me, I bought the rifle, not the chambering. It was a really sweet deal on a M70 supergrade, plus I like a short action for ease of setting eye relief on the scope - something I sometimes struggle with on long actions.

In terms of performance on game in the PRCs vs traditional chamberings, I doubt it makes any difference at all in any real-world scenario. I think it’s more of a marketing thing. Guns and shooting is a hobby for most of us. Need to find ways to keep us spending our money.
 
boxhitch said:
From purely a hunting prospective, and thinking along the lines of 'high SD bullets kill better', new chamberings allow shooting very heavy-for-caliber bullets compared to older standard rounds
With proper bullet design, should a 180 .284 kill any differnt than a 180 .308
Click to expand...

Heck no. But I'd take it as a chance to move down to 140 and have the same effect as that 308 with the 180. If not even better, because velocity counts too :)
 
Yep, biggest misconception amongst hunters is heavy for caliber always means more effect. Have seen far too many things die cleanly to light for caliber bullets, including allegedly tough things like big grizzlies, to subscribe to that anymore. Like most things in life, the best choice is usually found in the middle ground.

Moderation, and avoiding the skinny parts of the bell curve in decisions generally breeds good results.
 
boxhitch said:
From purely a hunting prospective, and thinking along the lines of 'high SD bullets kill better', new chamberings allow shooting very heavy-for-caliber bullets compared to older standard rounds
With proper bullet design, should a 180 .284 kill any differnt than a 180 .308
Click to expand...

Well Bill some seem to THINK ? More Frontal area [ larger caliber ] will KILL better . ? RJ
 
Ardent said:
Yep, biggest misconception amongst hunters is heavy for caliber always means more effect. Have seen far too many things die cleanly to light for caliber bullets, including allegedly tough things like big grizzlies, to subscribe to that anymore. Like most things in life, the best choice is usually found in the middle ground.

Moderation, and avoiding the skinny parts of the bell curve in decisions generally breeds good results.
Click to expand...


Happy medium :)

Frontal area makes a lot of sense with slow and/or non-expanding bullets. Get some velocity and proper construction going, like you said...When this happens in the vitals, frontal area of the bullet is absolutely not the wounding mechanism until the cavitation gets real skinny again.

I don't think I've ever seen an animal "bleed out". They seem to be full of blood inside much rather than all the blood being out on the ground. Certainly the difference betwee expanded .308 and expanded .338 will be trivial in the amount of blood coming out of the animal vs cause of death.

For blood to come out, hole in hide also has to line up with hole in body, which ain't always the case. But whether blood is leaking inside or outside of the animal, either way, it isn't in the circulatory system providing O2 to the brain anymore, and that's a problem.

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the momentum of a high BC bullet is going to get that nasty job done that a lighter bullet may not be capable of
not all shots a standing broadside pop-the-balloons easy killshot

in regards to the op question, those heavies have a long shank that theory says will out penetrate the same weight in a fatter bullet, when apples to apples
high speed light monos are great, but can still deflect off bones, and when fully expanded just plain slow down
PRCs are not about middle of the road
 
If I was looking for a first gun, wanted a magnum in 7 or 300, it would probably be prc. Probably, in that its still new, ammo probably not available everywhere, and not all new cartridges become successful. I think both will be, in a couple years I'd be sure.

However, my light magnum is no longer the 7rm, my 7 is the 7x57. My light magnum is 300wm. So since I have a 300wm, no real reason to buy a different 300.
 
boxhitch said:
the momentum of a high BC bullet is going to get that nasty job done that a lighter bullet may not be capable of
not all shots a standing broadside pop-the-balloons easy killshot

in regards to the op question, those heavies have a long shank that theory says will out penetrate the same weight in a fatter bullet, when apples to apples
high speed light monos are great, but can still deflect off bones, and when fully expanded just plain slow down
PRCs are not about middle of the road
Click to expand...

Common misconception started in the early days of expanding bullets as they started moving quicker, more lead and SD lead to generally more reliability. The game has changed as bullet construction has advanced dramatically, even in cheap ammo.

As bullet construction has become more consistent and generally better, you’ll usually find better overall effect by choosing mid weight range bullets to find a working balance between velocity and bullet weight. For instance 150s in .308, 140s in 7 mag, 130s in .270.

Like most things, the middle ground is usually best. I’ve guided and personally used a hell of a lot of monos, and have to say I’ve never seen what you mention about rampant bone deflection, even in the lightest of them (110gr .270 for example). The monos actually do better on bone, even the lightest of them.
 
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