You have 0 items in your cart
With the success of the 7mm PRC Cartridge Guide and feedback on our YouTube channel, we expand upon the cartridge guide with another round of testing, this time with monolithic bullets!
First and foremost, this is a guide and should be treated as such. Lot to lot differences in components, ambient temperature differences, and different rifles can yield drastically different results. Do not attempt any of the processes or procedures shown or described in this guide. Assume any reloading data supplied in this guide to be in error. Always consult multiple sources of manufacturer’s ammunition reloading data before reloading your own ammunition. The content in this guide – in its entirety – is for demonstration purposes only.
Bullets:
Case: Hornady
Primer: CCI250
Powders:
Unlike testing done with traditional bullets where we jumped everything 0.030″, some of these monolithics will have a bit more unique starting point that we will go over individually. I spoke with representatives or owners of all of these companies for bullet recommendations in the 7mm PRC. Not only were all of them extremely helpful in picking out bullet weights, but they also provided a recommended jump and with what powders that they have seen the greatest success with.
Each bullet will be tested with 8 different charge weights of 5 different powders. The rifle was cleaned after every 50 rounds (10 foulers and 40 test rounds). Velocity readings were taken with a Garmin Chronograph. Testing began with a barrel with a round count of 250 to ensure no or minimal speed up would incur during testing.
A trend with the tested bullets (and perhaps all monolithic bullets) was that when you were out of the “node”… too low of pressure or too high of pressure… those rounds easily doubled or more the overall group size. I didn’t exclude them from the results as it is worthwhile data to display.
McGuire Ballistics 143gr Copper Rose
When talking with McGuire Ballistics, they recommended 0.020″ to 0.050″ off the lands as a good starting point. I shot for about the middle and ran this test at 0.030″ off.
The 143 Copper Rose is an impressive bullet! It performed phenomenally with H4350, H4831SC, H1000, and N560. This would be a great bullet choice if you are running a very short barrel or need a ton of velocity.
McGuire Ballistics 160gr Copper Rose
I ran the 160 Copper Rose 0.030″ off the lands as well. H4831SC, H1000, Ramshot Grand, take your pick! I am extremely impressed with the performance of this bullet! It’s rare to get a bullet and powder combination that will shoot ladders under an inch, and this did well under an inch…TWICE. On a third powder combo ( H4831SC) they stacked a 5 shot group at 0.263″ with 63.5gr to 65.5gr of powder.
Hornady 160gr CX
Hornady suggested starting at least 0.050″ off the lands and to treat the CX’s jump similar to their other bullets. Since I’ve had great success with their A tips at 0.060″ off, that’s where I ran these.
Retumbo and H1000 performed very well. If you’re running a longer barrel N570 shows a lot of promise as well just know you’ll most likely have a compressed load.
Hammer Bullets 141 HBC
When talking with Hammer Bullets, seating depth was recommended at least 0.020″ off AND to ensure at least two drive bands were in the case neck. I ended up running the 141 HBC 0.075″ off to ensure good contact with two drive bands in the case neck.
WOW! I can see a lot of people overlooking this bullet for a 7mm PRC. Speed kills! The ballistic coefficient is also very close to the 170 HHT. A similar BC with an extra 300fps and less recoil? Sign me up! It’s hard to pick a powder as this bullet produced some of the smallest test ladders of any bullet I have ever tested. Nearly all 5 ladders were sub MOA! Try H4350 and H4831SC, as they both should be extremely forgiving with great speeds.
Hammer Bullets 154 HBC
I ran the 154HBC 0.030″ off, which was just enough to get 2 drive bands in the neck. With a SAAMI chamber, expect to have to jump these bullets 0.060″+. Pick a powder and go! Four of the five tested had ladders sub MOA and if you take out the odd ball in H4831SC, all five ran sub MOA. I think it’s safe to say the HBC line is quite impressive!
Hammer Bullets 170 HHT
I ran the 170HHT 0.030″ off and it did quite well with N565 and N570. Note again that many of these ladders group quite a bit smaller if we were to throw out the lowest and highest charge weights.
Cutting Edge Bullets 160 Lazer Tipped
I ran the 160 Lazer Tipped 0.030″ off the lands. While there are a couple spots you could explore loading this at on the top end, it may be pretty picky if pinpoint accuracy is your goal. With a similar design as the 180Max I think the 160 Lazer would also benefit from being loaded well under pressure.
Cutting Edge Bullets 180 Maximus
I ran the 180 Max 0.030″ off the lands. Between talking with a representative and looking on their website, I somehow missed that Cutting Edge notes: “this projectile prefers slower velocity than usual. Please load down if you are experiencing issues.”
Due to the nature of a pressure ladder test, I wasn’t looking for accuracy but when visible pressure signs occur. If you are looking to run this bullet at top velocity, I believe it has the potential to be a very picky option. Unfortunately I don’t have enough left to do a pressure down ladder test to see where accuracy would increase, but for those wanting to try this bullet, it is more than likely under 2900fps in a 26″ barrel.
Barnes 160 LRX
When talking with a representative at Barnes Bullets, they recommended starting 0.050″ off and increasing jump 0.025″ at a time to achieve desired results. I stuck with 0.050″ off and found quite a few areas worth exploring.
H4831SC is definitely worth a look, but BEWARE! Play it safe with H4831SC as it can be VERY quick to pressure in the 7mm PRC. As a friendly reminder: all components and rifles differ, I wouldn’t recommend loading past 67gr and Barnes load data lists max at 66.2gr. Likewise, I wouldn’t recommend taking H1000 past 69.5gr and Barnes has a published max of 71.1gr.
Barnes 168 LRX
As noted with the 160 LRX, I stuck with Barnes recommended starting point of 0.050″ off lands.
H1000 and H4831SC would be the first two powders I would try with the 168 LRX.
I was quite pleased with the performance of this lineup of bullets! Nearly every one had a combination that should offer a wide, forgiving node. There are definitely a couple bullet and powder combinations that I will be looking into further at a later date.
If you are new to monolithic bullets or are finding yourself wanting to try them in your rifle, start low and work your way up cautiously. They are far less forgiving than a traditional cup and core bullet!
Josh Rittel – Production Manager at TS Customs.
