Best 7mm PRC Ammo: Hunting and Long-Distance Target Shooting

By Wes Littlefield

Last Updated: Dec 29, 2025

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Wes Littlefield

Guns have fascinated Wes since pulling the trigger on his BB gun as a kid. He built a private gun range over a decade ago to keep his skills sharp. He loves breaking down complex ideas into understandable pieces for readers, with expertise in hunting and all aspects of shooting.

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Whether you’re looking to ring steel or drop a trophy bull elk at long range, the 7mm PRC is an excellent choice, but you need ammo that performs.

That’s why I gathered the best 7mm PRC ammo in one easy-to-read article. You’ll know the best factory ammo for your intended application by the end!

Top Three 7mm PRC Ammo Picks

1. Federal Premium 175 Grain ELD-X
2. Barnes VOR-TX LR 160 Grain LRX
3. Hornady Match 180 Grain ELD Match

Recommended 7mm PRC Ammo

Federal Premium 175 Grain ELD-X - Best Overall

Federal 7mm PRC Ammo - 20 Rounds of 170 Grain Terminal Ascent Ammunition

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Specs

• Bullet Type: Extremely Low Drag - eXpanding (ELD-X)
• Bullet Weight: 175 Grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 3,000 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 3,497 ft-lbs
• Case: Brass

Pros

• Trusted brand
• Designed for long-range hunting
• Hard-hitting
• Accurate
• Reliable

Cons

• Expensive
• Low availability

Why I Chose It

Federal Premium has been trusted for decades, and continues performing well in the field and at the range. There’s no reason to doubt that Federal 175 grain ELD-X ammo will live up to the standard set by this renowned ammo company.

Federal loaded the highest quality components designed for long-range hunting when crafting these rounds. Borrowing the Hornady ELD-X means long-distance hunters can rely on consistently accurate, hard-hitting shots.

According to Federal, the projectile blows out of the barrel at 3,000 fps (results from customers using a 20–22 inch barrel are slightly less), generating 3,497 ft-lbs of muzzle energy and maintaining superior energy downrange. The ELD-X bullet design allows for excellent energy transfer and can easily drop North American large game.

The bullet design also aids in accuracy, easily getting sub-MOA groups. One of the biggest things while hunting is having confidence in your equipment. With these rounds, you know the projectile will hit where you’re aiming (assuming you’ve got the requisite marksmanship).

The biggest drawback is the price (and 7mm PRC ammo is already expensive). While these rounds are not the most expensive, they are more expensive than many other options. Another downside is limited availability. It can be difficult to find, especially during hunting season. When it’s unavailable, I recommend using Federal 170 grain Terminal Ascent for similar quality and results.

Despite its slightly higher price tag, Federal 175 grain ELD-X 7mm PRC ammo is the best overall because you get long-range accuracy, dependability, and all-around solid ammunition.

Barnes VOR-TX Long-Range 160 Grain LRX - Best 7mm PRC Ammo for Hunting

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Specs

• Bullet Type: Long-Range X (LRX)
• Bullet Weight: 160 Grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 3,050 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 3,185 ft-lbs
• Case: Brass

Pros

• Trusted brand
• Designed for long-distance hunting
• Accurate
• Reliable

Cons

• Expensive

Why I Chose It

Barnes is an ammo company known for incredible accuracy and consistency. Their factory loads give you genuine confidence in the field.

The LRX is an all-copper bullet based on the popular Tipped Triple-Shock X (TTSX) and, like it, provides a high ballistic coefficient (BC) for improved downrange performance thanks in part to the polymer tip.

These projectiles are known to be some of the most accurate on the market. You can trust they’ll hit where you’re aiming. Since Barnes uses high-quality components, you can also trust that the primer will ignite when you pull the trigger.

The downside is the price. This ammo is slightly more expensive than Federal 175 grain ELD-X, so it was edged out for the top spot.

Barnes VOR-TX LR 160 grain LRX ammunition is still the best hunting ammo for accuracy and consistency in the field. Don’t hesitate to grab a few boxes for hunting season!

If you want the best ammunition deals online, don’t hesitate to sign up for the Ammo.com BULLETin to receive a heads-up on sales and what we have in stock!

Hornady Match 180 Grain ELD Match - Best 7mm PRC Ammo for Target Shooting

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Specs

• Bullet Type: Extremely Low Drag Match (ELD-M)
• Bullet Weight: 180 Grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,975 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 3,439 ft-lbs
• Case: Brass

Pros

• Trusted brand
• Hornady is the creator of the 7mm PRC
• Designed for shooting competitions
• Reliable
• Accurate

Cons

• Not as precise as handloads

Why I Chose It

Hornady is one of America’s greatest ammunition manufacturers. That’s largely due to their innovative components, such as the Heat Shield polymer tip, which resists deformation under aerodynamic friction to ensure it always preserves its low-drag meplat. The AMP jacket ensures consistent wall thickness and minimal variation from bullet to bullet, ensuring consistent shots.

It also helps that Hornady developed the 7mm PRC cartridge, and it is the Official ammunition of the Precision Rifle Series. They have some of the best loads on the market since they have the inside scoop.

Hornady ELD Match was designed for – you guessed it – shooting matches. If you’re looking for an affordable way to dip your toes into the competition scene, these rounds are a great start. They’re not as accurate as handloads, but that rings true for all factory ammo (except for poorly made handloads, of course).

If you’re looking to grab a box or two of factory ammo for shooting matches, these rounds will be your best bet!

Hornady Outfitter 160 Grain CX - Honorable Mention

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Specs

• Bullet Type: Copper alloy eXpanding (CX)
• Bullet Weight: 160 Grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 3,000 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 3,197 ft-lbs
• Case: Nickel-Plated Brass

Pros

• Trusted brand
• High-quality materials
• Reliable

Cons

• Expensive

Why I Chose It

Big game hunters have trusted Hornady to get the job done in the harshest of conditions over the decades. Outfitter series ammunition, which features corrosion-resistant nickel-plated brass cases and sealed primers, is the Nebraska company’s most rugged to date.

These rounds are great if you hunt in an area where lead projectiles are restricted, and want a (slightly) less expensive alternative to Barnes VOR-TX 160 grain LRX. It has solid terminal performance downrange and is capable of taking any big game in North America thanks to the CX bullets. CX bullets are made of copper and designed to expand while offering high weight retention and deep penetration.

If you’re looking for solid big game hunting ammo, Hornady Outfitter 160 grain CX ammo is a great choice.

How to Choose 7mm PRC Ammo

Choosing the perfect 7mm PRC ammunition requires consideration of budget, shooting application, ballistics, firearm, barrel twist, and recoil. Your rifle will like some rounds more than others, so don't be afraid to test a few variations before settling.

Hunting

Like the 300 Win Mag, 375 Ruger, 7mm Magnum (7mm Remington Magnum / Rem Mag), and a few other 7mm cartridges, the 7mm PRC was designed as a long-range hunting cartridge.

Capable of taking down most big game, the 7mm PRC is primarily used in Western states where long-range shots are common.

Terminal performance matters most for hunters. A quick, ethical kill is what we all want. If you’re deer hunting, the lighter bullets will be best. But if you plan to hunt big game in the Western states, stepping up to some heavier projectiles might be needed to get the maximum benefits of such high BC bullets.

Target Shooting

Due to the high price of ammo, I don’t recommend plinking with the 7mm PRC. This ammo is expensive.

But when you’re target shooting to sight-in your rifle for your hunt, you should always use the same ammo you will use in the field.

If you’re just itching to get to the range, Hornady Precision Hunter loads are some of the least expensive, even though they’re not designed for target shooting.

Long-Distance Competition Shooting

Reloading and using handloads will be the best option for shooting matches because you can fine-tune the round to perform flawlessly in your rifle.

You’ll need every advantage you can get, which means opting for some more expensive rounds, like Nosler 175 grain AccuBond, Gunwerks 180 grain Berger Hybrid, or Weatherby Select Plus 150 grain Swift Scirocco II.

As you’ll see, there aren’t nearly as many options for the 7mm PRC as for more popular long-distance shooting cartridges like the 6.5 Creedmoor – another reason to handload your match ammo.

Parting Shots: Best 7mm PRC Ammo

Now that you know what the best 7mm PRC ammo for each situation is, it’s time to grab a few boxes and test out which one works best with your rifle.

I recommend starting with Federal Premium 175 grain ELD-X, though Barnes VOR-TX LR 160 grain LRX is the better hunting cartridge.

Be sure to peruse Ammo.com’s extensive selection of ammunition. We have unbeatable customer service, speedy shipping, and excellent prices!

Written by

Wes Littlefield