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

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.

So, I gathered the best 7mm PRC ammo into one easy-to-read article. You’ll know the best factory ammo for your shooting preferences by the end.

Let’s get started!

Top 3 7mm PRC Ammo Picks

1. Federal Premium 175 grain Hornady ELD-X Polymer Tip
2. Barnes VOR-TX Long-Range 160 grain LRX Polymer Tip
3. Hornady Match 180 grain ELD Match Polymer Tip

Recommended 7mm PRC Ammo

Best Overall	Federal Premium 175 grain ELD-X
Best For Hunting	Barnes VOR-TX Long-Range 160 grain LRX
Best For Target Shooting	Hornady Match 180 grain ELD Match
Honorable Mention	Hornady Outfitter 160 grain PRC CX Lead-Free

Federal Premium 175 grain ELD-X - Best Overall

Specs

• Bullet Type: Hornady ELD-X Polymer Tipped
• Bullet Weight: 175 grain
• Muzzle Velocity: 3,000 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 3,497 ft-lbs
• Casing Type: Brass

Pros

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

Cons

• Expensive

Why I Chose It

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

Federal Premium chose to use the highest quality components designed for long-range hunting when crafting these rounds. Borrowing the Hornady ELD-X bullet 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 energy and maintaining that energy downrange. The ELD-X bullet design allows for excellent energy transfer and can take most big game animals worldwide.

The bullet design also aids in ridiculous accuracy, easily getting sub-MOA groups. I think one of the biggest things while hunting is having confidence in your equipment, and with these rounds, you know they’re going to go bang, and the projectile will hit where you’re aiming (assuming you’ve zeroed your rifle with this ammo).

The biggest drawback is the price (7mm PRC ammo is already expensive); while these rounds are not the most expensive, they are more expensive than some of the other options by various manufacturers.

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

Barnes VOR-TX Long-Range 160 grain LRX - Best 7mm PRC Ammo For Hunting

Specs

• Bullet Type: LRX Polymer Tipped
• Bullet Weight: 160 grain
• Muzzle Velocity: 3,050 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 3,185 ft-lbs
• Casing Type: Brass

Pros

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

Cons

• Expensive

Why I Chose It

Barnes Ammunition is an ammo company known for incredible accuracy and consistency. These factory loads don’t vary much, giving you greater confidence in the field because they were intended for long-range hunting.

The LRX bullet (Long-Range X) was based on the crazy popular Tipped Triple-Shock X bullet (TTSX), giving hunters a high ballistic coefficient (BC) for better ballistic performance downrange.

These projectiles are known to be some of the most accurate on the market, which means you can trust they’ll hit where you’re aiming. Since Barnes uses high-quality components, you can trust that the primer will ignite when you pull the trigger and send the bullet blazing out of the barrel.

However, the downside is the price. These rounds are slightly more expensive than the Federal 175 grain ELD-X rounds, so they were edged out for the top spot.

Barnes VOR-TX Long-Range 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!

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

Specs

• Bullet Type: ELD-M Polymer Tipped
• Bullet Weight: 180 grain
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,975 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 3,439 ft-lbs
• Casing Type: Brass

Pros

• Trusted brand
• Creator of the 7mm PRC
• Designed for shooting competitions
• Reliable
• Accurate

Cons

• Not as precise as handloads

Why I Chose It

Since its inception, Hornady ammunition has been the gold standard for factory ammo. It consistently develops innovations, like the Heat Shield tip, to improve its already incredible ammunition. In all my years of shooting, Hornady has remained one of my favorite brands because of its reliability and accuracy.

It also helps that Hornady developed the 7mm PRC cartridge, so they should have some of the best loads on the market since they have the inside scoop.

Hornady Match was designed for, you guessed it, shooting matches, so if you’re looking for an affordable way to dip your toes into the competition scene, these rounds are a great start. However, they’re not as accurate as handloads are, but that rings true for all factory ammo.

Because Hornady uses high-quality materials, you can trust they will go bang whenever needed. Though they’re not as accurate as handloads, they’re still very precise, thanks to the ELD-M bullet.

It’s not surprising that Hornady is one of the best 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge ammo manufacturers since it created the cartridge. So, 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 PRC CX Lead-Free - Honorable Mention

Specs

• Bullet Type: Copper Alloy eXpanding Polymer-Tipped
• Bullet Weight: 160 grain
• Muzzle Velocity: 3,000 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 3,197 ft-lbs
• Casing Type: Nickel-Plated Brass

Pros

• Trusted Brand
• High-quality materials
• Reliable

Cons

• Expensive

Why I Chose It

Since Hornady uses quality components, it’s been known as one of the most reliable ammunition manufacturers for decades. Big game hunters have trusted Hornady on countless hunts to get the job done in the harshest conditions.

These rounds are great if you hunt in an area restricting lead projectiles and need a slightly less expensive alternative to the Barnes VOR-TX 160 grain LRX. It has solid terminal performance downrange, capable of taking any big game animal in North America.

When you pull the trigger, you can be confident it will go off and hit where you were aiming.

While these rounds are less expensive than the Barnes VOR-TX LRX, that’s not saying much because they’re only a few cents per round cheaper, so they’re still pretty pricey.

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 means considering your budget, shooting application, and firearm. Your rifle will like specific rounds more than others, so don’t be afraid to test a few variations before settling. The barrel twist rate will also determine which rounds perform better in your rifle.

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 animals, the 7mm PRC is primarily used in Western states where long-range shots are common.

Terminal performance matters most for hunters, as 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 the high BC bullets.

Target Shooting

Due to the high price of ammo, I don’t recommend plinking with the 7mm PRC, as the ammo is expensive, but when target shooting to sight-in your rifle for your hunt, you should always use the same ammo you will use on the hunt.

However, 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 Bonded.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The team at Ammo.com has gathered and answered some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the best 7mm PRC ammo; please enjoy!

Why Choose The 7mm PRC?

You should choose the 7mm PRC because the longer bullets are incredibly aerodynamic, making it easier to maintain accuracy as the distance from the target increases. It also has plenty of stopping power for big game animals.

Does the 7mm PRC live up to the hype, or is it just another 7mm magnum?

While the 7mm PRC has a ballistic advantage over other 7mm magnums, it hasn’t taken off as Hornady had hoped.

How far will a 7mm PRC shoot accurately?

In the hands of a skilled shooter, the 7mm PRC will accurately shoot a mile and beyond, but most shooters will max out around 600 yards.

Is 7 PRC too big for deer?

No, the 7PRC is not too big for deer, but it will damage more meat than a .270 or 30-06.

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 with a 175 grain bullet (ELD-X), and Barnes VOR-TX Long-Range 160 grain LRX for hunters.

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