7mm PRC Recoil Compared to Other Rifle Cartridges
Hornady designed the 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge (PRC) for long-range hunting and target shooting applications. It is intended to fill the gap between the 300 PRC and 6.5 PRC, as well as ballistically outperform well-established cartridges like the 7mm Remington Magnum.
How does 7mm PRC recoil compare to those of several other rifle cartridges? How can you reduce that recoil? And is it a good option for beginners? All these questions and more are answered below.
How Much Recoil Does 7mm PRC Have?
The 7mm PRC has an average recoil energy of approximately 29 ft-lbs. It ranges from 27.4 to 31.3 ft-lbs, depending on several factors which we will discuss below.
The 7mm PRC's recoil is average for a long-range rifle cartridge, although it greatly exceeds the 15 ft-lbs benchmark at which the average shooter starts feeling discomfort. In keeping with Hornady's original goal, the 7mm PRC's recoil successfully bridges the gap between the 6.5 PRC (16 ft-lbs recoil energy) and 300 PRC (39 ft-lbs).
Factors That Influence Recoil for 7mm PRC
"Felt recoil" is subjective. It varies from shooter to shooter, making it an unreliable reflection of how much recoil a cartridge actually generates.
For example, a seasoned shooter would feel that the 308 Win's recoil (17.6 ft-lbs kinetic energy) is manageable. An inexperienced shooter, however, might feel the 243 Winchester (9 ft-lbs) kicks too much. This is why it's typically best for new shooters to start with low-recoil cartridges, such as the .22 LR (0.18 ft-lbs) or 223 Rem/5.56 NATO (5 ft-lbs).
"Free recoil," on the other hand, is objective. This measurement of kinetic energy is determined solely by projectile weight, propellant weight, muzzle velocity, and rifle weight. For example, when a 7mm PRC cartridge with a 65 grain propellant charge fires a 160 grain bullet from a 7.5-pound rifle at a muzzle velocity of 3,000 fps, its free recoil energy equals 27.4 ft-lbs. When we increase bullet weight to 180 grains, lower muzzle velocity to 2,975 fps, and keep everything else the same, free recoil increases to 31.3 ft-lbs.
How 7mm PRC Recoil Compares to Other Cartridges
The 7mm PRC's recoil is middle-of-the-road compared to many other long-range magnum rifle cartridges. Refer to the chart below to compare it to several different standard and magnum rifle cartridges commonly used for hunting and long-distance shooting. This table assumes 8-pound rifles across the board to produce as equal a comparison as possible, which is why figures differ from those listed above.
| Cartridge | Free Recoil Energy |
|---|---|
| 6.5 Creedmoor | 12 ft-lbs |
| 6.5 PRC | 16 ft-lbs |
| 308 Winchester | 17.6 ft-lbs |
| 257 Weatherby Magnum | 19 ft-lbs |
| 450 Bushmaster | 22 ft-lbs |
| 7mm Remington Magnum | 22 ft-lbs |
| 6.8 Western | 23.5 ft-lbs |
| 7mm PRC | 25 ft-lbs |
| 28 Nosler | 28 ft-lbs |
| 300 Win Mag | 31.5 ft-lbs |
| 45-70 Govt | 32 ft-lbs |
| 300 Weatherby Magnum | 33 ft-lbs |
| 338 Lapua Magnum | 37.5 ft-lbs |
| 50 BMG | 83 ft-lbs |
How to Reduce 7mm PRC
The more often you shoot and practice proper technique, the less recoil will affect you. The more you fire the 7mm PRC, the more you'll grow accustomed to the thump against your shoulder. If you still find the 7mm PRC uncomfortable after extensive correct practice, try any or all of the following tips to lower its recoil.
To reduce 7mm PRC recoil, use a heavier rifle, make your existing rifle heavier, or choose ammunition with a lighter bullet and/or lower muzzle velocity. Installing a muzzle brake and replacing the butt pad with a more forgiving one will also reduce recoil to more manageable levels, helping your shoulder feel less fatigue during an extended session at the range.
You'll experience the maximum possible recoil reduction if you combine all of the abovementioned methods. If you still feel that 7mm PRC recoil is too much to handle after trying all those methods, then it's likely time to find a more recoil-friendly long-range cartridge such as the 6.5 Creedmoor.
Final Take: Is 7mm PRC a Good Choice for Recoil-Sensitive Shooters?
The 7mm PRC is not a good choice for recoil-sensitive shooters. When fired from a 7.5-pound rifle, it produces 27 to 31 ft-lbs of energy, roughly double the threshold at which many shooters begin feeling discomfort.
