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Question Requesting tips for 7mm PRC hunting in CA..

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ID9029

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Good afternoon everyone!

I recently picked up a rifle chambered in 7mm PRC after debates with co workers and friends. It’s a Christensen Arms Evoke Precision 22” 1/8 twist with a Vortex Viper dead hold 6.5-20x50... I was curious about those on the forum that have already been hunting with this caliber in CA.

What lead free ammo do you guys prefer for this twist rate and what experiences have you guys had with this caliber? Any luck last year or this year hunting bucks? Best zone to go for?

I’m also new to hunting and never scouted an area before hunting. Last time I had zone 16 and brought a single shot 308 Henry. Only saw does but had a buck tag.
 

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I shoot a 1:9" twist 280ai. Can't help with information on your PRC but for bullets, the Barnes 139gr 145gr LRX and the Hammer Hunter 143gr have all shot well in my rifle.
 
Trapper said:
I shoot a 1:9" twist 280ai. Can't help with information on your PRC but for bullets, the Barnes 139gr 145gr LRX and the Hammer Hunter 143gr have all shot well in my rifle.
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What brand ammo have you had unfavorable results with?
 
are you handloading? if not Barnes is good. If you are the Hammers are nice, they are a bit odd to load for so check the hammer forum to see what loads other guys are using they need a faster powder than other bullets so the typical load data won't work. I would try to shoot a couple hundred rounds before next hunting season through the rifle and get out to at least 500 or more to work on wind calls. Learning to shoot is probably the most important thing especially with a magnum cartridge like that.
 
RustVendor said:
are you handloading? if not Barnes is good. If you are the Hammers are nice, they are a bit odd to load for so check the hammer forum to see what loads other guys are using they need a faster powder than other bullets so the typical load data won't work.
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No, not yet. I was looking into single press loaders but, haven’t committed to one yet. Seems like Barnes is the way to go.
 
ID9029 said:
No, not yet. I was looking into single press loaders but, haven’t committed to one yet. Seems like Barne
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I made my edit too late you already commented, but I should clarify that you should shoot a bunch but probably not with expensive copper bullets, although nothing is cheap these days
 
Honestly not an easy first hunting rifle. Load selection is still not very good and finding a copper load that shoots well is a crap shoot. I'd buy a single box of every factory copper load I could and test carefully to see what works. I wouldn't be shocked if you don't find one. A light 7prc may be pretty frustrating to start out with...

If you don't find something that shoots - I never say this (and personally shoot a 7prc) I'd cut my teeth on a different platform instead of wading into such deep water and jumping into handloads at the same moment.

Our deer are.small and fragile. You don't need a magnum rifle to take them cleanly. You can kill them out to 450 with a 243, creedmoor or 308 all of which offer abundant Ammo choices.

You have a massive amount to learn as a hunter without fighting a fussy rifle.

My. 02
 
Indian valley headhunter said:
Honestly not an easy first hunting rifle. Load selection is still not very good and finding a copper load that shoots well is a crap shoot. I'd buy a single box of every factory copper load I could and test carefully to see what works. I wouldn't be shocked if you don't find one. A light 7prc may be pretty frustrating to start out with...

If you don't find something that shoots - I never say this (and personally shoot a 7prc) I'd cut my teeth on a different platform instead of wading into such deep water and jumping into handloads at the same moment.

Our deer are.small and fragile. You don't need a magnum rifle to take them cleanly. You can kill them out to 450 with a 243, creedmoor or 308 all of which offer abundant Ammo choices.

You have a massive amount to learn as a hunter without fighting a fussy rifle.

My. 02
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Thanks for being honest. Man I really jumped into the deep end on this one. This magnum load prob be better for central states with bigger game huh?
 
Pretty rough choice for a hunting rifle. Even caliber aside that’s a HEAVY rifle. Also, 6.5x is pretty high bottom end magnification. Good news is you’re all set up for the elk hunt when you’re ready for it… but I would seriously consider a smaller 6.5cm or 308 with a 2-3x bottom end scope to start with.
 
As others have mentioned short action calibers cover the majority of your California hunting needs 243, 6mm CM, 6.5 CM, 7mm-08, 308, etc. The benefit is they have less recoil, can be built on a lighter action, and have enough energy to take ethical shots out to 350 - 400 yards, depending on velocity and bullet design.
With that said, your 308 Henry would work and your 7prc is a nice rifle, just a little heavy and more glass than needed. The downside of higher magnification when hunting is it decreases your field of view, transmits less light, and mirage may limit the ability to use 20x.
 
not to dogpile on, but there's nothing inherently wrong with a 20x scope for hunting, but since that specific scope is 2nd focal plane you won't be able to use the reticle to measure drop unless you are on 20x. HOWEVER, since 7 prc is so overpowered the drop at 300 is only 6 inches and 17 inches at 400 so you could actually get away with just aiming a bit high and you will hit. 7 prc is definitely overkill, the gun is heavy, the scope is heavy, however it's what you have and it's not like it won't work. Get a good muzzle brake and get in shape and shoot it.
 
Thanks for the input so far guys. What about bear hunting w/ this 7prc? You guys have any experience with bear hunting?
 
It's capable of smashing huge hogs and bears. That doesn't change any of the rest of the advice.

it's going to have limited copper choices and they are pain in the ass to get with the ammo laws here. If that were as easy as trying the Hornady elds you'd likely be in business (everywhere else).

The rifle weight, recoil and mastering it are the issues. And as others have mentioned the optic.... I wouldn't want more than 2x on something I took looking for Bear.
 
ID9029 said:
Thanks for the input so far guys. What about bear hunting w/ this 7prc? You guys have any experience with bear hunting?
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Bear hunting has basically the same rifle requirements as California deer. California black bear are not Alaskan brown bears. 308 is great, 7prc will also drop them. I don’t know about down south, but up north here it’s a lot of hiking in the mountains, which again favors a lighter rifle.
 
California bears typically range from 100lbs - 400lbs and aren’t as tuff as people imagine. I wouldn’t hesitate to hunt them with 6mm or larger rifle. They have poor eyesight, just use the wind, move slowly and wait for a good broadside shot opportunity.
 
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