Backfire: 7MM PRC Build - MDT Mention

The YouTube channel 'Backfire' posted an informative video titled "Shooting the World's first 7mm PRC Rifle" which documents an overview, a shooting session, caliber comparisons, and more details of an MDT ORYX-based 7mm PRC rifle build.

The introduction of the video explains that while most firearm influencers and businesses at the time were embargoed from showing off the new caliber until an official launch day, pulling from official 7mm PRC SAAMI Specifications, Jim was able to build a custom rifle with premium parts. After the short intro, the host's son shoots the rifle on film for the first time.

More: Ultimate Reloader - 7MM PRC Freedom Rifle Build

After brief shooting footage, the host mentions his ammo load chart and explains that he shot a "compressed" loading at 66 grains of powder and an overpressured loading with a 175-grain ELD-X bullet out of a 24-inch barrel. The 175 bullet loading pushed the bullet to 3,113 FPS, and the host notes that at 3,000 FPS, the 7mm PRC seems "comfortable" and should be a safe maximum if you're hand-loading this new round and shooting it out of a rifle build like his. A 195-grain Berger EOL bullet was also tested, and it was noted that a max speed of 2,825 FPS seemed "comfortable" with that loading.

Hornady has both Match and Hunting cartridges available.

Next, the host explains his findings regarding the case capacity of the 7mm PRC. With a maximum usable volume of 0.7633 inches squared, the 7mm PRC has less capacity than the 7 MAG and .28 Nosler cartridges. The 7mm PRC is noted as a "mild" and "efficient" round. The host then moves to the shooting range to compare the 7mm PRC to a 7 MAG with the same primers, powder, bullets, and barrel lengths. The 7 MAG shot an average of 2,705 FPS, and the 7mm PRC shot an average of 2,806 FPS.

Moving on to the build portion of the video, the host explains the details of his 7mm PRC build, starting with the Defiance Anti Action. The barrel on this build is a Preferred Barrel Blanks 24" spiral-fluted and threaded 1:8 twist rate barrel. The chassis is an MDT Oryx chassis which the host describes as affordable and providing ARCA rail attachment points, an AICS metal magazine, interchangeable grips, an adjustable cheekpiece, and a buttpad. The trigger is a flat-blade TriggerTech trigger. The optic on this rifle is a Leupold MK V HD 3.5x18 scope which features a 35mm tube that requires 35mm optics-mounting rings.

Backfire built a beautiful rifle with quality parts.

7MM PRC PERFORMANCE

Ending the video, the host summarizes the performance of the new 7mm PRC round and compares it to other popular factory loadings of comparable calibers. With an energy rating of 2,840 foot-pounds of energy at 200 yards using a 175-grain projectile, the 7mm PRC comes out above the 6.5 PRC, 300 Winchester Magnum, and 7mm Remington Magnum. The 23-inch bullet drop at 400 yards for 7mm PRC is beaten only by the 6.5 PRC, but only by half an inch. The bullet drifts for 7mm PRC at 400 yards, and the muzzle velocity of a 175-grain 7mm PRC projectile is the lowest among all other comparable calibers. The host noted that the .28 Nosler round may beat the 7mm PRC in some of the categories listed above, but it wears out barrels considerably quicker and is less practical to shoot than the 7mm PRC.

CALIBER RESOURCES FROM MDT

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• 6mm GT Load Development
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Backfire's full analysis of the 7mm PRC can be found here. Click here for more information about the MDT Oryx Chassis System!