7mm Rem Mag vs 7mm PRC vs 7mm Backcountry

The continued onslaught of new cartridges has not left any caliber class untouched it seems. Currently both shooters and hunters alike are scratching their heads over the newest additions to the 7mm family of cartridges. To start, we got the 7mm Rem Mag, on the market since 1962. Then, the 7mm PRC arriving in 2022. Now, the 7mm Backcountry arriving in January of 2025.

So, are the newer calibers upgrades? Let’s take a look at all three cartridges focusing on their attributes for the hunting field.

The Short Answer – 7mm Rem Mag vs 7mm PRC vs 7mm Backcountry

The 7mm Rem Mag is the oldest and cheapest of the three calibers to shoot. Of the three, Rem Mag is generally loaded with the lightest projectiles. 7mm PRC is generally regarded as an upgraded version of the Rem Mag. It brings faster velocities and heavier bullets capable of more energy downrange for larger game. The youngest cartridge of the group, 7mm Backcountry, is loaded to higher pressures. It ratchets-up both the velocities and energies another step compared to the 7mm PRC.

7mm Remington Magnum: A Belted Classic

The 7mm Remington Magnum is the oldest of the three and has been around the longest arriving in 1962. Numerous other belted magnums debuted in the 1960’s including the .300 Winchester Magnum, .350 Remington Mag. 340 Weatherby Magnum among others. The original purpose of the belted magnum concept originated with the .300 H&H Magnum and the .375 H&H Magnum and is primarily for head spacing. The raised belt on the base of the case ensures consistent and reliable cartridge positioning in the chamber for firing. This design also allows for smoother feeding from box magazines compared to rimmed cartridges, while achieving high velocities and case capacity similar to other magnum cartridges.

The 7mm Remington Magnum’s most popular projectiles range from 140 to 175-grains providing velocities ranging from around 3,100 fps for the lighter bullets to about 2,800 fps for the heavier 175’s. Sectional density was high and the 7mm Remington magnum produced muzzle energies in excess of 3,000 foot-pounds. The 7mm Mag recoils less than the .300 Winchester Magnum. Plus, it shoots flatter than the .30-06 or .308 which made it an instant success back in the day.

The 7mm Remington Magnum, like others of its era, remains a very good hunting cartridge. It has survived an onslaught of other new 7mm cartridge releases, including the .280 Remington, 7mm-08, 7mm STW, .280 Ackley Improved, 7mm WSM, and others. Will it still be around with the advent of the 7mm PRC and 7mm Backcountry? I believe it will with its greatest strength in the hunting field at 400 yards or less.

7mm PRC: Long Range Velocity and Energy

Hornady introduced the 7mm PRC was introduced in 2022. The company designed the PRC to fire long, heavy bullets in a standard long action. Often touted as the cartridge to fill the gap between the 6.5 PRC and the .300 PRC as a perfect mid-sized, can do everything round from hunting to long range competition.

While the 7mm PRC is similar to a 7mm Rem Mag, it is better suited to shoot heavy bullets with higher ballistic coefficients (BC). The 7mm PRC is SAMMI rated at a twist rate 1:8, compared to the 7mm Rem Mag’s normal 9-inch twist rate. On this basis alone the 7mm PRC will develop higher muzzle velocity. Additionally, the cartridge has no belt which has been known to cause re sizing problems for reloaders of the 7mm Rem Mag on occasion. Perhaps the best way to think about this round is as a modernized version of the time proven 7mm Rem Mag.

As stated, the 7mm PRC was built around heavy bullets and offers match grade chamber dimensions for improved accuracy and is tailored for those wanting a long-range competition or hunting rifle. The 7mm PRC’s sleek, heavy-for-caliber bullets buck wind and retain velocity and energy more efficiently than the lighter projectiles fired by the 7mm Remington Magnum.

In a nutshell, the 7mm PRC is ideal for hunting at longer-than-average ranges because of its high ballistic coefficient. The projectile has higher velocities and more down range energy than what you will find in most cartridges of the same caliber.

7mm Backcountry: 7mm PRC Ballistics in a shorter barrel

The newest member of the 7mm family is the 7mm Backcountry, also known as the 7mm BC. Capable of driving a 175-grain bullet at 3,000 feet per second, the 7mm Backcountry is an impressive 7mm cartridge. The cartridge is a highly packed (with a special powder blend) steel case ammunition with long range hunting capabilities being the ultimate goal. Produced from a “Peak Alloy” material which is a proprietary alloyed steel case capable of withstanding significant pressures according to Federal.

By comparison, other 7mm cartridges (7mm Rem Mag and 7mm PRC) require a 24-inch barrel to achieve 3000 fps velocities. The Backcountry meanwhile can reach 3,000 fps out of a 20-inch barrel. From a 24-inch barrel, it can push a 175-grain bullet even faster at 3,150 fps.

Unlike cheaper steel alloys used in budget ammo, Peak Alloy is a high-strength metal used in aerospace and racing applications according to Federal. This allows it to withstand pressures of 80,000 PSI, much more than the 62,000 and 65,000 psi max pressures of the 7mm Rem Mag and 7mm PRC respectively.

In essence by increasing the pressure, Federal has created a cartridge that can reach 7mm PRC velocities with similar weight bullets and a barrel that is four-inches shorter, and this allows for shorter, handier, rifles without sacrificing velocity. It’s also a boon for the growing number of hunters who prefer to hunt with suppressors. A 20-inch barrel even with a suppressor added remains maneuverable in the field. Some rifle manufactures are building 16-to-18-inch barrel lengths for 7mm BC cartridge.

7mm Rem Mag vs 7mm PRC vs 7mm Backcountry Ballistics

Below is a look at just three factory loads of each cartridge comparing both velocities and energy.

Velocity Comparison

Energy Comparison

Availability of Ammunition

The 7mm Remington Magnum has been front and center for 60 years. It comes as no surprise that there are numerous factory load options and stacks of reloading data for this cartridge. Pricing is between $2.00 and $5.00 per round, making the 7mm Remington Magnum the least expensive and most available of the three cartridges.

7mm PRC factory loads prices vary from $2.25 to $7.00 per round. Many of the 7mm PRC options available are designed for long-range target shooting. This makes sense as the 7mm PRC was conceived to perform as both a hunting and target round. Grain weights ranging from 150 to 185 grains are available, but seemingly the most popular grain weights are 160 to 175 grains. 7mm PRC ammunition is also readily available with plenty of reloading data at your fingertips for those wishing to load their own.

Right now, Federal is the only company making the 7mm Backcountry ammo. The company offers five different loads for this newest 7mm cartridge. It is not yet clear yet if manufacturers such as Hornady, Remington or others will begin producing 7mm BC. If not, Federal will be the only choice and it remains a bit uncertain just how effective reloading the Backcountry cartridge will be because of its Peak Alloy case.

Ammunition costs for 7mm BC range from $3.00 to just over $4.00 per round for factory ammunition. You’ll find bullets ranging from 155 to 195 grains.

Cheaper than Dirt currently offers various manufacturers, weight grains, and pricing for all of these 7mm cartridges.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, there are dozens of companies building rifles for all three including the new 7mm Backcountry.

Hunting

7mm Rem Mag

While having punched paper and put rounds on steel with the 7mm Mag I must admit I have never hunted with this cartridge. However, I have enough friends and associates that hunt with the 7mm Mag. I know it is a performer in the field. Having been present with these folks when deer, elk and gemsbok were taken with the cartridge, I can say it is perfectly-suited for medium game like deer and antelope. It’ll also perform well on the bigger game such as elk, moose, and African plains game.

7mm PRC

Looking to possibly be in a hunting environment for big game at ranges perhaps beyond 400 yards? Then the 7mm PRC offers the clear advantage. The 7mm PRC’s long, heavy-for-caliber bullets are better in the wind and deliver more energy than the 7mm Rem Mag at longer distances. If your interests lie with long-range competition on steel targets then the 7mm PRC again holds the clear advantage. In essence, the high BC bullets are more forgiving in the wind and shoot flatter at long ranges.

I have hunted with the 7mm PRC and taken African Plains game as small as Duiker to as large as Roan antelope with the cartridge out to 400 yards.

7mm Backcountry

Essentially, the 7mm Backcountry offers 7mm PRC ballistics from a shorter barrel. If you choose to hunt with a suppressor (or even if you don’t) this can be a great benefit. A shorter barrel in the field equals a reduction in overall weight along with felt recoil that is in line with the other 7mm cartridges discussed herein. I just spent some range time with a Christensen Arms 7mm BC package and can report recoil is very manageable and less than I anticipated. I will be in the hunting field with it soon, so hopefully more about the rifle and the cartridge in an upcoming report.

Final Thoughts

Your current 7mm Rem Mag is of course completely appropriate for most any big game hunting scenario. However, if you wish to extend your effective range or spend the off-season shooting targets from say 400 to 1,000 yards and beyond, the 7mm PRC offers better long-range ballistics and a good variety of target-specific ammunition. The 7mm Backcountry provides for a dual-purpose hunting/target rifle and deliver similar performance to the 7mm PRC with a shorter barrel. While reloadable, the Peak Alloy cases can present some challenges, such as needing more resizing cycles and potentially having a shorter lifespan than brass cases. Currently RCBS is producing reloading dies for the 7mm BC.

No matter which of the 7mm cartridges you currently own or may own in the future, all have their strong points and some that may be less desirable. Either way, they will produce good results in the hunting field. Afterall it all comes down to the hunter pulling the trigger.