7mm PRC vs 280 AI: Which is the Ultimate Cartridge?
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Cartridge Comparison: 7mm PRC vs. 280 Ackley Improved
- History of the 280 Ackley Improved
- Performance Comparison
- Availability and Staying Power
- The 30-06 Springfield: The Jack of All Trades
- The 7mm PRC: A Modern Cartridge
- Case Dimensions and Performance
- Power, Efficiency, and Availability
- Staying Power and Cool Factor
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Cartridge Comparison: 7mm PRC vs. 280 Ackley Improved
When it comes to choosing a cartridge for hunting or long-range shooting, there are many options available. In this article, we will compare two popular cartridges: the 7mm PRC and the 280 Ackley Improved. We will examine their history, performance, availability, and staying power to determine which cartridge is the better choice.
History of the 280 Ackley Improved
The 280 Ackley Improved was first introduced in the late 1950s by P.O. Ackley. Ackley was known for improving existing cartridges, and he did just that with the 280 Remington. He blew out the shoulder to Create a more straight-walled cartridge and gave it a sharp 40-degree shoulder angle. This design increased the case capacity by about five grains and allowed for faster velocities of up to 100 feet per Second. The sharp shoulder also improved brass life by reducing stretching.
The 280 Ackley Improved remained a wildcat cartridge until Nosler introduced it as a factory cartridge in 2007. Despite its impressive performance, the 280 Ackley Improved has remained a niche cartridge due to its limited availability and higher cost.
Performance Comparison
The 280 Ackley Improved is often compared to the 30-06 Springfield, which is known as the "Jack of all trades" cartridge. The 280 Ackley Improved can shoot a 150-grain bullet at over 3,100 feet per second, which is faster than the mid-3,000 feet per second of the 30-06. The 280 Ackley Improved also has a little more case capacity than the 30-06.
The sweet spot for the 280 Ackley Improved and the 30-06 is the 160-168 grain range. According to Nosler's data, the 280 Ackley Improved can achieve almost 3,050 feet per second with a 160-grain bullet and over 2,900 feet per second with a 175-grain bullet. The 280 Ackley Improved has a good ballistic coefficient (BC) of 0.631 with a 162-grain ELD-X bullet.
The 7mm PRC, on the other HAND, is a modern cartridge introduced by Hornady in 2022. The parent case of the 7mm PRC is the 300 PRC, and it is designed to emulate the performance of the 7mm Remington Magnum in a more modern cartridge. The 7mm PRC has a tight tolerance chamber and seating depth to maximize powder capacity.
The 7mm PRC can shoot a 150-grain bullet at 3,100 feet per second and a 175-grain bullet at 3,000 feet per second. It has a good BC of 0.631 with a 162-grain ELD-X bullet. The 7mm PRC has a slight AdVantage over the 280 Ackley Improved in terms of velocity and energy, but it also has more recoil.
Availability and Staying Power
The 280 Ackley Improved has been around for over 60 years, but it remains a niche cartridge due to its limited availability and higher cost. Nosler is a premium company, and finding factory ammo for the 280 Ackley Improved can be challenging and expensive.
The 7mm PRC, on the other hand, is a new cartridge that is gaining popularity. Hornady introduced it in 2022, and it is becoming more widely available. The 7mm PRC has the potential to become the next 7mm Magnum cartridge.
The 30-06 Springfield: The Jack of All Trades
The 30-06 Springfield is one of the most versatile and iconic cartridges in history. It has a long and impressive resume, and it lives up to its reputation. However, there is another cartridge that could replace it as the "Jack of all trades" if it were more popular and had the same history: the 280 Ackley Improved.
The 7mm PRC: A Modern Cartridge
The 7mm PRC is a modern cartridge designed to emulate the performance of the 7mm Remington Magnum in a more modern cartridge. It has a tight tolerance chamber and seating depth to maximize powder capacity. The 7mm PRC is a very good cartridge that is extremely versatile and has all the touches of the PRC cartridges.
Case Dimensions and Performance
The 7mm PRC fits in a standard length action and can shoot a 150-grain bullet at 3,100 feet per second and a 175-grain bullet at 3,000 feet per second. It has a good BC of 0.631 with a 162-grain ELD-X bullet.
Power, Efficiency, and Availability
The 7mm PRC has a slight advantage over the 280 Ackley Improved in terms of velocity and energy, but it also has more recoil. The 280 Ackley Improved is more efficient, but it is a niche cartridge that is harder to find and more expensive.
Staying Power and Cool Factor
The 7mm PRC has the potential to become the next 7mm Magnum cartridge, while the 280 Ackley Improved is a niche cartridge that is gaining popularity. In terms of cool factor, the 280 Ackley Improved wins for its uniqueness and history.
Conclusion
Both the 7mm PRC and the 280 Ackley Improved are excellent cartridges that offer impressive performance. The 7mm PRC has a slight advantage in terms of velocity and energy, but the 280 Ackley Improved is more efficient and has a unique history. Ultimately, the choice between these two cartridges will depend on personal preference and availability.
FAQ
Q: What is the history of the 280 Ackley Improved?
A: The 280 Ackley Improved was first introduced in the late 1950s by P.O. Ackley. Ackley was known for improving existing cartridges, and he did just that with the 280 Remington.
Q: How does the 280 Ackley Improved compare to the 30-06 Springfield?
A: The 280 Ackley Improved can shoot a 150-grain bullet at over 3,100 feet per second, which is faster than the mid-3,000 feet per second of the 30-06. The 280 Ackley Improved also has a little more case capacity than the 30-06.
Q: What is the 7mm PRC?
A: The 7mm PRC is a modern cartridge designed to emulate the performance of the 7mm Remington Magnum in a more modern cartridge. It has a tight tolerance chamber and seating depth to maximize powder capacity.
Q: Which cartridge is better, the 7mm PRC or the 280 Ackley Improved?
A: Both cartridges are excellent and offer impressive performance. The 7mm PRC has a slight advantage in terms of velocity and energy, but the 280 Ackley Improved is more efficient and has a unique history. The choice between these two cartridges will depend on personal preference and availability.
