The 7PRC sounds like a great cartridge, but I am keeping my 280 AI. For hunting purposes, there isn't enough "improvement" to justify a swap.

I handload for my 280 AI. The 180-grain Bergers go 3,035 fps out of my 27" barrel, call it 3,000 even from a 26". If you want to shoot the heavy-for-caliber bullets, the 280 AI is extremely efficient.

7 prc is hard to beat as an all-rounder

For all practical hunting distances the 7 mm08 does fine 300 yard elk rifle all day

I run a 280 AI and it was very obscure when I chose to re-barrel my 30-06 to it a few years ago. Since then I have seen an explosion of popularity of the 280 AI. Given a few more years I feel it would have become very mainstream. Sadly (or not) I predict the 7 prc with stop this momentum dead in it’s tracks. Their will always be 280 AI fans but I don’t believe it will continue to mainstream now. I plan to move to the 7 prc on my next barrel.

Good video around here there are tons of 7 and 300 prc cartridges for sale. Most shooters i have noticed have stayed old school

I have a 7mm rem mag and love it. The only reason I would sell it and get a PRC is that the PRC has become ubiquitous and affordable. The PRC will shoot 190 grain bullets and not need to be rebarreled like a rem mag. I wish Hornaday would have made it a little longer with a 35 degree shoulder for a little more velocity with the 190 grain projectiles. It would compete with a 300 win mag and be clearly better than the rem mag. That being said it is a very fine cartridge.

280 ai is a very good all around hunting round

Nosler’s data is off of a 26” Wiseman barrel. Good adjustment for a 24” barrel on the 280 AI.

7mm PRC to me is an improvement on 7mm Rem Mag with better case design and fast twist. but I can't help just look at the 280AI with starry eyes. is it older? yes, but it is surprsingly efficient, doesn't recoil much and is one of the best AI cases out there.

"6.8 Western enters the chat" Hey guys, what about me? I'm right there with both of ya as far as ballistics. Can I play too? Pick me! Pick me! I'm commercially loaded in hunting and target rounds so I can do either one right off the shelf! Unlike the 270 WSM that came before me, i come with a faster 1:8 twist so i can stabilize the heavier bullets up to 175 grains, and with a COAL of 2.95 inches I can fit into an AICS pattern detachable box magazines! I hope you guys think i'm cool enough to hand out with... Let me know what you think!

Love my .30-06 SPR. Also love my 280 AI. I have plenty of other rifles and cartridges to play with and hunt. If more people would go and shoot a 280 AI, they would fall in love with it!!!! 😉😉😉

Nice comparison! Only comparing to 500 yards you really could shoot any decent caliber to 500! After 500 yards 7mm prc really shines down range!

I've had no issues with their 129gr interlock bullet out of my 6.5 creed. Sub 1/2" groups at 100 yards. Taken 4 deer with so far. 3 big does and a 8 point buck. Their precision hunter 143gr ammo is around 1 moa, but I haven't tried taking a deer with them yet. I have noticed all Hornady bullets like hot loads or what Hornady calls max loads in their manual.

I agree with you on different companies posting bias data to make their own look better. There has been a conspiracy to kill the 264 magnum ever since the 7mm REM Magnum was introduced. The reloading companies consistently shows almost 10 gr less chargers versus the 7 mag with the same grain bullet! It is way underloaded. That’s why a chronograph is so important these days. Great video!

oh boy,, another new cartridge,, just like the 7mm rem mag, but you can shoot a 180 grainer instead of a 175 grainer,, talk about cutting edge,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,i just cant wait for the 290 prc to come out ,,

In my std 280, 24" 9T, I shoot a load that is in the nosler manual #3 and #4 with 160g-162g bullets with IMR 7828 with the Federal 210 giving the best accuracy of any primer at 2930 fps. This is my third rifle in 280 that shoots this load.

Thanks for the video bro.

I have been eyeing the .280AI for years but opted for a7PRC mainly because of a potential availability of the ammo.

Brass availability - 7mm PRC is single source, Hornady. It can be formed from 300 PRC, with difficulty. And .300 PRC brass isn't widely available either. .280 A.I. brass can be formed from any .30-06 based brass, although case length may vary a little. Just throwing that out there, I own neither of these rounds and likely never will. I spend all my time with a creaky old round, the .45-70.

The only difference is 10 grains powder for 100fps. Same as custom280ai to custom 7RM. I won't be ditching my 280ai until it's shot out. 175partition @2880 w 60gr rl26 criterion match chamber(long throat) 280 action will become a 3006 and may or may not 7prc. Why 7 when you can .338;)

I have a 280 AI with a 25” 1:8.5 twist Brux barrel. I’m getting a little over 3k fps with 160 gr. bullets. Recoil is a little less than a 30/06. Sweet, accurate shooter!! 7 PRC is approaching 300 Win. Mag (which I have) recoil with equivalent bullet weight. The 7 PRC only competes with the 300 WM at extreme, non-practical hunting ranges. I’ll take my 300 WM on an elk or moose any day over the 7PRC at ethical hunting distances. I’ll take my 280 AI on deer and antelope any day over 7PRC at ethical hunting distances. Less recoil, smaller target = better shot 9:29 placement. Just because you lengthen the bullets and spin them faster doesn’t make it a better cartridge than the caliber/cartridge combinations above it. IMOP

Yeah that’s a tough decision. Really can’t go wrong with either. Being I have one already and the other on order. Safe to safe I think they both will do the job.

I can find 280 AI brass by Peterson on a few sites. Can't find 7mm PRC anywhere. Ammo is available but VERY expensive. I can reload 280 AI cheap and practice all day to sharpen my skills. We'll see in a few years how things shake out for the 7mm PRC. For me, if I'm going for a big 7mm, might as well be the 28 Nosler.

7PRC impressive cartridge. I’ll stick with my .280AI using less powder and recoil. As a handloader, factory ammo not an issue. Agree with you in all categories but wouldn’t even think of selling my .280AI’s for practically the same ballistics because of more available off the shelf rifles and components. Not even trading my 7SAUM for PRC. If I did not own either of my rifles, it would be hard not to get a 7mag. I do not hunt or shoot beyond 500 yards probably my reasoning. Thanks for a good video. PS: my .280AI pushes 160AB’s 3020fps whine RL26

Savage chambers for the 280 AI

I just purchased a 7mm PRC. It's arriving at my gun dealer tomorrow. Ammunition is arriving today. I wanted a 280 AI but I just can't find that caliber in the rifle that I want. I'm a huge Bergara fan and I really want a 280 AI in a Bergara platform. I can't wait to get the 7mm PRC to the shooting range. I know it's not a lot of difference in the two cartridges but I still will buy or build, eventually, a 280 AI. I love both cartridges.

I am looking to go with one of these two for deer and elk out west. If I go 280AI would a longer barrel help? Like 24-26'', does it matter on 7prc?

Good stuff brother

😯 Cool! 👍

Great video! Two excellent cartridges. I agree completely, PRC is slightly better, but 280 AI is cooler.

My 280ai is a 25" barrel with 1-8 twist. Ammo is readily available, federal loads it, nosler, choice ammo and several others. Not a fan of Hornady hunting ammo at all. One of the very best attributes of this cartridge is the lighter recoil. Its a very efficient cartridge.

I'd guess it also depends on what gun you want to put it in. If you wanted a standard length Tikka, the .284 Win might be the answer. I'm looking at an old Howa-made Wby Mk V 9-lug .472 head Fibermark as a build gun, so the Ackley would answer that mail.

270 weatherby I will take on that 6.8 western

You need to handload some Berger 168 Hunting VLD in the 280 AI! Lights out deadly accurate and deadly on game! This cartridge is why I don’t own a 7rem mag for less powder burnt it out performs the 7mag. Not only till you get to the 7RUM is there any difference and then you pay with a lot more powder and a lot more recoil.

I agreed with most of your comments. I’m amazed that you said anything positive about the 7 PRC.

AO Ackley made good things better for sure. I'd love to have a rifle chambered in 22-250AI.

Let’s see how an off the shelf specked round can compare.

Is there any way to contact you with sort of a loaded question on rifles?

What if..........7PRC AI push the 30° to a 40° 🤯 Good comparison and happy fathers day 👍🙏✌

RE "Inflated numbers" - People need to understand every barrel is different and Nosler probably has a fast barrel. YMMV is definitely a thing. I found that out with my Zastava M70 in 6.5x55 with 6.5 StaBall. Mine was slooooowww. Of course, it's a shortish bbl, too, so that may factor in. RE "Winner" what gun do you want to run? Standard or magnum? Or, let's bring 284 Win into the pic, short or intermediate (Tikka/Mauser 98)?

I wish someone would neck the 6.5 Weatherby rpm up to 7mm and give it a go with a 26inch 1in8 twist barrel. That would be great!

7 Remington Mag still the 1. Why own smaller case capacity. At least get a Weatherby 7 Mag. Reminds me of 308 vs 30.06. If you need less velocity? You like to Track animals?

This didnt age well haha glad you are putting out the real data on 7prc!!

You didn't mention magazine capacity. The 280 Ackley is four and isn't the 7 PRC 3?

I heard of you use 215 magnum primers on slow burning powders out of the 280 or 280AI.You get a little bit farther into the 7mm Remington magnum territory than the 280 or 280AI all ready are.

I think Hornaday should have just necked the 300 prc down to 7mm . I built one .pacific too and gage has the print its called the 7-300 prc match. It is very accurate and powerful. Depending upon the barrel 180 eld m at 3250 to 3300 velocity .

I shoot 180 VLDs in a 1/9 twist and its lights out...no issues at all. I've shot it to a mile.

I went 280 AI with a 1-8 twist, shooting 175gr ablr at over 2800fps and never looked back. Don’t get me wrong, 7mm PRC is good but I enjoy my 280. Will I shoot a 7 PRC if someone over me a shot ? yes ! Would I buy a 7 PRC ? No, I’m perfectly content with my 280 AI.

I agree Nosler book speeds are over inflated .

Ill stick with my 280 ai . Its close enough and i like it.

I bet 50 years from now 7 rem mag still out sells both of them put together. And you can make 280 ai brass with a lot common cartridges with a resizing die..

The limitation for the 7mm PRC is factory support and availability, and the fact that it is optimized for a rather obscure action length. Finding ammo and components for the 7mm PRC, or any of the other PRCs for that matter, has at times been nearly impossible. And there simply isn't a lot of standard long actions on the market. Most manufactures just put it in a magnum length long action, which is fine to a point, but largely defeats the purpose, like putting a V6 into a 3/4 ton pickup. I realize lots of standard length cartridges have been chambered in magnum long actions over the years, but these cartridges all have long enough case lengths (~2.5") that bullets can be seated out by any competent handloader to optimize the cartridge for the longer action length. My 7mm Rem Mags are about .25" over SAAMI max COAL, for example. With a case length of 2.28 inches, the 7mm PRC is uniquely unqualified to be optimized for the action length it will usually be found in, which defeats the purpose. If it was going to be chambered in a magnum length action, it should have been optimized for that action length. Many of us were hoping for something along the lines of the 7mm LRM for this reason. Instead it is just a compromise in most of the factory rifle offerings, and it will never be a really good choice unless someone us willing to track down a true standard long action for it. The .280 AI by comparison can be loaded over 3.6" COAL fairly easily and makes a much better fit for the more available magnum length action than does the PRC, as does the 7mm Rem Mag and .28 Nosler. The 7mm PRC is actually the worst choice of all the 7mms for these reasons. Just about every other 7mm on the market accomodates the magnum length action better and most of them are easier to find ammo and components for.

Here is the rub, the 7 prc has a magnum bolt face while the 280 and AI has the std 30/06 bolt face. The 7 PRC has almost the exact same powder capacity of the 7 Rem Mag. So, you are going to run less powder in the 280 and 280 AI, don't outsmart yourself. I am shooting a 24" 280 Rem with IMR 7828 with Federal 210s with of IMR 7828, Fed 210s with a velocity of 2930 fps, 160g. My 280 AI is running 3000 fps with the 160's. The 7 PRC is going to prove to be popular, no belt, but I have not had any problems with a belt since 1979 in the 7 Rem mag and the 300 Winchester mag. The conversation of a 280 AI into a 7 PRC has the expensive problem of a bolt head dimension incompatible. The bolt face can be opened up and an M-16 or Sako extractor installed with some cost. The standard 280 Remington is a real darling child, which was killed by having to download the ammo to accommodate semi automatic rifles and pumps. Reloading manuals are very light on their loading data for the 280 Rem. Nosler manual #3 and #4 have real world velocities for the 280. So, Real world comparison, how much difference is there between the 7 Rem mag and the 7 PRC. There is about 100 fps less, comparing the std 280 and the 7 RM and 7 PRC for reloaders. For guys that shoot Factory ammo only, since the 7 PRC does not any guns built with Semi auto's at this time, factory ammo may be loaded hotter in the 7 PRC vs the 7 Mag. Remember, the 7 PRC and the 7 Mag have identical case capacity.

I think on unsung hero is the .284win/ .284 Wheeler / .284 Shehane for efficiency

I don’t quite agree with your take how 30-06 and 280 ai when you mentioned bullet weights. Most often 30-06 is used either the heavier 30 cal bullets 180-210 grain generally. You do see a lot of 150 grain rounds but that is not where the 30-06 shines. Although I think the 280 ai is the higher performing cartridge the 30-06 is wonderfully versatile.

Dont knock that shoulder. Its NOT RIDICULOUS its most likely the best shoulder angle bar none. It also reduces throat wear.

Real life speed from my 7PRC in a 22” barrel shooting factory 175 ELD-X is 2891fps.

I think both will do the job fine with proper bullets for the situation. Ive noticed you love your 6.8 Western and that is one great caliber and you should really focus on squeezing every bit of accuracy you can get out of it through customization. You'll definitely be on 😮😮😮😮 while working up your loads then finetune it. Then when your tired of chasing after those buck even with an ok chest shot wishing you hadn't because you grew more fond of munching on ribs and fresh deer heart and liver is one of the best parts while fresh or to store for later on in the year. Ive watched and studied whitetail, mule, and Elk in Colorado. Same as all deer that being Moose regarding their alertness and senses they are all very simular which seems like the mulies are the ones to watch out for regarding spotting stalking due to them being the first to notice because of those whitetail and Elk gorging on greens. Bolted the first sign of danger, big mamma cat with 2 large cubs were also stalking the heard, I watched, the cubs got too excited and messed up the hunt😂 Regarding calibers id most likely stick with what works and id say if that clean headshot with my 243WCF and the 85gr Partition dropped that 6'2 blackbear where it stood munching on blueberries... With confidence ill use it with the 100gr Partition for Elk definitely👍👍 Ive never hunted Elk or whitetail.

😎👍👍👍😎

The PRC has about 50% more recoil- doesn"t matter the size of the hammer if ya can't hit the nail.

My 280ai with 26” barrel I’m pushing a 175gr ELDX at 2940 with reloader 26. Less recoil then my 30-06 with 180gr.

Shoulder angle is always a trade-off with feeding ease and reliability. I know every Ackley shooter will tell you how theirs feeds flawlessly, still doesn't change physics. I'm old school, well maybe I'm just old. But I have never liked the Ackley "improvements" and prefer the parent cases with their paltry losses in velocity (that half the bullets out there have still managed to blow up with all these years at the normal closer ranges where most game is historically taken). A 280 has the cool factor, the Ackley has the "Oh damn...well okay" factor. I prefer short actions so the 7PRC will never be my perfect fit, but on a standard length it is nigh impossible to beat, even if it is just basically a 7mm Blaser Magnum.

Why no love for the .284 win? Similar performance in a short action. All are 500 yard big game cartridges.

Big difference the 3006 sells(still big time) the 280 ACK IMP does not sell, (big time)

Damn the 7mm STW gets no love anymore lol

How about less recoil? I’ll stick with the ackley. You don’t know at this point that the 7 PRC will have staying power either

Nich? do you mean Niche?

You kinda need to mention the 30 06 shoots 180s and 200s very well though. 280 Ackley can't...

People will pay 30% more money for 100-200 fps more velocity. Example? 300 Weatherby vs 300-378.

I dont see where a 280 AI beats a 7mm rem mag in velocity and energy alone but also in availabilty in rifles and ammo and price I do see where the 7mm prc can shoot longer heavier bullets better but then again price and availabilty suffer hard to beat 7mm rem mag and not saying these cartridges are bad in any sense I'd hunt with either one in a heartbeat lol

What did you have to pay for your box of 165 grain Nosler ABLR's? 🤷‍♂️

The 280AI kept the throat design of the older 280 Rem, which like the 30-06 and 270 is a straight taper design with no section of tight freebore to help align the bullet. The Weatherby Mags and virtually all of the cartridges introduced in the past two decades use "match" style chambers with a section of freebore. From everything I have read, the freebore helps align the bullet with the bore and tends to help with average accuracy, making the cartridge less picky to the loads it shoots well.

my 280Ai will run the 168 nosler at 3000 fps with RL26

7mm weatherby what about me.

280 AI works unlike PRC nonsense. So 162 gr doing 3,100 fps hand loads

Magazine capacity....

While the 280AI is a very fine cartridge the 7mm PRC is superior and will make it obsolete. Same as what the 6.5 PRC is doing to the very fine 6.5-284.

BTW, that case revamp from 30-06 to the 280AI absolutely DOES NOT increase case capacity by 5 grains of powder.5% yes, but thats about half of what you are talking about. Be careful at your loading bench. BOOM!

Have You shot and tried working up loads for the Sammi 280 AI with Nosler Data ? I have and nothing brilliant to report about the 280 AI just give me a plain Jane 280 Remington any day and twice on Sunday. The Nosler 280 AI twenty cartridges and 50 @ Nosler reloading brass 5 years ago extremely hard to find in the SE US and both cost me $59.99 for each one now that cost present time for the same rare stuff is $100 +/-. The PRC cartridges about Hornady is the only one making those and they are very pricy as well close to Weatherby and Nosler in price. Then You take the plain Jane 7 mm Remington Magnum and it will out perform any 280 AI and for most of us hunters with any weight Bullet You can possibly stuff in the AI the 7 Remington Magnum is the better performance cartridge between the two regardless of flawed 280 AI Nosler Data. There is not much if any that a properly loaded 7 Remington Magnum can't do that the PRC cartridge can do and do it with ammo and components in the 30-06 & 270 Winchester price range for everything needed. There is a very good reason that a SS Shilen match grade barrel chambered in Sammi 280 AI 24" that isn't screwed into a action and doing nothing but collecting dust.

280 ai a better of jack of all trades ?? Homie I understand you like it but it's not running 100 grain to 240 grain bullets like the 06. The 280AI doesn't run heavy pills like the 06. Nor will .28's ever have the bullet range that .30's do. Stop this nonsense.

The Ackley didn’t win 2 world wars. I shoot a 30-06. Color me nostalgic.

I’m sure the prc is a fine cartridge if that’s what your looking for but I will not spend any of my money on any of hornadys cartridges untill they start to use fair comparisons in their false advertising commercials and paid sponsors KZfaq videos! Just today I saw a video of one of hornadys paid marketers pushing the 6.5 prc and compared it to the 264 win mag and of course they gave the 6.5 the 140 eld-m and the 264 a Remington core lok and right of the bat dropped the 264s velocity 150 fps then proceeded to compare the two and falsely beat the 264 down to make the 6.5 look superior!! First why would we use a core lok in the 264 when both will shoot the exact same bullet and the 264 can easily stabalize the 140 class bullets so the only reason they did it was to cripple the 264 from the start both compared evenly and fairly same bullets both loaded to full potential the 264 will push the same exact bullet 150 to 175 fps faster than the 6.5 prc so that whole video was a crock of shit and I absolutely hate the way they take a great cartridge like the 264 and trash it to push something new that clearly isn’t better!! New cartridges are great improvement is great but be honest and true don’t fudge numbers and give one gun a high bc bullet and the other the lowest bc bullet u can find then down load it to make something look better isn’t better!! Get your shit together Hornady and be honest with the numbers and the comparisons!! Today with the powders and bullets we have the 264 is better than it has ever been and would clearly eat the 6.5 prc’s lunch!! You should do a comparison on those two cartridges and make a video on it set the fake hype straight!!

There is really no such thing as “better” cartridge. What about those who don’t want a magnum cartridge? Or that it has a good bit more recoil. Not to mention it uses a great deal more powder(so it BETTER be faster!) And what if a person happens to be comfortable with regular 280Rem already, or have a good amount of 280Rem brass? (For reloaders) Like many other cartridges, I’d say if you are an “off the shelf” ammunition person… the 7PRC could be for you. (It can sit right next to your 6.5mm Creedmoor.) But if a person is a reloader, maybe a DIY fan… perhaps they even build their own rifles & pistols… well, I don’t really need to recommend anything to people like that. They don’t need recommendations because they already know a great deal more than the person who only buys ammo off the shelf!