7mm PRC is Hornady’s long-range hunting cartridge for heavy, high-BC 7mm bullets. This 7mm PRC ballistics chart shows velocity, energy, bullet drop, and wind drift out to 1,200 yards for four popular factory loads, plus scope adjustments in MOA and mils, a 200-yard zero table, and maximum point-blank range for hunters.
Every number on this page was calculated from the manufacturers’ own published muzzle velocity and ballistic coefficient. Use it to compare loads and plan your dope, then confirm it with your own rifle.
7mm PRC Ballistics at a Glance
- Muzzle velocity: about 2,950 to 3,100 fps with 155 to 180 grain factory loads.
- Drop at 500 yards (100-yard zero): about 40 to 44 inches.
- Drop at 1,000 yards: about 232 to 263 inches (roughly 19 to 22 feet).
- Energy at 1,000 yards: about 1,210 ft-lbs with the 175gr ELD-X and about 1,460 ft-lbs with the 180gr ELD Match.
- Point-blank range: about 300 yards on a 6-inch target with a 250 to 260-yard zero.
Loads in This 7mm PRC Ballistics Chart
- 155gr TA: Federal Terminal Ascent 155gr, 3,100 fps, G1 BC 0.586
- 170gr TA: Federal Terminal Ascent 170gr, 2,950 fps, G1 BC 0.646
- 175gr ELD-X: Hornady Precision Hunter 175gr ELD-X, 3,000 fps, G1 BC 0.689
- 180gr ELD-M: Hornady Match 180gr ELD Match, 2,975 fps, G1 BC 0.816
Browse current 7mm PRC ammo to see which of these loads and others are in stock.
7mm PRC Ballistics Chart to 1,200 Yards
Velocity (fps)
| Range | 155gr TA | 170gr TA | 175gr ELD-X | 180gr ELD-M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 3,100 | 2,950 | 3,000 | 2,975 |
| 100 yd | 2,931 | 2,801 | 2,859 | 2,856 |
| 200 yd | 2,768 | 2,657 | 2,722 | 2,740 |
| 300 yd | 2,610 | 2,518 | 2,589 | 2,628 |
| 400 yd | 2,459 | 2,383 | 2,460 | 2,518 |
| 500 yd | 2,312 | 2,252 | 2,335 | 2,410 |
| 600 yd | 2,170 | 2,125 | 2,214 | 2,306 |
| 700 yd | 2,033 | 2,002 | 2,096 | 2,204 |
| 800 yd | 1,902 | 1,884 | 1,982 | 2,104 |
| 900 yd | 1,776 | 1,770 | 1,871 | 2,007 |
| 1,000 yd | 1,656 | 1,662 | 1,765 | 1,913 |
| 1,100 yd | 1,544 | 1,559 | 1,663 | 1,822 |
| 1,200 yd | 1,438 | 1,462 | 1,566 | 1,733 |
Energy (ft-lbs)
| Range | 155gr TA | 170gr TA | 175gr ELD-X | 180gr ELD-M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 3,307 | 3,285 | 3,497 | 3,537 |
| 100 yd | 2,955 | 2,962 | 3,175 | 3,260 |
| 200 yd | 2,636 | 2,665 | 2,879 | 3,001 |
| 300 yd | 2,345 | 2,393 | 2,605 | 2,759 |
| 400 yd | 2,080 | 2,143 | 2,352 | 2,533 |
| 500 yd | 1,839 | 1,914 | 2,119 | 2,322 |
| 600 yd | 1,621 | 1,705 | 1,904 | 2,125 |
| 700 yd | 1,423 | 1,513 | 1,707 | 1,941 |
| 800 yd | 1,245 | 1,340 | 1,526 | 1,769 |
| 900 yd | 1,086 | 1,183 | 1,361 | 1,610 |
| 1,000 yd | 944 | 1,042 | 1,210 | 1,462 |
| 1,100 yd | 820 | 917 | 1,075 | 1,326 |
| 1,200 yd | 712 | 807 | 953 | 1,201 |
Bullet Drop (inches, 100-yard zero)
| Range | 155gr TA | 170gr TA | 175gr ELD-X | 180gr ELD-M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 |
| 100 yd | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 200 yd | -2.6 | -2.9 | -2.8 | -2.8 |
| 300 yd | -9.6 | -10.8 | -10.2 | -10.2 |
| 400 yd | -21.8 | -24.1 | -22.8 | -22.6 |
| 500 yd | -39.8 | -43.6 | -41.2 | -40.5 |
| 600 yd | -64.3 | -69.9 | -66.0 | -64.4 |
| 700 yd | -96.1 | -104.0 | -97.9 | -94.8 |
| 800 yd | -136.4 | -146.7 | -137.6 | -132.4 |
| 900 yd | -186.3 | -199.2 | -186.3 | -177.9 |
| 1,000 yd | -247.3 | -262.9 | -244.9 | -232.0 |
| 1,100 yd | -320.9 | -339.1 | -314.6 | -295.6 |
| 1,200 yd | -409.1 | -429.7 | -397.0 | -369.7 |
Wind Drift (inches, 10 mph crosswind)
| Range | 155gr TA | 170gr TA | 175gr ELD-X | 180gr ELD-M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 100 yd | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| 200 yd | 2.0 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 300 yd | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 3.4 |
| 400 yd | 8.4 | 8.1 | 7.4 | 6.2 |
| 500 yd | 13.5 | 13.0 | 11.8 | 9.9 |
| 600 yd | 20.1 | 19.2 | 17.4 | 14.5 |
| 700 yd | 28.2 | 26.9 | 24.3 | 20.2 |
| 800 yd | 38.0 | 36.2 | 32.6 | 27.0 |
| 900 yd | 49.7 | 47.2 | 42.5 | 34.9 |
| 1,000 yd | 63.5 | 60.1 | 53.9 | 44.1 |
| 1,100 yd | 79.5 | 75.1 | 67.1 | 54.7 |
| 1,200 yd | 97.9 | 92.1 | 82.3 | 66.7 |
How we calculated these numbers: each manufacturer’s published muzzle velocity and G1 ballistic coefficient, standard atmosphere (59°F, sea level), 1.5-inch sight height, and a 10 mph full-value crosswind for wind drift. Spin drift is not included. Velocities come from manufacturer test barrels, so a shorter barrel, higher altitude, or different temperature will change your results. Always confirm your own data at the range before shooting at distance.
The heavy, high-BC bullets are where 7mm PRC shines. The 180gr ELD Match is still moving about 1,733 fps at 1,200 yards with about 1,201 ft-lbs of energy, and it drifts the least in the wind of any load here.
7mm PRC Scope Adjustments (MOA and Mils)
These tables convert the drop numbers above into elevation corrections for a rifle zeroed at 100 yards. Dial up the number shown, or hold over that amount on your reticle.
Elevation in MOA (100-yard zero)
| Range | 155gr TA | 170gr TA | 175gr ELD-X | 180gr ELD-M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 yd | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| 300 yd | 3.1 | 3.4 | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| 400 yd | 5.2 | 5.8 | 5.5 | 5.4 |
| 500 yd | 7.6 | 8.3 | 7.9 | 7.7 |
| 600 yd | 10.2 | 11.1 | 10.5 | 10.3 |
| 700 yd | 13.1 | 14.2 | 13.4 | 12.9 |
| 800 yd | 16.3 | 17.5 | 16.4 | 15.8 |
| 900 yd | 19.8 | 21.1 | 19.8 | 18.9 |
| 1,000 yd | 23.6 | 25.1 | 23.4 | 22.2 |
| 1,100 yd | 27.9 | 29.4 | 27.3 | 25.7 |
| 1,200 yd | 32.6 | 34.2 | 31.6 | 29.4 |
Elevation in Mils (100-yard zero)
| Range | 155gr TA | 170gr TA | 175gr ELD-X | 180gr ELD-M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 yd | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| 300 yd | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
| 400 yd | 1.5 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| 500 yd | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.3 | 2.2 |
| 600 yd | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.0 |
| 700 yd | 3.8 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 3.8 |
| 800 yd | 4.7 | 5.1 | 4.8 | 4.6 |
| 900 yd | 5.8 | 6.1 | 5.7 | 5.5 |
| 1,000 yd | 6.9 | 7.3 | 6.8 | 6.4 |
| 1,100 yd | 8.1 | 8.6 | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| 1,200 yd | 9.5 | 9.9 | 9.2 | 8.6 |
7mm PRC Drop With a 200-Yard Zero
With a 200-yard zero, these loads hit about 1.3 to 1.5 inches high at 100 yards and about 6 inches low at 300 yards, which keeps most hunting shots inside 300 yards a simple center hold.
Bullet Drop (inches, 200-yard zero)
| Range | 155gr TA | 170gr TA | 175gr ELD-X | 180gr ELD-M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 |
| 100 yd | +1.3 | +1.5 | +1.4 | +1.4 |
| 200 yd | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 300 yd | -5.8 | -6.4 | -6.1 | -6.0 |
| 400 yd | -16.7 | -18.3 | -17.3 | -17.1 |
| 500 yd | -33.4 | -36.3 | -34.3 | -33.6 |
| 600 yd | -56.6 | -61.1 | -57.7 | -56.1 |
Maximum Point-Blank Range
Maximum point-blank range is the farthest distance you can hold dead on a target of a given size without the bullet rising above or falling below it. For deer, a 6-inch vital zone is a common standard; for elk, many hunters use 8 inches.
| Load | Zero (6" vitals) | Point-blank range (6") | Zero (8" vitals) | Point-blank range (8") |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 155gr TA | 260 yd | 305 yd | 295 yd | 345 yd |
| 170gr TA | 250 yd | 295 yd | 280 yd | 330 yd |
| 175gr ELD-X | 255 yd | 300 yd | 290 yd | 340 yd |
| 180gr ELD-M | 260 yd | 305 yd | 290 yd | 340 yd |
Energy and Supersonic Range
Many hunters use about 1,000 ft-lbs of retained energy as a rough minimum for deer and about 1,500 ft-lbs for elk. These are rules of thumb, not hard limits: bullet construction and shot placement matter more than any energy number. The table also shows how far each load stays supersonic.
| Load | Above 1,500 ft-lbs to | Above 1,000 ft-lbs to | Supersonic to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 155gr TA | 650 yd | 950 yd | about 1,575 yd |
| 170gr TA | 700 yd | 1,025 yd | 1,600+ yd |
| 175gr ELD-X | 800 yd | 1,150 yd | 1,600+ yd |
| 180gr ELD-M | 950 yd | 1,375 yd | 1,600+ yd |
The 175gr ELD-X keeps 1,500 ft-lbs to about 800 yards, and the 180gr ELD Match to about 950 yards. That reach is why 7mm PRC has become popular with elk hunters, but your ethical range should be set by your skill, wind, and conditions, not an energy chart.
7mm PRC vs 6.5 PRC vs 300 Win Mag Ballistics
Here are Hornady Precision Hunter ELD-X loads in all three: 175gr 7mm PRC at 3,000 fps, 143gr 6.5 PRC at 2,960 fps, and 178gr 300 Win Mag at 2,960 fps (Hornady lists a 26-inch test barrel for the 300 Win Mag load).
| At range | 7mm PRC 175gr | 6.5 PRC 143gr | 300 Win Mag 178gr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 yd drop | -10.2 in | -10.8 in | -11.0 in |
| 500 yd drop | -41.2 in | -43.7 in | -45.3 in |
| 800 yd drop | -137.6 in | -147.8 in | -156.2 in |
| 1,000 yd drop | -244.9 in | -265.9 in | -285.7 in |
| 500 yd wind drift | 11.8 in | 13.5 in | 15.5 in |
| 500 yd energy | 2,119 ft-lbs | 1,588 ft-lbs | 1,830 ft-lbs |
| 1,000 yd wind drift | 53.9 in | 62.7 in | 73.8 in |
| 1,000 yd energy | 1,210 ft-lbs | 843 ft-lbs | 885 ft-lbs |
7mm PRC shoots flatter and drifts less than both, and it carries about 1,210 ft-lbs at 1,000 yards, compared with about 885 ft-lbs for this 300 Win Mag load and 843 ft-lbs for 6.5 PRC. 300 Win Mag starts with similar energy but loses it faster with this bullet. See our 6.5 PRC ballistics chart and 300 Win Mag ammo for more.
What Changes Your 7mm PRC Ballistics
- Barrel length. Hornady’s velocities come from 24-inch test barrels. Many 7mm PRC hunting rifles have 22-inch barrels and will be somewhat slower.
- Altitude and temperature. Thinner air at elevation means less drag and less drop than this sea-level chart shows.
- Twist rate. Long, heavy 7mm bullets like the 180gr ELD Match need a fast twist to stabilize. Hornady lists different BCs for this bullet at different twist rates, so check your rifle’s twist.
- Your rifle. Chronograph your load and confirm drops at distance before trusting long-range dope.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far does 7mm PRC drop at 500 yards?
With a 100-yard zero, popular 7mm PRC loads drop about 40 to 44 inches at 500 yards. The 175gr ELD-X drops about 41 inches.
How far does 7mm PRC drop at 1,000 yards?
With a 100-yard zero, the 180gr ELD Match drops about 232 inches and the 175gr ELD-X about 245 inches at 1,000 yards. That is roughly 22 to 23 MOA, or 6.4 to 6.8 mils.
Is 7mm PRC flatter shooting than 300 Win Mag?
With Hornady Precision Hunter loads, the 175gr 7mm PRC drops about 245 inches at 1,000 yards versus about 286 inches for the 178gr 300 Win Mag load, and it drifts about 20 inches less in a 10 mph wind.
How much energy does 7mm PRC have at 1,000 yards?
The 175gr ELD-X keeps about 1,210 ft-lbs and the 180gr ELD Match about 1,460 ft-lbs at 1,000 yards, calculated from Hornady published data.
The Bottom Line
7mm PRC pairs heavy, high-BC bullets with magnum velocity, which gives it some of the flattest trajectories and best retained energy of any common hunting cartridge. Pick a high-BC bullet for long shots, confirm your dope with your own rifle, and shop in-stock 7mm PRC ammo with next-business-day shipping from our Knoxville, TN warehouse.
