When we first released our comparison of the 7mm PRC and the 7mm Backcountry (BC), the feedback was overwhelming. The hunting community is passionate about their opinions and how they think things should be done. In our first comparison we used Hornady ammo for the PRC (they developed the cartridge),we had a ton of comments that this was not an "apples to apples" comparison and to do so, we needed to use the same ammo in both rifles. Well, here you go.
We headed back to the range to settle the score, using Federal Fusion Tipped 175-grain bullets in both rifles. Here is exactly what happened when we leveled the playing field.
The Contenders and the "Barrel Disadvantage"
To keep this test as transparent as possible, we used the same gear where it mattered most. However, we purposely put the 7mm BC at a physical disadvantage:
Standard ballistic logic suggests that the 7mm PRC, with an extra 2 inches of barrel, should produce higher muzzle velocities. We used a Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph to capture the data.
7mm PRC Performance Results
Using the Federal Fusion Tipped 175g, the 7mm PRC performed consistently. While the box advertised a muzzle velocity of 2,925 FPS (likely tested in a 24-inch barrel), our 22-inch barrel produced the following:
The PRC is a formidable round, but it fell about 100 FPS short of the box's advertised speed in our specific rifle configuration.
7mm BC Performance Results
Next, we stepped up with the 7mm Backcountry. Despite the shorter 20-inch barrel, the efficiency of the BC cartridge was immediately apparent.
The Verdict: A 197 FPS Advantage
The "apples-to-apples" results were definitive. Even with a 2-inch shorter barrel, the 7mm BC outperformed the 7mm PRC by an average of 197 FPS using identical 175-grain Federal Fusion ammunition.
Cartridge Barrel Length Ammo Avg. Muzzle Velocity7mm PRC 22"Federal Fusion 175g 2,829 FPS 7mm BC 20"Federal Fusion 175g 3,026 FPS
Why This Matters for Hunters
For the backcountry hunter, every inch and every ounce matters. This test proves that the 7mm BC offers a more compact rifle platform (shorter barrel) without sacrificing—and actually increasing—kinetic energy and velocity compared to the PRC in similar configurations.
If you are looking for a rifle that is easier to maneuver in the brush or mountain terrain but still hits with authority at long distances, the 7mm BC is making a very strong case for itself.
What’s Next?
Numbers are great, but field performance is the ultimate test. We took the 7mm BC on a mule deer hunt in Colorado to see how it performs when it counts. You can watch that video here.
Interested in mastering your own long-range rifle? Check out our Long Range Shooting Schools to learn how to dial in your setup for the hunt of a lifetime.
