370: 6.5 PRC vs 7mm PRC Caliber Comparison
Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!
Release Date: 05/08/2025
Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!
I discuss all of the 6.5mm SAAMI standardized cartridges (plus a couple of other noteworthy CIP rounds) in this episode. As always, I’ll talk about their history, design characteristics, performance specs, their strengths and weaknesses, and their recommended uses in detail. Where appropriate, I’ll also share some personal anecdotes involving these rounds as well as some observations involving various cartridges by noteworthy gun writers as well. Cartridges covered: 6.5x52mm Carcano, 6.5×55 Swede, 6.5x57mm, 6.5x50mm Japanese, 6.5x54MS, 6.5-06, 264 Winchester Magnum, 6.5mm Remington...
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Today, Rob Massa from the Bergara Academy and the R&K Hunting Company in Wyoming joins me on the show to discuss some observations he has made on what cartridges and bullets work and don’t work from over 20 years outfitting elk hunts in Wyoming. I first met Rob while attending an event at the Bergara long range shooting Academy in 2024 and I was incredibly impressed both with his knowledge of shooting and hunting as well with the professionalism he ran the Bergara Academy and the R&K Hunting Company with. With that in mind, I decided to bring him on the show to discuss some...
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I just made it home from an outstanding elk hunt in Wyoming! Despite some unique struggles, I had an amazing trip and I successfully took a beautiful bull elk. Today’s episode is a detailed recap of this hunt, evaluations of some gear I used, and some of the lessons we learned along the way. I also share two exciting announcements near the end. Check out my video of the hunt here: Sponsor: Get in touch with Rob at to book an elk, antelope, or deer hunt. I cannot recommend them highly enough: they have hardworking and friendly guides, comfortable lodging, great food, and fantastic...
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John McAdams shares insights on the 22 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor informed by real world data on obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, performance specifications, and pros and cons of each cartridge. Plus, he also shares some details on how different 6.5 Creedmoor and 22 Creedmoor factory loads have performed on game afield. Sponsor: Go to and sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and...
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Brad Watts, the director of marketing for CVA, joins me on the show to talk about the diverse array of muzzleloaders and rifles CVA produces. Of note, CVA currently produces a number of rifles in more esoteric cartridges like 35 Whelen, 444 Marlin, and 400 Legend. Not only that, but they also produce other rifles and muzzleloaders that are in compliance with very specific hunting regulations in states like Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and Oregon. And finally, they also produce plenty of more conventional rifles and muzzleloaders as well. We discuss this in more detail during this...
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John McAdams shares three different recommendations for ammunition and bullets for deer hunters to use in 2025 informed by real world data on obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, performance specifications, and pros and cons of each offerings. Plus, he also shares some details on how those different bullets have performed on game afield. Sponsor: Go to and sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting,...
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The legendary 270 Winchester celebrates its 100th birthday this year in 2025. So, in honor of that impressive milestone, I conduct a deep dive comparing the venerable 270 Winchester to a much newer round with a more modern design that, as you’ll learn here shortly, has shockingly similar performance: the 6.5 PRC. Sponsor: Go to and sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday. Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to...
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Matty Nelson, the director of business management for Seekins Precision, joins me on the show to talk about his company their hunting rifles. Of note, Seekins Precision was one of the first companies to pick up both of the SAAMI standardized high pressure cartridges we have right now in the 277 Sig Fury and the new 7mm Backcountry. Not only that, but all the rifles they’re producing today are forwards compatible with that same technology and, with just a simple barrel change (which you’ll be able to purchase from Seekins Precision), can easily be adopted to shoot new cartridges like a...
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John McAdams shares insights on the 25 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor informed by real world data on obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, performance specifications, and pros and cons of each cartridge. Plus, he also shares some details on how different 6.5 Creedmoor and 25 Creedmoor factory loads have performed on game afield. Sponsor: Go to and sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and...
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Caleb Giddings, the marketing general manager for Taurus holdings, joins me on the show to talk about Taurus and Rossi firearms. We discuss the history of Taurus and Rossi, the details on some of the hunting handguns and rifles they each offer, and a few hunting stories involving those guns afield hunting in Africa. Sponsor: Go to and sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday. In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams...
info_outlineJohn McAdams shares insights on the 6.5 vs 7mm PRC informed by real world data on obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, performance specifications, and pros and cons of each cartridge. Plus, he also shares some details on how different 6.5 PRC and 7mm PRC factory loads have performed on game afield.
Sponsor: Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to have a future podcast guest answer one of your questions on the air along with access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter
Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/ebook and sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday.
In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams discusses the 6.5 PRC vs 7mm PRC.
John conducts a deep dive on both cartridges, tackles complaints about the 7mm PRC falling short of advertised velocities, and compares how both rounds perform in several ballistic gel tests. John also shares a few hunting stories illustrating the terminal performance of various 6.5 and 7 PRC factory loads.
John's takeaway? The 6.5 PRC offers some important benefits over the 7mm PRC and is a worthy consideration for those wanting a high performance short action hunting cartridge or even an all-around hunting cartridge.
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Resources
Actual 7mm PRC Velocity Exposed! - Episode referenced regarding 7mm PRC muzzle velocities
Best 7mm PRC Ammo For Hunting – Factory ammo recommendations for the 7mm PRC
Best 6.5 PRC Ammo For Hunting – Factory ammo recommendations for the 6.5 PRC
Best Hunting Ear Protection For Sportsmen – Ear protection recommendations
Best Rifle Scopes For Hunting – Rifle scope recommendations
Best Hunting Rifle Slings – Rifle sling recommendations