My rifle builder listened to what I was wanting? Then said I picked the wrong caliber (28 nosler). I had a lot of criteria but main points were I wanted to shoot steel at distance, but also had to be elk capable. He suggested 6.5 PRC on a long action. I have looked at a ton of ballistic tables and all the Google crap imaginable. However I wanted to start a conversation here to get thoughts before I throw down $

Those 2 rounds aren't even comparable. The 28 Nosler beats the PRC in every ballistic category. There's absolutely zero advantage to the PRC, unless you're afraid of recoil. And even that is a marginal difference.

Nearly 50% more powder is going to yield more than a 'marginal difference' in recoil. If banging steel out to 1 mile is the goal, the PRC will be much more comfortable to shoot for extended periods, particularly in a rifle that is light enough to double as an elk gun.

If recoil is no object, then the 28 will definitely be more capable.

IMO unless you're heavily hunting elk every year, build a gun for steel and buy something else to drag around the mountains and shoot 20 rounds a year.

So valid points have already been made. I must clarify more. I will be ringing out too 1080yds on steel. Probably 6 weekends a year we will shoot 150-200 in a couple days. Elk is every 2-3 years as I have enough money. I am not building a sheep gun. I carried a 9.5lb rifle twice and it wasn’t that bad. Recoil IS an issue. I wish it wasn’t but it is. I know the dominance of the 28nos over the PRC. But I was informed the the 28 will not be a “joy” to shoot for an extended amount of time, unless it was mad ridiculously heavy, then it would be like dragging a ball and chain through the mountains.

PS I do reload. Last elk was killed with .30-06 at 431yds. 4 well placed shots.

I've only been watching in fascination of all the new magnum type cartridges. It seemed like 300wm and 7mm mag were the undisputed but then came a whole new set of magnums. I suppose these two are the next gen stuff, similar to what the 6.5cm did to short actions.

I have zero experience with either but I think I'd go 28 nosler. There is something appealing about the broad range of weights and bullet types that are available, especially if you consider the ones common used. I can't speak for 28 nosler necessarily, but it seemed like guys were shooting everything from like 120 to 180gr bullets for target and hunting purposes out of a 7mag with a lot of success. Example, Midsouth Shooters overs 1095-150gr bullets in 6.5mm (with very few options past 147gr) and 100-197gr for the 7mm bullets.
Even with 6.5cm, seems like everyone shoots something between 130-140 somethings so from my layman's perspective, I feel like I only see 140 something grain bullets, predominately the 143 eld, being commercially available and reloads in 6.5prc.

I'm still a newb to reloading and not claiming it's a great rationale but, for example, I chose a 308 years ago and one thing I though t of was the wide bullet selection for 30cal. My expereinces are limited but I've really enjoyed having all the options available to play with.

That's what muzzle brakes are for. Every other conceivable advantage goes to the 28 Nos.

At 1200 rounds per year, there will be a significant $ difference in reloading supplies too. PRC will be cheaper to load.

OP, you gonna have any money left for ammo after you pay for that custom rig? If not, go buy a Savage. If so, build whatever the F you want. Either caliber is fine. The 28 Nos is superior. It shoots a bullet 40 grains heavier at the same velocity, with a superior BC. Facts don't care about nobody's feelings.

I agree with everything Jeremy said. The ballistics don't lie, the 28 Nosler beats the 6.5 PRC.

Recoil is no big deal on the 28 Nosler loaded with a 195 gr. I put 50 rounds through one last summer doing load development, in a 10 pound rig, and wanted to shoot it some more. Yes, it'll cost a bit more to load for, but if you're building a hot rod, run it like a hot rod.

Oh, and Kyle, I can fix your recoil issue.

I wouldn't build a 28 nosler for an elk every 2-3 years and a fun shooting gun the rest of the time.

How much are you going to shoot it? You might be looking at a new barrel for the 28 every elk hunt.

Like you stated, the 28 will easily out do the 6.5 PRC. But it's a totally different round. The 6.5 PRC is a very capable long range hunting round. If you build it on a long action, it will allow you to seat the bullet out further, gain case volume, and gain velocity. The 6.5 PRC is a few grains bigger than the 6.5x284 when built on a long action. It copies the same powders and similar load data. It's a good round for more velocity than the typical short action 6.5 calibers (6.5 CM, 260, etc)

Could also be looking at a new 6.5mm barrel every elk hunt.

And so what? He will be good at shoot them.

I would feel confident in the 6.5's ability to kill elk and at that point I don't see the reason to go through the extra powder recoil etc. with the nosler. That's my opinion. I think they would likely both do a fine job.

They would both do a fine job, depending on distance. The 28 will give more energy farther out, and cheat the wind better. And before anyone chimes in with 300 yards or less, one does not build one of these to ONLY stay inside 300 yards.

Sounds like he really needs a 50 cal.

Well shoot, if you have to build it on a long action, another to consider would be the 6.5-06 AI. At 1000 yards it's neck/neck with the Nosler on 20% less fuel. You do have to fire-form it, though.

Or a 6.5 Sherman

I love this conversation, but I find these responses a little abrupt. Am I reading into it too much?

The additional cost of components doesn’t bother me, but unrelenting recoil isn’t what I want. I HAD to do load development on a “RMEA” Remington 700 in 300RUM. I had to be extremely diligent about form and technique. Furthermore I enjoyed it like a kick in the junk. The gun did not have a break, but breaks have disadvantages too? Keep this up. Great points.

If you don't want a brake and you don't like shooting the RUM me thinks your not going to enjoy a 28 nosler without a brake.

Brakes aren’t a bad thing, but ear pro is a must. If your hunting and opportunities present themselves and you forget to put it on, I can’t imagine a 28 with a really effective brake. My ears would ring for days.

You could always remove the brake and put on a thread protector for hunting, since it's not volume shooting.

I agree, I don't own any guns with brakes because I hunt with them all and I often times do not have ear protection on in hunting situations. My 300 wby is bad enough without a brake.

I'm watching this conversation as I have been thinking about a future rifle build too. Considering 7-08 AI, because I prefer short action, and think that 7mm bullet can do anything in North America.

Man, I felt like I was really toning it down. Anyway, I have an 8-pound 26 Nosler (same case as the 28, same boolit as the PRC) with no brake. It's not a plinker that I can shoot all day, but it's by no means unbearable to shoot. I bought a brake for it but haven't had it installed yet. That should make it a fun shooter. The only downside to a brake, is extra noise. You're probably not going to be shooting a magnum centerfire rifle without hearing protection anyway, so you'll probably never notice the extra blasty noise.

If you decide not to go with the 28 for whatever reason, there are still some excellent 7mm cartridges that compare more favorably to the 6.5 PRC. The 284 Win, 280 AI, 7 SAUM are all similar in case capacity to the PRC, and still shoot the 7mm boolit you originally wanted.