12 of 22 7mm PRC factory loads carry 1,200 ft·lb and expansion velocity for black bear; the best reach 1,000 yd (Federal 175 gr ELD-X). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal 175 gr ELD-X | 175 | 1,000 | 3,000 | 2,119 | yes |
| Hornady Precision Hunter 175 gr ELD-X | 175 | 1,000 | 3,000 | 2,128 | yes |
| Nosler Trophy Grade Long Range 175 gr AccuBond Long Range | 175 | 950 | 3,000 | 2,057 | yes |
| Barnes VOR-TX LR 160 gr LRX BT | 160 | 850 | 3,050 | 1,873 | yes |
| Federal 170 gr Terminal Ascent | 170 | 850 | 2,950 | 1,911 | yes |
| Norma 165 gr Bondstrike | 165 | 850 | 3,018 | 1,930 | yes |
| Federal 155 gr Terminal Ascent | 155 | 800 | 3,100 | 1,839 | yes |
| Remington Premier CuT 160 gr Copper Tipped | 160 | 800 | 3,000 | 1,783 | yes |
| Federal 175 gr Fusion Tipped | 175 | 750 | 2,925 | 1,800 | yes |
| Nosler Trophy Grade 160 gr AccuBond | 160 | 700 | 3,031 | 1,690 | yes |
| Barnes VOR-TX 170 gr TTSX BT | 170 | 650 | 2,925 | 1,590 | yes |
| Hornady Outfitter 160 gr CX | 160 | 650 | 3,000 | 1,783 | yes |
| Hornady 180 gr ELD Match | 180 | wrong bullet | 2,975 | 2,279 | behind the shoulder only |
| Nosler Match Grade 185 gr RDF | 185 | wrong bullet | 2,875 | 2,078 | behind the shoulder only |
| Barnes Harvest Collection 180 gr Sierra Tipped GameKing | 180 | wrong bullet | 2,960 | 2,016 | behind the shoulder only |
| Berger 195 gr Elite Hunter | 195 | wrong bullet | 2,800 | 2,135 | behind the shoulder only |
| Berger 175 gr Elite Hunter | 175 | wrong bullet | 2,920 | 1,970 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal 195 gr Berger Elite Hunter | 195 | wrong bullet | 2,760 | 2,066 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington Premier Long Range 175 gr Speer Impact | 175 | wrong bullet | 3,000 | 1,865 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 175 gr Core-Lokt Tipped | 175 | wrong bullet | 3,000 | 1,827 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady American Whitetail TIPPED 154 gr SST | 154 | wrong bullet | 3,030 | 1,613 | behind the shoulder only |
| Nosler 160 gr Ballistic Tip Hunting | 160 | wrong bullet | 3,000 | 1,651 | behind the shoulder only |
Fat and hair hide the vitals: aim 4–5″ behind the shoulder and a touch high. Partition / bonded / monolithic. Floor used: 1,200 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.themeateater.com, www.oneoutdoors.org.