7 Sherman Short Overview: 7 PRC Performance… In a SHORT Action?

If you want maximum 7mm performance packed into a short-action rifle, the 7mm Sherman Short (SS) delivers impressive velocities and exceptional ballistic efficiency without stepping up to a long-action platform. Follow along as we explore the family of Sherman Wildcat cartridges, the design details of the 7 SS, and what makes this cartridge a compelling choice for both medium and big-game hunting.

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Overview of the Sherman Wildcat Family

Sherman Wildcat cartridges span short, medium, and long action platforms, each engineered to maximize performance metrics within specific dimensional constraints:

Short Action Cartridges:
- Sherman Short Tactical (SST): A competition-oriented cartridge featuring a 30° shoulder angle and a magnum case rim, designed to completely optimize feeding.
- Sherman Short (SS): Steps up to a 40° shoulder angle to completely maximize short-action performance. Features a shallow body taper, a larger major shoulder diameter, and optimized bullet placement that avoids the neck-shoulder junction to keep standard deviation (SD) and extreme spread (ES) numbers low.
- 7mm SWC: Uses a .308 case rim and a 7mm bullet, optimized for PRS and target applications with a non-magnum bolt face. In testing, it delivered a remarkable 5-shot group measuring just 0.187 inches.
Medium Action Cartridges:
- Sherman Max: Takes the SS cartridge formula and provides more breathing room with extended cartridge overall length (COL).
Long Action Cartridges:
- Sherman Longs & Megas: Designed around a .308 case rim or WSM-style case with a 40° shoulder, maximizing performance within long-action length restrictions.
- Sherman Magnum: Utilizes a magnum case rim in a long action to completely maximize power and ballistic velocity.

About the 7mm Sherman Short (7 SS)

The 7mm Sherman Short is purpose-built to squeeze maximum 7mm performance out of a short action using a magnum bolt face (0.532” case rim)..

The 2.950” COAL is optimized for the longest internal magazine capacity available in a short action. The case capacity is approximately 72 grains of water. The 7SS has a 40° shoulder angle with a steepened, larger major shoulder diameter and shallow body taper. This round is designed for 1:8 to 1:8.5 twist barrels. (We used a 1:8 twist barrel on our test build with phenomenal results).

Key advantages include an optimized interface between the bullet and the case neck. This keeps the bearing surface ahead of the neck-shoulder junction to avoid velocity variations. This provides the ability to achieve 6.5 PRC-plus velocities with heavier, high-BC 7mm bullets.

Ballistically, the 7 SS rivals long-action counterparts like the 7mm PRC, matching muzzle velocities while giving hunters the weight and bolt-throw advantages of a true short-action rifle.

Field Performance and Game Results

Extensive experience with Sherman Wildcat cartridges has demonstrated stellar performance in the field. While the 6.5 Sherman Short proved itself on big game (such as five shots and five kills in South Africa with Peter Milan), the 7 SS excels with heavy, high-BC projectiles.

Tyler Jacobs of Sherman Wildcat Cartridges successfully took a deer at 850 yards and an elk at 950 yards using the 175-grain Berger Elite Hunter.

Sample Load Data & Top Bullet Options

Note: The following reloading data was provided by Sherman Wildcats and should be used strictly at your own risk as a starting point for load development.

Top Bullet Choices:
- Berger 175-grain Elite Hunter
- Berger 180-grain Hybrid Target
- Hornady 175-grain ELD-X
- Hammer 154-grain HBC
Powder Options: Vihtavuori N160, N550, N560, and Hodgdon H4831 Shortcut, achieving velocities right around 3,000 ft/sec out of 24- to 26-inch barrels.

The Build Breakdown

My 7 SS build includes top-tier components selected for precision, rigidity, and reliability. This build has a BAT Vesper Short action with a 24-inch 1:8 Bartlein barrel. Both sit in a Foundation Ezekiel stock with Hawkins M5 DBM.

Conclusion

Can a short-action cartridge truly rival long-action heavyweights like the 7mm PRC? When it comes to the 7mm Sherman Short (7 SS), the answer is a resounding yes. It delivers maximum 7mm performance, optimal bullet-to-case relationships, and exceptional accuracy potential in a streamlined short-action package.

If you are looking to step away from the crowd at hunting camp while retaining the downrange authority needed for medium and big game, the 7 SS is well worth a close look.