Since the 300 PRC hit the market in 2018 there has been constant debate as to its need. After all the 300 Win Mag has been around since 1963 and is quite comparable. Which of the two in this 300 Win Mag vs 300 PRC debate is the better choice? Should you rush to add the newer 30-caliber magnum to your inventory?
Like all new cartridges there is a never-ending pursuit to make things better, i.e. faster, greater energy, more accurate and more lethal for those in the hunting field or the military. New cartridges and rifle platforms keep the industry alive and moving forward. I must admit that I enjoy some of these new creations.
My background to discuss both the 300 Win Mag and the 300 PRC comes from real world time spent in the hunting field. However, the 300 Win Mag is new to me in just the last few years, and the 300 PRC within the past year. Suffice it to say, I have hunted and taken big game with both of these outstanding cartridges.
There are two ways to begin looking at the history of these two cartridges. First, the 300 Win Mag over the last 30 years has to be the ultimate survivor, repeatedly being challenged by other rivals.
Second, the 300 PRC appears to have become the newest and most direct challenger to the 300 Win Mag’s “leader of the pack” position. Other comparable .30-caliber magnums of recent design such as the 300 Norma Magnum, 300 Remington Ultra Magnum, and 30 Nosler I must admit I have no direct hands-on experience.
To get the ball rolling, let’s take a look at of both of the 30-caliber magnums discussed most in today’s world, the 300 PRC and the 300 Win Mag.
300 PRC Specs
- Bullet Diameter: .308 inches
- Overall Length: 3.7 inches
- Case Length: 2.580 inches (standard long action)
- Case Head: .532 inches (uses standard .540 in. magnum bolt face)
- Muzzle Velocity: 2900 to 3000 fps
- Bullet Weights: 190 to 250 grains
- Shoulder Angle: 30 degrees
- Twist: 1:8.5
- SAAMI Max Pressure: 65,000 psi
- Year Introduced: 2018
- Parent Case: .375 Ruger
300 Win Mag Specs
- Bullet Diameter: .308 inches
- Overall Length: 3.340 inches
- Case Length: 2.620 inches (standard long action)
- Case Head: .532 inches (uses standard .540 in. magnum bolt face)
- Muzzle Velocity: 2875 to 3300 fps
- Bullet Weights: 150 to 220 grains
- Shoulder Angle: 25 degrees
- Twist: 1:10
- SAAMI Max Pressure: 64,000 psi
- Year Introduced: 1963
- Parent Case: .375 H&H Magnum
Some Background on the 300 PRC
The 300 PRC was selected by the US Department of Defense for its extended long range sniping program and was designed from the start to launch heavy, high-performance bullets efficiently with utmost precision. This cartridge employs all the best practices that ballistics engineers can utilize to get top performance. The guidelines for these “best practices” fall under the umbrella of Modern Cartridge Design.
What are the basic goals and features of Modern Cartridge Design?
- Twist rates that are faster in order to stabilize and shoot heavy-for-caliber bullets with high BC match bullets
- Brass providing steep shoulders and minimal case taper for greater inherent accuracy
- Chambers with tight throats minimally larger than the bullet diameter
- Adequate case neck length to properly support the bullets
- Utilizing long bullets without having the base of the bullet protrude into the powder chamber
Essentially the 300 PRC cartridge meets all of these criteria.
300 PRC vs 300 Win Mag Ballistics
The reality is that at 300 yards and even 500 yards, the cartridges are somewhat similar. However, the foot pounds of energy shown by the 300 PRC in the table below as compared to the 300 Win Mag is impressive. For those wishing for a comparison when hunting, at any reasonable distance, there’s no need to feel that the 300 Win Mag is not up to par, because in fact it is. The 300 Win Mag with its many decades of success on big game is a stand-alone testament to that fact.
There is little doubt however that the 300 PRC does begin to surpass the 300 Win Mag at greater distances. The following tables will give you a general idea of what each caliber brings to the table by comparing Hornady’s 225 Grain ELD Match 300 PRC to Sierra’s 180 Grain GameKing 300 Win Mag cartridge.
Velocity Comparison
Energy Comparison
300 PRC vs 300 Win Mag in The Field
In the last couple of years, I’ve had the pleasure of hunting with these cartridges and have enjoyed taking big game with both.
Hunting with 300 PRC
As to the 300 PRC my limited field time has been spent with the Bergara Wilderness Sierra. This rifle falls under Bergara’s Wilderness Series and is built for tough hunting conditions. The Sierra weighs in at approximately 7 pounds and features a sporter style stock with SoftTouch finish and adjustable cheek riser that allows for custom adjustment and a proper cheek weld.
Utilizing the Riton 5 Primal 2-12×44 scope for the Bergara I found it to be a great choice for any application including low light conditions you may encounter while hunting. I used Leupold M4 rings to attach the scope to a 20 MOA picatinny tactical base atop the Bergara.
Real Field Experience with 300 PRC
Just recently I was able to put the 300 PRC to the test while hunting a large ranch in south central Texas. My quarry was Scimitar Horned Oryx, an antelope species from northern Africa. Texas is one of the few places in the world you can hunt this species. Although the Scimitar are not the largest of African antelope, adults still weigh in at 300–400-pounds.
While my intention was to stretch 300 PRC ammo out to at least the 400 to 500 yards range, I found it almost impossible to get Oryx in an open line of sight at that distance due to densely wooded areas found on the ranch. Ultimately the only clear shot I was able to take on the Scimitar was around 160 yards after two days of hunting.
Suffice it to say, this distance was child’s play for the 300 PRC and I placed the shot squarely in the brisket with the Oryx facing me straight on. Utilizing Hornady’s, 225 grain ELD Match ammo, which I found the Bergara liked the best, the 300 plus pound animal took a few steps and was down almost instantly.
Obviously, any high-powered rifle cartridge could have produced the same results at that distance, but still the 300 PRC cartridge was impressive. Hopefully this be only the first of several big game hunts with this chambering.
Hunting with 300 Win Mag
In the 300 Win Mag category my field time is a bit more extensive. Trying out the Christensen Arms Mesa FFT a traditional bolt action platform rifle and weighing only 5.5 pounds without scope and hardware, this rifle was a joy to hunt with. Attaching a Lucid L5 4-16×44 rifle scope atop the Christensen Mesa FFT, I found it perfect for and upcoming African Safari in May of 2023. The 30mm tube offers precise 1/8 MOA windage and elevation adjustments on lockable, tactical style turrets.
What can I say that thousands of others haven’t already said about the 300 Win Mag? In my case I was fortunate to put this cartridge through its paces while on Safari. I took everything from Springbok to Eland with the tried and true 300 Win Mag. From the smallest Springbok at 350 yards, to the largest Eland at 400 plus yards, the decades old cartridge proved itself over and over on the plains of Africa, taking other large bodied game including sable, roan, and wildebeest.
All game in Africa was taken utilizing Sierra Gamechanger with its 180 grain TGK (Tipped Game King) bullet as it provided outstanding accuracy in the Christensen FFT.
Two Calibers – Both Effective
At these distances for either my African Safari or the Texas hunt I don’t think there’s a significant difference between the 300 PRC and the 300 Win Mag. However, in talking with those that have utilized the 300 PRC on the competition side of the fence, it’s a different story.
Many prefer to the 300 PRC in ELR (extreme long range) matches, and pushing the cartridge for all it is worth. Many of the ELR steel challenge matches are some of the most demanding long-range shooting events out there, and the reports are that the 300 PRC performs wonderfully under those conditions.
One note, on both rifles, the 300 PRC and the 300 Win Mag I utilized the muzzle brakes that came stock on the rifles. Recoil was completely manageable but with and increase in decibel levels. Suffice to say I utilized ear protection, even while hunting.
Another interesting note, barrel life is reported to be in the 1500 round range on average for both calibers. Of course there are many variables that can influence this including, barrel quality, factory ammo versus handloads, etc.
300 Win Mag Pros and Cons
Pros
- Wide and varied selection of factory ammunition and bullet weights
- More than sufficient accuracy at long-range hunting distances
- Proven worldwide on big game hunting
Cons
- As a general rule not as capable at extreme distances as the 300 PRC
- Ability to make use of today’s best bullets without modifications to chamber and twist rate is challenging
300 PRC Pros and Cons
Pros
- Optimized to work with the best long-range bullets based on Modern Cartridge Design
- Designed to deliver maximum accuracy at extreme long-range shooting
- Ideal at long range for big game hunting
Cons
- Currently limited selection and availability of factory ammunition as compared to 300 Win Mag
Parting Thoughts on the 300 PRC vs 300 Win Mag
The 300 PRC, while seemingly redundant, should be appreciated as a fine tuning of the 30-caliber magnum cartridge. If your interest points to targets and extreme range steel competition, the 300 PRC is probably top pick. If you want a versatile, proven 300 magnum for big game hunting, the old 300 Winchester Magnum with its decades of worldwide success is hard to argue against.
Bottom line, there’s no right or wrong answer. Perhaps it is as simple as old versus new. For the traditionalist, the 300 Win Mag appears to have retained top billing of the .30-caliber magnums. For the hunter and competitor that lean towards the “new best thing”, there is little doubt that the 300 PRC, and other cartridges developed on “Modern Cartridge Design”, is a sign of what’s to come.
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