.300 PRC or .300 Win Mag
- Thread starter Buzzsaw
- Start date
Adam in WI
Practically lives here
I'd say 300 Win Mag to make things simple and easy on yourself but I myself never seem to keep things simple or easy.
300 Win Mag will offer easy over the counter ammo. Both are pretty much equal, just depends what you want.
performance wise very similar, I would go 300 PRC, no Belt, steeper shoulder angle, longer neck, chambered for heavy high BC bullets, only benefit to a 300 win mag would be more options in factory ammo if you don't handload,
here's a great article outlining some of the pros and cons of the 300 PRC,
https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/review-hornady-300-prc/358208
here's a great article outlining some of the pros and cons of the 300 PRC,
https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/review-hornady-300-prc/358208
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
I'd look at the bullet(s) you want to use and decide which chamber has the throating best suited for the bullet. If you chamber a PRC to optimize a particular bullet that is not the heaviest (longest) in what is typically offered in factory ammo, you end up with a rifle that is not safe for all factory ammo. If I were target shooting, I'd opt for PRC, hunting - the 300 Win Mag. Think resale also. Most hunters don't hand load. They would likely opt for the 300 win Mag I think?
300 Win Mag. 20 years from now there may not be a prc.
Which is why I'd neck down a 300prc to .284.
I cant believe hornady didn't.
DirtySteve
Gold $$ Contributor
I have no dog in this fight but the 300 PRC is designed the way the 300 WM should have been designed.. For instance my 300 WSM I had to lengthen the throat to use heavier bullets... Why design a "Magnum" and not plan for heavy bullets.
Did your 300 WM have a Mcmillian red,white, and blue stock Fclass stock? If so I kept looking at that rifle for sale but I had one on order at that time. Most guys forgot just get a new bolt and off to the races. If that wasn’t your rifle sorry for the rant.
Jason
Have to take a look at what "heavy" was when the cartridges were designed. 200 gr was the upper limit for .30 caliber for a long time IIRC. It's only been very recent that offerings over 200 gr have been available.
The 220s were the heavies back in the 80s. Not that it's that far back but they weren't a long range bullet. They were offered in many 30 caliber cartridges tho. I think I still have some in 06 from back then.
I had a green mcmillan stock on mine and it was a surgeon action...
Yes, I do believe there were some 220 gr bullets but as you mention, they were not designed for long range. Lighter bullets (also not designed for long range) were being pushed faster to get flatter trajectories is where I was going with my original post.
I think what was meant by magnums and heavy bullets was, why run light bullets in magnum cases ? The case holds a mini truck load of powder and can push more bullet weight so take advantage of it. If using a 220 round nose on a moose hunt, it makes sense pushing it as hard as you can on a huge animal. I guess that's what sets the magnum cartridges apart from the non magnum. The ability to push a big bullet for bigger game faster and harder. With the very popular LR/ELR in the last 10-15 years and longer heavier higher BC bullets showing up, the use of the bigger 30s, 338s and bigger bores have exploded. I'm building a 300 PRC for the 215-230 max. The new 245/250s are a bit too heavy IMO for the 300 PRC. Stepping up to the 300 NM or 300 RUM would be a better option for the super heavy 30 caliber bullets.
I'm definitely not saying the 300 WM or PRC is too small to run the big heavy 30 caliber bullets. Many guys run 200-230 grain bullets in their 308s. Works for them. I'm building the PRC strictly for 215-225s. I've had a 300 WM for years. Running 180s was pretty standard for 20+ years. Today that seems to be fairly light for the 30 magnums. The PRC will basically replace the WM for me with a faster twist for the longer heavier bullets.
My wife just purchased a Bergara Ridgeline in .300 PRC. Waiting for it to be delivered. As you say, appropriate twist rate for the modern ~225 gr high BC bullets. This will be a range gun. Not a big need for anything over the .30-30 if I am honest for my neck of the woods. But, need doesn't have a lot do with it.
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