The previous few years have seen many new cartridge designs seem. Most of the new entrants into the ammunition market are designed for giant sport hunters or precision long-range shooters who demand a precision rifle cartridge.
First launched in 2018 by the Hornady firm, the 300 PRC (300 Precision Rifle Cartridge) carved out a distinct segment with many shooters because of its efficiency.
The 300 PRC ammo is designed particularly to reap some great benefits of right this moment’s new, extra environment friendly bullets.
300 PRC ammo relies on a .375 Ruger cartridge case that’s necked down to just accept the 30 caliber bullets. This cartridge case is non-belted and makes use of an ordinary bolt face design. The headspace for the cartridge within the rifle chamber relies on the 30-degree shoulder of the cartridge case.
Hornady understood the necessity for further headspace to permit the 300 PRC ammo to make use of the most recent bullets.
Consequently, the 300 PRC is a protracted cartridge case that received’t match right into a standard-length bolt motion rifle. Along with the additional size, the case diameter was designed with a .532-inch case head giving the 300 PRC extra case capability than a lot of its opponents whereas nonetheless becoming an ordinary magnum bolt face.
What Did a Longer General Size and Greater Cartridge Case Imply?
For the Hornady designed 300 PRC, this meant additionally designing a rifle for the brand new cartridge design.
It is a traditional instance of kind following operate. Hornady designed a cartridge and bullet to get the efficiency traits first after which created a rifle chamber designed concurrently combining the mandatory traits round that cartridge. The result’s the 300 PRC, which was formally acknowledged by SAAMI in 2018.
30 Caliber Bullet Design
Let’s begin with the bullets that the 300 PRC is designed to carry. A part of the reply right here is the design of the rifle chamber in addition to the general size of the 300 PRC ammo. An extended total size, dictated by an extended head house within the rifle chamber, permits the usage of new bullet designs.
Particularly, the brand new longer 30 caliber bullets with the next ballistic coefficient present glorious efficiency traits from the 300 PRC. The impact of this higher efficiency is seen in muzzle velocity, muzzle vitality, long-range efficiency, and elevated accuracy over some comparable cartridges.
Fundamental Ballistic Traits of the 300 PRC
From a ballistics standpoint, the 300 PRC appears to ship excellent efficiency, particularly for long-range capturing.
If you’re concerned with long-range precision capturing for long-range looking or aggressive precision capturing, the 300 PRC presents some benefits. Trying on the primary ballistics of this cartridge is an efficient place to begin understanding the 300 PRC cartridge.
These are the ballistics supplied by Hornady for his or her 212-grain ELD-X bullet. This is likely one of the commonest bullet weights present in factory-loaded ammunition. In fact, these numbers might fluctuate relying on the powder selection of your load. Nevertheless, factory-loaded ammunition ought to carry out very shut to those numbers.
It’s simple to see that the 300 PRC can ship extraordinarily constant velocity over a substantial distance. These speeds make for a superb long-range efficiency that doesn’t have a big bullet drop over lengthy distances. A lot of this efficiency might be attributed to the brand new aerodynamic bullets.
The Comparisons that Inform the Story
To get a greater grasp of some great benefits of the 300 Precision Rifle Cartridge, we have to do some comparisons of ballistics information and have a look at the opposite points concerned when capturing massive and highly effective magnum ammunition.
These have an effect on the precision hunter, aggressive shooters, and army personnel who might use these cartridges.
Selecting the Comparability Cartridges
I selected to make use of the 300 Win Mag, the 338 Lapua, the 300 Remington Extremely Magazine, and the 300 Norma for my ballistic comparability. These symbolize presently accessible magnum cartridges utilized by the long-range capturing neighborhood and the army for long-range shooters
The comparability chart was compiled from manufacturing facility ammunition revealed tables. The bullet weights are supplied for reference. The place the data is on the market, I’ve famous the looking rifle used to do the measurements to gauge the aerodynamic efficiency of those cartridges.
I selected to place the 300 Norma Magnum on my comparability chart as a result of that is the cartridge that’s presently being utilized by SOCOM personnel as their subject long-range capturing platform.
I believe it is crucial that the 300 PRC be in contrast with the cartridge utilized by the professionals on this class.
300 PRC Versus 338 Lapua Magnum
The 338 Lapua is a favourite of long-range shooters for looking and aggressive goal capturing. Nevertheless, the 338 Lapua is just not with out its disadvantages. Maybe probably the most notable draw back to capturing a 338 Lapua magnum is the punishing recoil that this big spherical imparts.
It should be remembered that the 338 Lapua was initially designed to defeat military-grade private armor and 1,000 yards. This requires a rare quantity of delivered vitality. The 338 Lapua actually achieves this purpose however at a value to the shooter wielding the rifle.
Muzzle Velocity Comparability (Toes Per Second)
The 338 Lapua does develop barely extra muzzle velocity than the 300 PRC.
Nevertheless, at 200 yards, the heavier 338 Lapua bullet is starting to shed a few of its pace benefits. BY 500 yards, the distinction is appreciable. At this stage, the 300 PRC positively has a bonus at longer ranges.
Delivered Power Comparability (Ft-LBS.)
The 338 Lapua does truthful a bit higher over distance on the quantity of vitality delivered on course. Nevertheless, the 300 PRC nonetheless positive aspects a slight benefit at 500 yards and past. The heavier bullet of the 338 Lapua retains vitality higher than the marginally lighter 212 grain 300 PRC spherical.
Bullet Drop Comparability (Inches)
The 300 PRC is a comparatively flat capturing spherical for a bullet weight of 212 gr. You may see from this chart that the 338 Lapua Magnum begins to drop a lot faster than the 300 PRC. Once more, the 300 PRC has a bonus at higher capturing distances.
Felt Recoil (Ft-LBS)
The numbers listed below are comparatively shut, which indicated on paper that the felt recoil between these two cartridges must be comparable. What the information doesn’t take into accounts is the distinction between the rifles and the bullets.
Usually, the 338 Lapua Magnum fires a heavier bullet, and the rifles are heavier due to the chambering for the ability of the ammunition. Transferring extra mass towards the shooter interprets into extra felt recoil.
What Does All This Imply for Hunters?
The 338 Lapua is taken into account by many to be a 1,000-yard rifle. Nevertheless, only a few hunters will ever enterprise out to this sort of distance.
By way of efficiency, the 300 PRC delivers virtually the identical stopping energy inside the 500-yard vary in a a lot flatter trajectory than the 338 Lapua. The most important distinction for a lot of shooters is the lowered felt recoil produced by the 300 PRC ammo. For many hunters, the 300 PRC will get the nod from me within the looking class.
The 300 PRC Versus the 300 Winchester Magnum
Amongst large sport hunters, the 300 Winchester Magnum has a confirmed and reliable report for taking the most important and most harmful of animals. It is a issue for a lot of hunters who routinely hunt animals akin to bears, moose, or different exotics.
The wide selection of bullet weights and kinds accessible for the 300 Win Magazine give hunters, aggressive shooters, and legislation enforcement companies a wealth of decisions relying on the appliance and the targets. The 300 Win Magazine has confirmed to be a flexible and efficient caliber.
Muzzle Velocity Comparability (FPS}
The lighter 180 Gr bullet loaded for the 300 Winchester Magnum delivers muzzle velocity close to the 3000 FPS mark. Nevertheless, this velocity falls off quickly over distance. By the point the bullet reaches the 200-yard mark, the 300 PRC has retained extra velocity. As a result of bullet velocity is part of the effectiveness equation, the 300 PRC will get a checkmark on this class.
Delivered Power Comparability (Ft-LBS)
Within the delivered vitality class, the 300 PRC wins palms down over the 300 Winchester Magnum. From the beginning on the muzzle, the 300 PRC delivers considerably extra vitality and retains that edge by means of the measured distance.
Extra delivered vitality on course means a extra environment friendly and efficient cartridge when taking large sport.
Bullet Drop Comparability (Inches)
The 300 Win Magazine delivers virtually equivalent trajectory efficiency because the 338 Lapua Magnum. When in comparison with the 300 PRC, the distinction is important. The 300 PRC cartridge shoots a lot flatter despite the fact that it’s a heavier bullet. This may be a bonus to hunters who typically take photographs on large sport at distances from 300 to 500-yards.
Felt Recoil (Ft-LBS)
The 300 Win Magazine will get the highest marks in felt recoil on this comparability. The bigger powder hundreds within the 300 ORC, and the heavier bullet weight interprets into greater felt recoil for many shooters. If recoil is a priority, this could possibly be a deciding issue for some hunters.
What Does All This Imply for Hunters?
Taken collectively, the 300 Win Magazine appears to be an incredible selection for hunters. The lighter recoil is a particular plus, however the trajectory and velocity might negate this recoil benefit, relying in your quarry.
Nevertheless, on even the most important and most harmful North American sport animals, the 300 Win Magazine is efficient, and the lighter recoil could also be an enormous consider a rifle caliber selection.
The 300 PRC Versus the 300 Remington Extremely Magnum
The 300 Remington Extremely Magazine is just not a caliber that’s well-known to most hunters. This cartridge is likely one of the largest that’s commercially accessible to hunters. It is a beltless, rebated cartridge with one of many largest case capacities accessible on the civilian market.
The 300 Remington Extremely Magnum is a robust cartridge able to taking any large sport species on the North American Continent. This cartridge has by no means gained a whole lot of acceptance due to potential overpressure conditions and throat erosion issues within the rifle.
Muzzle Velocity Comparability (FPS)
Even I used to be stunned to see this comparability. The 300 RUM cartridge has extra quantity and is propelling a light-weight bullet, but at distance, the 300 PRC nonetheless reveals a slight benefit in velocity.
Throughout the vary of distances, the 300 PRC performs virtually precisely just like the 300 RUM however maintains velocity higher as distance will increase.
Delivered Power Comparability (Ft-LBS)
Power comparability of the 300 PRC and the 300 RUM present that originally, the 300 RUM cartridge delivers extra vitality by a bit over 300 Ft-lbs on the muzzle.
Nevertheless, only a few bullets strike the goal on the muzzle. If we have a look at 300 yards, which is an affordable distance for some long-range hunting rifles, the 300 PRC has an edge in delivered vitality.
Bullet Drop Comparability (Inches)
Out to about 300 yards, the 300 RUM is nearly as flat a trajectory because the 300 PRC. Nevertheless, issues change quickly previous this level, and the 300 PRC positive aspects a substantial benefit at 500 yards and past. Hunters recognize the least quantity of holdover correction crucial on lengthy photographs, and this offers the 300 PRC a bonus on this class of comparability.
Felt Recoil (Ft-LBS)
This comparability additionally got here as a little bit of a shock. The felt recoil information for these two rifles is nearly equivalent. The variations are sufficiently small that with out devices to measure the readings, most hunters will really feel the identical form of recoil from each rifles. I declare this comparability a draw.
What Does This Imply for Hunters?
General, I’ve to offer the sting on this comparability to the 300 PRC. The primary comparability classes present the 300 PRC outperforms the 300 RUM on the regular looking distances. Felt recoil is nearly equivalent, so there isn’t a benefit both method.
The opposite issue that you could contemplate is weight and barrel life. The 300 RUM rifles are normally heavier and are identified to have barrel erosion points over time. Benefit 300 PRC.
The 300 PRC Versus 300 Norma
As I’ve mentioned, the 300 Norma is the present caliber utilized by U.S. Army SOCOM forces.
The lineage of the 300 Norma might be traced again by means of the 338 Norma Magazine and to the 338 Lapua Magazine cartridges. The exterior ballistics of this cartridge is what obtained it the nod from the U.S. Army.
A number of traits of the 300 Norma make it a viable possibility for giant sport hunters. First, it’s a identified and confirmed cartridge. Second, when loaded accurately, the 300 Norma will stay supers0nic handed 1500 meters (1640.42 yards or .93 miles). These are some spectacular numbers.
Muzzle Velocity Comparability (FPS)
Of all of the cartridges I’ve in contrast with the 300 PRC, the 300 Norma Magazine is the one one which compares favorably within the velocity class. Actually, the numbers are strikingly comparable, which makes this class a toss-up, for my part.
Delivered Power Comparability (Ft-LBS)
On this occasion, It’s clear that the 300 Norma Magazine is superior to the 300 PRC.
Over the whole distance, the 300 Norma Magazine delivers extra vitality on course than the 300 PRC. On condition that the velocities are virtually equivalent, the better-delivered vitality efficiency offers the 300 Norma Magazine a definitive benefit.
Bullet Drop Comparability (Inches)
And we have now one other neck and neck end result. If something, based mostly on this information, I’d conclude that the 300 Norma Magnum, capturing a barely heavier bullet, is a flatter capturing trajectory than the 300 PRC.
Nevertheless, the benefit is slight and doesn’t point out a transparent winner.
Felt Recoil (Ft-LBS)
I’ll name this comparability one other tie. The values are so shut that the majority hunters wouldn’t be capable to inform a noticeable distinction within the felt recoil of those two calibers.
This comparability could also be off only a tad because of the 180-grain lighter bullet getting used for the testing. Nevertheless, any variations could be hardly noticeable when capturing.
What Does This Imply for Hunters?
In my view, this comparability is a complete toss-up. Each rifles are greater than able to taking any species of huge sport on the North American continent.
Each present comparatively flat trajectories for such massive bullets and preserve vitality over lengthy distances making each caliber bullets succesful over lengthy ranges. I’ve to declare this comparability a draw.
The 300 PRC and Searching – A Good Selection
On this writer’s humble opinion, anybody contemplating a long-range precision rifle cartridge received’t do a lot better than the 300 PRC rifle cartridge.
When loaded with a excessive ballistic coefficient bullet, the marginally bigger powder capability of this cartridge offers shooters a measurable benefit in kinetic vitality downrange.
Different cartridges might fly sooner or ship extra vitality, however the total efficiency of the 300 PRC will get this rifle cartridge my thumbs up for a looking rifle taking large sport in North America.
