300 PRC vs 300 Winchester Magnum
Side-by-side ballistics comparison computed from our ballistics engine. Standard conditions: sea level, 59°F, 10 mph crosswind, 100 yard zero.
300 PRC
225gr Hornady ELD-M — 2810 fps — BC 0.777
300 Winchester Magnum
190gr Sierra MatchKing — 2900 fps — BC 0.533
Bullet Drop Comparison
| Range (yds) | 300 PRC Drop (in) | 300 WM Drop (in) | Difference (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -0.0 |
| 200 | -3.3 | -3.2 | +0.1 |
| 300 | -11.9 | -11.7 | +0.1 |
| 400 | -26.2 | -26.4 | -0.2 |
| 500 | -46.8 | -48.0 | -1.2 |
| 600 | -74.3 | -77.7 | -3.4 |
| 700 | -109.5 | -116.7 | -7.2 |
| 800 | -153.1 | -166.6 | -13.5 |
| 900 | -205.9 | -229.0 | -23.0 |
| 1000 | -269.1 | -306.1 | -37.0 |
Energy & Velocity Comparison
| Range (yds) | 300 PRC Vel (fps) | 300 WM Vel (fps) | 300 PRC Energy (ft-lb) | 300 WM Energy (ft-lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 2690 | 2723 | 3615 | 3127 |
| 200 | 2574 | 2553 | 3309 | 2749 |
| 300 | 2460 | 2389 | 3023 | 2408 |
| 400 | 2350 | 2231 | 2757 | 2100 |
| 500 | 2242 | 2079 | 2510 | 1824 |
| 600 | 2136 | 1934 | 2280 | 1577 |
| 700 | 2034 | 1794 | 2067 | 1358 |
| 800 | 1935 | 1663 | 1870 | 1166 |
| 900 | 1839 | 1540 | 1689 | 1000 |
| 1000 | 1746 | 1425 | 1523 | 857 |
Wind Drift Comparison — 10 mph Crosswind
| Range (yds) | 300 PRC Drift (in) | 300 WM Drift (in) | Difference (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.4 | 0.6 | -0.2 |
| 200 | 1.7 | 2.4 | -0.7 |
| 300 | 3.9 | 5.6 | -1.7 |
| 400 | 7.1 | 10.2 | -3.2 |
| 500 | 11.3 | 16.6 | -5.3 |
| 600 | 16.6 | 24.7 | -8.1 |
| 700 | 23.1 | 34.8 | -11.7 |
| 800 | 31.0 | 47.2 | -16.2 |
| 900 | 40.2 | 62.0 | -21.8 |
| 1000 | 50.9 | 79.4 | -28.6 |
Comparison Verdict
Flatter Trajectory
300 PRC drops 1.2" less at 500 yards (46.8" vs 48.0"), providing a meaningfully flatter trajectory for mid-range shooting. This translates to less scope adjustment and a larger point-blank range, which matters in hunting scenarios where quick shots are needed.
Energy Retention at 1000 Yards
300 PRC retains 666 ft-lb more energy at 1000 yards (1523 vs 857 ft-lb), offering greater terminal performance at extended range. For hunting applications, most experts recommend a minimum of 1000 ft-lb for deer-sized game — check the energy table above to see where each cartridge crosses that threshold.
Wind Drift at 500 Yards
300 PRC drifts 5.3" less in a 10 mph crosswind at 500 yards (11.3" vs 16.6"), making it more resistant to wind deflection. Wind reading is typically the largest source of error in long-range shooting, so lower wind sensitivity directly translates to more consistent hits at distance.
Verdicts derived from computed data at standard conditions (sea level, 59°F, 29.92 inHg, 50% humidity). Actual results vary with ammunition, barrel length, and environment.
300 PRC vs 300 Winchester Magnum FAQ
Which has less bullet drop, 300 PRC or 300 Winchester Magnum?
At 500 yards, 300 PRC drops 46.8 inches while 300 Winchester Magnum drops 48.0 inches under standard conditions with representative match loads. 300 PRC provides the flatter trajectory, requiring less scope adjustment for mid-range shots.
Which handles wind better, 300 PRC or 300 Winchester Magnum?
In a 10 mph crosswind at 500 yards, 300 PRC drifts 11.3 inches while 300 Winchester Magnum drifts 16.6 inches. 300 PRC is more wind-resistant, which is a significant advantage since wind reading is the largest source of error in long-range shooting.
Which retains more energy at long range, 300 PRC or 300 Winchester Magnum?
At 1000 yards, 300 PRC retains 1523 ft-lb while 300 Winchester Magnum retains 857 ft-lb of kinetic energy. 300 PRC delivers more terminal energy at extended range, which matters for hunting applications where minimum energy thresholds determine ethical shot distances.
Individual Caliber Data
View detailed load presets, drop charts, and ballistic performance data for each caliber.
Run Your Own Calculations
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