300 Winchester Magnum vs 338 Lapua Magnum
Side-by-side ballistics comparison computed from our ballistics engine. Standard conditions: sea level, 59°F, 10 mph crosswind, 100 yard zero.
300 Winchester Magnum
190gr Sierra MatchKing — 2900 fps — BC 0.533
338 Lapua Magnum
300gr Sierra MatchKing — 2850 fps — BC 0.768
Bullet Drop Comparison
| Range (yds) | 300 WM Drop (in) | 338 Lapua Drop (in) | Difference (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 200 | -3.2 | -3.2 | 0.0 |
| 300 | -11.7 | -11.4 | +0.3 |
| 400 | -26.4 | -25.3 | +1.1 |
| 500 | -48.0 | -45.3 | +2.7 |
| 600 | -77.7 | -72.1 | +5.6 |
| 700 | -116.7 | -106.3 | +10.4 |
| 800 | -166.6 | -148.7 | +17.8 |
| 900 | -229.0 | -200.2 | +28.8 |
| 1000 | -306.1 | -261.8 | +44.3 |
Energy & Velocity Comparison
| Range (yds) | 300 WM Vel (fps) | 338 Lapua Vel (fps) | 300 WM Energy (ft-lb) | 338 Lapua Energy (ft-lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 2723 | 2728 | 3127 | 4956 |
| 200 | 2553 | 2609 | 2749 | 4533 |
| 300 | 2389 | 2493 | 2408 | 4140 |
| 400 | 2231 | 2380 | 2100 | 3774 |
| 500 | 2079 | 2270 | 1824 | 3433 |
| 600 | 1934 | 2163 | 1577 | 3117 |
| 700 | 1794 | 2059 | 1358 | 2824 |
| 800 | 1663 | 1958 | 1166 | 2553 |
| 900 | 1540 | 1860 | 1000 | 2304 |
| 1000 | 1425 | 1765 | 857 | 2075 |
Wind Drift Comparison — 10 mph Crosswind
| Range (yds) | 300 WM Drift (in) | 338 Lapua Drift (in) | Difference (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.6 | 0.4 | +0.2 |
| 200 | 2.4 | 1.7 | +0.7 |
| 300 | 5.6 | 3.9 | +1.7 |
| 400 | 10.2 | 7.0 | +3.2 |
| 500 | 16.6 | 11.2 | +5.4 |
| 600 | 24.7 | 16.5 | +8.2 |
| 700 | 34.8 | 23.0 | +11.8 |
| 800 | 47.2 | 30.8 | +16.4 |
| 900 | 62.0 | 39.9 | +22.1 |
| 1000 | 79.4 | 50.5 | +28.9 |
Comparison Verdict
Flatter Trajectory
338 Lapua Magnum drops 2.7" less at 500 yards (45.3" 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
338 Lapua Magnum retains 1218 ft-lb more energy at 1000 yards (2075 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
338 Lapua Magnum drifts 5.4" less in a 10 mph crosswind at 500 yards (11.2" 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 Winchester Magnum vs 338 Lapua Magnum FAQ
Which has less bullet drop, 300 Winchester Magnum or 338 Lapua Magnum?
At 500 yards, 300 Winchester Magnum drops 48.0 inches while 338 Lapua Magnum drops 45.3 inches under standard conditions with representative match loads. 338 Lapua Magnum provides the flatter trajectory, requiring less scope adjustment for mid-range shots.
Which handles wind better, 300 Winchester Magnum or 338 Lapua Magnum?
In a 10 mph crosswind at 500 yards, 300 Winchester Magnum drifts 16.6 inches while 338 Lapua Magnum drifts 11.2 inches. 338 Lapua Magnum 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 Winchester Magnum or 338 Lapua Magnum?
At 1000 yards, 300 Winchester Magnum retains 857 ft-lb while 338 Lapua Magnum retains 2075 ft-lb of kinetic energy. 338 Lapua Magnum 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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