308 Winchester 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.
308 Winchester
175gr Sierra MatchKing — 2600 fps — BC 0.505
300 Winchester Magnum
190gr Sierra MatchKing — 2900 fps — BC 0.533
Bullet Drop Comparison
| Range (yds) | 308 Win Drop (in) | 300 WM Drop (in) | Difference (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -0.0 |
| 200 | -4.4 | -3.2 | +1.2 |
| 300 | -15.7 | -11.7 | +3.9 |
| 400 | -34.9 | -26.4 | +8.5 |
| 500 | -63.3 | -48.0 | +15.3 |
| 600 | -102.6 | -77.7 | +24.9 |
| 700 | -154.5 | -116.7 | +37.8 |
| 800 | -221.4 | -166.6 | +54.9 |
| 900 | -305.9 | -229.0 | +77.0 |
| 1000 | -411.2 | -306.1 | +105.1 |
Energy & Velocity Comparison
| Range (yds) | 308 Win Vel (fps) | 300 WM Vel (fps) | 308 Win Energy (ft-lb) | 300 WM Energy (ft-lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 2425 | 2723 | 2285 | 3127 |
| 200 | 2257 | 2553 | 1980 | 2749 |
| 300 | 2096 | 2389 | 1707 | 2408 |
| 400 | 1942 | 2231 | 1465 | 2100 |
| 500 | 1795 | 2079 | 1251 | 1824 |
| 600 | 1656 | 1934 | 1065 | 1577 |
| 700 | 1527 | 1794 | 905 | 1358 |
| 800 | 1407 | 1663 | 769 | 1166 |
| 900 | 1300 | 1540 | 657 | 1000 |
| 1000 | 1207 | 1425 | 566 | 857 |
Wind Drift Comparison — 10 mph Crosswind
| Range (yds) | 308 Win Drift (in) | 300 WM Drift (in) | Difference (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.7 | 0.6 | +0.1 |
| 200 | 3.0 | 2.4 | +0.6 |
| 300 | 7.0 | 5.6 | +1.4 |
| 400 | 12.8 | 10.2 | +2.6 |
| 500 | 20.8 | 16.6 | +4.2 |
| 600 | 31.1 | 24.7 | +6.4 |
| 700 | 44.0 | 34.8 | +9.2 |
| 800 | 59.8 | 47.2 | +12.6 |
| 900 | 78.5 | 62.0 | +16.5 |
| 1000 | 100.4 | 79.4 | +21.0 |
Comparison Verdict
Flatter Trajectory
300 Winchester Magnum drops 15.3" less at 500 yards (48.0" vs 63.3"), 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 Winchester Magnum retains 291 ft-lb more energy at 1000 yards (857 vs 566 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 Winchester Magnum drifts 4.2" less in a 10 mph crosswind at 500 yards (16.6" vs 20.8"), 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.
308 Winchester vs 300 Winchester Magnum FAQ
Which has less bullet drop, 308 Winchester or 300 Winchester Magnum?
At 500 yards, 308 Winchester drops 63.3 inches while 300 Winchester Magnum drops 48.0 inches under standard conditions with representative match loads. 300 Winchester Magnum provides the flatter trajectory, requiring less scope adjustment for mid-range shots.
Which handles wind better, 308 Winchester or 300 Winchester Magnum?
In a 10 mph crosswind at 500 yards, 308 Winchester drifts 20.8 inches while 300 Winchester Magnum drifts 16.6 inches. 300 Winchester 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, 308 Winchester or 300 Winchester Magnum?
At 1000 yards, 308 Winchester retains 566 ft-lb while 300 Winchester Magnum retains 857 ft-lb of kinetic energy. 300 Winchester 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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