When it comes to long-range hunting, two cartridges that are often compared are the 30 Nosler and the 300 RUM (Remington Ultra Magnum). Both are powerful cartridges that are capable of taking down big game at long distances. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at both cartridges, compare their features, and help you make an informed decision on which one is better.
Here is the short answer:
If you are looking for a long-range hunting cartridge that is accurate, powerful, and fast, either the 30 Nosler or the 300 RUM will do the job. However, the 30 Nosler has a slight edge in accuracy and velocity, while the 300 RUM has a slight edge in power and range.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look in-depth at each cartridge like their best uses, each cartridges ballistics, and how each cartridge compares in depth.
In-Depth Look at the 30 Nosler
The 30 Nosler was introduced in 2016 and is a relatively new cartridge compared to most other 30 caliber magnum cartridges. It is based on the 404 Jeffery case, necked down to 30 caliber so basically it is a big case pushing a fairly small bullet. The high case compacity of this round and lighter bullets are a deadly combination that can launch bullets are impressive speeds.
The 30 Nosler can be shot with a wide range of bullets, generally from 150-220 grians, but is best excelsics in the 180-200 grain range as you get the best ballence between energy and ballistics. As far as the applications of the 30 Nosler go, this round is generally used for hunting game such as moose or grizzly bear.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 30 Nosler with a 180-grain soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3200 | 4092 |
| 50 | -0.3 | 0.1 | 3112 | 3871 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.5 | 3027 | 3661 |
| 150 | -0.6 | 1 | 2942 | 3460 |
| 200 | -2.3 | 1.9 | 2860 | 3269 |
| 250 | -5 | 3 | 2779 | 3086 |
| 300 | -8.9 | 4.4 | 2699 | 2912 |
| 350 | -13.9 | 6.1 | 2621 | 2746 |
| 400 | -20.2 | 8.1 | 2544 | 2587 |
| 450 | -27.8 | 10.3 | 2469 | 2436 |
| 500 | -36.8 | 12.9 | 2395 | 2292 |
In-Depth Look at the 300 RUM
The 300 RUM was introduced in 1999 and has been a popular long-range hunting cartridge ever since. It is based on the 404 Jeffery case, like the 30 Nosler, but has a shorter neck and a steeper shoulder angle, which gives it an increased powder compacity. It has a maximum case length of 2.850 inches and an overall length of 3.600 inches, making it suitable for most hunting rifles.
The 300 RUM has a bullet diameter of .308 inches and can shoot bullets ranging from 125 to 220 grains, however, for most thing and shooting situations you will want to stick to the upper end of that range. The 300 RUM is a popular cartridge for elk, moose, deer at extreme ranges, and grizzly bears.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 300 RUM with a 180-grain soft point:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3100 | 3841 |
| 50 | -0.3 | 0.1 | 3003 | 3604 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.5 | 2908 | 3379 |
| 150 | -0.8 | 1.2 | 2815 | 3167 |
| 200 | -2.6 | 2.3 | 2724 | 2966 |
| 250 | -5.7 | 3.6 | 2635 | 2775 |
| 300 | -10 | 5.3 | 2548 | 2594 |
| 350 | -15.6 | 7.3 | 2462 | 2422 |
| 400 | -22.6 | 9.6 | 2378 | 2259 |
| 450 | -31.2 | 12.4 | 2295 | 2105 |
| 500 | -41.5 | 15.7 | 2214 | 1960 |
In-Depth Comparison
When comparing the 30 Nosler to the 300 RUM, there are a few key differences to consider.
When examining the performance of these two cartridges, you will find that both these cartridges star roughly the same but once the range increases (I.E past 500 yards), the 30 Noler leaves the 300 RUM in the dust with a flatter trajectory, less wind drift, more velocity, and greater energy retention.
Cost and availability wise, the 300 RUM beats the 30 Nosler. The 300 RUM has been around longer and is more popular among shooters than the 30 Nosler. The 30 Nosler is also limited in ammo production while the 300 RUM is produced by numerous manufacturers.
As far as versatility goes, the 300 RUM outperforms the 30 Nosler. Because the 300 RUM is more widely produced, there are more options in ammo for it, and it has ballistics that are more akin to hunting a wider array of game.
When it comes to recoil, the 300 RUM has more recoil, but only by about by only about 3-4 pounds. for shooters who are more sensitive to recoil, than a heavy rifle chambered in 30 Nosler would be the safer bet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that both the 30 Nosler and the 30 RUM are exceptional contenders for hunting rifles with impressive ballistic performances. Upon examining them closely, an individual must decide what qualities they prioritize in relation to recoil or accuracy when considering these cartridges. The 30 Nosler is a newer innovation and offers higher velocity combined with greater energy potential at longer distances; meanwhile, the thirty RUM provides heavier bullets better suited for a wider array of situations.