Two 30-caliber cartridges that are popular for big game hunting are the 300 PRC and the 30-06 Springfield. Both these rounds have made their mark on the industry for reliable rounds that will kill any big game animal in America. However, they are very different in their own respects. So in this article, we will review these two cartridges, and how they compare.
Here is the short answer:
The 300 PRC is a less established cartridge that has more power and is better suited for long range shooting. The 30-06 has a far more controllable recoil and still has enough energy to kill any game animal in America.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closer at each cartridge, their ballistics, and see how they compare in-depth.
In-depth Look at the 300 PRC
The 300 Precision Rifle Cartridge (PRC) was introduced by Hornady in 2018 and is quickly gaining popularity among long-range shooters and hunters. The 300 PRC is based on the 375 Ruger case necked down to 30 caliber. The 300 PRC, being a magnum cartridge, is going to shoot heavier bullets generally in the 180-220 grain range.
Due to the design of the 300 PRC, it has a longer case length and a sharper shoulder angle than most of its magnum counterparts. This allows for more powder to be loaded into the case and a tighter seal in the chamber. Additionally, the 300 PRC is a round specifically designed for long range shooting which it excels at due to its high BC bullets,
Here is a ballistics chart of the 300 PRC with a 212-grain ELD-X bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2860 | 3850 |
| 50 | -0.2 | 0.1 | 2790 | 3663 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.5 | 2720 | 3483 |
| 150 | -1 | 1.1 | 2652 | 3310 |
| 200 | -3.2 | 2 | 2585 | 3145 |
| 250 | -6.7 | 3.1 | 2518 | 2986 |
| 300 | -11.6 | 4.4 | 2453 | 2833 |
| 350 | -17.9 | 6.1 | 2389 | 2686 |
| 400 | -25.7 | 8 | 2325 | 2545 |
| 450 | -35.2 | 10.4 | 2263 | 2411 |
| 500 | -46.4 | 13 | 2202 | 2282 |
In-depth Look at the 30-06
The 30-06 Springfield cartridge was introduced and adopted by the US military in 1906 and has since been a popular choice for hunters and target shooters. The 30-06 has a reputation for both being the heaviest recoiling cartridge the average shooter can handle and the lightest cartridge that can take all big and dangerous game in America.
One of the biggest benefits to the 30-06 is that it is extremely versatile due to the fact that you can find ammunition for this cartridge with bullet weights form 120 grains all the way to 220 grains. Effectively, that makes the 30-06 a cartridge that can be used to take everything from antelope to grizzly bear.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 30-06 with a 180-grain bullet:
| Range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2700 | 2913 |
| 50 | -0.1 | 0.2 | 2584 | 2668 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.9 | 2470 | 2439 |
| 150 | -1.3 | 2 | 2359 | 2225 |
| 200 | -4.2 | 3.7 | 2252 | 2026 |
| 250 | -8.8 | 6 | 2147 | 1842 |
| 300 | -15.3 | 8.8 | 2045 | 1671 |
| 350 | -23.8 | 12.1 | 1945 | 1512 |
| 400 | -34.6 | 16.2 | 1848 | 1365 |
| 450 | -48.1 | 21.2 | 1756 | 1232 |
| 500 | -64.6 | 27 | 1667 | 1111 |
In-depth Comparison
The 300 PRC and the 30-06 are very effective cartridges, but they are good for separate tasks.
Because of the higher energy of the 300 PRC, it will be better suited for taking big game such as moose, bison, and grizzly bear at long range. Even though the 30-06 can be used to take those same game animals, you will run into the issue of needing to be close to the animal to make sure you have adequate power to take said animal.
The 300 PRC doesn’t just carry power, it also has a flatter trajectory and less wind drift than the 30-06. However, this power also means it will have significantly more recoil than the 30-06 which would prove to be an issue for shooting for long periods of time.
For smaller game, such as deer, antelope, elk, or black bear, the 30-06 would be the better choice. The 30-06 has less energy than the 300 PRC which in this case works in its favor to reduce meat waste from a shot that hits forward in the shoulder.
Lastly, we need to consider cost and availability. Because the 300 PRC is a newer cartridge, there are going to be less rifles chambered for it, especially in comparison to the 30-06 which has been around for over 100 years. Cost per round wise the 30-06 can be found under a dollar per round while you would be hard-pressed to find the 300 PRC for under 1.5 dollars per round.
Conclusion
In summary, the 30-06 is better for smaller game animals and long range shooting because it has a more manageable amount of recoil and will result in less bloodshot meat from a poorly placed shot. The 300 PRC still has its place as a cartridge that is better for taking big game at long range.
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