Two high-power, long-range, 30-caliber cartridges are the 300 PRC and the 300 Norma Magnum. However, these rounds are seldom compared although they have extremely similar purposes. So in this article, we will look at these cartridges in-depth to see which is better and why.
Here is the short answer:
The 300 Norma Magnum has more energy, less drop, less wind drift, and more velocity. The 300 PRC, while it has worse ballistics, with a muzzle break, has less recoil and generally a longer barrel life than the 300 Norma.
Now that we have touched on the topic a little with the short answer, we can look closer at each cartridge, each cartridge’s ballistics, and how these two cartridges compare in-depth.
In-Depth Look at the 300 PRC
The 300 PRC was developed by Hornady and officially introduced in 2018. It was designed to offer ballistics that split the gap between cartridges like the 300 Win Mag and the 338 Lapua.
The 300 PRC quickly gained popularity among long-range precision shooters, hunters, and competitive marksmen. It offers impressive ballistics out to ranges as far as 1000 yards and can be used for everything from elk to grizzly bear.
Some downsides you will see with the 300 PRC is its recoil as well as its limited barrel life. It has a heavy recoil that, while it can be mitigated with a muzzle break, is challenging for most shooters. Additionally, due to the high chamber pressure of this cartridge, burning out the chamber, or more accurately the throat, of the barrel will start to take effect around 1000 rounds.
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 300 Norma Magnum
The 300 Norma Magnum was developed by Norma Precision, a Swedish ammunition manufacturer, and was introduced in 2012. It is based on the .338 Norma Magnum case, necked down to .30 caliber. This cartridge was designed to provide extreme long-range capabilities, with a focus on delivering high muzzle velocities and maintaining energy over long distances.
The 300 Norma Magnum is a popular cartridge for large game hunting such as grizzly bear or moose hunting. However, where the 300 Norma really shines is at long-range shooting. It has extremely impressive ballistics and is therefore great for shooting at 1000+ yards.
Much like the 300 PRC, the biggest downsides to this round are that it is heavy on recoil and the barrel life is short. However, in addition to this, the 300 Norma is a fairly rare cartridge so it can be costly to shoot and hard to find.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 300 Norma Magnum with a 215-grain soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3000 | 4296 |
| 50 | -0.2 | 0.1 | 2930 | 4099 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.4 | 2861 | 3909 |
| 150 | -0.8 | 1 | 2794 | 3726 |
| 200 | -2.8 | 1.7 | 2727 | 3550 |
| 250 | -5.9 | 2.8 | 2662 | 3382 |
| 300 | -10.2 | 4 | 2597 | 3219 |
| 350 | -15.8 | 5.5 | 2533 | 3063 |
| 400 | -22.8 | 7.2 | 2470 | 2913 |
| 450 | -31.1 | 9.2 | 2408 | 2769 |
| 500 | -41 | 11.5 | 2347 | 2630 |
In-Depth Comparison of the 300 PRC and the 300 Norma Magnum
Ballistics and Performance
Both the 300 PRC and the 300 Norma Magnum are designed for long-range precision shooting, but they have distinct ballistic characteristics. The 300 PRC is optimized for high-BC bullets, which provides better energy retention at longe-range. It typically delivers muzzle velocities in the range of 2,850 to 3,000 feet per second (fps) with 200 to 225-grain bullets which is important to note for later.
The 300 Norma Magnum, on the other hand, is known for its higher muzzle velocities, often around 3000 fps with 190 to 230-grain bullets. This increased velocity translates to greater energy and a more extended effective range. Additionally, the 300 Norma can retain energy daily well making it excellent for long-range shooting.
Recoil and Manageability
Recoil is an important consideration for shooters, especially when using high-powered magnum cartridges. The 300 PRC is designed to offer manageable recoil while still delivering heavy-hitting results. Its recoil is generally considered to be managed by most shooters, especially with a muzzle break, however, it is not a cartridge you would want to shoot for extended amounts of time.
The 300 Norma Magnum, while it does have the better ballistics, has the downside of heavier recoil. This can be a factor for shooters who are more sensitive to recoil or who need to maintain rapid follow-up shots. The higher recoil of the 300 Norma Magnum can be mitigated with the use of effective muzzle brakes and recoil pads, but it remains a consideration for those choosing between the two cartridges.
Availability and Cost
The availability of ammunition and rifles chambered for these cartridges is another important factor. The 300 PRC, being a more recent addition to the market, is gaining popularity, and many companies offer a rifle in this cartridge. However, it may still be less widely available compared to more established cartridges such as the 300 Win Mag.
The 300 Norma Magnum is highly specialized and while it is a good cartridge with good ballistics performance, it is harder to find. Additionally, once you do find 300 Norma it will generally be quite expensive.
Conclusion
The choice between the two cartridges ultimately depends on the specific needs and preferences of the shooter. For those seeking a versatile cartridge with excellent long-range performance and manageable recoil, the 300 PRC is the better option. For those requiring extreme long-range capabilities and maximum performance, the 300 Norma Magnum is the cartridge of choice.