01 / At a glance
The basics
- Origin
- United States
- Introduced
- 2018
- Ignition
- Centerfire
- Case form
- Rimless, bottleneck
- Diameter
- 7.8 mm
- Case length
- 65.5 mm
Rounded values to help you identify the cartridge, not manufacturing drawings. See the cited standard for exact dimensions and tolerances.
Do not mix it up
The .300 PRC is not the same as the .300 Winchester Magnum or the .300 Remington Ultra Mag. The cartridges are not interchangeable. Check the marking on the barrel.
The .300 PRC is a long-range rifle cartridge that fires a .308 inch bullet, usually 190 to 230 grains, at about 2,800 to 2,950 ft/s. PRC stands for Precision Rifle Cartridge. Hornady introduced it in 2018, and it was designed from the start for heavy, high-ballistic-coefficient bullets, which shoot flat and resist wind at long range.
This guide explains what the .300 PRC is, how it performs out to 500 yards, how to choose ammunition and a rifle, and how it compares with the .300 Winchester Magnum, the .308 Winchester, the .30-06 Springfield and the .338 Winchester Magnum. It is a reference page, not a loading manual, and it contains no handloading data.
A short history
Hornady announced the .300 PRC in 2018, working with Gunwerks, a long-range rifle maker. The goal was a .30 caliber cartridge that could shoot heavy, long bullets accurately at long range, in a case that fits a standard-length action rather than a magnum-length one.
The case is built on the .375 Ruger case, necked down to .308 inch. The overall length is set so that long, heavy bullets can be loaded without taking too much room from the powder.
It is part of a family of cartridges that came out of the long-range shooting boom of the 2010s, such as the 6.5 PRC. It has found a place with long-range hunters and with target shooters who want a .30 caliber cartridge with plenty of reach.
Why it is popular
The first reason is the bullet. Heavy .30 caliber bullets of 212 to 230 grains have very high ballistic coefficients, and they keep their speed and resist wind better than lighter bullets. The cartridge was designed around those bullets.
The second reason is the action length. The case fits a standard-length action, like the .30-06 Springfield, rather than a long magnum action. That allows a shorter, lighter rifle than a .300 Winchester Magnum of the same performance.
The third reason is factory support. Hornady loads it, and so do other makers, and rifles are sold by many companies. A hunter or shooter does not have to handload to get good performance.
Specifications at a glance
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Bullet diameter | .308 in (7.8 mm) |
| Case length | 2.580 in (65.5 mm) |
| Overall length (SAAMI) | 3.700 in (94.0 mm) |
| Case type | Rimless, bottleneck |
| Primer | Large rifle |
| Maximum average pressure (SAAMI) | 65,000 psi |
| Typical bullet weights | 190 to 230 grains; 212 to 225 grains are the most common |
| Typical muzzle velocity | About 2,810 ft/s with a 225 grain bullet |
| Typical rifling twist | 1 in 8 to 1 in 9 inches |
Values are rounded for reference. Exact dimensions and tolerances are in the SAAMI standard cited at the end of this page.
Strengths and limits
The .300 PRC is a long-range cartridge with serious recoil. It should be judged as one.
| Advantage | Limitation |
|---|---|
| Flat path and very good wind resistance with heavy bullets | Heavy recoil and a loud report |
| Fits a standard-length action | Uses a lot of powder, so barrels wear faster |
| Plenty of energy for elk and large game at range | Ammunition and rifles cost more |
| Factory support from several makers | Fewer loads than the .300 Winchester Magnum or .308 |
For elk, moose and large game at long range, it has the power and the bullets. For deer, it is more than needed, and a milder cartridge is easier to shoot. It is a specialist cartridge, and the buyer should know why they want it.
The cartridge makes the most sense for the person who will actually use its reach. A hunter who never shoots past 300 yards pays for recoil, noise, ammunition cost and barrel wear without getting much back. A shooter who practices at 500 to 800 yards, and who hunts open country where long shots are real, gets what the design was made to give.
Barrel wear
A large case that burns a lot of powder wears the throat of the barrel faster than a gentler cartridge. A hunter who fires a few dozen rounds a year will not notice it. A shooter who practices hundreds of rounds a year at long range should expect to rebarrel sooner.
Ballistics
The tables and charts below show one factory load, a 225 grain ELD Match bullet at 2,810 ft/s from a 24 inch barrel, with the rifle zeroed at 200 yards. This is a match load. A hunting bullet of the same weight may have a lower ballistic coefficient and will show somewhat more drop and wind drift.
| Range (yd) | Velocity (ft/s) | Energy (ft-lb) | Drop (in) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 2692 | 3620 | 1.6 | 0.4 |
| 200 | 2577 | 3318 | 0 | 1.7 |
| 300 | 2465 | 3036 | -6.9 | 3.8 |
| 400 | 2356 | 2773 | -19.5 | 6.9 |
| 500 | 2250 | 2528 | -38.4 | 11.1 |
Reading the numbers
With a 200-yard zero the bullet rises about 1.6 inches above the line of sight at 100 yards, returns to the line at 200 and falls about 7 inches at 300, 20 at 400 and 38 at 500. A 10 mph crosswind moves it about 4 inches at 300 yards, 7 at 400 and 11 at 500. Velocity drops from 2,810 ft/s at the muzzle to about 2,250 ft/s at 500 yards, and energy from about 3,950 to about 2,530 foot-pounds.
The wind drift is the figure to notice. A bullet with this ballistic coefficient moves much less in the same wind than a typical hunting bullet from a .30-06 or .308 Winchester at 500 yards. It also keeps more than 2,500 foot-pounds at that distance.
How these figures were made: the muzzle velocity (2,810 ft/s), weight (225 grains) and the published velocities at 100 to 500 yards (2,692, 2,577, 2,465, 2,356 and 2,250 ft/s) are Hornady figures for its Match 225 grain ELD Match load from a 24 inch test barrel. The ballistic coefficient (G1 0.792) was fitted to match those published velocities. Drop, velocity, energy and wind drift are computed with a standard point-mass model, a 200-yard zero, a 1.5 inch sight height and standard atmosphere. They are estimates. Different bullets and barrel lengths change the results, and hunting bullets usually have a lower ballistic coefficient than match bullets.
Recoil and shooter comfort
Recoil is heavy. In a rifle of 8 to 10 pounds, the .300 PRC gives a hard push, similar to a .300 Winchester Magnum and more than a .30-06 or a .308 Winchester. Most adults can shoot it well with practice, a good stock fit and a recoil pad. Many shooters add a muzzle brake, which cuts recoil and raises the noise for everyone nearby.
Recoil can cause flinching, and flinching spoils accuracy. A new shooter should not start with this cartridge. Wear good hearing protection, and consider both plugs and muffs on the range.
How to choose ammunition
Choose by purpose first, then by weight. Ammunition for the .300 PRC is made by Hornady and several other makers.
| Bullet type | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ELD Match, 225 grains | Target and long-range shooting | Very high ballistic coefficient |
| ELD-X, 212 grains | Hunting at long range | Controlled expansion at a wide range of speeds |
| Bonded or partition, 200 to 210 grains | Elk and tough game | Deep penetration |
| Copper solid, 190 to 200 grains | Areas that require non-lead ammunition | Deep penetration |
| Cup-and-core soft point, 200 to 220 grains | General hunting | Reliable and economical |
Bullet weight
A 212 to 225 grain bullet is the best choice for long-range work, because of its high ballistic coefficient. A 190 to 200 grain bullet is faster and flatter at close range, and kicks a little less. Choose the bullet for the game and the distance.
Match bullets are made for accuracy and a high ballistic coefficient, not for controlled expansion on game. For hunting, choose a bullet made for it, and test its point of impact against your match load, because the two often print in different places.
Do not mix cartridges
The .300 PRC is not the same as the .300 Winchester Magnum, the .300 Remington Ultra Mag or the .300 Weatherby Magnum. Read the marking on the barrel and the headstamp before you load.
How to choose a rifle
The right rifle depends on how you hunt and shoot. These are the points that matter most.
- Action. A bolt action in a standard length is usual. Look for a stiff action and a good trigger.
- Weight. A rifle of 8 to 10 pounds soaks up recoil. A very light rifle will kick hard and be harder to shoot well.
- Barrel length. 24 to 26 inches gives the best velocity. A shorter barrel is handy and loses speed.
- Twist rate. A twist of 1 in 8 to 1 in 9 stabilizes heavy, long bullets. Check the twist before buying a rifle for very long bullets.
- Muzzle brake. It cuts recoil and increases noise. Many rifles are fitted with a threaded barrel so one can be added.
- Optic. A good scope of 4-16x or more with a reticle for ranging is useful. Mount it solidly.
- Fit. Try the length of pull before you buy. A rifle that fits shoots better.
Zeroing and practice
A 200-yard zero is a good start. It keeps the bullet within about 3 inches of the line of sight out to 250 yards, and it gives a drop of about 7 inches at 300. Many long-range shooters zero at 100 yards and then use a ballistic table or turret to dial for distance.
Practice at the distances you expect to shoot. Learn to read wind, because the figures for a 10 mph crosswind are only a guide. Practice from field positions, and confirm your zero with the load you use. A hunter should not shoot at game farther than the range at which they can hit a target of the same size, again and again.
Practical uses
Long-range hunting
This is the core use. With a good hunting bullet it is a capable elk, moose and mule deer cartridge at long range, where shots are taken from stable positions.
Elk and large game
It carries plenty of energy at range. Use a tough hunting bullet, not a match bullet, and keep the shot within the range you have practiced.
Long-range hunting is as much about discipline as about the rifle. Practice the shot from the position you will use in the field, carry a rangefinder, and pass on a shot you are not sure about.
Long-range target shooting
It is used in long-range matches and by shooters who like to ring steel. The high ballistic coefficient helps in wind.
Deer and pronghorn
It works, and it is more than most deer hunters need. A cartridge with less recoil is easier to shoot well.
Large bear and dangerous game
It can be used with a heavy, tough bullet at reasonable range. For the largest animals, a larger bore gives more margin.
.300 PRC vs similar cartridges
The table lists the cartridges most often compared with the .300 PRC. Figures are rounded and use SAAMI maximum average pressures.
| Cartridge | Bullet diameter | Case length | Max pressure | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .300 PRC | .308 in | 2.580 in | 65,000 psi | Long-range hunting and target |
| .300 Winchester Magnum | .308 in | 2.620 in | 64,000 psi | Long-range big game |
| .308 Winchester | .308 in | 2.015 in | 62,000 psi | Hunting and target |
| .30-06 Springfield | .308 in | 2.494 in | 60,000 psi | All-round big game |
| .338 Winchester Magnum | .338 in | 2.500 in | 64,000 psi | Elk and large game |
Against the .300 Winchester Magnum, the two are close in power. The .300 PRC fits a shorter action and was designed for heavy bullets, while the .300 Winchester Magnum has far more rifles and loads. Against the .308 Winchester and the .30-06, it is faster and flatter with heavy bullets, and it kicks more. Against the .338 Winchester Magnum, it has a lighter bullet and less recoil.
Care and storage
Clean the bore after each session and after a hunt in wet weather. Wipe the bolt, the chamber and the action, and use a light oil. Check the scope mounts, the brake and the stock screws from time to time. Store the rifle unloaded in a dry place, with a light film of oil on the metal. Keep firearms and ammunition locked and out of reach of children and unauthorized users.
Safety and common mistakes
- Do not confuse the .300 PRC with the .300 Winchester Magnum, the .300 Remington Ultra Mag or the .300 Weatherby Magnum. Read the marking on the barrel and the headstamp before loading.
- Treat every firearm as loaded. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
- Know your target and what is beyond it. A rifle bullet can travel more than a mile.
- Check that the bore is clear before shooting.
- Wear eye and ear protection at the range, and consider both plugs and muffs with a muzzle brake.
- Do not shoot at game beyond the range where you can place the bullet with confidence.
- If you reload, use only published data from a current manual and start low. This page does not contain loading data.
- Store firearms unloaded and locked, and keep the ammunition apart.
Frequently asked questions
What does PRC stand for?
Precision Rifle Cartridge. Hornady uses the name for cartridges designed for long-range shooting with heavy, high-ballistic-coefficient bullets.
Is the .300 PRC better than the .300 Winchester Magnum?
They are close in power. The .300 PRC fits a shorter action and was designed for heavy bullets. The .300 Winchester Magnum has many more rifles and loads available.
Is the .300 PRC good for elk?
Yes, with a tough hunting bullet and a shot inside the range you have practiced. It carries plenty of energy at range.
How much recoil does the .300 PRC have?
Heavy. It is about like a .300 Winchester Magnum and more than a .30-06 or a .308 Winchester. Many shooters add a muzzle brake.
Is the .300 PRC too much for deer?
It is more than needed. It works, but a milder cartridge is easier to shoot well and costs less.
How far can I shoot with a .300 PRC?
With the match load in this guide the bullet still carries about 2,500 foot-pounds at 500 yards. The limit for a hunter is the distance at which they can place the shot every time.
Does the .300 PRC wear out barrels quickly?
Faster than a gentler cartridge, because it burns a lot of powder. A hunter who fires a few dozen rounds a year will not notice it.
Can I reload .300 PRC?
Yes. Use only published data from a current loading manual and follow its safety instructions.
Sources
Sources reviewed · 29 October 2026