The 30 Nosler vs. 300 Precision Rifle Cartridge (PRC) debate usually springs up amongst long-distance capturing and looking fanatics. This solely is sensible, because the magnum cartridges are regularly touted as two of one of the best to have been developed in current a long time.
Is both of those rounds higher than the opposite? Let’s examine their real-world efficiency to see if one genuinely is!
What’s the Distinction Between 30 Nosler and 300 PRC?
Whereas these two cartridges are each designed for long-distance capturing, in addition they have some vital variations from each other. Let’s start by inspecting variations of their bodily specs, adopted by their recoil, trajectory, ballistic coefficient, and several other different key elements.
Cartridge Specs
Regardless of sharing the identical utility and 0.308” diameter bullet, the 30 Nosler and 300 PRC differ in a number of key elements.
The 30 Nosler relies on the 300 Remington Extremely Magnum, whereas the 300 PRC relies on the 375 Ruger. The 30 Nosler has a neck diameter of 0.344”, whereas the 300 PRC’s neck is narrower by 0.003”. The 30 Nosler’s base diameter is 0.550”, and the 300 PRC is once more narrower, this time by 0.018”.
Regardless of having narrower dimensions (or, extra precisely, due to its narrower dimensions), the 300 PRC has the longer case: 2.580”, versus 2.556”.
Due to its lengthy projectile, the 300 PRC dwarfs the 30 Nosler in total size: 3.700”, which is over 1/3” longer than the three.340” 30 Nosler.
The 30 Nosler’s case capability is 89.8 grains H2O, considerably increased than the 300 PRC’s 77 grains. Even so, the cartridges share the identical 65,000 psi most stress.
Let’s look at how these specs have an effect on precise efficiency, starting with how a lot recoil every cartridge usually has.
Recoil
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It’s the very first thing any cowboy needs to find out about an unfamiliar shootin’ iron: how laborious does she kick, hoss?
Much less recoil is at all times preferable. It enhances consolation and minimizes the diploma to which “muzzle flip” jerks your crosshairs off beam.
Moderately than base our comparability on felt recoil, which is subjective and subsequently incomparable by nature, we base it on free recoil power. That’s an goal measurement whereby recoil is set by 4 elements: projectile weight, propellant weight, muzzle velocity, and firearm weight.
The recoil power of the 300 PRC is about 36 ft-lbs (212 grain bullet, 2,860 fps muzzle velocity, 8-pound rifle). The 30 Nosler has about 31.58 ft-lbs recoil power (205 grain bullet, 3,009 fps muzzle velocity, 8-pound rifle).
By that measure, the 30 Nosler has barely much less recoil and wins this part.
Trajectory
A bullet’s trajectory is its path after exiting the muzzle. We measure trajectory by way of bullet rise and drop, because it resembles an arch.A flat trajectory is preferable for firing throughout longer distances, because it permits the shooter to make fewer compensations for gravity and wind drift.
The next situations are generalizations. A cartridge’s trajectory varies from load to load, so that you may need a distinct expertise in case you have been to fireplace these rounds on the vary.
A 300 PRC 212 grain ELD-X bullet drops -38.3” at 500 yards when sighted in at 200 yards. A 190 grain CX bullet drops -36.0” at 500 yards when zeroed on the identical vary.
A 30 Nosler 210 grain AccuBond bullet drops -34.6” at 500 yards when sighted in at 200 yards. A 180 grain AccuBond bullet drops -32.5” at 500 yards when zeroed on the identical vary.
The 30 Nosler’s flatter trajectory wins this part.
Accuracy: 300 PRC vs. 30 Nosler
The 30 Nosler and 300 PRC are extraordinarily correct cartridges. Match grade hundreds supply sub-MOA (minute of angle, the place 1 MOA = 1″ at 100 yards) accuracy.
It’s essential to grasp that accuracy is extra a operate of the shooter and capturing platform than it’s of the cartridge. The ammo and rifle pairing, environmental situations, trajectory, recoil, and shooter’s abilities all play key roles in figuring out how a lot accuracy a cartridge can exhibit.
Bearing all of that in thoughts, it’s nonetheless honest to declare the 30 Nosler the extra correct spherical. Its flatter trajectory does simplify long-distance capturing, and its (barely) gentler recoil additional facilitates quick, correct fireplace.
Ballistic Coefficient
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Ballistic coefficient (BC) displays how effectively a bullet resists wind drift and overcomes frontal air resistance. It’s a numeric illustration of how aerodynamic a bullet is. A better BC is preferable, because it signifies a bullet with a extra predictable trajectory. Usually talking, a heavier, sleeker bullet has the next BC.
The 300 PRC has a G1 BC starting from .600 to .800, which is comparatively excessive. It’s akin to the elite sniper 338 Lapua Magnum cartridges.
The 30 Nosler has a G1 BC starting from .507 to .730; respectable, albeit inferior to the 300 PRC. The 300 PRC subsequently takes this part.
Stopping Energy: 30 Nosler vs. 300 PRC
“Stopping energy” is sort of unimaginable to outline. It means various things to completely different shooters. To complicate the problem additional, shot placement issues greater than stopping energy. A poorly positioned shot with a robust cartridge may be far much less efficient than a well-placed shot with a weaker spherical.
For brevity, let’s assume penetration depth, wound column diameter, and kinetic power switch are the first elements figuring out stopping energy. The 30 Nosler has a slight benefit over the 300 PRC in keeping with this metric, and wins this part because the outcome.
Looking Capabilities
These cartridges are designed for long-range huge sport looking. Each are able to immediately anchoring mule deer, elk, moose, and bear.
Each are too highly effective for varmint or coyote looking, nevertheless. A whitetail is the smallest animal you’ll need to harvest with these cartridges. In any other case, you’re losing lots of meat and pelts.
Neither cartridge is meant for medium sport animals and might take the identical huge sport animals, so this part is a tie.
Value & Availability
What’s the purpose of proudly owning the gun and cartridge in case you can’t discover or afford the ammo? That’s why you must at all times think about value and availability earlier than adopting a brand new cartridge.
Each cartridges are area of interest, costly, and tough to search out. In my expertise, the 30 Nosler is just a bit bit rarer and costlier – sufficient in order that the 300 PRC takes this part, no less than.
Reloadability
Reloading is a wonderful strategy to craft the proper spherical in your firearm and get monetary savings on manufacturing facility hundreds. The preliminary funding in provides and gear deters most folk. Nonetheless, whenever you reload, you possibly can create higher-quality ammo for much less and revel in whole management over many of the course of.
These cartridges are usually not as fashionable because the 308 Winchester or 223 Remington. There are comparably much less reloading data and provides accessible for them.
This part is a tie. From a reloading standpoint, neither cartridge has a leg up on the opposite.
Ballistics
The group at Ammo.com has gathered ballistic information for every cartridge so that you can examine.
30 Nosler Ballistics
Be aware: This data comes from the producer. The precise ballistics obtained along with your firearm can differ significantly from the marketed ballistics. Additionally, ballistics can differ from lot to lot with the identical model and kind load.
300 PRC Ballistics
Be aware: This data comes from the producer. The precise ballistics obtained along with your firearm can differ significantly from the marketed ballistics. Additionally, ballistics can differ from lot to lot with the identical model and kind load.
Take a deeper dive into 300 PRC ballistics.
30 Nosler Transient Historical past
The 30 Nosler was conceived as the last word .30 caliber cartridge for a standard-length long-action rifle. It’s Nosler’s third cartridge design. In response to the Oregonian firm, the 30 Nosler’s muzzle velocity surpasses that of the .300 Weatherby Magnum.
The 30 Nosler by no means actually gained traction amongst hunters and long-range shooters. Though its introduction in 2016 continues to be current, I don’t foresee it ever taking off just like the 308 Winchester and even the 338 Lapua Magnum.
Proceed studying extra about “30 Nosler vs. 300 PRC: Nosler or Hornady?” right here.
