300 PRC for long range hunting cartridge?

[Northern Shooter]

One missing options I seem to have in my current cartridge arsenal is a long range hunter (up to 600) for Elk/Moose sized game.

For those of who who hunt these distances or if you one day plan to do so, would you consider the 300 PRC or something else?

I'm also considering 300 WM, 338 WM, 7mmRM, and 7mm PRC.

Any others to consider? Looking to have ballistics that maintain >1500lb-ft and 2000fps at 600m.

 

[NDWoods]

I hunt with 300PRC and think it is a great cartridge.

Every animal I have shot with it exited and that includes Eland and Nilgai.

My longest shot was just under 400 yds but I would not hesitate at 600 yds under the right conditions.

Current load is 190 LRX custom loaded by Custom Reloads of Dallas.

 

[Northern Shooter]

I hunt with 300PRC and think it is a great cartridge.

Every animal I have shot with it exited and that includes Eland and Nilgai.

My longest shot was just under 400 yds but I would not hesitate at 600 yds under the right conditions.

Current load is 190 LRX custom loaded by Custom Reloads of Dallas.

Which rifle did you go with? I'm currently considering Bergara rifles.

 

[RR 314]

I have a 6.5 and .300 PRC. For the task you described I would go with a .338 mag of your choice or .340 Weatherby.

 

[NDWoods]

I hear great things about Bergara. I had Alamo Precision build me two 300PRC rifles. One is a hunting rifle and one is a tank of an ELR rifle.

I may have one built with a Proof barrel next and use 300PRC for all my hunting replacing the 6.5Creed I still use a lot.

 

[Hogpatrol]

30 Nosler is another option but if ammo availability is an issue, the 300WM is probably your best bet.

Nephew owns a .300 PRC in an RPR and with factory ammo, consistently hits a 6" gong at 500 meters.

For those waiting in the wings with "You're supposed to get closer", go ahead and get it out of your system before your blood pressure goes stratospheric..

 

[Wathe208]

You may want to consider the ole' Roy. The .300 PRC with 212gr eld-x will dump a ton of energy into a critter (I shoot this too), but I prefer my 300wby. Grew up in the rockies and it does excellent on mulies, elk, sheep, goat, moose, etc. but also dumped a huge bull Giraffe. Perfect caliber for out to 1000 yards. You want the best bang for your buck, I think fierce can custom build you one. Just thinking out loud.

 

[booker]

I hunt with 300PRC and think it is a great cartridge.

Every animal I have shot with it exited and that includes Eland and Nilgai.

My longest shot was just under 400 yds but I would not hesitate at 600 yds under the right conditions.

Current load is 190 LRX custom loaded by Custom Reloads of Dallas.

Agree Kudu at 400 an Aoudad at 550 all died quickly.

 

[booker]

Which rifle did you go with? I'm currently considering Bergara rifles.

Christensen Traverse with Zeiss Glass x24 have tagged Aoudad at 550 and a Kudu at 400 its a machine.

 

[DLSJR]

Well, if you’re only going to use it in North America, the 300 PRC would be a great choice. But if you’re going to take it to Africa, I’d stick with one of the more common cartridges that’ll work just fine at 500 or more yards. I’d look hard at a 300 or 338 Win Mag as you can find ammo for those cartridges in Africa. Good luck finding 300 PRC anyplace in Africa.

500 yards is a long way to shoot an unwounded animal under normal hunting conditions. 600 is a lot farther. Multiply that by mentioning big tough animals like elk (Eland also come to mind) AND trophy fees paid for wounded and lost animals and calibers like a 338 Winchester make even more sense, especially at more reasonable African ranges.

 

[0002S]

You can expect 2800-3100 fps with 180-225 gr bullets depending on your loads. You will have more than enough energy at 600m to meet your requirements. My longest harvest with the 300 PRC 212gr EDLX is 360 yards on a Nilgai. Upward angle shot, blew lung out and broke spine. Bullet preformed ok, but I’m not a huge fan of ELDX past high BCs.

Bergara makes a nice out of the box rifle. Shown below is the Premier Highlander (don’t believe they are in production anymore)

Ammo isn‘t easy to find. A 300 win mag will provide almost the same ballistics and you’re going to have a better chance finding it abroad.

If you handload, the Barnes LRX in the 175/190/200 gr would be a better choice for a bullet. IMHO.

The video will give you idea of energy on steel.

Ethical 600m shots on game are very very dependent on a fully supported steady rest and reading the wind. Be safe.

 

[TucsonFX4]

As has been mentioned, a consideration should be ammo. If lost luggage isn’t a concern, then you aren’t bound by a cartridge that can easily be found while on a hunt and can use any cartridge you decide upon. Otherwise, a cartridge like 300wm may be the winner for your needs.

I would suggest reviewing ballistic tables to see what each cartridge has left in the tank at various distances. I have a 300wm and am very happy with its range. I’m also very intrigued by the 300prc, as it think it may be a better design than the 300wm, but it isn’t really much different for velocity so the range will be roughly equivalent. The 300wm certainly wins in the ammo availability department, whether you’re home or abroad.

 

[Puddle]

My brother is going on a big ticket Elk hunt this Fall. Apparently, where they will be hunting the shots tend to be "longish" (his words).
They show up a few days before the hunt kicks off and the outfitter runs them through a long range shooting course up in the hills using the outfitter rifles. He said the rifles are can-equipped in 300 PRC.
Then they pack up those rifles and go huntin'.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I have hunted elk in Montana for 20+ years, using 7mm RM or 338 WM. My longest shot is a little over 300 yards. The outfitter that I have been hunting with purchased a couple of "Best of the West" rifles (or as they call them, shooting systems) in 300 PRC. From what I gather, the 300 PRC is a 300 WM on steroids. Best of the West supplied ammo is loaded with the 212 gr ELD-M. That's right, ELD-M, not X. The rifles have the Huskemaw scopes and a suppressor. The outfitter is allowing hunters to use these rifles and they have a steel plate set up at 600 yards. It is quite a confidence booster to ring steel at that distance before the hunt, but they are still running the hunting operation to maneuver in close, 300 yards or less. The suppressor also helps to not scatter the herd. The downside is the rifles are heavy and a bit awkward for horse carry.

Our Story - Best of the West

bestofthewestarms.com

 

[Puddle]

I have hunted elk in Montana for 20+ years, using 7mm RM or 338 WM. My longest shot is a little over 300 yards. The outfitter that I have been hunting with purchased a couple of "Best of the West" rifles (or as they call them, shooting systems) in 300 PRC. From what I gather, the 300 PRC is a 300 WM on steroids. Best of the West supplied ammo is loaded with the 212 gr ELD-M. That's right, ELD-M, not X. The rifles have the Huskemaw scopes and a suppressor. The outfitter is allowing hunters to use these rifles and they have a steel plate set up at 600 yards. It is quite a confidence booster to ring steel at that distance before the hunt, but they are still running the hunting operation to maneuver in close, 300 yards or less. The suppressor also helps to not scatter the herd. The downside is the rifles are heavy and a bit awkward for horse carry.

Our Story - Best of the West

bestofthewestarms.com

Hey @375 Ruger Fan , I'm betting that's the outfitter my brother will be hunting with.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Hey @375 Ruger Fan , I'm betting that's the outfitter my brother will be hunting with.

Could be. Rising Son Outfitters in Pray, MT. I was not aware they do the shooting school though.

Home | Hunting In Montana

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www.huntinginmontana.com

 

[Namibia Hunter]

I know it's not on your list but an 8x68S or its American equal the 325 WSM will be just about perfect for you application, they put big stuff down from far out.

 

[Mountaineer]

I’m currently working with a 375 Ruger for long range.

 

[TMac]

The advantage the 300PRC has for long range hunting and shooting vs a 300WM is a faster barrel twist rate. Allows those heavier bullets to be stabilized. But most of that advantage does not start to come into play until 500-600 or more imo. But finding ammo can be challenging.

So for your use case, 600 max, I’d probably go 300WM or 30-06, if I wanted a 30 caliber round. For the same use case, I had a 280Rem with a 9 twist 24” barrel built. Less recoil and enough bullet for elk/moose. A 7RM would have been a better choice for ammo availability for me, but I did not want the extra noise and recoil.

 

[Hogpatrol]

For those pesky groundhogs out to 1500 to 2000 yards, best go with the 300 PRC.

300 PRC vs 300 Win Mag: 30-Cal Caliber Comparison - Ammo.com

The 300 PRC vs 300 Win Mag cartridge comparison - long range shooting - 300 PRC ballistics excel at long distance, can it outperform the 300 Win Mag?

ammo.com