Need help choosing between 2 calibers

[sgt_zim]

I am planning on heading to Africa for the first time for a plains game hunt, no dangerous game in the near future. I have experience shooting a 300 win mag in a very light rifle so the recoil of the the big 30s with a suppressor won't be an issue for me. Of course this is a great excuse to buy a new rifle, and I have narrowed my cartridge choices to 7mm PRC or 300 PRC. I ended up on those 2 choice for the modern case design and the ability to shoot long, heavy for caliber bullets. I am looking at mostly bonded or all copper bullets for their penetration. I am hoping to get some insight from everyone here on which one might be better for all of the plains game I might encounter up to Eland.

I'm afraid you've badly mis-spelled "9.3x62 Mauser," and not just once but twice, it would seem.

 

[Killo]

.300 H&H

 

[BeeMaa]

7RM, 30-06 or 300WM will cover any PG animal at any range that a PH will give the green light. Premium bullets like the Barnes TSX/TTSX, Swift A-Frame and Norma Oryx will do the dirty work nicely.

No reason to muddy the waters with a PRC as you will not be given permission to take game at the ranges that would exceed the ballistics of the cartridges mentioned above.

Plan B would be a 375H&H to cover you for any possible chance that an absolute tank of a Cape buffalo shows up and needs a place on your wall.

 

[shootist~]

Choices, choices. Both are designed (chamber wise) to run long heavy bullets and the heavy Barnes and other mono metal bullets work really well. As mentioned, getting the correct twist for those long/heavy Barnes is critical. Unfortunately, most manufacturers twist the 300 PRC with the same 1x10 as is standard for the WM.

 

[Jhsmith]

.300 H&H

No your talking!
That long tapered case feeds like a greased ice sickle

 

[Hogpatrol]

Choices, choices. Both are designed (chamber wise) to run long heavy bullets and the heavy Barnes and other mono metal bullets work really well. As mentioned, getting the correct twist for those long/heavy Barnes is critical. Unfortunately, most manufacturers twist the 300 PRC with the same 1x10 as is standard for the WM.

Weatherby 300PRCs are 1-10, RPRs are 1-9 twist as are most other factory 300 PRCs. Christensens are 1-8. IIRC, Howas are 1-8.5.

 

[mdwest]

I’ve been a lifelong fan of the 300 WM…

That said, I’ll likely never fire another shot from a 300 WM…

I’ve got a Christensen 300 PRC that slings 208gr Barnes LRX just over 3000fps, and maintains consistent .75MOA 5 shot groups…

Everything the WM does, the PRC does a little bit heavier and a little bit faster.. and my particular rifle does it very accurately…

To earlier points made, 5 years ago there may have been a challenge finding factory ammo or proper components for hand loading… today there’s plenty of factory options on the shelf in most stores.. and plenty of 190-220 weight projectiles available…and it’s readily available internationally as PRC has not only caught on with hunters, but is also a favorite among long range shooters (who it was originally developed for)…

 

[mdwest]

Unfortunately, most manufacturers twist the 300 PRC with the same 1x10 as is standard for the WM.

That may have been true in the early days of the cartridge… but isn’t true today..

Savage = 1:8
Remington = 1:8
Ruger = 1:9
Christensen = 1:8
Begara = 1:9
Fierce = 1:9
Gunwerks = 1:8

The only companies still going 1:10 that I’m aware of are Weatherby and Seekins…

 

[coreydb]

Stay with the 300 WM 180 gr. anything. If you're just hunting plains game, 30.06 is primo and the ammo is everywhere......why buy a caliber that isn't readily available?

 

[Zvikomborero Mudzamba]

I am planning on heading to Africa for the first time for a plains game hunt, no dangerous game in the near future. I have experience shooting a 300 win mag in a very light rifle so the recoil of the the big 30s with a suppressor won't be an issue for me. Of course this is a great excuse to buy a new rifle, and I have narrowed my cartridge choices to 7mm PRC or 300 PRC. I ended up on those 2 choice for the modern case design and the ability to shoot long, heavy for caliber bullets. I am looking at mostly bonded or all copper bullets for their penetration. I am hoping to get some insight from everyone here on which one might be better for all of the plains game I might encounter up to Eland.

I have clients come here to Zimbabwe with 7mm PRC/ 300PRC or 300 Win Mag to shoot plainsgame. Both rifles do great in the field. I think it all comes down to the grainage in the ammunition you are choosing that works best with the rifle. I like the 300 Win Mag best though.

 

[Fatback]

Far be it from me to suggest to anybody that a new rifle, in a new caliber, isn’t needed but your 300 Win mag with a well built, controlled expansion bullet will kill all PG, including Eland, without issue.

This coming from somebody who has a 7PRC and a 300PRC getting built as I type. I will be taking my Winchester M70, 300 Win Mag, shooting 200 grain Terminal Ascent ammo in August for PG.

Most importantly, whatever rifle/caliber combo you decide on, practice, practice then practice some more. Have fun planning your safari.

 

[Green Chile]

300 win mag is perfect for most PG hunts with a 180 premium bullet like TTSX. You’re not going to see long shot opportunities in most place and even if you do, that combo is great. Something like 3-12x is perfect. Just keep the scope turned down to lowest power while hunting. If a longer shot seems imminent then turn it up to 5x or so.

I have a 300 PRC but it hasn’t been to Africa yet. The 300 goes most of the time.

 

[shootist~]

That may have been true in the early days of the cartridge… but isn’t true today..

Savage = 1:8
Remington = 1:8
Ruger = 1:9
Christensen = 1:8
Begara = 1:9
Fierce = 1:9
Gunwerks = 1:8

The only companies still going 1:10 that I’m aware of are Weatherby and Seekins…

I looked into the 300 PRC awhile back to possibly replace my Sako A series 338WM - used only for hunting Nilgai in South Texas these days. FWIW my outfitter and my guide really like Barnes bullets for the very tough and easily lost Nilgai. My 338/210 gr TTSX reload worked well on a big Nilgai bull last January.

I'm convinced the 300 PRC would be ideal for the larger plaines game (or Nilgai) with the 208gr TTSX or possibly the 212 gr LRX. Another AH thread plus a couple of posts in this thread reinforces this again. Also my own ballistic review - looking at a desired remaining velocity, energy, SD, and spin rates indicate (to me) the PRC has about a 100 Yd advantage over my 210 gr 338 load.

For my purposes, a remaining V of about 2,500 fps and ~3,000 ft lbs is as low as I want to go on a big Nilgai (or BWB) Bull using 200+gr Barnes. That's ~225 yards for my 338WM reload and 325 yards (or more, depending on MV) with the PRC.
MY $.02 only.

Barnes recommends a twist rate of 8.5 or faster for the 208 gr TTSX and 8.0 or faster for the 212 gr LRX.

BTW, Springfield-armory also makes a 300 PRC hunting rifle - twist is 8.5. Reviews are mixed. Browning is also a possible option, but IIRC they only show 26" barrels. Add a supressor and you can also pole-vault.

@mdwest
When I look up the Savage 300 PRC I see a twist of 1x9.
The only Ruger in 300 PRC I could find is the RPR (also mentioned by @Hogpatrol ), which would be less than ideal as a hunting rifle.

The Remington appears to be Custom Shop only.

Which leaves only the Christensen as a likely gunstore option in 1x8 twist. Obviously it works very well for you. I was scared off by the 5.4 pound weight, which seems crazy light for a magnum.

At the end of the day considering my age (76) and dwindling hunting days, I decided to just stay with the 338WM - which ain't no slouch. Just sneak up close! :/ tongue in cheek

 

[mdwest]

Which leaves only the Christensen as a likely gunstore option in 1x8 twist. Obviously it works very well for you. I was scared off by the 5.4 pound weight, which seems crazy light for a magnum.

Mine is the Christensen Mesa Titanium.. it’s got a little more weight on it than the Ridgeline.. but not much.. it’s 6.1 lbs empty..

As much as I detest muzzle brakes, this is the one rifle I don’t mind one one… it brings recoil down to roughly the same as one of my mid weight 308’s…

I’ve got a reasonably heavy scope on it (Zeiss conquest 3-15x), heavy steel rings (warne maxima), etc which probably helps a little too..

 

[M70375!]

Well my friend, if you are catching the Africa bug, and want the fun of getting new rifle, I say buy a nice 375. You can load it with 235 or 250 or 260, 270 grain bullets and it makes an awesome plains game rifle and is very pleasant to shoot and also makes a great brown bear rifle if you ever catch that bug and will serve you well when you get the urge to hunt the big 5. MHO

 

[MS 9x56]

For deepest darkest Africa both are lousy choices. Tradition demands either 7x57 Mauser or 9.3x62. Why those PRc’s will bounce right off African game.

 

[Cotton King]

I think your 300 Win Mag is ideal. For my 2023 PG hunt in the Eastern Cape, I purchased a 300 PRC because I didn’t own a rifle that I felt was large enough. I used 180 grain TTSX and they performed great. If you already own a 300 Win Mag, I would save that money and apply to additional animals on the hunt! Have fun.

 

[Safari Dave]

.300 Win Mag

If you want factory ammo -

HSM .300 Winchester Magnum 200 Gr. Sierra GameKing Soft Point Boat Tail- Box of 20

HSM .300 Winchester Magnum 200 Gr. Sierra GameKing Soft Point Boat Tail- Box of 20

www.selwayarmory.com

They will take any PG you shoot at in RSA.

 

[Safari Dave]

My PH wanted me to use a .375 on the Kudu and Gemsbok.

(didn't find either until the next day)



I should have shot everything with the .300 Win Mag with 200g Gamekings.

 

[CZDiesel]

300 H&H, 300WinMag, 30-06 just choose one of these three and go have fun knowing you’ve got it covered!
If really big stuff is involved, Eland/Giraffe, a 338WinMag