300 wsm vs prc build help

[Pilsner]

I would take a serious look at building a WSM on a Tikka action with a 8 twist barrel. Then you could run the 212 Barnes LRX Bore Rider.

The boys over at the Vortex Nation podcast just did a video on this combination this week. Also, a custom rig in LA using the same bullet. Two different videos - one on the rifle build and one shooting into gel. Might be worth your time to go watch them on the YT.
Opps - just saw that Texas posted a link before I mentioned it.

 

[JAYgs8163]

The boys over at the Vortex Nation podcast just did a video on this combination this week. Also, a custom rig in LA using the same bullet. Two different videos - one on the rifle build and one shooting into gel. Might be worth your time to go watch them on the YT.
Opps - just saw that Texas posted a link before I mentioned it.

Watched it before and it's a very interesting concept. Don't see where you can buy the bullets on the Barnes website though.

Edit: they're under the LRX section

 

[fseaman.js]

sorry for the derail. what is a 308-26 nosler? is it different from the 30-28 nosler?

Same.

 

[Mram10us]

Same.

why the new name for it? kinda confusing

 

[fseaman.js]

why the new name for it? kinda confusing

Because I made mine in 2014 for me. That's how I always referred to it.

This sort of thing happens all the time with obvious "wild cat".

I never head of a "30-28" or "30-26" until recently.

 

[Mike Matteson]

Alright bear with me here as there will be multiple questions in this post. I'm moving back to Alaska this summer and wanting to do my first build vs buying factory and have been doing tons of research on the subject. I'm looking to build a lighter weight gun that can kill everything up there effectively with the brown bear being a once maybe twice ordeal. I've pretty much narrowed down my choices to either a 300 wsm or prc. My first question is what is the shortest barrel length I can get away with for both and still take game 600+ yards out of each. Shooting that far is never my first choice but I'd rather have the capability than not. I'd really like a 20 in barrel because it will be suppressed but I understand 22 is more likely for the PRC. I'm planning on running hammer bullets since I've had so much success with them but won't limit myself to them if there are better options with what I'm looking to accomplish which brings me to my next question. If I go the 300 wsm route can I accomplish what I want in a short action or do I need to step up to a long action like I've seen some do. I'm more attracted to the 300 wsm due to the short action and a little less recoil but I don't fear the PRC by any means and if I need to run a long action anyway then I don't see a reason to not go the PRC route unless there's something I'm not educated on. Any help and advice is greatly appreciated!

YOU HAVE OPEN THE DOOR!

 

[bghunter20]

YOU HAVE OPEN THE DOOR!

I'm starting to see that! I'm favoring the 300 wsm for now. I saw on vortex pod that one of the guys thinks even with a 20 in barrel you could get 2900 fps with a Barnes 175 lrx which would give you around 1500 ft lbs of energy at 600 yards if I plugged my numbers in correctly. That or a 168 Hammer HHT I would assume are plenty for any critter up in Alaska. I could be completely wrong though. Still haven't completely written off the 300 prc in a 22 in configuration, a 20 in barrel would just be so convenient and handy to have but realistically, is the difference between a 20 or 22 inch barrel that noticeable? Probably not, I'm just being picky at this point.

 

[Frank in the Laurels]

...seems everyone forgets about the other short mag, .300 SAUM ! It rarely even get mentioned by anyone these days for anything...sad because it's more than capable of competing with all of them. That nice long neck is just the ticket that heavy bullet lovers are looking for. I've found it to be an extremely accurate designed cartridge case is able to stand on its own. It deserves a lot more respect than it gets..

 

[fseaman.js]

...seems everyone forgets about the other short mag, .300 SAUM

I get where you are coming from on this. Even with about 5g less capacity the SAUM is still quite capable. So, I'm not arguing with you on it.

There is one gotcha that goes back quite a while, availability. Basically WSM won the availability battle.

Example. I went to AmmoSeek and:
Ammo
300 SAUM brought up 9 options.
300 WSM brought up 1-100 of hundreds which lead to 401-500 of hundreds.
Brass
300 SAUM brought up 21
300 WSM brought up 28

So, sure, if you hand load, not much in it. Using my QL 300 WSM data, which has correct data so the "model" is accurate to real world but changing only cartridge and charge, the SAUM comes out about 75fps slower in the same barrel length, bullet, seating depth, etc.. Not a "big deal". Might even work out that the accuracy load for a given rifle is nearly "as exact" to a similar WSM.

 

[Elk Hunter 338]

Pick a bullet weight range you want to shoot.
Pick a velocity threshold for said bullet that you would like to achieve. And always try to accomplish this with a powder that isn't unobtanium.. or snake oil so to speak
Pick a barrel length MAX that you want. don't waver on this
Then be realistic in range that you want to be able to cleanly KILL game at. Keep in mind mono's don't react like a cup and core.
Then don't handicap you self with XYZ cartridge just because you "think" it will get there. Or what you read on the internet.
Build it with the intention of it actually doing what you expect instead of hoping it will!
In my opinion a 300 PRC will most certainly out preform a 300 WSM in any barrel length with any bullet weight.

 

[Ksduckhntr]

I went down this similar road that you are on. I ultimately decided to build a mod 70 SA 300wsm 20" barrel. It is built for out trips to Alaska in mind.

Winchester internal mag box allows longer seated bullets
Internal mag box, so less things to get caught or lost in the thick stuff
3 position safety, to prevent bolt opening when hung up in alders
300wsm gives me peace of mind with higher energy output over my 6.5 prc
300 wsm ammo tends to be on the shelf if needed
Bartlein #3 contour for suppressor

You could do the prc in the exact formula but overall length will be longer and more prone to get caught. Hunting Kodiak with a long action 22" barrel made me rethink my hunting rig.

 

[fseaman.js]

In my opinion a 300 PRC will most certainly out preform a 300 WSM in any barrel length with any bullet weight.

I admire you knowledge and skills. I have seen your work in person.

So.

by "out perform", are you strictly referencing velocity or are you including precision, repeatable POI? Sure each rifle is individual but if "equal", is there a precision difference between 300 WSM vs 300 PRC?

I have no "375 Ruger" based modern designs. All mine are "RUM" based so I am truly curious of there is a precision advantage from the parent case.

 

[snox801]

I agree the wsm fits the bill but also agree that to make a wsm great it needs a long action so then the PRC is gonna be my choice. I have a 6lbs 30sm 300 PRC improved and with the can it's very easy to shoot. I would choose that and think the 163gr hht would be great. No need for heavy bullets for 600 yard shots flatter is better. Maybe even do an absolute hammer. Those require a bit faster powder which would help with the short barrel and extra speed. The lack of bc won't matter much at that range.

 

[Elk Hunter 338]

I admire you knowledge and skills. I have seen your work in person.

So.

by "out perform", are you strictly referencing velocity or are you including precision, repeatable POI? Sure each rifle is individual but if "equal", is there a precision difference between 300 WSM vs 300 PRC?

I have no "375 Ruger" based modern designs. All mine are "RUM" based so I am truly curious of there is a precision advantage from the parent case.

They will both be stupid accurate if built right. Either one will be great.

These cases will have roughly 15 plus gr of case cap separation so in the end they will only be cosmetically equal if both built on long actions.

a medium action is as short as i would go on a wsm to get the most out of it.

With the Larger case cap you will be able to fine tune in different nodes on the upper end.. this will lend to larger windows of accuracy/velocity potential over the smaller case having more room to work with. If that makes sense.

Also lets just say that the bullet of choice just doesn't perform like expected and a 200 gr bullet shoots lights out day in day out of of either rifle.. The larger case will be able to pick more speed up with the heavier bullet..

All I'm trying to say is don't handicap yourself if you have options