Hornady just got the 300 PRC SAMMI approved

[cohunt]

guess I haven't been following the info on the 300prc too closely

I thought this was supposed to be something in the same "league" as a 300wm or 300 weatherby just a bit faster

got the Hornady e-mail the other day and just looked up the specs--I guess I'm not understanding it's niche

the max length is listed at 3.70"--pretty close to what the 300 lapua is but no where near the 3.34 of the 300wm--the prc shows a saami std of 2800fps with a 225gr bullet-- the 300 lapua is 3100 with a 216gr --or the 300norma is listed at 220 at 3000 so still slower than that--OK I do see the prc has the std "magnum" bolt head like the 300wm

so the prc is too long for standard "long action" mags its going to have to be on the "norma/lapua" length action/mags, yet is is 300fps shy of the 300 lapua and 200fps shy of the 300 norma---only thing I can think of is if the cost is lower on the 300prc than the other 2. Am I missing something? there is still not much info on the 300prc right now and I think the only factory rifle right now is a barrel conversion for the barrett mrad (though I'm sure there will be more)--

 

[wbm]

Poor brass availability for the 6.5 saum is the only reason the 6.5 PRC even exists. No factory ammo and expense for the 6.5-47 lapua is the reason the 6.5 creedmoor exists.

Good point. Imagine if Remington had marketed the 260 the way Hornady did for the 6.5CM. As one of the first good reviews at demigodllc said the 6.5CM is "the 260 done right."

 

[yorke-1]

guess I haven't been following the info on the 300prc too closely

I thought this was supposed to be something in the same "league" as a 300wm or 300 weatherby just a bit faster

got the Hornady e-mail the other day and just looked up the specs--I guess I'm not understanding it's niche

the max length is listed at 3.70"--pretty close to what the 300 lapua is but no where near the 3.34 of the 300wm--the prc shows a saami std of 2800fps with a 225gr bullet-- the 300 lapua is 3100 with a 216gr --or the 300norma is listed at 220 at 3000 so still slower than that--OK I do see the prc has the std "magnum" bolt head like the 300wm

so the prc is too long for standard "long action" mags its going to have to be on the "norma/lapua" length action/mags, yet is is 300fps shy of the 300 lapua and 200fps shy of the 300 norma---only thing I can think of is if the cost is lower on the 300prc than the other 2. Am I missing something? there is still not much info on the 300prc right now and I think the only factory rifle right now is a barrel conversion for the barrett mrad (though I'm sure there will be more)--

The 3.700" OAL was used so it would take full advantage of the AICS pattern mags. Any long action that will take a long action AICS pattern mag (with appropriate bottom metal) will work. This includes Savage and Remington long actions as well as pretty much any custom long action out there. I think Tikka, Howa and Ruger are the only popular long actions that won't readily take a mag that length.

The 300 PRC will run right there with the 300 Win Mag and 30 Nosler when loaded to similar a OAL. It's not really better than anything if you're building a custom gun with a custom reamer. A factory rifle in 300 PRC will be setup to run at 3.700" with an 8.5" twist per SAAMI specs. The 300 Win and 30 Nosler have 3.340" and 10" twist specs. In a factory rifles and ammo the 300 PRC will be setup with more of a focus on heavy LR bullets and allow for a longer OAL and a fast enough twist to accommodate them.

The brass debate will never get resolved but if brass manufacturer is a big deal, just build a 300 Win Mag and be happy with all the available options.

 

[FURMAN]

The 3.700" OAL was used so it would take full advantage of the AICS pattern mags. Any long action that will take a long action AICS pattern mag (with appropriate bottom metal) will work. This includes Savage and Remington long actions as well as pretty much any custom long action out there. I think Tikka, Howa and Ruger are the only popular long actions that won't readily take a mag that length.

The 300 PRC will run right there with the 300 Win Mag and 30 Nosler when loaded to similar a OAL. It's not really better than anything if you're building a custom gun with a custom reamer. A factory rifle in 300 PRC will be setup to run at 3.700" with an 8.5" twist per SAAMI specs. The 300 Win and 30 Nosler have 3.340" and 10" twist specs. In a factory rifles and ammo the 300 PRC will be setup with more of a focus on heavy LR bullets and allow for a longer OAL and a fast enough twist to accommodate them.

The brass debate will never get resolved but if brass manufacturer is a big deal, just build a 300 Win Mag and be happy with all the available options.

I applaud Hornady for making the cartridge. For me it's not even about the cartridge itself but more about stepping into the current times. The Nosler line of cartridges are great for customs but there is no way I would ever own a long action cartridge rifle limited to 3.4" magazines. If Hornady pushes this like the Creedmoor maybe more rifle manufacturers will step into the now and stop living in the past. There is no way you can sell me on any "benefits" from having a 3.4" "long" action. I think yorke-1 pretty much summed it up. It is obvious these companies like Nolser are only thinking about selling rifles when they make cartridges like the the Nosler line. There are trying to maximize performance in an archaic action design. Instead of making a better action. There is a video out there with one of the 300 PRC designers talking about exactly what I just said, ending the viscous cycle of ammo companies only making ammo to fit old design actions. Hornady is pushing the envelope. Again, I welcome it. Like yorke-1 stated it's all a moot point if building custom.

 

[gregsjt]

Is there a company out there that loads .300 WM ammo with 200+ grain bullets at over 3.340"?

 

[FURMAN]

Is there a company out there that loads .300 WM ammo with 200+ grain bullets at over 3.340"?

The only one I am aware of is Berger.

 

[gregsjt]

I couldn't find the specs for their target load, all the others on Berger's website were at 3.340".

 

[FURMAN]

If my memory is correct the 215s are loaded at 3.6" but this does not belong in this thread. We need to stick with 300 PRC discussion.

 

[gregsjt]

I'm getting there...

Point is, I don't thing you can buy factory .300 WM ammo with 200+ grain bullets that are loaded over 3.34". If I'm right, which doesn't happen very often, there is not a good chance at finding factory win mag loads with 225 or 230 grain bullets at 2800 fps. Hornady is advertising their factory 300 PRC ammo with a 225 ELDM at 2810. I think that alone is enough justification for the introduction of a new round. If the ammo is anything like the Creedmoor ammo you could buy a box at the store and go shoot to a mile or more, not sure there are too many factory rounds that you can do that with.

 

[FURMAN]

I'm getting there...

Point is, I don't thing you can buy factory .300 WM ammo with 200+ grain bullets that are loaded over 3.34". If I'm right, which doesn't happen very often, there is not a good chance at finding factory win mag loads with 225 or 230 grain bullets at 2800 fps. Hornady is advertising their factory 300 PRC ammo with a 225 ELDM at 2810. I think that alone is enough justification for the introduction of a new round. If the ammo is anything like the Creedmoor ammo you could buy a box at the store and go shoot to a mile or more, not sure there are too many factory rounds that you can do that with.

I absolutely agree if you intend to run factory ammo. I suspect it will even be pretty accurate in most rifles. I feel like Hornady spent extra time making sure of that. It has been in development for around 8 years. Like I said before it is also a step in the right direction to get companies out of the mindset that 3.4" is ok. I would love to see Tikka with a 3.7"+ magazine.

 

[gregsjt]

Ok, I found the Berger .300 WM rounds on their website, they do load a 230 Berger at 3.6" OAL with an advertised MV of 2802. So far though that is the only one I've found and they have a disclaimer that says it exceeds SAAMI specs and might not work in all rifles.

 

[CMP70306]

Like I said previously, the .300 PRC is simply a modernized and optimized 300 WM with a focus on long range shooting. It took me building a custom rifle with hand loaded ammo to do what Hornady is now offering in a factory rifle with factory ammo. I just ordered a new .300 WM barrel for my Mausingfield but after I shoot it out in a few years I might have it set back and rechambered if the PRC takes off.

 

[jasonco]

The description of the PRC cartridges make sense to, if just look at the chamber specs and what was end goal to accomplish. They used the Creedmoor methodology, this why the Creedmoor 6 or 6.5 just work with all bullets. More specifically LONG bullets.

 

[gregsjt]

Three Questions come to mind: Who is going to carry this Cartridge in an OEM Rifle? What is the Dimensions of the Brass after it's necked down to .284? How many rifles will end up with an altered Shoulder Angle to either 35 or 40 Degrees? (Shermanized)

Dude, Parker Ackley and Warren Page are rolling in their graves right now!