300WM vs 300PRC

[adamsredlines]

Ok, is 300PRC "essentially" 300WM, loaded long for heavies?
Been into the rabbit hole on these and seems once you load WM long with heavies, theyre basically the same?
So if your WM uses CIP mags (or longer like the Seekins), is there really much of any difference between the two if you're a reloader?

 

[adamsredlines]

More rambling, the main differences once you get into the above are:

-belted vs beltless
-PRC has tighter chamber specs
-WM is generally twisted slower, so can't go as heavy as PRC...but can certainly get "close".

 

[rockchalk06]

You are correct on all that. I think if a guy had neither and wanted a .30 Cal Magnum to do more than hunt, the PRC would be the route to take of the two. That's what I did for my case.

If you were not going to reload, WM was easier to find different options at the time. I'd assume it's the same today, but way more options with PRC vs when I started into it.

 

[JEVapa]

The biggest difference is that Hornady wanted another cartridge to sell

 

[adamsredlines]

Kinda interesting the Tikkas have short mags compared to most nowadays (3.34, they only chamber WM). Then you get Seekins with really long mags (3.9) so you can load the really heavy/high BC stuff, but they're 1:10 (3.9, 1:10 for both WM and PRC).

 

[rockchalk06]

HCA mags will get you to 3.410" COAL and load longer on the WM, but no dice for PRC.

 

[JEVapa]

Ok, is 300PRC "essentially" 300WM, loaded long for heavies?
Been into the rabbit hole on these and seems once you load WM long with heavies, theyre basically the same?
So if your WM uses CIP mags (or longer like the Seekins), is there really much of any difference between the two if you're a reloader?

The juice is not worth the squeeze. Most comparisons I've seen are always a 300WM 180gr, maybe a 190gr at 2850fps against a 300PRC 212gr at 2900 FPS and the slight edge makes all the bandwagon guys say "yay, it smokes the WM". Ok. Best comparison is to shoot like projectiles at whatever load possible. Which nobody does ever because it kills the narrative. Shooting a 220gr SMK at 2850fps from a 300WM is much different. Or even a 215 Berger at 2900FPS.

More rambling, the main differences once you get into the above are:

-belted vs beltless

IDK if this actually matters. The arguments for either are kinda weak IMO.

-PRC has tighter chamber specs

Not always a good thing. If you're a belly shooter or a bench only guy, then great. If you actually do move around a dirty environment, then take into consideration.

-WM is generally twisted slower, so can't go as heavy as PRC...but can certainly get "close".

They're both commonly 1:10, but many do the PRC at 1:9. 1:10 should not preclude shooting heavies from a 300WM. I think there's some kind of stigma that you must only shoot 180gr or 190gr from a 300WM. You can get a 1:9 barrel for a 300WM. It would probably be great.

My thoughts on all the PRC cartridges are the same with one slight exception which is the 6.5PRC. These cartridges don't really do anything so significantly better that I would have to invest in a whole new setup to shoot. They're pretty meh. You can only reinvent the wheel so much. The 6.5PRC does have enough ass to make me want to consider it, but so do a few of the 6.5 magnum cartridges out there.
If I was going to move on from a 300WM, it would have to be something worth the cost in time and money and the only two cartridges that would do that for me are 300 NM and 300 RUM, which is something I'll still probably do.

Now if you have money to blow and have to have the latest thing because it's FDE and the internet says so, because it's your hobby, then great. But the leap in capability really isn't there for me to chase it as far as the PRC series of cartridges goes.

 

[adamsredlines]

To be fair, Im just pointing out differences as perceived by me. This whole time I've been leaning WM, not PRC, just seems it's worth due diligence to make sure Im not really missing out sticking with the ole workhorse. I believe a WM with longer mag COAL allowance gives the most versatility.

Not that I really need or have real use for either. My 308 will do what I have space for...I just feel I should have something to pick up where that falls off "Just cuz". I was pretty set on a Tikka T3X Super Varmint, but am kinda leaning to Seekins just because of the longer mag.

 

[JEVapa]

I have a Remington 700P in a CADEX chassis that uses 3.850 CIP mags. Both flavors of MK248 cycle with lots of room. It shoots sub MOA…around .7-.8ish at 100m.

Just my opinion, but if you’re gonna stretch 300WM, use a 700 based action and good long mags. Probably the only time I’d say not to mess with a Tikka. There is more stuff for a 700 than anything to make your gun you than trying to hunt down things to make something fit on a Tikka.

 

[JCann]

I have a Remington 700P in a CADEX chassis that uses 3.850 CIP mags. Both flavors of MK248 cycle with lots of room. It shoots sub MOA…around .7-.8ish at 100m.

Just my opinion, but if you’re gonna stretch 300WM, use a 700 based action and good long mags. Probably the only time I’d say not to mess with a Tikka. There is more stuff for a 700 than anything to make your gun you than trying to hunt down things to make something fit on a Tikka.

I’ll add to this, do not, repeat, do not buy a Remington action. Anything that’s a clone (Remington footprint) is fine. New Remington actions are hit or miss and if you want any custom work done on them it’s usually less expensive to buy a custom action.