300prc vs 300norma improved

Tough for 300 prc to make that velocity with a 245. Not sure about Norma Improved, but it got to be getting close.

Here's my 300-PRC reference load:


Here's my 300-Norma reference load:


Both are accurate to a mile. Hope that helps with perspective. BTW ... if I had to choose, it would be the 300-PRC, but luckily, I don't have to.

I have been doing research on this two calibers for a while. Both are close to each other performance wise. A 30 Sherman Mag and 300 Norma improved have advantages and disadvantages. IMHO if you want to push 245 Bergers over 3k fps and keep the barrel as short as possible, the Norma with the short powder column will be the ticket. The downside to .590 case sizes is the cost of components and reloading. Even after all my research, I still haven't decided which one to go with. The short supply of components these days is also a deciding factor for me.

74gtf100 said:

Been wanting to build a big 30 cal magnum for playing out to 2000y. I havent found much on velocity numbers from either. Probably because the 300prc is fairly new and the 300norma improved is a bit rare. I'd like something that can push a 245gr berger at 3100-3150 if possible. I understand that load is probably too stiff for a mag length load but those rounds will be loaded Long and freebore set to match. Mag length ammo will just have to jump a ways but most of it will be single fed. Thanks in advance. Haven't ruled out 300rum or 300-338lapua mag if those will push them that hard.

Click to expand...

The 300NMI will get you there with 90 or so grains of N570, and it is a fairly common caliber for long range hunting @ 3.690 oal.

I have had good luck with the 300-338 Lapua. Brass was easy to find, Manson reamer and Whidden dies were easy too. I can launch an hbn coated 230 Berger to 3250ish with H1000. I’ve never pushed it hard enough to see visible pressure (Lapua brass) but I’d guess that’s about max out of my 29” barrel. I single feed and there’s only about .300 of bullet in the neck of the case. Dave Tooley chambered two barrels for me and both were crazy consistent for shot to shot velocity. I pulled the first one after about 1100 rounds due to fire cracking, but it was still shooting pretty decent. Both were Bartlien.

The prc won’t do those number, and the Norma improved would be close but not a guarantee. You might need the 300 Lapua/30 lapua (30-338 lapua or improved).

The Norma is fantastic and super accurate. I’ve had the 215’a at 3200 but run the 230’s around 3050fps on average and hit pressure around 3100 with the 230’s. Next time I’ll go improved

300 prc ain't pushing no 220+ anything at 3100 fps.....period

74gtf100 said:

Been wanting to build a big 30 cal magnum for playing out to 2000y. I havent found much on velocity numbers from either. Probably because the 300prc is fairly new and the 300norma improved is a bit rare. I'd like something that can push a 245gr berger at 3100-3150 if possible. I understand that load is probably too stiff for a mag length load but those rounds will be loaded Long and freebore set to match. Mag length ammo will just have to jump a ways but most

Click to expand...

I dunno how this is possible. My research into the improved version indicates it craps out at 3050 FPS with that combo.

But wait! It could be UM uses a test barrel with a fat chamber that lowers pressure enough for this to happen.

So it will depend on what version of the improved chamber you run and the particular dimensions.

I read that loaded neck diameter is also a limiting factor because recent lots of parent brass come in extra thick.

Huskydriver said:

300 prc ain't pushing no 220+ anything at 3100 fps.....period

Click to expand...

Tru dat ... I'm seeing pressure signs at 2950-ish with Berger 220's. Always a little confused by the obsession for velocity. I just looks for no pressure signs, low SD, tight groups, and accuracy at distance. The velocity is what it is when those line up successfully.

You don't need more than 300 PRC for 2000 yards.

74gtf100 said:

In theory the faster you can push a bullet the less time it spends in flight and the less wind drift. So take a high BC bullet and push it pretty fast and you've got a killer combo.

Click to expand...

Given Hornady a-tips and a 10 mph full-value wind, Applied Ballistics says:

3150 fps gives a flight time of 3.113 seconds, 2.5 mils of wind, and a terminal velocity of 1181 fps.
3050 fps gives a flight time of 3.249 seconds, 2.7 mils of wind, and a terminal velocity of 1123 fps. + 136 milliseconds
2950 fps gives a flight time of 3.394 seconds, 2.9 mils of wind, and a terminal velocity of 1078 fps - subsonic.

At 2k, one tenth of a mil is 7.2 inches - a 24-inch wide silhouette is .33 mils wide. Using 2950, change the wind from 10 mph to 8 mph and the wind call changes from 2.9 to 2.2 - 4.5 feet at 2k. The 3150 wind call changes from 2.5 to 2.0 - 3 feet at 2k.

I have a hard time making cold bore hits on a 12-inch steel disk at 1k under field conditions. Good luck in your quest!