.300 Win Mag vs .308 Win: Your Guide to Big Game Hunting Cartridges

If you have access to farmland and open space for target shooting, you might be considering the .300 Win Mag or the .308 Win. If you plan to hunt bears, elk, or moose, you'll want the ideal bullet to enhance your hunting experience.

This complete guide delves into the details of each cartridge to help you choose the perfect one to meet your needs. See how each cartridge compares and what applications they excel in.

The .300 Win Mag and the .308 Win are both popular choices for big-game hunting. The .300 Win Mag is a long-action cartridge celebrated for its power, flat trajectory, and capability to hunt large game at long distances. It can handle heavier bullets, weighing up to 220 grains, and generate 3,800 ft-lbs of energy.

The .308 Win is a short-action cartridge known for its efficiency, mild recoil, and accuracy. The development of the .308 Win was influenced by the .30-06, resulting in an overall length half an inch shorter than the .30-06. While it holds less powder, it can still accommodate a 200-grain bullet and generate 2,550 ft-lbs of energy.

Below, we provide a detailed table comparing bullet specs, including bullet diameter, case length, and more to offer a complete overview of these two cartridges.

Both the .300 Win Mag and the .308 Win share the same bullet diameter, measuring 0.308 inches. However, there are significant differences in their case dimensions. The .300 Win Mag boasts a case that is approximately 30% longer and roughly 10% wider than that of the .308 Win.

The .300 Win Mag operates at a maximum pressure of 64,000 PSI, while the .308 Win operates at a slightly lower maximum pressure of 62,000 PSI. It's worth noting that civilian ammunition can reach pressures of up to 65,000 PSI, while military ammunition typically operates at around 70,000 PSI.

While the .308 Win is known for its milder recoil, the .300 Win Mag excels at long-distance shooting. Both calibers offer a range of bullet weight options. The .308 Win comes in weights between 110 to 220 grains. The .300 Win Mag offers selections from 150 to 215 grains. Let's delve into the pros and cons of each caliber below.

The .308 Win offers versatility with a selection of 48 different bullet styles. However, it does have drawbacks in terms of a relatively high bullet drop and susceptibility to wind drift.

The .300 Win Mag offers a range of 26 bullet styles. It excels in long-range shooting and packs a punch in terms of energy, but it comes with the trade-off of high recoil.

The .300 Win Mag has higher energy than the .308 Win but lacks versatility and shootability. Check out the table below to see the differences in recoil, magazine capacity, trajectory, and more..

Beyond the pros and cons, there are more specifications that may assist you in deciding which cartridge to choose. Take a look at the head-to-head comparison for each cartridge which includes specs like recoil, barrel life, energy, and more.

The .308 Win has roughly half the recoil of the .300 Win Mag, making it more manageable. Recoil can significantly impact your accuracy.

• The .308 Win has a mild recoil. Its recoil ranges from 12-13 ft-lbs, which is a bit easier to handle if you are new to hunting.

• The .300 Win Mag produces over 20 ft-lbs of recoil. This level of recoil is not ideal for beginner shooters.

.308 Win rifles often hold more rounds than .300 Win Mag rifles. Both types show comparable capacities, though.

• Most .308 Win rifles can hold 4 or 5 rounds. However, some models can accommodate up to 10 rounds, depending on the rifle's design.

• .300 Win Mag rifles usually have a capacity of 3 or 5 rounds. Like the .308 Win, certain models designed for tactical or long-range precision shooting might have higher capacities.

A .308 Win barrel typically lasts 2-3 times longer than a .300 Win Mag barrel. Barrel life is also affected by factors like shooting habits, maintenance, and the ammo used.

• Opting for a .308 Win ensures extended barrel life. This is key for maintaining accuracy over time. The .308 boasts a barrel life of about 3,000 rounds, offering prolonged accuracy.

• The .300 Win Mag averages a barrel life of 1,200 rounds. This shorter lifespan is an important consideration for those using a .300 Win Mag in competitions, which requires more frequent shooting.

A wide selection of ammo is available for both types, with .308 Win ammo generally being more affordable. Rifles chambered in .308 Win also tend to be less expensive compared to those in .300 Win Mag.

• Price-wise, a box of 20 rounds of .308 Win can range from $30.00 to $59.00. The .308 Win ammo is available for $1.50-$2.40 per round.

• For .300 Win Mag, a similar box may cost between $40.00 and $65.00. On average, the .300 Win Mag costs $2.00-$3.00 per round.

The .300 Win Mag delivers more energy and power than the .308 Win. This makes it more effective for long-range shooting.

• At 300 yards, a .308 Win round can deliver 1,878 ft-lbs of energy. It performs well within 300-500 yards.

• At 300 yards, a .300 Win Mag round achieves 2,497 ft-lbs of energy, with an effective range of up to 1200 yards.

The .308 Win is more susceptible to bullet drop and wind drift. It requires more correction than the .300 Win Mag.

• The .308 Win maintains a flat trajectory up to roughly 180 yards before experiencing a steep drop. If you’re doing long-range hunting, you’re better off with a .300 Win Mag. At 500 yards, the .308 Win has about 10 inches more bullet drop than the .300 Win Mag.

• The .300 Win Mag offers a flatter trajectory and less bullet drop over longer distances.

Both rifles suit various activities, including hunting and range shooting, and perform well at close range. However, their differences become more apparent at longer distances.

• The .308 Win is ideal for shorter distances, particularly for hunting whitetail, black bears, elk, coyotes, or hogs. If your shooting distance is within 200 yards, the .308 Win is the recommended option.

• The .300 Win Mag is better suited for larger game like moose or grizzly bears at longer distances (300+ yards). Its heavier bullets facilitate taking down larger targets and aid in competition shooting.

The .300 Win Mag and the .308 Win have the same diameter but they excel at different ranges. Learn more about each of them and other rifle cartridges below.

• .300 Win Mag: Offers a flatter trajectory and higher muzzle velocity than the .308 Win, resulting in better long-range performance and energy retention.

• .308 Win: While it has a higher bullet drop and lower muzzle velocity compared to the .300 Win Mag, it is exceptional out to 500 yards. The .308 Win also features a mild recoil.

See how the .300 Win Mag and the .308 Win compare to other calibers like the .223 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, and others. It's important to note that the choice between these cartridges depends on various factors, including intended use, personal preferences, and specific shooting requirements.

Ready to start your next hunting trip with the perfect rifle? Explore our range of .300 Win Mag Rifles and .308 Winchester Rifles designed for mid- to large-game hunting. Don't forget to stock up on .300 Win Mag ammo and .308 Win ammo for plenty of practice at the range.