300 Win Mag vs 300 RUM – Key Differences That Matter

300 ultra mag vs 300 win mag
The 300 Ultra Mag vs 300 Win Mag topic had always been a topical subject in every shooting community. Since both ammo are used for the same shooting and hunting applications, comparing the 300 RUM and 300 Win Mag is unavoidable. What makes them different from each other?

300 Win Mag or 300 Ultra Mag - What’s the Difference?

The difference between the 300 Win Mag or 300 Ultra Mag is quite hard to spot because they are interchangeable cartridges. But although the 300 Win Mag and the 300 RUM both fire the same .308″ diameter, there are many overlaps in the common bullet weights they use. Generally, the 300 RUM provides a little better performance than the 300 Win Mag having longer and heavier bullets.

Specification Chart

300 Remington Ultra Magnum

  • Brand: Premier Scirocco Bonded
  • Model: 300 Remington Ultra Magnum
  • Bullet Size: 3.600 in
  • Bullet Diameter: .308 in
  • Shell Case Length: 2.850 in
  • Bullet Weight: 180 gr
  • Energy (per 200 yards): 3,268 ft-lbs
  • Velocity (per 200 yards): 2,860 ft/s
  • Muzzle Energy: 4,168 ft-lbs
  • Muzzle Velocity: 3,229 ft/s
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300 Winchester Magnum

  • Brand: .300 Winchester Magnum
  • Model: 300 Winchester Magnum
  • Bullet Size: 3.34 inches
  • Bullet Diameter: 0.308 in
  • Shell Case Length: 2.62 in
  • Bullet Weight: 180 gr
  • Energy (per 200 yards): 3,163 ft-lbs
  • Velocity (per 200 yards): 2,813 ft/s
  • Muzzle Energy: 4,076 ft-lbs
  • Muzzle Velocity: 3,193 ft/s
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Detailed Comparison

300 Win & 300 Ultra Pricing

In some states, the 300 Win Mag components are more available and cheaper than the 300 Remington Ultra Magnum. Although in terms of ammo availability, both the 300 Win & 300 Ultra are at par, choosing more affordable ammo is wiser. With this, the 300 Winchester Magnum takes its first win.

Trajectory

Since the 300 RUM can fire the same weight or slightly heavier bullet at a faster velocity than the 300 Win Mag, it has a flatter trajectory, a little more resistance to wind drift, and more kinetic energy at typical hunting ranges than the 300 Win Mag. The flatter trajectory and more resistance to wind drift of the 300 Remington Ultra Magnum can also help with shot placement. With this, the 300 RUM takes another win.
300 win mag trajectory

Long Distance Shooting

Since both ammo are known for extreme long-range shooting, comparing their trajectory could be a little tricky. Although the 300 Winchester Magnum is notable for its accuracy and has been used for 1,000-yard – 1,100-yard competitions, the 300 Remington Ultra Magnum exceeds its performance in the long-range shooting because of its flatter trajectory. With this, the 300 RUM takes a point.

For short-range shooting ammunition, check out this 460 Rowland and 10mm comparison here.

300 Ultra & 300 Win Mag Loading Type

The 300 Win cartridge to be a practical all-around choice because of its various bullet options ranging from the 165 grain 200+ grain selections available from the factory as opposed to the 300 RUM offers lighter bullets ranging from 150 gr to 200 gr bullets. Although the 300 Remington Ultra Magnum surpassed the 300 Win Mag in performance, we chose to give another point to the 300 Win Mag.

Bullet Weights

Taking about the 300 Ultra Mag vs 300 Win Mag bullet weights, 300 Winchester Magnum has heavier and longer bullets, it overthrows the 300 RUM in this category.

Although the 300 RUM cartridge is great for long-range shooting, the 300 Winchester Magnum could combat this category against the 300 RUM since it is only relatively heavier than the 300 RUM. With this, the 300 Winchester Magnum wins.

For other powerful ammo, try this 223 vs 6.5 Grendel article.

300 win mag weight

300 Win Mag & 300 Ultra Recoil

Although the felt recoil will vary from shooter to shooter and rifle to rifle, the free recoil energy can be a useful way to compare cartridges. The 300 RUM delivers 48.2 ft-lbs, a ballistic advantage over the 300 Win Mag with 32.4 ft-lbs. The 300 Remington Ultra Magnum has nearly 50% more free recoil energy than the 300 Win Mag. Because of this, the 300 Remington Ultra Magnum takes the point.

300 Ultra Mag Pros & Cons

PROS

  • High Velocity
  • Heavy/Long Bullets
  • Greater Case Capacities
  • Rebated Rim
  • Extreme Long-range Shooting

CONS

  • Heavier Recoil
  • Expensive Brass
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300 Win Mag Defense Pros & Cons

PROS

  • Factory match loads available
  • Less recoil
  • More available load data
  • Cheaper
  • Factory ammo availability

CONS

  • Short neck
  • The belt
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300 Win Mag or 300 Ultra Mag? Our Choice is...

In choosing between the 300 Ultra Mag vs 300 Win Mag, our choice is the 300 Win Mag because it has less recoil, more affordable, has more factory match loads, and offers more available load data than the 300 Remington Ultra Magnum. If recoil and price don’t bother you much, getting the 300 RUM ammo is still a great choice.

If you’re looking for concealed carry handguns, you may find this Sig Sauer P365 vs P320 article interesting.

300 win mag

Our #1 Recommendation

300 Winchester Magnum

  • Cheaper
  • Less recoil
  • More factory match loads
  • More available load data
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