.300 Winchester Magnum
Also called: .300 Win Mag, 300 WM, three-hundred mag
A powerful all-around magnum for elk, moose, and bear, with a flat path and a wide range of bullet weights.
- Type
- Magnum Rifle
- Bullet diameter
- .308 in
- Case length
- 2.62 in
- Overall length
- 3.34 in
- Typical bullet weights
- 150 to 220 grains
- Typical muzzle velocity
- About 2,800 to 3,300 fps
- Recoil
- Heavy recoil
- Quarry
- Elk & moose, Deer, hogs & pronghorn
- Typical range
- Elk and moose to about 400 to 500 yards
- Availability
- Very common
What it is good for
- Elk, moose, and large bear.
- Long shots across open country and mountains.
- Hunters who want one rifle for big game worldwide.
Where it falls short
- Recoil and muzzle blast are heavy, and shooters often flinch without practice.
- It is more than needed for deer in most situations.
- Ammunition and barrel wear costs are higher than for standard cartridges.
Easily confused with
- .30-06 Springfield: a milder cartridge with the same bullet width that covers most of the same ground.
- 7mm Remington Magnum: a similar belted magnum with a narrower bullet.
Field notes
Introduced in 1963, the .300 Winchester Magnum is one of the most popular magnum cartridges. It has been used on elk, moose, bear, and many other species around the world.
Related guides
Numbers are typical factory-load figures, not guarantees. Use only ammunition that matches the cartridge stamped on your firearm and is made by a reputable manufacturer, and follow the manual. Legal game cartridges, minimum calibers, and non-toxic shot rules differ by state and area. Check your state's current regulations; our state resources directory links to each state's official rules. Not sure which rifle to buy? Try our hunting rifle wizard.