Hornady secures Pentagon contract for .300 PRC ammunition (VIDEO)

Hornady describes the .300 PRC as the “ultimate .30 caliber” cartridge, and the military is now exploring it. (Photo: Hornady)

Coming on the heels of an announcement that the U.S. Department of Defense is buying some new precision rifle platforms in the caliber, Hornady this week confirmed they are supplying the military with their new .300 PRC ammo.

Based on the .375 Ruger cartridge case necked down to .30-caliber, the 300 Precision Rifle Cartridge allows for heavy-for-caliber, aerodynamic bullets to be fired over long distances. Introduced earlier this year, the new round has earned the approval of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute and is essentially a non-belted magnum that allows for improved stacking and feeding from fixed magazines while outperforming the .300 Norma Mag and others past 2,000 yards.

“We’re thrilled to be able to do our part to support our military members by providing a superior cartridge that will enhance their capabilities on the battlefield,” said Scott Javins, Hornady Law Enforcement & Military Product Manager, in a statement. “Over a 10-year development process, we packed all of our knowledge and experience into designing the 300 PRC as a cartridge that will not only win matches and bring home that trophy elk, but also meet the needs of the best-of-the-best within the Department of Defense.”

Earlier this month, Tennessee-based Barrett Firearms announced had been awarded a contract for an undisclosed number of MRAD rifle systems chambered in .300 PRC, saying “MRAD’s robust design, user modularity and unfailing accuracy combined with the new cartridge designed by Hornady, offer an unbeatable system for long-range effectiveness.”

Hornady describes the .300 PRC as the “ultimate .30 caliber” cartridge, which they currently offer in 225-grain ELD Match and 212-grain ELD-X Precision Hunter loadings.