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Hornady Match 300 PRC 225 Grain ELD Match

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Ammo Reports Team 6 300 PRC

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Hornady Match 300 PRC 225 Grain ELD Match (Box)

$65.99

in stock

Official Ballistics Table

Manufacturer-published data for Hornady item 82162 from a 24-inch test barrel. Zero: 200 yards. Sight height: 1.5 inches.

Key takeaway: Hornady publishes a 2810 fps muzzle velocity and 3945 ft-lb of muzzle energy for this 225 gr ELD Match load from a 24-inch test barrel. Its official 200-yard-zero table shows 2250 fps, 2528 ft-lb, and -39.4 inches of trajectory at 500 yards. Shooters should still chronograph their own rifle before building a firing solution.

The ELD Match Bullet and 300 PRC Platform

The ELD Match (Extremely Low Drag Match) bullet represents Hornady’s answer to a specific problem discovered during in-flight bullet testing: conventional polymer tips were deforming from aerodynamic heating at extended ranges, altering the bullet’s ballistic coefficient mid-flight. Hornady’s solution was a heat-resistant polymer tip formulated to maintain its shape and dimensions throughout the bullet’s flight path, preserving the intended BC from muzzle to target.

The 300 PRC itself is a relatively young cartridge, standardized by SAAMI in 2018 and developed in partnership with Hornady. It was designed from the outset to seat long, high-BC projectiles like the 225 grain ELD Match at proper depth without encroaching on powder capacity — a limitation that affects some older magnum cartridges when loaded with modern heavy-for-caliber match bullets. The result is a cartridge that offers a meaningful velocity and BC advantage over the 300 Winchester Magnum with comparable or reduced recoil when loaded appropriately.

This pairing — a purpose-built cartridge with a purpose-built bullet — is why the Hornady Match 300 PRC 225 grain load has become a reference point in long-range precision rifle circles rather than just another offering in a crowded magnum category.

Best Uses

Good fit:

• Precision rifle competition at distances from 300 to 1,000+ yards where consistent BC and low drag matter
• Long-range target shooting where high ballistic coefficient helps minimize wind drift corrections
• Shooters using 300 PRC bolt-action rifles with 24″–26″ barrels who want a factory load optimized for the cartridge’s design intent
• Situations where lot-to-lot consistency is critical and handloading is not an option or preference
• Competitors who need a factory load that will feed and function reliably in purpose-built PRS or F-Class rifles

Not the right tool for:

• Hunting applications — the ELD Match bullet is not designed for controlled expansion on game; Hornady’s ELD-X line covers that role
• Shooters with shorter barrels (20″–22″) who will sacrifice meaningful velocity without gaining the cartridge’s full benefit
• Budget-conscious shooters for whom a sub-$3.00 per round cost is unsustainable for high-volume practice
• Semi-automatic platforms, where the 300 PRC’s long overall length and bolt-face requirements are generally impractical
• Shooters seeking a subsonic or reduced-velocity load — this cartridge and bullet combination is optimized for full-power performance

Reliability Notes

No structured submissions yet.

Based on manufacturer claims and open-source information: Hornady’s Match line is manufactured to tighter tolerances than their hunting or defensive lines, with specific attention to powder charge consistency and bullet seating depth uniformity. The ELD Match bullet’s heat-resistant tip is cited by Hornady as maintaining dimensional stability across the full flight envelope, which should contribute to consistent BC and point-of-impact repeatability at extended ranges. Brass cases in this line are described as being produced to consistent wall thickness and weight, which matters for handloaders who plan to reload the brass after initial firing. All notes here come from manufacturer claims and open-source product descriptions, not structured performance submissions.

Competitors

Note: Velocity and BC figures for competitors are sourced from manufacturer data for those loads and are listed for comparison only. Verify current availability and pricing independently.

Price Reality

• Typical retail range: $55–$65 per 20-round box depending on retailer and market conditions
• Per-round cost: Approximately $2.75–$3.25 depending on source and timing
• Case pricing: Not widely listed as a standard case option; bulk purchasing typically requires ordering multiple boxes
• Vs. Federal Gold Medal 300 PRC 215 gr Berger: Federal typically runs $5–$12 more per box, making the Hornady a moderate-value option in the premium tier
• Vs. Nosler Match Grade 300 PRC 230 gr: Pricing is comparable, generally within $5–$8 per box in either direction
• Vs. Hornady Precision Hunter 300 PRC 212 gr ELD-X: The hunting load typically runs $5–$10 less per box, but it is not a substitute for match applications
• Fair price benchmark: Paying more than $70 per 20-round box for this load at standard market conditions would be above fair value unless supply is constrained. Below $55 represents a strong buy when available.

Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.

Where to Buy

Hornady Match 300 PRC 225 Grain ELD Match (Box)

Hornady Match 300 PRC 225 Grain ELD Match bullets deliver unmatched accuracy and consistency, making them ideal for serious competitors. Designed with advanced heat-resistant technology and superior ballistic coefficients, these projectiles ensure peak performance in every shot.

$65.99 at Ammunitiondepot.com

Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.

FAQ

Does the ELD Match bullet in this load expand on game, or is it strictly a target bullet?The ELD Match bullet is designed for accuracy and ballistic consistency, not terminal expansion. Its construction prioritizes a uniform, high-BC profile and a stable polymer tip rather than a controlled-expansion jacket. Hornady produces a separate ELD-X line for hunting applications, which uses a different jacket design engineered to expand reliably across a range of impact velocities. Using this Match load on medium or large game is not recommended and in some jurisdictions may be considered unethical or non-compliant with hunting regulations. Hunters seeking a 300 PRC factory load should look at the Hornady Precision Hunter or similar purpose-built hunting ammunition.

How does the 300 PRC compare to the 300 Winchester Magnum for this bullet weight?The 300 PRC was specifically designed to optimize performance with long, high-BC projectiles like the 225 grain ELD Match, while the 300 Winchester Magnum was developed in the 1960s with shorter bullets in mind. At comparable bullet weights, the 300 PRC typically offers a slight velocity advantage and seats the bullet at a more optimal depth relative to the lands, preserving powder capacity. The 300 Win Mag can match or approach 300 PRC performance with careful handloading, but factory ammunition comparisons generally favor the 300 PRC for heavy match bullets. Recoil is broadly similar between the two cartridges at equivalent bullet weights and velocities.

Is the brass from this load worth saving for reloading?Yes — Hornady Match brass is generally regarded as consistent and well-made, and the Boxer primer makes it straightforward to deprime and reload with standard tools. Hornady cases are manufactured to tighter dimensional tolerances than many budget brass options, which matters for precision rifle applications where case volume and neck tension consistency affect accuracy. That said, shooters pursuing the highest level of precision often sort or anneal brass after multiple firings regardless of brand. The brass from this load is a reasonable starting point for a reloading program, but this page covers factory ammunition only and does not provide reloading data.

What muzzle velocity does Hornady publish for this load?Hornady publishes 2810 fps from a 24-inch test barrel for item 82162. The company also publishes 3945 ft-lb of muzzle energy and an official trajectory table through 500 yards using a 200-yard zero and 1.5-inch sight height. Actual velocity can vary by rifle, barrel length, temperature, and ammunition lot, so shooters should chronograph their own rifle before relying on a firing solution.

Is the 300 PRC legal for long-range competition in major precision rifle formats?Yes — the 300 PRC is an unrestricted cartridge in most major Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and similar formats. It does not fall under any caliber-specific restrictions in standard open or tactical divisions as of this writing. Shooters should verify current rulebooks for any event they plan to enter, as rules can change between seasons. The cartridge’s performance characteristics — particularly its high-BC bullet compatibility and supersonic range — make it well-suited to the distances and conditions encountered in sanctioned long-range competition.

Hornady Match 300 PRC 225 Grain ELD Match (Box)

$65.99

in stock