300 Blackout, Should I add one to my collection?

Your 223 will be more accurate. If you're not hunting or suppressing, there is no reason to get one unless you just want one.

I guess it's original intent was to shoot a round out of the AR that will work
well with a silencer. It seems like a fun round and pretty accurate at shorter
ranges. If you like it why not give it a whirl?
Zeke

I think its good points are that its very similar to the 7.92x33 and 7.62x39, two well established military rounds, but cheaper than either, at least if you reload. Second, the reason I got one, is because during the entire Obama administration, H110,and 308 bullets were always available. After a year of being unable to get H335 or similar, or 224 bullets, it bacame appealing. I cant shoot as well as mine, but I can say the handloads Im using are extremely consistant, with single digit standard deviation pushing 110 hornady bullets to 2360fps.

I'd say if you're not shooting suppressed or plan to in the future, there's really no need for one.

greyling22 said:

Your 223 will be more accurate. If you're not hunting or suppressing, there is no reason to get one unless you just want one.

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I disagree the .223 will be more accurate. I have a 16” AR in .300 BO that shoots 1/2” groups at 100 yards. I have another That is an SBR that is loads of fun.

As far as should you get one? Well want and need have nothing to do with each other when it comes to firearms.

Unless you want to shoot suppressed a 223 or most any other round is better and cheaper.

They can be subsonic with the heavier bullets so they are quieter.

I have an AR in 5.56 but I'm really itching to add a .300 Blackout to the mix as well.

I think the round is more interesting than the rifles. I have the Ruger American in 300 B-O, with a 16" (I think) barrel. I'll be playing with it with subs and my suppressor, whenever the Authorities decide to send my tax stamp. The nature of the AR makes it a high round count rifle for most people. I would rather do that with 223 that is cheap and readily available.

The reality is that 300 AAC offers nothing additional for punching paper. 300 ACC is has many practical uses from subsonic lethality to high energy impact at ranges up to 200 yards. As for target shooting, unfortunately all you'll be getting are holes that are 140% the size of 5.56 at 150%-200% the cost.

It's a great round for cast bullets. My little Ruger Ranch carbine seems to shoot them all well. Makes for some cheap shooting.

solman said:

I am seeing a lot of people who are shooting the 300 blackout. Just wondering if you are finding it a good accurate round. I don't hunt these days just punch paper at 100 and 200 yds. I reload and have plenty of 223 brass so I would need dies and powder if I take the plunge. I like to fiddle and could build my own upper or just get one ready to go from PSA they have a good deal on a upper.

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If you have the extra $, then why not.
I bought a PSA 8.5" barreled upper to go with a 80% lower that I had extra. Not yet sure at this point if I will suppress it. Ammo is more expensive and many places carry little to none of it.
I don't think the 300 will catch on like all the hype a few years back. But, with .308" bullets and 223 brass, I don't see components drying up for it.
Accuracy, not sure, as this has been a busy year and I have only put maybe 50 rds. though it. I do know I need to get a better trigger.

oldfortyfiveauto said:

It's a great round for cast bullets. My little Ruger Ranch carbine seems to shoot them all well. Makes for some cheap shooting.

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I don't cast (yet). But Missouri 300 BLK bullets will be on my shopping list, when I start reloading for it.

It really depends on your intended use. Just to plink with it will be an expensive toy. If you want a quiet hunting rifle you can achieve the exact same thing with a bolt action rifle and 200-220 gr. jacketed or cast 30 call bullets loaded in a 308/30.06 etc with a small load of pistol powder. If you have quickload you can work up a load to give you about 1130 fps that will be only slightly louder than a 22 for much less money.

Even better what I did was I got a Ruger 77 35 Whelen at a good price and I have a 220 gr. 35 cal semi wadcutter molder that has a very low noise signature. I have punched through two 4X4s with it at 50 yards and rounds kept on going.

It just kind of how much work you want to go to as buying 300 Blackout brass is easier than making your own and it is pricey to boot. Where you can blow out 30.06 rounds and fireform them and you have 35 Whelen ready to go.

I guess this is because all my life I have heard of KISS principle (Keep it simple/stupid) and blowing out a 30.06 case to 35 cal is about as simple as it gets. I don't even expand the neck first, I have pulled 30 cal bullets from 7X62X54 misfires I pull, load them up and shoot them in the Whelen and let the bullet wobble out the muzzle and you have a perfectly formed Whelen case.

ColoradoMinuteMan said:

The reality is that 300 AAC offers nothing additional for punching paper. 300 ACC is has many practical uses from subsonic lethality to high energy impact at ranges up to 200 yards. As for target shooting, unfortunately all you'll be getting are holes that are 140% the size of 5.56 at 150%-200% the cost.

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I own a bunch of guns and all of them are for punching paper. None of them were bought for what you term "a practical purpose". I didn't buy any gun FOR some specific purpose other than to have fun with.
Believe it or not, there are a significant portion of the shooting world who don't care about hunting or "lethality".

I am a big fan of my 300 bo. Did I "need" it, probably not. But I am a reloader and I have a ton of .308 cal projectiles, old military pulls, new, you name it. It made sense for me. My 16 inch ar carbine has been exceptionally accurate out to 150 yards and exhibits just as good accuracy potential (if not better) than my 5.56 AR. She is a soft shooter and Midway had a sale on new Starling brass for something like 22.00 for 100. I bought 1000. Cheapy ammo is available at wally world. What's not to like?

I see it as a replacement for a 30 caliber carbine that I can mount a scope on. that and cheap mags that actually work....
I also have previously stated it also scratches the semi auto pistol carbine itch at the same time.

444 said:

I own a bunch of guns and all of them are for punching paper. None of them were bought for what you term "a practical purpose". I didn't buy any gun FOR some specific purpose other than to have fun with.
Believe it or not, there are a significant portion of the shooting world who don't care about hunting or "lethality".

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Cool, I have some of those as well.

I have an AR pistol in .300, an AAC M700, and a single shot .300 BO barrel for an AR; when I get around to building it. I'd say, why deprive yourself of the experience. They are accurate, light recoiling, and are what they are. With the AAC, I'm getting just at an inch at 160 yards with 110gr Hornadys and 18.8 grains of H110. Good plinker, intro for new shooters, or varmint getter, two or four legged...

kcofohio said:

I don't cast (yet). But Missouri 300 BLK bullets will be on my shopping list, when I start reloading for it.

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With lead sources drying up I don't know that I'd get into casting. In fact, I'm starting to get out. When wheelwrights were cheap to free casting was great. Now, if I have to buy an ingot, I'm not having much at all.

^^^ There are many sailboat keels that are full of lead..... and many sailboats.