300 blackout was a mistake

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I built one on a model 700 with the same AAC sporter barrel of the micro 7. Without wrecking primer pockets, it pushes the speer 125 TNTs with H110 a hair over 2400fps.

My 16in M77 in 7.62x39 will run the 123gr SST right at 2500fps with a max load of 1680. So with close to 30% greater case capacity, it yields roughly a 5% increase in energy.

While comparing the number of available projectiles in .308" to .310", the vast number of suitable propellants, and abundant brass suitable for conversion, it's not hard to imagine why this cartridge has so many silly 'fanboys, who haven't figured it out yet'.
 
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Another_Kelley said:
I built one on a model 700 with the same AAC sporter barrel of the micro 7. Without wrecking primer pockets, it pushes the speer 125 TNTs with H110 a hair over 2400fps.

My 16in M77 in 7.62x39 will run the 123gr SST right at 2500fps with a max load of 1680. So with close to 30% greater case capacity, my 7.62x39 yields roughly a 5% increase in energy.

While comparing the number of available projectiles in .308" to .310", the vast number of suitable propellants, and abundant brass suitable for conversion, it's not hard to imagine why this cartridge has so many silly 'fanboys, who haven't figured it out yet'.
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Yep the 300 blackout is a reloaders playground.

If you haven’t yet, try CFE BLK in 7.62x39. Its remarkable.
 
azrocks said:
I regret getting on the 300BLK bandwagon. It sounds better on paper than it really is. About the only advantage I see it having over 7.62x39 now is the ease of use in an AR platform.
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Yeah, I've never really understood this cartridge either, other than it has the Rock Star status achieved simply because it's a military cartridges. It and the 5.56 seem to be a study in contrasts; the .300 with its larger bullets provide superior terminal ballistics, but due to it slow velocity, is a short range cartridge. The 5.56 on the other hand, with specialty bullets at much higher velocities, is quite accurate to 600 yds., as High Power competitors have shown. But with its tiny bullet terminal ballistics will always be wanting.

I have a single AK in 7.62x39, just to say I have one, but IMHO they're crude and far too expensive for what they are. A little over a year ago I built an AR 7.62x39 carbine utilizing the cheapest lower, lower kit and stock I could find, and a Bear Creek Arsenal upper that I found on sale for $199.00. A setup such as this I feel is ideal if one wants a .30 caliber AR. I was pretty excited when I shot the rifle in the first time-

h8CJIhFl.jpg

So if one wants a .30 caliber AR, that's another option.

35W
 
The 300 was designed to be suppressed, and it works well in that roll. Granted, I have consider threading my sks just because, but hand loading ammo seems pointless. But it is a yugo, so I could single shot subs.... where are my calipers, maybe there is enough left to thread...

Eta: it's only 0.550 and my smith will only thread 1/2x28 to .600. Maybe some metric thread would work?
 
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azrocks said:
I regret getting on the 300BLK bandwagon. It sounds better on paper than it really is. About the only advantage I see it having over 7.62x39 now is the ease of use in an AR platform. That's nice & all, but between the lengths I have to go through to make SURE I don't mix mags w/ 5.56, along with the fact any accuracy gain I might have seen is made moot since it's basically a 200-yard gun, I'm no longer feeling the love. I could have bought 2 good AKs for the same price as one top-tier AR. On the upside, it won't be hard to get rid of these days. On the downside, it will be nearly impossible to replace.

Anyone else drink the 300AAC kool-aid & get indigestion?
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Literally the only reason in my mind for 300blackout would be for shooting suppressed. In my state that’s hard to do so 300blk never did anything for me, especially considering that if I wanted those ballistics I’d go with and x39 of some kind (they make ARs in x39) and have ammo for cheaper.
 
my two remington model 7,s in 300 bk, with my reloads useing reformed GI brass they shoot moa if i do my part and have killed deer with one of them. one shot thru the lungs standing broadside at about 90 yards, complete pass thru and a rather large doe that ran about 40 yards before piling up.
 

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One thing I will add about 300 blackout vs 7.62x39 is that the 300 fits the magwell design better. My 7.62x39 AR has been 100% reliable over hundreds of rounds, not one jam or misfire ever. But I only use 10 round mags. If I had to trust my life to it and needed a 30 round mag, I would trust a 300 blackout more than I would trust a 7.62x39. Just because of the mags.
 
For the past couple days I’ve been thinking now I want something that I can shoot suppressed that I can reach out farther than 9mm and also load a bigger heavier bullet than 300 blackout so now I’m looking at getting a fast twist 350 legend barrel made.
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Once you set a speed limit they all follow the rainbow at distance. Figure out your elevation or hold over and they are still fun to play with.

This is my 458 shooting subsonic 405 loads at 300 yards, zeroed for MPBR.



And my 9mm from 100.

 
jmorris said:
Once you set a speed limit they all follow the rainbow at distance. Figure out your elevation or hold over and they are still fun to play with.

This is my 458 shooting subsonic 405 loads at 300 yards, zeroed for MPBR.



And my 9mm from 100.

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Cool vids, nothing is more satisfying than hitting steel at long ranges. I was shooting my 300 BO out to 200 yard with subsonic ammo and with a good bright sun coming from behind one shoulder you could see the bullet arching down range to the target. You could see them with the naked eye but with a high magnification spotting scope you could call hits or miss before the bullet hit the steel target in most cases. Lots of fun.
 
I agree, a friend brought a telescope down years go, beat clarity on any spotting scope I have ever looked through and very cool to watch bullets on the way to the target. The FOV was too small for stuff like the ones above though.
 
A lot of folks have felt the same as the OP - buying a 300blk on a wave of hype, only to realize it is an exceptionally limited, and rather milquetoast cartridge.

I was another who tried the Blackout first as the Whisper, rebarreling a 700 a hair over 20 years ago. I’ve built a bunch and owned a few 300’s, and have found the cartridge to be about as exciting as a pair of khakis.
 
I like my blackout. I don't own an AR in that caliber. Unsafe Act and all. I do have a Model 7. Light weight, accurate, and reliable. Just another caliber in the stable. No regrets. Load with 150 grain FMJ's of which I have thousands (bullets not loaded ammo).
 
A lot of folks have felt the same as the OP - buying a 300blk on a wave of hype,
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I suppose that’s the issue. The numbers are everywhere and don’t lie, if you study them.

It is what it is, if one thought sliced bread was #2 to it then later did their homework, I could see how they become disappointed. I guess that’s how guys wind of getting married 4 or 5 times too. :)
 
Gordon mentioned it, and Swampman corrected for The “Who“ in developing the 300 Whisper. Here is a good article explaining them. Funny thing, both saw light of day long before we AR enthusiasts became privy to their existence. That is, unless you naturally research these sorts of things.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2012/11/5/shades-of-gray-300-whisper-300-aac-blackout/

My take on it all? Well, I’ve been researching & building ARs longer than a lot of folks. Building more than most over the years. Yet I’ve never strayed from 223/5.56. Nothing wrong with doing a 300aac. I just wish people would admit to what it is. Give it a name. It’s the “Shiny new toy” and and many people like shiny new toys. Not as the Whisper though. No, no, no...it was far too difficult & expensive back then to have any practical purpose. But now that it’s SAAMI & mainstream, sad is suppressor technology. Well, now everyone suddenly has a use for one. LOL.:rofl: Ok. Sure...because suppressors have such a practical purpose and all.

More power to you. Me, I’ll continue with 223 in my ARs. And mine will continue to be more accurate, have greater range of distance & stop an attacker just as they have been doing in our Armed Forces for over 50 years.
 
azrocks said:
Anyone else drink the 300AAC kool-aid & get indigestion?
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No not really, i had a few in the past and i love it. Its an awesome home defense round and does very good as a hunting round. And the fact that it’s a 200 yards gun, well I strongly disagree. If you use the right ammo you can be as silent as a rat fart or hit your target up to 300-400 yards no problem. Ammo selection is key. As to just mark the side of the mags with a 300 and that’s it.

my home defense is a 300blk ar pistol and my last year hunting gun was a 10” ar in 300blk, this year im trying the 6.5cm but i keep my 300BLK close by.
 
I have a 6.8 upper around, it is a more effective hunting round and has good range, but nobody uses it . It's 5.56 for defense, even in 10" barrels because it works well to 300 yards + depending on barrel length and close in is superior IMHO . I also have a .458 Socom, which only seems to be able to run 7 round mags with 90% reliability , my son has one too, same results with different platform but hey they THUMP real good !. Not interested in a .35 platform AR when I got a few wonderful .35 Remintons which the ar 15 will never be. Got a couple AR10 with real rifle cartridges, they are NOT AR 15 handy tho. What I and my son DO have is .300 Black Out PISTOLs , with braces and 8-10" barrels, mines the 10 ", and we have suppressors available which work with them. We mostly shoot supersonic with or without suppressors. The .300AAC is our bang around the woods gun , in heavy Black Bear country . 6 1/2 pounds light with Aimpoints it is PERFECT . And very fun to reload. We have AKs ready as fighting guns and they are indeed superior for that use with the great 7.62x39 100% reliable with 30 roundmags. But not so much fighting oppurtunities in Oregon - yet :)
 
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Sound like all easily rectified issues. Especially the mags.

Have you used an AK? While I certainly like mine, the AR's ergos are notably superior.

The rail complaint makes no sense whatsoever.
 
guess I like kool-aid lol

I have a nice 16" set up for just 200-300 yard plinking...fun to hand load for since the case doesn't need much powder...I have plenty of 308 caliber bullets since I also load for 30-30 and 308.

all in all just a fun, accurate rifle. I do mess with folks though at the range and say its a 300 whisper...or a 300-221 :p
 
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