.300 Blackout vs 7.62x39

[vincyr]

Not concerned about suppression, stockpiling cheap ammo, or rifle types. I'm aware that the two are in the same ballistic ballpark. My primary interest is in their hunting capabilities. I have seen what the 7.62x39 is capable of on coyotes, deer and black bear. My question is, does either have an advantage over the other for hunting purposes? And for this argument, one isn't limited to factory ammo. If I were to pick one, I would certainly be reloading for it.

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[Curator]

vincyr:

Any advantage of one over the other would depend on the platform, AR, AK, bolt, or single-shot. The 7.62 does have a bit more powder room and can be loaded hotter in something other than an AK. The .300AAC usually comes with faster twist rifling making loading heavier/longer bullets possible. Hunting bunnies you don't need heavy. Hunting feral hogs, 180 or 200 grain slugs are a significant advantage even if only going 1600 fps.

 

[adcoch1]

There are some pretty good gains to be made over factory ammo in 7.62x39. Mainly using heavier bullets than the crap most companies are loading them for, and the extra case capacity is an advantage over 300blk. I have both, and like both, but 7.62x39 is my preference for hunting.

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[ssyoumans]

I have both in AR platform. Both are sufficient for deer and hogs around me in GA. Recently took 3 small hogs with AR 47 using 123gr SST factory loads. I have a Radical Firearms AR in 7.62x39.

308 caliber bullets in the 300 BLK have a little better BC than 7.62x39 cal bullets, but I'd limit both to < 200 yards. Beyond that point, most 125gr 308 caliber bullets aren't going fast enough to reliably expand (>1600 FPS). Yes, there are some bullets that reliably expand at lower speeds (even subsonic) but not for $28/100.
Larger selection of bullets in 308, although some use them in 7.62x39 with good results.
I do think you can get a tad more velocity out of AK ammo out of the same length barrel.
Buy both!

 

[cougar1717]

If I were to pick one, I would certainly be reloading for it.

The reloading data for these two is the tale of the tape. It's really what kept me from trying one of these. Looking at the type of powder (magnum handgun vs small rifle), the charge weights for a similar bullet, and the velocities really says a lot.

 

[rbernie]

I'm aware that the two are in the same ballistic ballpark. My primary interest is in their hunting capabilities. I have seen what the 7.62x39 is capable of on coyotes, deer and black bear. My question is, does either have an advantage over the other for hunting purposes? And for this argument, one isn't limited to factory ammo. If I were to pick one, I would certainly be reloading for it.

For supersonic loadings, the 7.62x39 will have a small velocity/energy advantage over 300AAC. I used 7.62x39 125gr handloads for deer and hogs (some well over 300lbs) and it was more than adequate. I've not used 300AAC for large hog, but I expect it to perform similarly enough for my needs.

For subsonic work, the 300AAC is superior because the shorter case supports larger/heavier bullets and because bullet selection is superior.

But, in the end, I don't know that you can remove the platform questions from the equation.

 

[Olympus]

If you are looking through the lens of strictly hunting purposes, I don't think you're going to see much, if any real world difference between the two calibers. Where you see the difference is in versatility, but you said you're only interested in each caliber as a hunting round.

You did say however that you would be reloading, so I think you might have a slight advantage with the 300 BLK in terms of sourcing brass more cheaply than 7.62x39. Most of the x39 ammo being shot is steel cased, so not as big of a market for brassed case stuff. Most people can buy steel cased as cheap as they can reload the brass cased x39 ammo. So with 300 BLK you get the ability to use 223 brass that is plentiful and cheap and cut it down and reform the 300 BLK brass. No need to search for or buy 300 BLK brass, just find you some 223 and go to work.

And if several years down the road you decide that you want to get into the suppression game, well then you'll already have a 300 BLK that will be MUCH better suited for suppression. The 7.62x39 is kind of a one-trick pony whereas the 300 BLK offers a lot more possibilities.

 

[Z-Michigan]

There are a lot more bullet types available to reloaders in .308 than in .311, and there has been considerable recent development of good weights and shapes for 300 Blackout use. So, with reloading as a primary focus, I would favor 300BLK. You will also use slightly less powder to get full velocity in 300BLK due to the smaller case size; of course, this is balanced by the maximum velocity being slightly less at a given bullet weight.

 

[bangswitch]

I've only shot 7.62x39 a few times in a friend's rifle, at the range, but I shoot 300BLK a lot, and have an M4. I built it primarily for CQB and short range (150 yds or less), but I was surprised how well it did out to 300 yards, shooting a silhouette match. Using 155 Sierra Palma at ~2100 fps, it retained enough energy at 300 yards to easily knock down the steel pigs. Any bullet weight from 110-155 for hunting will take down anything up to and including whitetail or pigs to around 200 yards reliably. The better BC of .308's as stated above, will give you more downrange energy than the AK round, when loaded to same bullet weight and MV. I may be a bit biased, but my vote is 300BLK over the AK cartridge.

 

[ColoradoMinuteMan]

You didn't state your platform. If we are talking about AR-15, why not look at 6.8 SPC II? It will give superior unsuppressed performance over 300 AAC and 7.62x39. There is a huge selection of projectiles. You also have a little more meat left on your bolt locking lugs than you will with 7.62x39, and you have less potential for feed issues that you sometimes get with the 7.62x39 AR-15 magazines. Since you reload, you may also consider the .277 WLV which uses a 6.8 projectile in a modified 5.56x45 casing. Like the .300 AAC, you only need to change the barrel and will continue to utilize standard AR-15 magazines, bolt, etc.

 

[Ibmikey]

All of my 300 Blackout rifles (AR , bolt and single shot) are set for supersonic ammunition, i truely love shooting this caliber due to it's hard hitting capabilities. Low recoil and ease of loading various bullet weights. I have no experience with 7.62x 39 other than burning confiscated ammo in select fire AK's before retiring from a PD.
My 300 Blackout's however have taken Texas hogs up to a 350# grand daddy with one shot of 125 grains of lead and copper. I have full confidence that the Blackout will do everything that i need in a hunting rifle on deer sized game and below and at limited ranges of 200 yards or less.

 

[orionengnr]

First off, let me say that I own (and enjoy) both, but my primary use for the .300BLK will (in the future) be as a suppressed SBR.

I think that a number of posters have hit the high points, and outlined the plusses and minuses of each.

As a handloader, I load .300BLK, and have recently bought some x39 brass, so I will be diving in to that one day soon as well.

The availability of cheap steel cased x39 (and no telling if that will remain true) makes handloading x39 a non-starter unless you are building loads for a special purpose...like hunting (which you are).

The plentiful, cheap/easy to convert 5.56>.300 BLK brass is a big plus.

 

[bangswitch]

You didn't state your platform. If we are talking about AR-15, why not look at 6.8 SPC II?

If he's going to concentrate on longer ranges and doesn't need the versatility of suppressed subsonic use, I'd agree on the 6.8 SPC, or the 6.5 Grendel. The Grendel has a bit better downrange energy retention, will stay supersonic past 1200 yards. Bolt, barrel, and magazine follower is all that needs changing from the 5.56 AR. 20" and longer barrels give best velocities.