1stmarine
Member
The blackout is a very nice option for subsonic work. In the supersonic space it lacks a lot. It can be fun though.
Below please find the summary from some tests I did all with commercial ammo and short 16" barrels.
I am not including any reloaded ammo or any other wildcats and only commercial ammunition that one can buy.
These were measured with an RCBS ammo master all in the same range the same day and same atmospheric conditions.
I was surprised how well the 80gr .223 double tap ammo did. Something to take into account. I would just not use that bullet for serious hunting as it leaves a broad yet shallow wound and, unlike a 308w with an Amax, that is brutal ammo for hunting specially in side and rear lung shots when injected right in the plexus. Tactically is superior to both the russian and blackout, I mean unless in SBR and CQB configurations but we do not have to worry too much about that in NY. Anyway, based on the facts the 6.8 is the king there.
Nobody has mentioned the 7.62x39 that can be reloaded. Corbon offers a very nice 150gr soft point load that is brutal and far superior in knock down power. The budget steel loads in 152grains
do very well too but do not have the speed of the corbon.
Don't overlook the 6x45. Also ballistically superior w/o being overkill. Great deals on 6mm bullets for all type of uses and as easy to reload (or even easier) than the .223rem itself. I am starting to believe that one can piss inside a 6x45 case and still get submoa results. I like because there is no limitation in COAL other than the imposed by the magazine. Although I found the centerstack VLD mags transform this caliber and the 6.5TCU-long in true powerhouses.
I have been using and testing many of the alternative calibers for quite some time. If you need any data on commercial or custom loads let me know.
Below please find the summary from some tests I did all with commercial ammo and short 16" barrels.
I am not including any reloaded ammo or any other wildcats and only commercial ammunition that one can buy.
These were measured with an RCBS ammo master all in the same range the same day and same atmospheric conditions.
I was surprised how well the 80gr .223 double tap ammo did. Something to take into account. I would just not use that bullet for serious hunting as it leaves a broad yet shallow wound and, unlike a 308w with an Amax, that is brutal ammo for hunting specially in side and rear lung shots when injected right in the plexus. Tactically is superior to both the russian and blackout, I mean unless in SBR and CQB configurations but we do not have to worry too much about that in NY. Anyway, based on the facts the 6.8 is the king there.
Nobody has mentioned the 7.62x39 that can be reloaded. Corbon offers a very nice 150gr soft point load that is brutal and far superior in knock down power. The budget steel loads in 152grains
do very well too but do not have the speed of the corbon.
Don't overlook the 6x45. Also ballistically superior w/o being overkill. Great deals on 6mm bullets for all type of uses and as easy to reload (or even easier) than the .223rem itself. I am starting to believe that one can piss inside a 6x45 case and still get submoa results. I like because there is no limitation in COAL other than the imposed by the magazine. Although I found the centerstack VLD mags transform this caliber and the 6.5TCU-long in true powerhouses.
I have been using and testing many of the alternative calibers for quite some time. If you need any data on commercial or custom loads let me know.
