Ammo selection - 300 Blackout

[JR24]

Just picked up a .300 BLK upper for my AR 15 but, sadly, won't start handloading for it until next year.

I do, however, wish to bring it along for deer season this year. Before anyone says "get XX caliber instead", my primary rifle is my M1A that will handle any spots where I'd go over 150 yards.

The AR would be for walking/brush and any shots will be under 100 yards.

Shot placement is always key for me and I rarely take even marginal shots.

So, for under 100 yards on whitetail in the 120-200 lb range, what are some good options? Hornady and Barnes 110s seem to be internet popular, anytning new out there worth checking out that my searching missed?

Thanks!

 

[eastbank]

I shoot a 130gr bullet at 2100-2200 fps with win 296 out of a rem model aac 7 with a 16" barrel and have killed deer with double lung broadside standing shots with complete penetration at ranges of 50-125 yards. eastbank.

 

[JR24]

I shoot a 130gr bullet at 2100-2200 fps with win 296 out of a rem model aac 7 with a 16" barrel and have killed deer with double lung broadside standing shots with complete penetration at ranges of 50-125 yards. eastbank.

Once I get reloading I had been looking at the loads in the 125 or 130 range as my first project, so thank you!

 

[Glockula]

I bought some Hornady black 110 gr Vmax. That will be my short range deer round this year. I plan on working up a load,with the 135 gr flex tips for next year.

 

[JR24]

I bought some Hornady black 110 gr Vmax. That will be my short range deer round this year. I plan on working up a load,with the 135 gr flex tips for next year.

Thats probably what I'll end up doing as well.

Part of me wants Winchester or Federals 150 grain offerings would work well so I can plink with AE and not have to adjust too much, and all 3 are available locally, but I'm not confident those are a great choice.

Or I'll scrap the hunting plan this year and roll some good target and hunting loads for next year.

 

[der Teufel]

I've used the Hornady 110 grain VMAX, but I'm switching to the 110 Grain SP Hornady because it works just as well for me and it's a bit cheaper.
I have also tried the Hornady 130 grain SP, which worked fine but it costs a little more and it's in stock a little less often. I think just about anything in that weight range will be fine.

 

[Decoy80]

I am a newbie myself with the round and only have paper and steel experience within 100 yards and less. That said I am confident that a 130 to 150 grain soft point will produce desirable results within that range and probably more. I loaded some 110 grain Hornady V-Max bullets to try out recently but haven't had time to further develop the load. I hope to soon.
Good hunting to you thanks for opening the subject I'm trying to gain wisdom for myself.

 

[marksman13]

The Winchester Extreme Point ammo is very effective on pigs out to a hundred yards. Probably the most effective 300 BLK round I've ever seen. Second best load I've seen is handloaded Nosler 125gr. The Hornady V-Max 110 would be my third choice.

 

[shootstraight57]

I was going to use Hornady 135 gr FTX bullet but with the final vote from our Fish and Game commission that won't happen, so back to my lever .35 rem.

 

[redbullitt]

Barnes 110 blacktip made for 300 blk is excellent. Buy those if you can and go hunting. These will work well for social work too; in fact those are what I keep loaded in the house rifle.

I hand load mine, but you can buy them rolled already I believe. Most accurate bullet I have used in my carbine that I trust to expand out of the little blackout.

Depending on barrel length you are probably about 2000fps (my barrel is short so you may do better...), so most 30 caliber bullets just do not do well here. There are speer semi pointed ones that will work well, but I am not sure they are sold as loaded ammo. The 125 sierra class bullets will probably not expand well at all. The Nosler ones have not done well either in my non scientific (read wetpack) testing. The violent varmint style ones have promise, but once I found the 110 barnes black tip I did pursue those any further.

 

[Decoy80]

I'm new to the 300 Blackout scene too. I have no hunting experience with it at all. I've ran about 400 rounds thru mine but a BB gun is also effective on paper as well. So far I've been sending a variety of projectiles downrange, even though a good subsonic load was easily enough to work out the time lapse in my quest to acquire a suppressor would indicate I'm at least another year away from that dream becoming reality. I came into some old supplies and have 100 150gr. Round nose soft points. I intend to load those but unless a close opportunity presents itself I am hesitant to take a shot on a deer without more knoweledge on its expansion. I have a neighbors dog that has been coming up on the porch and gobbling up my fiests food and I could use it for ballistics testing. I know it isn't getting any kibble at home and not wishing to kill it I've ran it away repeatedly hoping that its owner will break down and splurge to get it food at home. If it ever growls at my first my soft side will fade for its plight. It appears to be about 65 to 70 pounds and my squirrel dog at 20 pounds retreats and only barks when I come out for backup now. But if it decides to take up here and gets aggressive with my little friend I'll have to solve its problems and it would provide some expansion evidence on the 150`s. I pray not but if all other options are removed and my true friend is threatened there would be no remorse as it will be my duty.
Thanks for the read until either manna rains from the heavens at its home or duty and desperation I will be on standby ballisticly .