Bullets for loading 300 BLK question

[bikemutt]

I'm getting set to start hand loading subsonic 300 BLK and came across a box of 500 rounds 210 grain SMK BTHP 30 cal bullets in the bargain bin at a LGS. My bud who I was with said he didnt think boat tails will work for 300 BLK, that I'd need to use flat base bullets.

Anyone know if these may be used for 300 BLK?

Thanks.

 

[berettaprofessor]

I use boat-tail for 300BLK....why wouldn't I? Won't work how?

 

[243winxb]

0.308 210.0 HPBT MatchKing™ 1.478
0.308 210.0 MatchKing™ (Litz) 1.478
0.308 220.0 HPBT MatchKing™ 1.489

Hodgdon has data for a 220 gr. The 220 bullet length is greater than the 210. Looks like it will work.

Get more opinions, as i dont load it.

http://www.jbmballistics.com/ballistics/lengths/lengths.shtml#Sierra

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/

 

[DeadEye9]

There's nothing that says you CANT use BT bullets for .300BLK, it's just that there isn't a benefit to running a BT at the velocity produced by the cartridge. There are plenty of off the shelf subsonic .300 BLK loads running a BT, A-max Hornady, Nosler BTHP, etc in their factory rounds. The Sierras would likely make a decent anti-personal round for use with a can. I dont run anything in .300 BLK anymore, I just don't have a need for it ballistically with all the other options I have. However when I was loading for it and testing, the 208gr Amax around 1060fps was an excellent performer, as was the 220 Nosler custom BTHP so the Sierra bullet should perform just as well.

 

[Walkalong]

There's nothing that says you CANT use BT bullets for .300BLK, it's just that there isn't a benefit to running a BT at the velocity produced by the cartridge. There are plenty of off the shelf subsonic .300 BLK loads running a BT, A-max Hornady, Nosler BTHP, etc in their factory rounds.

Yep.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I use 208 gr Hornady BTHP for subs as I can find them for about $30 per 100. Group great out of my 10" barrel and suppressor over 1680 powder.

 

[SamT1]

I've been using cast lead for my subs. I havent shot anything with them yet, but I have high expectations as lead seems to be the Cadillac if your underpowered. Now what to do about shooting them through a can.

 

[DeadEye9]

I've been using cast lead for my subs. I havent shot anything with them yet, but I have high expectations as lead seems to be the Cadillac if your underpowered. Now what to do about shooting them through a can.

I've seen folks have good results with powder coating lead bullets for use when running a can. That or there is always those moly type coatings they sell for that purpose. I do aggree that lead is the ticket for low speed with the caveat of penetration being your #1 priority. (I.e. Hunting medium game). For anti personal use against two legged predators I don't think lead is the best choice as it would likely go through two (or more) of your intended target siZe. For that purpose I would use something like the Hornady Amax, Sierra or other expanding type bullet. You will still get plenty of penetration for a human threat with the advantage of a larger wound cavity and less chance of going through stuff you don't want to go through.

 

[SamT1]

I've seen folks have good results with powder coating lead bullets for use when running a can. That or there is always those moly type coatings they sell for that purpose. I do aggree that lead is the ticket for low speed with the caveat of penetration being your #1 priority. (I.e. Hunting medium game). For anti personal use against two legged predators I don't think lead is the best choice as it would likely go through two (or more) of your intended target siZe. For that purpose I would use something like the Hornady Amax, Sierra or other expanding type bullet. You will still get plenty of penetration for a human threat with the advantage of a larger wound cavity and less chance of going through stuff you don't want to go through.

Yea I have a powder gun, but I'm a little shy because when guys first started powder coating I tried some in 308 win and they coated my barrel in powder coat and that's twice as hard to remove as lead. I've never had issues leading barrels with Lyman moly lube and properly sized and hardness bullets.

 

[Coltdriver]

Not a thing wrong with using boat tails. You will find that the longer the bullet with the 300blk the nicer they sail even if they do have quite an arc. 500 210 grain smks is a nice find. They think pretty highly of them at 50 or 100 to a box.

 

[farmerboy78]

I can see having a blackout in an ar platform that will cycle subs, but anything else is pointless... a .308 will do everything the blackout will and more

 

[Walkalong]

a .308 will do everything the blackout will and more

And much more than my .22 Hornet, but I enjoy shooting it, as well as supersonic loads in 300 BLK. Options are nice, and that is from someone who loves the .308.

 

[SamT1]

I can see having a blackout in an ar platform that will cycle subs, but anything else is pointless... a .308 will do everything the blackout will and more

I carry both. The big bennifit to me of the 300 is it uses less than half the powder of 308. So for those 1,2 maybe 300 yard shots it's more economical. Also the 300 is at pretty much full power with a 10.5" barrel, so I'm at like 17 with the suppressor. Makes for a nice hunting rig that's not too long or heavy and is still balanced.
I have 2 and both cycle subs and supers flawless and are not picky about ammo. They do a great job on hogs with night vision (308 is kinda tough on NV, even though mine is rated up to 308)
Light recoil so you stay on target just like 5.56, but you have a 30 cal hole.

So it does a hand full of things better than 308 besides the subs. But yea there's a lot more reasons to buy a 308 if a guy doesn't have a specific use in mind and doesn't already have a 308. It's going to be real hard to find another caliber that 308 isn't better than all around just in general.

 

[Nature Boy]

I don't load the .300 BLK but a guy next to me at the range recently was shooting his AR subsonic and suppressed with 208g AMAXs. He asked to shoot some over my chrono and let me send some down range as well. I have to say it was kinda fun lobbing those big bullets down range. The boat tail seemed to do everything he was after.

 

[LoonWulf]

Ive gun 208 amax, 220 Sierra round nose, and 245grn MBC coated thru my blackout, all shot pretty well. I decided to go with the MBCs primarily, they work great with 5-7grains of pistol powder (from my bolt gun), while still being long enough to run well from my rugers magazine.