What do you use your 300 Blackout for ?

[Die Judicii]

For those that own a 300 Blackout,,
What do you use it for mainly,,,,, and at what predominant range ??

[InisBineest]

Well, when I one day get out of lockdown to use it.... I bought mine as a fun plinker with cast 225gr subsonic loads. It's a Warwick WFA1L with a pump kit, good for under 100m

I also want to work up a 110gr varmint load, but I haven't been out to shoot it at all yet so all in good time.

[Communism_Is_Cancer]

I feel the round is useless in Australia due to our laws. It is in its element when suppressed in a semi or full auto indoors as it does not over penetrate. The round was designed to offer better stopping power than a 9mm submachine gun(like an mp5) whilst keeping the AR platform.

[Shootermick]

Isn’t it like a modern day replacement for the 30/30?

[Communism_Is_Cancer]

Isn’t it like a modern day replacement for the 30/30?

Nah mate. That would be a 308 I would say, seeing how old the 30/30 is. Whilst the 300 blackout is 308 in diameter it is nothing like it. It was designed to be used like an mp5 9mm(very close range) but with more stopping power whilst not over penetrating walls.

It is the round that killed Osama Bin Laden.

[Blr243]

Lots of people think it’s a bit useless but if it killed mr bin then it’s worth something

[Shootermick]

Isn’t it like a modern day replacement for the 30/30?

Nah mate. That would be a 308 I would say, seeing how old the 30/30 is. Whilst the 300 blackout is 308 in diameter it is nothing like it. It was designed to be used like an mp5 9mm(very close range) but with more stopping power whilst not over penetrating walls.

It is the round that killed Osama Bin Laden.

Maybe I’m thinking of the 350 legend.?

[in2anity]

What do I use it for? Well for hunting, and a touch of service matches, just for fun.

Heres why. It only burns 18gr of powder. Runs on SR primers. It recoils like a 223. It kills better than the 223. It eats cheap 125gr 308 hunting bullets. A pocketful of of 300blk goes a fair bit further than a pocketful of 308. Brass life is exceptional. Surplus 223 brass can easily be converted to 300blk. Need I say more?

Now let's talk distance. The 300blk will shoot a minute of deer easy at 250m. Indeed a bit susceptible to wind, but can still bench into a minute at 100m, if you have your load sorted... I can shoot my little 300blk carbine 100m offhand as good as any rifle I own. And sitting from the service sling at 200m, it can still go close to a possible, so long as the wind isn't too horrendous.

What it won't do is shoot competitively at 3, 400m (and beyond). Don't expect it to do that. Sure it'll ring some steel maybe, but it's gonna be tough continuously hitting those 5s...

[InisBineest]

What do I use it for? Well for hunting, and a touch of service matches, just for fun.

Heres why. It only burns 18gr of powder. Runs on SR primers. It recoils like a 223. It kills better than the 223. It eats cheap 125gr 308 hunting bullets. A pocketful of of 300blk goes a fair bit further than a pocketful of 308. Brass life is exceptional. Surplus 223 brass can easily be converted to 300blk. Need I say more?

Now let's talk distance. The 300blk will shoot a minute of deer easy at 250m. Indeed a bit susceptible to wind, but can still bench into a minute at 100m, if you have your load sorted... I can shoot my little 300blk carbine 100m offhand as good as any rifle I own. And sitting from the service sling at 200m, it can still go close to a possible, so long as the wind isn't too horrendous.

What it won't do is shoot competitively at 3, 400m (and beyond). Don't expect it to do that. Sure it'll ring some steel maybe, but it's gonna be tough continuously hitting those 5s...

That pretty much sums up why i've bought into it:) Add cast projectiles into the mix and it gets very cheap. 225gr bullets from an NOE mould, and only 10gr of
AR 2205, running on SR or SP primers.... Its about as cheap as centerfire can get outside of small pistol calibers.

Query though, where are you finding cheap 125gr 308 hunting pills, would love to know:)

[in2anity]

Query though, where are you finding cheap 125gr 308 hunting pills, would love to know:)

I bought in bulk Speer TNT when Cleavers had a special going a couple of years back. You have to jump on the opportunities.

[Oldbloke]

150 gr 308 abt 2800fps
150 gr 30.30 abt 2300fps
150 gr 300 black out abt 1700fps

Big difference.

[deye243]

Isn’t it like a modern day replacement for the 30/30?

Narh that would be the 300 Apache 150 pill at 2200 so same as most factory loads I cronoed for the 30-30 it is the 223 necked up to 30 cal .

[InisBineest]

Folks are right when they say it was designed with a suppressor in mind, and from that perspective it is less relevant here. It was also designed with the AR-15 platform in mind, making it also less relevant. Does that make it useless, no, it has its place. And there are certainly more obscure cartridges that folks like.

Think of it as a quiet and extremely low recoil 30 cal for shorter ranged shots. Great for reloaders too as mentioned, given the most expensive part is the pill itself, and being a common calibre even that isn't too bad. You don't have to like it, but it's hardly worth bashing:)

[in2anity]

150 gr 308 abt 2800fps
150 gr 30.30 abt 2300fps
150 gr 300 black out abt 1700fps

Big difference.

Personally OB, I get 1900fps for a 150gr pill out of the blk, and 2100fps for the 125gr - and that's out of a 16" carbine. I've hunted with both the 30/30 and 300blk, and both do the job just fine. My 300blk is more convinient to load for, more accurate and lighter than a Marlin. That's the backbreaker for me - a 300blk bolt gun is a pure and simple thing, thus can be light. Easier to clean also.

There's certainly nuthin wrong with the venerable 30/30, but tbh I'm more confident takng a 200m shot with my blk than the 30/30.

[Wyliecoyote]

I converted mine some time back to 30 Apache. A simple lengthening of the chamber using a BO reamer that also allows you to utilise the 300 BO dies for case forming and bullet seating. You can still do everything the 300 does in the subsonic area but run 500 to 600 fps faster with the 125 to 150 grain bullets with the benefit of using cheap cast off 223 brass. I have a couple of 7.62 x 39s that don't get used because the Apache replicates the performance without the need for costly brass.

[in2anity]

I converted mine some time back to 30 Apache. A simple lengthening of the chamber using a BO reamer that also allows you to utilise the 300 BO dies for case forming and bullet seating. You can still do everything the 300 does in the subsonic area but run 500 to 600 fps faster with the 125 to 150 grain bullets with the benefit of using cheap cast off 223 brass. I have a couple of 7.62 x 39s that don't get used because the Apache replicates the performance without the need for costly brass.

Yeah I really like the idea of that. Some more velocity would really help the blk's case. Pity my BLK is already custom short-throated for the 125gr pill - can't go butchering that! Recoil is sublime however - very easy to spot the fall.

[Oldbloke]

150 gr 308 abt 2800fps
150 gr 30.30 abt 2300fps
150 gr 300 black out abt 1700fps

Big difference.

Personally OB, I get 1900fps for a 150gr pill out of the blk, and 2100fps for the 125gr - and that's out of a 16" carbine. I've hunted with both the 30/30 and 300blk, and both do the job just fine. My 300blk is more convinient to load for, more accurate and lighter than a Marlin. That's the backbreaker for me - a 300blk bolt gun is a pure and simple thing, thus can be light. Easier to clean also.

There's certainly nuthin wrong with the venerable 30/30, but tbh I'm more confident takng a 200m shot with my blk than the 30/30.

Yeh, I just had a quick look. Must have got it wrong. 2100fps would be fine.
Plus not using round nose bullets would help. More accurate out of a BA too.

My 1st center fire was a 30.30, good round.

[in2anity]

My 1st center fire was a 30.30, good round.

Yeah mate what a classic. I ran a 336w wearing a 4x Gold Crown for ages and she sure brought home the bacon. Very capable.

Another reason I tried the blackout was that once I started shooting 30 cal in competition more, I found myself accumulating a lot more 308 spitzers. It just made sense to get an (adequate) hunting rifle that would be compatible with them.

[Communism_Is_Cancer]

I would dare say 3030 was a lot of peoples first centrefire. Maybe not so much these days. I would say 223 or 308 maybe.

[hunting99]

I got one it’s great. But the only problem right now is I can’t get any 2205 powder for it right now

[InisBineest]

I got one it’s great. But the only problem right now is I can’t get any 2205 powder for it right now

True that

[Oldbloke]

I would dare say 3030 was a lot of peoples first centrefire. Maybe not so much these days. I would say 223 or 308 maybe.

Yep, back in the days it was 30.30 or 303

[wanneroo]

I feel the round is useless in Australia due to our laws. It is in its element when suppressed in a semi or full auto indoors as it does not over penetrate. The round was designed to offer better stopping power than a 9mm submachine gun(like an mp5) whilst keeping the AR platform.

True, it was designed for a certain role and it can outperform a 9mm MP5 with the same size and weight. Right now US Army SOCOM is using a Sig MCX 7 inch barrel 300 Blackout for close protection details and other sneaky roles.

However, 300 Blackout has gone far beyond what it was intended for and it's an excellent cartridge for out to 200 yards. It uses the same bolt and magazines as a 223 and it is very versatile to load for. You can go supersonic or subsonic, expensive or cheap. Out of a 16 inch barrel I am getting 2400 FPS with a 110g bullet.

I'm doing a lot of 300 BO stuff on my Youtube channel so feel free to subscribe. I am in the midst of doing 150g Hornady FMJ loads for plinking and then will be doing on going projects with 110g Noslers, 125g Speer TNTs, Hornady Vmaxs, etc. It's not a strictly 300 BO channel but there is usually an ongoing 300 BO project I have going on.

[in2anity]

Yes it's a handloader's cartridge. Lots of avenues of exploration.

[Die Judicii]

Thanks for the multitude of opinions, beliefs, hints etc.
For me,, I spend many, many, hours during the summer months sitting over dams throughout the nights.
Which really does suit this little rifle, cos range certainly isn't an issue,, Accuracy and knock down power is very capable,,, and because you never know what
is gonna trot down to the waters edge during the night,, the one rifle is more than capable.

It's a bit like being in a lottery every night,, and knowing you will win something every night.

[boingk]

Interesting round with a good amount of possibilities.

I like the 350 Legend - essentially the same thing but 358 diameter projectiles topping out around 2100fps for a 158gn dose of lead.

Hand casting? Perfect. Bulk pistol projectiles? Perfect. Jacketed offerings? Perfect.

Hard to beat IMO.

[JimTom]

Mate I use mine for chasing pigs off the back of a vehicle or bike, so generally close range hunting <100m. In saying that I have dropped pigs at longer ranges.
I reload with 125gn SST or 130gn HP which do the job nicely, very cheap to reload. Brass cheap or can be made from 222 or 223 cases.
I do agree with some of the above re the cartridge being suited to a suppressed AR platform or similar.

[Gamerancher]

It's a good go to if you've got a rifle with a .222 / .223 bolt face and are looking to put a bit more weight behind the punch. New barrel and you're in business.

The .300 Whisper was the original design based on .221 Fireball case. AAC standardised it and submitted it to SAAMI as the .300 Blackout.
The original concept was to fire very heavy for calibre, ballistically efficient bullets at subsonic velocities in suppressed rifles. It was found to be extremely accurate out to 200 yards in that application with good retained energy as well. No other sub-sonic round can match it in that regard.
It found it's way into pistol silhouette and has been very popular in that sport as 200m is the furthest target and 200+ grain bullets have no trouble knocking down the rams and reduced recoil when compared to pistols chambered in .30-30.

I have a .300 Whisper barrel for my L461 Sako that also has a .221 Fireball barrel. While I have played around with the .300 with both cast and jacketed bullets for both hunting and some target work, it hasn't really done much for me. ( Maybe I'm spoiled for choice with other options at hand )
The rifle sports the .221 barrel mostly as a culling rifle around the farm, accurate, 50gr bullets for head shots, light recoil and low noise, suits me.

While you can make .300 Blackout cases from .223 brass, it was designed on the .221 Fireball case and is much easier to do by just necking those up.
With correct head-stamped and dimensioned brass available off the shelf, why bother?

I've shot a mates .300 Apache ( .300/.223, whatever you want to label it ), at 500m rifle silhouette rams in the U.S, it worked, was pleasant to shoot and accurate. He claimed his father came up with the concept and name, ( who was I to argue ), would I build one,...No.

[JimTom]

Just because I had a heap of old 222 brass.

[wanneroo]

Just because I had a heap of old 222 brass.

How does your converted brass hold up?