300 AAC Blackout Ammo
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.300 Blackout: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Rifle, Carbine |
| Primer Type | Small Rifle |
| Used For | Military, Law Enforcement, Hunting, Home Defense |
| Case Design | Rimless, Bottleneck |
| Year Introduced | 2011 |
.300 Blackout: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Excellent suppression capabilities
- ✔ Versatile for both subsonic and supersonic loads
- ✔ Compatible with standard AR-15 lower receivers
- ✔ Effective for short to medium range shooting
- ✔ Good performance in short-barreled rifles
Cons
- ✘ Limited long-range effectiveness compared to some other calibers
- ✘ Can be more expensive than .223 Remington ammunition
- ✘ Subsonic loads may not cycle in all AR-15 platforms without modification
- ✘ Less readily available than more common calibers
- ✘ Potential for confusion with .300 Winchester Magnum ammunition
.300 Blackout Ammo: In Depth
The .300 Blackout, also known as 300 BLK or 7.62x35mm, is a versatile rifle cartridge that has gained significant popularity in recent years. Designed for use in AR-15 platform rifles, it offers an impressive balance of power, versatility, and compatibility. The .300 Blackout is renowned for its effectiveness in both supersonic and subsonic loads, making it suitable for a wide range of applications from home defense and tactical use to hunting and suppressed shooting.
History and Development
The .300 Blackout cartridge was developed in the United States during the late 2000s. It was introduced in 2011 by Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC) in collaboration with Remington Defense, initially as a specialized round for military and law enforcement use. The cartridge was designed to provide .30 caliber performance from the AR-15/M4 platform while maintaining compatibility with standard bolts and magazines.
The development of the .300 Blackout was driven by the need for a cartridge that could offer improved performance over the 5.56x45mm NATO in short-barreled rifles and suppressed weapons. The military was looking for a round that could provide greater effectiveness at close to medium ranges, especially when used with sound suppressors.
The .300 Blackout's design incorporated a .30 caliber projectile in a case derived from the .223 Remington/5.56x45mm NATO. This allowed for easy conversion of existing AR-15 rifles by simply changing the barrel, while retaining the use of standard bolts, magazines, and other components.
Throughout its short history, the .300 Blackout has seen rapid adoption in both military/law enforcement and civilian markets. Its ability to function reliably in both supersonic and subsonic configurations, coupled with its excellent suppression characteristics, has made it a favorite among special operations units and civilian shooters alike.
In the civilian market, the .300 Blackout has experienced significant growth in popularity. Its versatility has appealed to hunters, home defense enthusiasts, and target shooters. The cartridge's ability to deliver .30 caliber power in a compact package has made it particularly attractive for use in short-barreled rifles (SBRs) and AR pistols.
Today, the .300 Blackout continues to gain traction in various shooting disciplines. Ammunition manufacturers offer a wide range of loads, from lightweight, high-velocity options for hunting to heavy, subsonic loads optimized for suppressed use. The cartridge's popularity has also led to increased rifle offerings from major manufacturers, further cementing its place in the modern shooting landscape.
Complete Timeline of .300 Blackout Development:
.300 Blackout Performance
The .300 Blackout offers versatile performance characteristics that have made it popular for military use, hunting, and home defense. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| ► Velocity | 2,200-2,400 fps (supersonic loads) 900-1,100 fps (subsonic loads) Varies based on barrel length and load type |
| → Trajectory | Relatively flat trajectory at close to medium ranges Effective for hunting and self-defense within 300 yards |
| ⚡ Energy | 1,000-1,300 ft-lbs at the muzzle (supersonic loads) 400-500 ft-lbs at the muzzle (subsonic loads) Provides good performance for medium-sized game and self-defense |
| ↕ Recoil | Moderate with supersonic loads, very low with subsonic loads Manageable in AR-15 platform rifles, allows for quick follow-up shots |
| ⦿ Accuracy | Capable of MOA accuracy in quality rifles Excellent for close to medium range shooting, less wind drift than smaller calibers |
.300 Blackout: Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .300 Blackout loads.
.300 Blackout: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .300 Blackout ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Military/Combat | 0-300 | Effective for CQB and medium-range engagements, especially with suppressed weapons |
| Law Enforcement | 0-200 | Suitable for urban scenarios, good penetration with supersonic loads |
| Hunting (Medium Game) | 0-250 | Effective for deer-sized game with proper bullet selection |
| Target Shooting | 0-400 | Capable of good accuracy at medium ranges, especially with supersonic loads |
| Self-Defense | 0-100 | Highly effective at close range, especially in short-barreled rifles |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .300 Blackout offers versatility with both supersonic and subsonic loads. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
.300 Blackout: Barrel Length Effects on Performance
Barrel length can significantly affect .300 Blackout performance. This chart illustrates the impact of different barrel lengths on velocity for supersonic loads.
8.5" (Ultra-short barrel) - 2050 fps
10.5" (Short-barreled rifle) - 2200 fps
16" (Standard AR-15) - 2300 fps
20" (Long rifle) - 2350 fps
Understanding Barrel Length Effects
Barrel length affects .300 Blackout performance in several ways:
- Longer barrels provide slightly higher velocities, but the effect is less pronounced than with other cartridges.
- Shorter barrels are very effective with .300 Blackout, especially for CQB and suppressed applications.
- Velocity increases tend to diminish after about 16 inches of barrel length for .300 Blackout.
- Subsonic loads are less affected by barrel length changes compared to supersonic loads.
The chart above visualizes how velocity increases with barrel length for supersonic loads, with the width of each bar representing the relative velocity.
Note: Velocities are approximate and based on standard 125-grain supersonic loads. Actual velocities can vary based on specific ammunition, environmental conditions, and individual firearms. Always chronograph your specific gun/ammo combination for precise data.
Applications for .300 Blackout
The .300 Blackout's versatile performance profile makes it suitable for a wide range of applications:
Caliber Comparisons
To understand the .300 Blackout's place in the rifle world, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .300 Blackout with other popular rifle cartridges. (Based on a 7.5 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .300 Blackout with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .300 Blackout with other popular rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .300 Blackout with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Estimated Barrel Life Comparison
This chart provides a general comparison of estimated barrel life for .300 Blackout and similar rifle cartridges. Actual barrel life can vary significantly based on factors such as firing schedule, ammunition quality, and maintenance.
| Cartridge | Estimated Barrel Life (Rounds) |
|---|---|
| .300 Blackout |
|
| 5.56x45mm NATO |
|
| .308 Winchester |
|
| 6.5 Creedmoor |
|
| 7.62x39mm |
|
Note: These are rough estimates and can vary greatly depending on usage, load data, cleaning regimen, and individual firearm characteristics. High-volume shooters may see shorter lifespans, while casual shooters might experience longer barrel life.
Sectional Density Comparison
Sectional density is a measure of a bullet's mass relative to its diameter. Higher sectional density generally indicates better penetration and energy retention.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density | Relative SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| .300 Blackout | 125 | 0.188 |
|
| 5.56x45mm NATO | 62 | 0.177 |
|
| .308 Winchester | 168 | 0.253 |
|
| 6.5 Creedmoor | 140 | 0.287 |
|
| 7.62x39mm | 123 | 0.183 |
|
Note: Sectional density is calculated as (bullet weight in pounds) / (bullet diameter in inches)². Higher sectional density generally indicates better penetration, but other factors like velocity and bullet construction also play significant roles in overall performance.
.300 AAC Blackout FAQ:
.300 AAC Blackout is also written as .300 BLK. .300 Whisper is a different cartridge with very similar dimensions. While some folks used to worry about interchangeability of firearms and ammo between them, .300 AAC Blackout is so dominant now that you’re unlikely to run into .300 Whisper at all.
Yes. This is a very effective close-range cartridge, made even better by a short barreled gun – ideally with a suppressor. Tons of PDWs / pistols / SBRs are chambered for this cartridge. Compared to AR-platform mainstay .223 Rem/5.56 NATO, .300 AAC Blackout carries more energy and loses less velocity out of shorter barrels.
Definitely. 110-gr. and 125-gr. loads are popular for varmint, predator, and deer hunting. Most 220-gr. subsonic loads will not reliably expand – though there are some that are better than others. Make sure you pick a load with the proper bullet for your intended game that will expand at lower velocities if you are going to hunt with the heavy-for-caliber stuff.