300 BLK AR or upper? If so What Brand?

[Triumph]

The list of guns I'm interested in is always getting longer.

I am intrigued by the 300 BLK, either as a 2nd AR or as a 2nd upper for my LE6920.

I like the opportunity to reload by trimming 223 cases, having a 30cal option, having something quite (supeessed) and being able to use my Pmags.

It would be mostly for fun but I feel like I'd grab it for pigs before the 5.56 AR or a M1A (from a capacity standpoint). I also have a M1A Scout Squad in my To-Get list.

So questions:
1. Should I get one?
2. What's easiest way to find/get in today's environment?
3. Should I get a whole new AR or just an upper? In both cases which brand?
4. Also, please suggest brand of suppressor.

 

[oldpapps]

Interesting:

1. Should I get one? - Sounds like you have sold yourself.
2. What's easiest way to find/get in today's environment? Hard one. Before this insanity started, they were just beginning to become available. Now, like everything, hard to find.
3. Should I get a whole new AR or just an upper? In both cases which brand? I started with just the upper. I soon determined that wasn't going to cut it and put together a matching lower. I bought a stainless barreled DSA upper. I used a PSA stripped lower.
4. Also, please suggest brand of suppressor. I'm no help on a suppressor, I have no interest in them.

Remember, the .300 AAC Blackout is not a .308 Win, so don't expect the energy/range/recoil. Do expect the fun and convenience of everything the AR/M4 has to offer and bigger bullets.

 

[Telekinesis]

You should get one, especially if you plan on getting a suppressor for it. The easiest way to get one right now would probably be to just buy a new 300 Blk barrel and swap it for the one currently on your AR. It's a little more work, but its cheaper and more likely that you'll find a part for a reasonable price than a whole upper. Buying a whole upper would make it much easier to swap out calibers if that's a criteria for you.

Barrel length wise, I would make it a SBR seeing as you're already looking at getting one stamp anyway. I'm almost finished with a build with a 10" barrel which I think is just about perfect for my needs, but you can go as short as 8" and still have good performance. If you plan on having the suppressor on the gun 100% of the time, you could go with a 8" barrel and have 12" long handguards and cover most of the suppressor. Depending on the can, that should leave you somewhere around 16" between the barrel and the can. Noveske makes very good barrels and if you can find one, I would go with that, however I have a friend with a CMMG who says it also performs well.

Suppressor wise, if you're looking for a .30 cal rifle can, I've heard a lot of people like the AAC 762 SDN6. I actually have a HTG Predator pending right now because I got a good deal on it, but I would also look at Liberty suppressors. There are some full sized 9mm cans that can also work with 300 Blk as well (things like the Tirant and Liberty Mystic IIRC) if you have a fixed mount to replace the booster. Some of the 9mm cans are restricted to subsonic 300 Blk only, but those might be a good direction to go if you also want to suppress a 9mm pistol.

 

[oldpapps]

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=183009&stc=1&d=1366389975
One of my enjoyable targets is a 2 Litter bottle filled with water at 100 yards. They don't do well and I can seldom find the screw tops. Doesn't matter if it is 110grain V-Max or 147grain GI pulls

Fixed link. OK, hit the wrong file name, That is 220 grain slugs.

I'll link the correct photo, here.http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=183010&stc=1&d=1366390181

 

[Comrade Mike]

I'd say go for it, the advantage of 300BLK over previous AR fad cartridges is brass an bullets will always be available and it doesn't require a magazine or bolt change. I think it could be a fun toy.

 

[mavracer]

I think it could be a fun toy.

You would be thinking correct my friend. Mine is a blast. I started by building a upper reciever and using a new frontier lower, I soon realized i wanted a better trigger and upgraded to a smith lower.
Parts will be hard to find BCGs are nearly unobtainable, but if you're patient and keep an eye out a BLK upper is worthwhile

 

[ssyoumans]

Reloading for it isn't exactly as easy as people often suggest. Typically you have to load quite short, in the 2.05 - 2.100" range if using typical 308 bullets else they interfere with the ribs in the magazines. Many people modify their mags to make them work better by grinding down the side ribs. Then the mags don't work well for 5.56.

If you stick to shooting factory ammo only with their magazine friendly profile bullets, you won't have any problems and no need to modify mags. Reloaders looking to use cheap 147gr pulls have to modify mags or load very short (reducing powder capacity).

As stated earlier, the best thing about the 300 is the suppressed performance. In which case, get a SBR. I'm waiting on my stamp for a 8.5". I use my 6.8 or 5.56 for hunting, but the 300 is for fun, no scope, just iron sights and red dot.

Lots of info over on 30blktalk forum.

 

[oldpapps]

I have never modified any of my magazines for use with the 300 BlackOut. I've seen mention of it. Just never saw the need.

I have loaded to as short as 2.000 and as long as 2.185 inches. I try to follow the ogdive of the bullets for the best feed. I have found that seating depths do have a greater effect on velocities (thus most likely pressures) than other rounds I have loaded.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=183011&stc=1&d=1366390291

.223/5.56 55g SP on both sides of a 110g V-Max (left) and 147g FMJ GI pull (right).

 

[Walkalong]

I have one and I love it. I bought a barrel and converted a .223 upper, changing the forearm and gas block at the same time. I use standard AR mags. I just made some .300 BLK brass from once fired LC .223 brass.

 

[Jason_W]

I briefly worked at a gun shop that facilitated suppressor transfers. Be prepared to spend a lot of money and wait a real long time. If I remember correctly, once all government fees have been paid, most people were paying close to a grand for centerfire rifle suppressors.

 

[highorder]

Can anyone point me toward a .300 barrel in stock? I'm looking for a 16"

 

[Mobuck]

I assembled my 300 BO using a RedX barrel from Brownells. AR parts of any sort are hard to find so very likely you won't just buy one off the shelf. Now that several places are mass producing 300 brass, the interest is increasing. Bullets are now the problem. Midway sold out their last allowance of Hornady 110 grain .308 bullets in minutes.
Although I have one, I still feel the 300 BO is an overated niche round with very limited range and application. My justification is that it was the only barrel available at the time I was building and it's probably going to make a good short range deer gun for my Grandkids.

 

[Walkalong]

Reloaders looking to use cheap 147gr pulls have to modify mags or load very short (reducing powder capacity).

I have had no problems with rounds feeding from standard mags using 147 Gr pulled bullets crimped into the cannelure or crimp groove. The bullets don't take up much case space.

I plan on trying the Speer 130 Gr Hot Core on hogs.

 

[cfullgraf]

I am intrigued by the 300 BLK, either as a 2nd AR or as a 2nd upper for my LE6920.

I have enjoyed working with the 300 BLK. It is a great short range cartridge, 100 yards or so in my opinion.

Whether you obtain just an upper or an entire rifle, that is your choice. I prefer to not swap out uppers so I have just complete rifles. Same for my T/C Contenders. But, others do swap out uppers. There are some advantages to that.

I am not interested in suppressed shooting so I have a 16" (Noveski) and 18" (Wilson Combat) barrels and shoot only supersonic ammunition. Again your choice. I wish I could get a 20" barrel with a 1-10 twist to try. (I might try a Wilson 7.62x40 NT). The fast twist barrels are geared to the long, heavy bullets used in suppressed 300 BLK firearms.

I have no issues with loading bullets so that the ogive clears the internal rib of the magazine. I have shot everything from 110 grain to 240 grain bullets. The all feed when seated to fit the magazine. I cannot say I have managed to get them all the cycle the action though. A suppressor helps with heavy bullet, subsonic rounds.

Any way, I do not modify my magazines and they work fine.

Have fun with your choice.

 

[Elkins45]

I love mine. I shoot about 95% cast boolets and it is a hoot. Plus it's much cheaper than shooting jacketed loads.

I finally broke down and took the NFA plunge, so in a few long months I hope to be screwing a can onto the end of mine.

 

[justice06rr]

Get one? a resounding Yes.

Easiest way right now is to build your own upper receiver. Buy the barrel from CMMG or AR15depot. The barrel is not cheap so take that into consideration.

As far as the suppressor, AAC (Advanced Armament Corp) is the best way to go. remember to buy their flash hider/attachment too. A big advantage to getting the 300BLK suppresor is that you can also use it on your 5.56/223 AR15 -- two birds in one stone.

Yes, I owned a PSA 300BLK AR15 in 2012. Sold it in November (regretfully) because of lack of ammo. If you reload then this should be a minor concern for you. Good luck!

 

[greyling22]

how about a liberty mystic for a suppressor? I haven't handled or heard one, but on paper it looks amazing. works on 223, 300blk, and you can screw it on a 9mm too. And it comes apart so you can run 22lr through it.