300 BLK...Maybe it’s finally time...

[marksman13]

I can't imagine hating anything just because I don't have a use for it.

The 7.62x39 is a different tool for a different job. The .300 runs through the AR platform like corn through pigs. The Russian yields slightly higher velocity with supers but lacks the twist rate for heavy subs. The BLK does both well.



It's not the cartridge's fault people use the wrong bullets. Anything 200gr and heavier that is not explicitly designed for the BLK is not going to expand at subsonic velocities. Use the right bullet and it kills them deader than fried chicken.

I’ve seen about every factory load you can imagine and it’s not a terrible performer, but it does not perform like a 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I built a 16” .300 BO initially but went to a 10” barreled subsonic SBR with an AAC Cyclone suppressor. It shoots great with 208gr Hornady BTHP over 1680 for plinking and now I developed a 190 grain Sub -X for personal defense.

 

[mcb]

If your a reloader you can get some very good performing sub-sonic loads. I have had good luck with Maker Bullets for my Subsonic expanding load.


Left: Maker Rex 220gr, Right Berry 220gr plated

This 220gr Maker Rex was fired into a line of milk jugs full of water at 50 yards. It split the first two wide open, punch a ragged hole through both sides of the third and was found in the fourth. Shooting armadillos with it have proven very good. Sounds like hitting a truck tire with a hammer.

 

[marksman13]

If your a reloader you can get some very good performing sub-sonic loads. I have had good luck with Maker Bullets for my Subsonic expanding load.

View attachment 906093
Left: Maker Rex 220gr, Right Berry 220gr plated
View attachment 906094View attachment 906095
This 220gr Maker Rex was fired into a line of milk jugs full of water at 50 yards. It split the first two wide open, punch a ragged hole through both sides of the third and was found in the fourth. Shooting armadillos with it have proven very good. Sounds like hitting a truck tire with a hammer.

I ran some Maker bullets in my 458 SOCOM, and it was okay for subsonic stuff, but I’m just not satisfied with subsonic ammo for shooting animals.

 

[mcb]

I ran some Maker bullets in my 458 SOCOM, and it was okay for subsonic stuff, but I’m just not satisfied with subsonic ammo for shooting animals.

I am still torn on whether I would try the subsonic Rex on a deer. It would have to be a high confidence, close range, good broadside shot. But on varmints like armadillos the Maker Rex have been very satisfactory. They go in with a 30 cal hole and come out looking like a very dull broadhead made the exit wound.

 

[marksman13]

I am still torn on whether I would try the subsonic Rex on a deer. It would have to be a high confidence, close range, good broadside shot. But on varmints like armadillos the Maker Rex have been very satisfactory. They go in with a 30 cal hole and come out looking like a very dull broadhead made the exit wound.

I’ve shot several pigs with the Maker subsonic stuff from a 458 SOCOM with mixed results. Well, mixed results might be the wrong way to word that. All of them died...eventually. We don’t track wounded pigs at night, so not a huge deal. I don’t feel the same about deer. I’ve just started shooting everything with supersonic ammo because I feel like velocity matters when looking for DRTs.

 

[CraigC]

I’ve seen about every factory load you can imagine and it’s not a terrible performer, but it does not perform like a 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel.

It shouldn't be expected to but as I said, if you're not recovering critters shot with subsonic .300Blk loads, the wrong bullet was used. How do those other cartridges do with subsonic loads?

I’ve just started shooting everything with supersonic ammo because I feel like velocity matters when looking for DRTs.

Never a bow or handgun hunter I take it? You can't judge a cartridge/load as inadequate because the critter runs off. If that's the case, you need to stick with what you know works how you want or expect it to.

 

[marksman13]

It shouldn't be expected to but as I said, if you're not recovering critters shot with subsonic .300Blk loads, the wrong bullet was used. How do those other cartridges do with subsonic loads?



Never a bow or handgun hunter I take it? You can't judge a cartridge/load as inadequate because the critter runs off. If that's the case, you need to stick with what you know works how you want or expect it to.

You aren’t going to find a better subsonic bullet than the Makers. An animal running after the shot does not bother me. An animal running hundreds of yards onto property I may not have access to, bothers me a great deal. That is one of the reasons I gave up bow hunting.

 

[js8588]

I’ve seen about every factory load you can imagine and it’s not a terrible performer, but it does not perform like a 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel.

Yep, this. The 6.5 Grendel performs well even out of shorter tubes and if so desired, you can absolutely load subsonic.

I have an absolutely burning hatred for 300 BO (I'm even ambivalent about 7.62 Nato/308 win, but ubiquity has a quality all its own).

 

[CraigC]

You aren’t going to find a better subsonic bullet than the Makers. An animal running after the shot does not bother me. An animal running hundreds of yards onto property I may not have access to, bothers me a great deal. That is one of the reasons I gave up bow hunting.

If they're running "hundreds of yards", then either the wrong bullet was used or it was put in the wrong place.

 

[marksman13]

If they're running "hundreds of yards", then either the wrong bullet was used or it was put in the wrong place.

Not necessarily. I’ve hunted long enough that I never under-estimate what a wounded, even fatally wounded, animal can do. Besides, it doesn’t matter it is hundreds of yards or 75 yards in the swamps that border me. If an animal goes much past 50 yards it’s probably gone forever.

 

[swagbrdr]

Here’s me thoughts on this cartridge.
It’s a light kick in an AR frame that kills things at close range. Done.

 

[jmorris]

I ran some Maker bullets in my 458 SOCOM, and it was okay for subsonic stuff, but I’m just not satisfied with subsonic ammo for shooting animals.

As I said, I haven't used the 300 much hunting and then I used supers. I was left more impressed with my 405gn sub 458 loads than my super 300 ones, for shooting hogs.

 

[mcb]

A subsonic 405gr 45 cal bullet has nearly double the kinetic energy and nearly double the momentum of a subsonic 220gr 30 cal bullet. It hard to imagine it not being more effective on the terminal end. But 300 blackout get almost 3 times as many round in the same length magazine.

 

[CraigC]

Energy means nothing but the bigger bullet has a lot less work to do to be as effective.

 

[marksman13]

A subsonic 405gr 45 cal bullet has nearly double the kinetic energy and nearly double the momentum of a subsonic 220gr 30 cal bullet. It hard to imagine it not being more effective on the terminal end. But 300 blackout get almost 3 times as many round in the same length magazine.

Previous poster was comparing subsonic .458 to supersonic .30.

 

[marksman13]

I just bit the bullet and ordered some parts from Primary Arms. I went with a 10.5” Faxon Gunner barrel in 300 BLK. I’ll throw it on a pistol lower until my tax stamp comes back for my SBR lower. Built out exactly what I wanted for less than $700 and none of it was cheap parts. I’m happy enough for now. Just gotta decide what optic to put on it now.