.300 whisper/fireball?

[SaMx]

So I've noticed a few places offer AR uppers and kits in this caliber and I wondered if anyone has used it. I looked up some info on it, and it basically seems like a .223 necked up to .30 caliber, that was designed as a subsonic round for suppressors, but can be loaded supersonic too. It seems like ballistically it's really similar to 7.62x39, so I'm surprised it's not more popular for hunting with the AR-15.

 

[Zak Smith]

Umm, yes?


............... Larger version of above photo.

............... Larger version of above photo.

For subsonic loads, the 220gr or 240gr bullets work well. I can load the 125 gr bullets at 2000+ fps or the 150's at 1850+ fps from a 10.5" barrel.

 

[brian923]

i have always been intrigued about this round. i would like to build one soon. the only thing i wish were differnet is that it were to use .223 brass, instead off .221 fireball brass. but its pretty cool that they can get these types of velocitys with that small of a case. man, with all the projects i already have going, and now you bring this one back to the fore front.

the real suck thing is that i currently reside in illinois, so no suppresser fun for me

 

[Zak Smith]

All my .300FB/Whisper brass is formed from 223/556 brass.

 

[brian923]

how's you do that

i have been told by many a gunsmith and .300 fireball owners alike that 223 brass wont work? do you have to trim it alot? this would make my build even more fesable seeing how i have tons upon tons of .223 brass... as if i needed another reason...

whats the best twist rate for the fireball round. (i would like to load both sub, and super sonic) and wheres the best place to get a barrel? i know that modle1 sells a couple differnet barrel lenghts in the cartridge... are they any good?

 

[BsChoy]

Not to steal the thread but, Zak what kinda of stock is that on youyr AR you have pictured?? I like it alot!

 

[Zak Smith]

Magpul UBR

 

[Zak Smith]

223 brass needs to be cut to a shorter length and necked down. I just bought some already pre-made.

I bought an 1:8" twist barrel from Noveske. He does runs of them from time to time.

-z

 

[Howard Roark]

Here is a link with pics of turning 223 brass down to make 300 Whisper.

I just found another link with pics.

Does any one know what size gas port for a 22" barrel would be?

 

[SaMx]

I guess I didn't fully form this question.

why isn't the round more popular?
how well does it work for hunting compared to 7.62x39 and 6.8SPC?

 

[Zak Smith]

It's not more popular because:

1. it's "marketed" as a round to run subsonic and suppressed, and relatively few people have suppressors (and with a suppressor, a 16" rifle is now a lot longer-- for an SBR you need another stamp)

2. 300 Whisper is a trademark of SSK (as far as I know) and this limits who can use the name

3. Nobody makes factory brass. I inquired about true 300 Whisper brass from SSK and they said they didn't have any.

4. The only factory ammo I am aware of is made by Cor-Bon and is somewhat rare.

In short, it's another of the specialty niche, semi-proprietary cartridges which has its fans but it not very popular for a number of reasons.

As far as hunting, when loaded to full power, any of those cartridges will get the job done well provided the proper bullet is selected.

-z

 

[redneckdan]

Take a 5.56 case, cut if off just behind the shoulder with a small tubing cutter, It'll look like a slightly long, rimless .357 mag case. Lube it up and run it through the sizing die. Then trim the remaining 10-15 thou off with a case trimmer. For some reason....a lot of people try to make this ****t harder than it needs to be.


LC, WCC, TZZ, IMI cases work good for me. All the korean stuff, PMC, etc...have case walls that are too thick.

There is some confusion as to the proper trim length. True .300 whisper is trimmed at 1.355", some 300-221 chambers are spec'ed for 1.400" brass.

 

[kcmarine]

Zak... I wish I had your stuff.


That is all.

 

[Pelleman]

RUAG makes factory loaded 300 Whisper and brass. The brass is marked "300 Whisper" so I guess they have some sort of deal with SSK.
I have a feeling that they don´t sell to civilians though...

http://www.ruag.ch/ruag/juice?pageID=134116

 

[skinewmexico]

I'm just going to build a 30-221.

 

[Tarvis]

And they're in Germany, so the majority of THR members are going to have an even harder time getting their hands on some.

I'm just going to build a 30-221

What exactly is the difference between 300 whisper and 300 fireball? As far as I can tell, the neck is a little different but getting info is somewhat difficult.