Which 300BLK?

[marksman13]

My next AR will be a 300BLK. It will be used primarily as a deer rifle. It will sport a 16" barrel and hopefully a free-float hand guard. The gun will not be suppressed. It will sport a 3x9x40 Nikon BDC scope. I want it to be light weight and accurate (at least MOA with factory ammo). I want to buy a complete rifle and not just an upper. My budget is $1300 for the rifle itself. I've seen complete rifles available from CMMG. Loki and Smith and Wesson in my price range. Noveske (not happening), Bushmaster and Spikes also offer complete rifles.

Anybody have enough experience with the models listed to offer some advice? I've been very pleased with M&P 15s and Colts in the past. I am an accuracy freak if that helps.

Thanks in advance,

Steven

 

[ugaarguy]

Marksman, I just looked up the S&W offering. They're listing a Melonited 5R rifled bbl. Based on my own S&W M&P15 Sport in 5.56 with a similar Melonited 5R bbl, plus the reviews of others, the S&W should provide excellent accuracy. T/C Arms (who S&W owns) is making all of the M&P15 rifle bbls. Every T/C made 5R rifle bbl. I've shot or read reviews on will shoot MOA or better with premium factory ammo. I'm sorry I can't give you direct experience with an M&P15 in the caliber you want, but I hope the brand experience in other chamberings is helpful.

 

[marine 97-03]

+1 to uga ....I heard kel,tec is making a su,16c in .300blk

 

[marksman13]

My M&P 15 in 5.56 is ridiculously accurate. I will have to find one in black finish if I buy an M&P. I'm not a fan of camo dipped ARs. They just look cheap to me.

The M&P may be my best bet. I've got my local dealer looking around for me.

 

[helotaxi]

Why a .300BLK for deer? Certainly not the best choice in an AR for hunting.

 

[sixgunner455]

why not? .30-30 ballistics, using spitzer bullets in a light short AR with a very accurate barrel, isn't anything to sneeze at.

Where I live, it might not have long enough legs, but if you don't need a 400+ yard rifle, it'll do quite handily.

 

[marksman13]

That's my thinking, sixunner. I've got plenty of rifles that will take a deer past 300 yards, but to be honest most of the places I hunt don't offer a shot past 200. The 300 BLK will do quite nicely in those cozy little honey holes. If this was going to be my sole means of putting venison in the freezer I would re-evaluate my choice.

 

[Coltdriver]

I have one. They are such a soft recoiling rifle with supersonic 130 grain bullets that it is almost strange to shoot. I can shoot off hand at a target 100 yards out, shoot very fast and the muzzle jump is so minimal that staying on target is very easy to to.

I have an AK too, the 300 BLK is much softer shooting. And the bullets are just a tad hotter than an AK load.

A game bullet running along around 2500 fps is plenty for deer and the rifle is light and easy to carry.

 

[marksman13]

Coltdriver, what weight bullet are you pushing to 2500 fps? I have zero experience with this round, but the published data I've seen on factory loads does not show anything above2400 fps. I'm sure hand loads can get a bit more zip behind them. The round you describe sounds like what I need.

 

[Coltdriver]

When I started reloading for my 300 BLK all I could find was 300 Whisper or 300-221 data.

The 125 grain nosler ballistic tip over 22 grains of Hodgdon 110 drives the bullet at 2450. Sierra makes a 125 grain Pro Hunter that would probably give you similar performance, I have not tried that one yet.

 

[Z-Michigan]

The 125 grain nosler ballistic tip over 22 grains of Hodgdon 110 drives the bullet at 2450.

Any pressure signs? That sounds like a very compressed charge, well above what I've seen elsewhere for a 125gr bullet.

 

[Coltdriver]

On the Nosler Ballistic Tips at 22 grains. You know it is a fair question and I wondered what would happen too. I worked them up in a Whisper from 18 grains with no adverse effects. It is a compressed load but there have been no excessive pressure signs. I have shot if from both a 300 whisper and my 300 BLk. The brass reloads so it is not ruining it from too much pressure and the primers are not blown or cratered.