300 Blackout vs 5.56 NATO

[allisji]

I'm curious what users of this forum think of 300 BLK vs. the 5.56 NATO Rem. I recently saw an AAC MPW SBR and it got me thinking. Other than shooting subsonic and suppressed what are the pros and cons of the 300 BLK vs the 5.56 NATO. I wouldn't plan on using it for home defense. I'd rather use a 12 gauge or a .45acp against "common intruders". So barring militant rebels or government forces, etc., it would most likely be a show and tell item that I'd take to the range with a buddy maybe a couple times a year.

Outside of an M1A which I intend to own at some point in time, if I can only add one tactical type rifle to my collection then what things should I consider when I decide what caliber/charge (other than 7.62 NATO) to pursue?

[jimd1981]

I think that, if you already have a 5.56 AR-15, the 300 Blackout is an interesting way to send a heavy 30cal bullet downrange.

Pros: The uppers aren't too pricey, it's a proven pig-stopper, and you can shoot the heavy rounds suppressed.
I have an adjustable gas block on mine, and it helped to tune my gun when using subsonic ammo and a suppressor.

Cons: Ammo costs more, more drop and less distance (but more Uumph -- that's a technical term right there!)
You MUST remember to use dedicated mags. You don't want to accidentally try and push a 30cal pill through your 5.56

As an upper, it's pretty cool. I don't know that I'd purchase the full kit, though.

Tactical rifles? The AR-15 is pretty much the Modern Man's Musket, you should get one if you don't already have one and learn to shoot it well.
Hint: Use a sling

How about a battle rifle? A rack-grade CMP Garand is fun and can usually outshoot you, a Swiss K-31 most assuredly will. The SKS does better (IMO) than an AK-47, and you can still get (reasonably priced, for today) surplus ammo for them. Century makes a CETME-style G3 clone (C308) that can run pretty good, if it's put together right. Most of these come in under 8 bills (some significantly so). A few you can get delivered with a Collector FFL.

[MONGOOSE]

If you are looking for a battle rifle, I prefer .30 cal, However, between the 5.56 and the .300 black out I think there is no real choice due to 5.56 ammo availability.

[LSUTiger]

This is the way I see it.....

For buy'em cheap stack'em deep when it hits the fan purposes stick with the 5.56 NATO. 5.56 NATO is relatively inexpensive and plentiful and will be much more likely to find it out in zombieland. From quick research, Bulk M855 about 38 cents, M193 a little cheaper. For the "good stuff" Black Hills 77Gr OTM MK262 Mod 1 $1+ per round

300 Blackout is much more expensive to stock up on in significant amounts and not as prevalent. From quick research 65 cents to $1.50 per round. I'd reserve it for home defense or other special limited purpose applications that could benefit from 300 blackout.

The cost of an 300 upper is cheap. Utilizing, the same BCG, charge handle and Magazines as the 5.56 you could easily swap back and forth from 5.56 to 300. And you could stock just enough 300 to fit a specific applications with out going broke. However for me 300 would not be my primary Freedom rifle.

One application is a 300 pistol/SBR since you can shorten the barrel much shorter than 5.56 before velocity rapidly drops off the charts. 9" for 300 and 10.5,11.5,12.5" for 5.56.

Or you could save the cost of the 300 altogether and just buy more ammo.

Opinions vary.

[Jago668]

If all it is going to be is a range toy that only sees light a couple times a year. I'd probably do a suppressed sbr 300 blackout. Go as neat as possible for showing off.

[AJSully421]

If you are buying it to shoot subsonic heavy rifle bullets out to 200 with a suppressor, go for it.

If you are trying to replace a .308 and a .30-30 with it, or trying to duplicate AK ballistics... Don't.

I have a 12.5" 300b with a suppressor and it is a perfect 200 yard pig getter with 220 subs. That being said, I have shot it maybe a handful of times because I usually already am taking my 16" 5.56, or my sig 716 .308, and carrying two rifles to the blind is stupid.

[allisji]

Thanks for all of the points and counterpoints! There's plenty of experience and knowledge on this site. I like the idea of being able to swap barrels for 5.56 to 300 BLK. I'll have to look at my options.

I've got some time to think about it, since the boss has pretty much made me promise not to buy any more guns this year... Of course I've been watching the "for sale" listings and if someone in the Houston area is trying to rid themselves of an AR-15 then I am interested.

[LSUTiger]

http://300aacblackout.com/

[MechAg94]

I was thinking of going the 300 blackout route also. I want to get a couple of suppressors in other calibers first though.

[AJSully421]

I was thinking of going the 300 blackout route also. I want to get a couple of suppressors in other calibers first though.

Buy a 30 caliber suppressor and you can do a ton with it. I have the AAC SDN-6, and I shoot 5.56, 300B, and .308 through it. It will handle anything that is "short action" and smaller than .308... like 243. There are guys who use it on their AK.

When I got it, I had only mild interest in getting a .308 "one day", so my delaer suggested to get the 30 caliber suppressor, and I was really glad that I did.

For .270 or .30-06... you will need something bigger.

You should look at the Dead Air Sandman series... if I didn't already have a rifle suppressor, I would be all over that.

[Weg]

I have a .300 blackout upper that I bought mostly to shoot suppressed subsonics in. For that purpose I think it is great, and very quiet with my Gemtech HVT on it. That being said, I still prefer my 5.56 AR, mainly because of cheaper ammo. I can run the same HVT Gemtech on my 5.56 upper and it works surprisingly well. I have heard that the supersonic .300 blackout rounds are more effective on game that 5.56 rounds though.

[Rayden]

I am new to ARs ... so you mean with a 5.56 lower I can use it for the 300 ACC too?

This is the way I see it.....

For buy'em cheap stack'em deep when it hits the fan purposes stick with the 5.56 NATO. 5.56 NATO is relatively inexpensive and plentiful and will be much more likely to find it out in zombieland. From quick research, Bulk M855 about 38 cents, M193 a little cheaper. For the "good stuff" Black Hills 77Gr OTM MK262 Mod 1 $1+ per round

300 Blackout is much more expensive to stock up on in significant amounts and not as prevalent. From quick research 65 cents to $1.50 per round. I'd reserve it for home defense or other special limited purpose applications that could benefit from 300 blackout.

The cost of an 300 upper is cheap. Utilizing, the same BCG, charge handle and Magazines as the 5.56 you could easily swap back and forth from 5.56 to 300. And you could stock just enough 300 to fit a specific applications with out going broke. However for me 300 would not be my primary Freedom rifle.

One application is a 300 pistol/SBR since you can shorten the barrel much shorter than 5.56 before velocity rapidly drops off the charts. 9" for 300 and 10.5,11.5,12.5" for 5.56.

Or you could save the cost of the 300 altogether and just buy more ammo.

Opinions vary.

[bubba84]

I have a friend who has a .300 pistol with a 8.5" barrel, we were shooting a plate of steel t 100yds and with his supersonic ammo, he couldnt penetrate it. My 5.56 was blowing holes right through. Im sure his barrel length robs him of some velocity but I wasnt impressed. Also, when we went to pick up ammo, 3 boxes of 5.56 were the same price as 1 box of .300

[mr1337]

I know you said you wouldn't use it for home defense, but I eventually plan to. Other than its suppressibility, it can be effectively shot out of a 9.5" barrel without too much muzzle blast or percussion.

I once built a 7.5" AR-15 5.56 cal pistol, and it was way too disorienting to shoot at my indoor range. Even with double ear pro, it was LOUD and I could see and feel the muzzle blast. Definitely not something I'd ever want to shoot inside my home.

That's why I plan to go with a 300 Blackout rifle or pistol with a suppressor. Then, I can actually hear if I ever need to use it without ear pro indoors.

[The Annoyed Man]

I am new to ARs ... so you mean with a 5.56 lower I can use it for the 300 ACC too?

Yes. You can even use the same magazines, but be VERY careful to label them as .300Blk so that you don't accidentally try to feed a .300 cartridge into a 5.56 barrel.