The .300 AAC BLK: The Facts in Blackout and White

Top: .300 AAC BLK (7.62 x 35mm) 220 gr. Bottom: Standard NATO Green Tip M855 (5.56 x 45mm) 62 gr.

 
I've gotten alot of questions lately about the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge. I had read a good deal about it and had found some good resources on the web, but I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. I have, however, shot comparable 7.62 cartridges. After doing more research and scouring for more info, I wanted to post some of the better findings for you guys to use as future reference if you wanted to make the jump to the 300. Here's what I found:

• The system was developed to launch 30 caliber projectiles from the AR platform without a reduction in magazine capacity and compatible with the standard bolt.

• It's full power [115-125 grain] ammunition matches the ballistics of the 7.62x39mm AK, and eclipses 5.56mm with much higher-mass projectiles for a more dramatic effect on the target. This enables the shooter to choose subsonic cartridges for optimal use with a sound suppressor i.e. 220 grain Sierra OTM (open-tip match) bullets vastly outperforms a 9mm MP5-SD in penetration and long range accuracy.

• Ammo and brass prices are low - Remington 115 grain UMC ammo is $12.99 a box MSRP and it's not bare bones. It has waterproofed primers, crimped and cannelured open-tip match bullets, and a low-drag design.

• At 300 meters, the 300 BLK has 16.7% more energy than 7.62x39mm. Max effective range, using M4 military standards for hit probability, is 440 meters for a 9 inch barrel, and 460 meters for a 16 inch barrel. The 300 BLK from a 9 inch barrel has the same energy at the muzzle as a 14.5 inch barrel M4, and about 5% more energy at 440 meters [even though the barrel is much shorter].

• For hunting - think of it as like a 30-30 but from an AR. After you are done, you can remove your 5-round magazine and put in a 30 for plinking or home defense. For ammo, Remington has you covered with the Premiere AccuTip 125 grain.

• Want industry-wide support? Over 60 companies have already announced or sell products for the 300 AAC Blackout.

• Also, due to the high efficiency of the cartridge, less powder is used than 5.56mm, which results in a rifle that is a comfortable to shoot [even with a short barrel]. 

Here's a great link to a PDF version of an overview of the 300 ACC Blackout development, comparisons to other common ammunition, ballistics info, and host weapon system comparisons: 300 AAC Blackout Facts Sheet

I hope this answers some of the questions out there about the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge. Hopefully you'll learn a little bit more about ammo and ballistics from reading this...I know I did.

Cheers,
Brad