300 Blackout 1-7 vs Handloading the .300 AAC Blackout Its the pressure of expanding gas behind the bullet that accelerates it, and it doesnt fall off at 9. Based on feedback from shooting experts, the best barrel length for .300 Blackout suppressed is 8 to 10 inches. var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; Subsonic and supersonic ammo both have features that pair well with a variety of barrel lengths. It didnt take long for engineers at two of the industrys finest to solve the problem, though. What failed exactly? Ive had no problems with PSAs Cust Service. The reduced recoil and muzzle rise make taking accurate follow-up shots much easier. A longer barrel also offers a long line of sight for you to better aim your rifle even if the rifle is not equipped with sight extensions. The article is a little wordy but does a decent job of explaining that the best barrel length depends on what optimal performance means to you. Barrel twist rate also impacts performance and should be considered when selecting barrel length and determining the effective range of the 300 Blackout. My friend bought a 300 Blackout upper from PSA and put a can on it. In a 16 supersonic only AR there are vastly superior caliber choices like 6.8SPC. The companies didnt start completely from scratch, though. Mike: yes. Not sure, and maybe Im just splitting hairs. It could, if youre hand loading. At Ballistic Advantage, we offer high-quality barrels for AR-style rifles, and you can find one with the perfect length to meet your handling and accuracy preferences. Ask Foghorn: What Barrel Length for a 300 AAC Blackout Rifle? There arelots ofbetter options that have come on to the market in the last few years, and the 762-SDN-6 just hasnt held up to the newer competition. And of the couple dozen barrels Ive used in builds, only Faxons have given me fits with under-gassing (suspected out of spec gas port). Ive been bitten by both. Once all of the powder in the case has been burned, theres no more fuel to add to the combustion and the gasses are at their maximum energy. But what really makes me love it is the wide variety of calibers it can be used on. Be first to know about promotions and new product launches. Fortunately, you can reduce gunfire noise to protect your ears or hide your position by adding a suppressor to your barrel. I dont think you can get there in 9 inches with full-size powder loads regardless of how fast-burning they are. However, the stainless steel core will eventually wear out from too much full-auto fun. This adaptability to the existing rifle specifications was made possible by the fact that the designers and engineers chose not to go down the path of building up from scratch. .300 Blackout Guide: Best Barrel Length, Build Tips & More. Its a 30 second swap from 300blk to .556 If you start with wanting a suppressed gun, you will eventually get to the 300. 300 Blackout The more we all know, the better organized and stronger the shooting and hunting community will be. Heavy, expensive, and absolutely fantastic. One of the best things about 300 BLK is that it gets complete burn in a much shorter barrel. This gives more energy on target, a flatter trajectory and less wind drift. Such large projectiles convey a subsonic muzzle velocity that is accompanied by a quiet report. 300 AAC Blackout Thus, proper 300 BLK and .300 Whisper, before it, run with tighter twist barrels. Let's find out! The thing functions with everythingfrom 125 grain Sierra with 17 grains of Lil Gun to 220 grain Hornady with 10.5 of AA 1680. As always, train with your rifle and make sure you know your intended purpose before you buy. Perfect for integral suppressor or just using as an SBR/pistol. TKS! Comparing my 5.56 barrels (18.5, 14.5 and 10.3) is a whole different story. At 10-inches, muzzle velocity hasnt reached its peak. So you can ball on a budget and just buy the barrel and make the swap when needed-or buy just brand new upper already setup for 300 BLK and throw it on your existing lower. Had a few questions for you if youd be so kind as to give me a bit of advice . Tyler Krenzel, While the AR-10 has been around for decades, there, *Competitive Shooter of the Week* That number comes from multiple conversations with the people who designed the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge, did the initial testing, and who continue to design guns around that caliber. Supersonic ammo retains rifle caliber velocities, has increased effective distance, and bullet drop is greatly reduced. At 10, the muzzle velocity hasnt yet reached its peak. The ability to shoot full auto 300 BLK through an SBR with this can attached is impressive. 300 Blackout Guide: Best Barrel Length, Build WebThe 300-Blackout is a lower-power 30-caliber cartridge. Part of todays confusion over 300 Blackout effective range and barrel length often stems from this flavor. Converting an AR-15 to fire 300 Blackout is as simple as swapping its barrel. I was at first considering a 9" barrel with a 1:7 rifling, for that is what the cartridge was designed around. Remington now sells a variety of 300 BLK ammo: 1) 125 grain open-tip match with a custom Sierra bullet; 2) 220gr subsonic, and 3) 125gr AccuTip (photo below). If you're looking for a multi-purpose load for the .300 AAC Blackout, this may be the best bullet. Then, you can fine tune your load to the harmonics of the barrel you are using. The chief difficulty in accurately firing 300 Blackout comes from learning to accommodate its pronounced bullet drop. SAAMI creates and publishes industry standards for safety, interchangeability, reliability and quality, as well as coordinates technical data for agencies, enthusiasts and manufacturers. The longer the barrel, the greater the tendency for it to move while firing imparting a POA-POI shift. 2. Suppressor length is a grey area as it doesnt count as barrel length or open-air (something in-between, depending on internal geometry), but through testing you can predict how a specific suppressor affects your velocity. So in the case of .308, the longer barrel makes sense (at least 16 inches is needed to get full powder burn) because of the greater powder quantity. They are flatter shooting and, with less time in flight, less prone to the effects of wind. One of those AI chatbots thats been in the news recently? Contact our team at 80 Percent Arms to learn more. if you do want to talk, you can come to me. (AAC) or have you seen / heard of any better? Supersonic bullets travel fast enough to generate sonic booms, and the resulting noise gives even suppressed gunshots a loud "crack.". Reader Pete writes: Hi Nick,I live in Amarillo and really enjoyed your article on your 300 BLK build. Great info Nick. Thats 8 inches of barrel for the 300 BLK 1-8. If you want the longest range with a suppressed .300 Blackout barrel, get a 16-inch barrel and add a suppressor. They result in less range and more bullet drop at distance. One thing is true your bullet accelerates until it either runs out of fuel or leaves the barrel (technically, youll start losing velocity before all the powder burns as a portion of the energy is used to overcome the friction of the barrel itself). Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates and exclusive offers, Copyright 2023- Ballistic Advantage - All Rights Reserved. The stiffer barrel damps harmonics. Different calibers reach their highest velocity at different barrel lengths. The 6.5 Grendel is a lower to mid-power 26 caliber cartridge. Bullets make a similar noise, although not nearly as earth rumbling, that is very recognizable and isnt always advantageous in combat. That still wouldnt explain peoples prevailing view of barrel length driving accuracy, since the majority of shooting is not done at extreme distances. With a 20-inch suppressed barrel, you can achieve a bullet velocity of over 2,630 feet per second (fps), leading to more impactful shots and reduced bullet drop. 2) would you build again with the same silencer? A 9" barrel will allow any 300 BLK cartridge to reach optimal velocity, while an 11.5" barrel will provide a bit more accuracy and stability if you plan on shooting mostly supersonic loads. Affordable Factory 300 BLK Ammo is Available. So would a better/different suppressor. Short-barreled rifles come highly recommended for home defense because the compactness makes the weapon easy to wield within the walled and close quarters of a home. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The only part you need to change is the barrel. I need to get the lathe going as well, and I havent had the time or patience to do it. Our initial research data covered the relationship between barrel length and velocity for some 13 common handgun calibers/cartridges. Some folks wonder why consider a 300 BLK? If you already have a favorite .300 Blackout barrel length and are in the market to buy one, check out our selection of premium .300 Blackout barrels. Ultimate Guide At this point, you should use internal ballistic calculation tools to match your selected variable to the other. Just more satisfying to me than a real press. The 300 AAC Blackout definitely works for hunters who want to use their AR15-platform rifle. We do not recommend choosing a shorter option because the barrel will not be long enough to sufficiently burn gunpowder and provide maximum force to propel the bullet from the muzzle. Therefore, long range .22LR shooters stick to subsonic ammo in order to avoid the sound barrier transition. As for silencers, either wait for the SIG SAUER cans to come on the market or get yourself an AAC MG-SD. Factory Starline and SIG produced 300 HAMR cases are available, but cases can be made from common and available 5.56/.223 cases. I am always available for you. Lets explore all this caliber has to offer including an in-depth look at 300 Blackout Ballistics. Don't believe in them, and never will. The SAAMI diagram for the 300 BLK is shown below. However, the 300 Blackouts heavier bullet compensates for its lesser speed to grant it an effective muzzle energy, and its 0.84 greater diameter enables it to inflict a wider wound channel. Keep in mind, the odds are good that powder mix completely burns in that 16 inches of test barrel. Barrel Length In a tactical situation, I can see the reason for keeping it attached, but at the range, supersonic ammo is not going to be ear safe with or without a suppressor. Sorry to be bearer of bad news. You would have to cut down and make your OWN 6.75 barrel since SIg will not sell you one of theirs. The question that Ive always asked when I look at this is is why hasnt someone figured out one can just as easily make a modern set of 125gr and 220gr 7.6239s and blow away the .300 BLK at its own game? _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); CLICK HERE to see actual 300 BLK in .223 Rem chamber. However, if you want a .300 Blackout barrel that can deliver sufficient power, accuracy, and maneuverability to serve you in various scenarios, go for a 9 to 10-inch barrel. Either way you go it is cheaper and requires the least modifications-while providing far superior performance and effectiveness over 5.56 in certain scenarios. My .460 XVR literally breathes fire. })(); To comment on a post, click Post Title or "Comment" Link. But if the amount of gunpowder to be burned is held constant, the length starts becoming a drawback. A 125 gram .300 BLK bullet fired from a 16-inch barrel has an effective range of about 500 yards , while the same ammo shot from a 9-inch barrel has an effective range of about 480 yards. Mightnt a fast burning powder expand completely enough to be maximized in a 9 barrel, while a slower burning powder would need greater length of barrel to maximize the burn? It is ear safe with subs and damn near it with supersonics. That number comes from multiple conversations with the people who designed the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge, did the initial testing, and who continue to design guns around that caliber. 80% Arms sells AR-15 and .308 80% Lower Receivers, 80% Lower Jigs and other accessories which allow you to legally build a firearm at home in most states. Passing through the sound barrier imparts wobble. Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC) started working on the cartridge in 2009 after a U.S. military organization requested the development of a .30-caliber round capable of running in an M4. Remington now sells a variety of 300 BLK ammo: 1) 125 grain open-tip match with a custom Sierra bullet; 2) 220gr subsonic, and 3) 125gr AccuTip (photo below). And using the 5.56 casing and same length round (from casing base to bullet tip) means they can use 5.56 magazines with no capacity loss. With the can on it, it also is ear safe and the 25yd accuracy is like the other one with the same type red dot. On the flip side SIG SAUER seems to think that 6 inches is perfect for them (their new MCX uses a 6-inch barrel). Lots of reasons for one to get get launched down range, but most have one thing in common, HUMAN ERROR. Your second paragraph is spot on! Did you ever wonder why PSA always has 5 star reviews on their website So many thanks for your article and any advice you can give. Great Brass: No Case forming is required just buy Lapua 300 BLK brass. A second stamp for the suppressor, a separate serialized firearm.. agreed on this. Pistol calibers often reach near optimum velocity at about 8-10; longer lengths may increase velocity, but only by slight amounts. The accuracy of a .300 Blackout barrel will depend on the exact round and barrel length you use. You can now purchase quality factory ammo and even premium Lapua 300 BLK brass. If you build an AR pistol, the 300 is the perfect round. For optimal home defense with the 300 Blackout round, a barrel length of at least 6 to 8 is recommended. In theory, a longer barrel offers more room for bullet expulsion. Handloading the .300 AAC Blackout This .30-caliber bullet at 500 yards drops by less than 9 feet (21 less than the subsonic version) and it carries 362-foot-pounds of energy there. Despite its compact size, a .300 BLK round fired from a short barrel can still hit targets up to 100 yards away. They think its Fudd ammo. I was under the impression that accuracy needed to match bullet weight, (already mentioned), barrel length (also mentioned), and type of powder used. One has operated perfectly right out of the box. 300 Blackout I was at first considering a 9" barrel with a 1:7 rifling, for that is what the cartridge was designed around. The odds are good enthusiasts will see diminishing, if any, return for running subsonic cartridges through 18-inch barrels or longer. I dismiss this entire article as slow news day page filler. Easy Conversion: Use your current AR lower, bolt/carrier, buffer, and magazine. In a 16-inch barrel, .300 Blackout ammunition gets impressive velocity and accuracy, allowing you to hit targets over 150 yards away. Could you comment further on the ratchet latch on your SDN-6 failing? Since the paperwork and tax didnt kill you, and they already have your fingerprints, youre gonna want to SBR it. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Barrel Length It gives an almost negligible muzzle rise while shooting, meaning most of the energy produced during recoil comes back to the shooter's shoulders. Now the ammo costs too much for a niche rifle caliber. 300 Blackout Ballistics As weve established, longer barrels deliver the most accuracy and velocity, and the longest .300 Blackout barrel you can get is 16 inches. Great Barrel Life: With a .30-caliber bore and a modest powder charge, barrel life is outstanding. Ive soured on fast attach systems not least because the ratchet on my 762-SDN-6 gave out after three years and direct thread is the way to go. You have entered an incorrect email address! Scroll right to see energy, drop and coefficient data. and ask bribes of companies to remove bad reviews. or youll solve them. Twitter and other social media icons below. Having the barrel + suppressor be only 9+4 inches (13) long would be neato. Best Barrel Length For Suppressed 300 Blackout For optimal performance with a suppressed 300 Blackout, we recommend a barrel length of 8-10. Affordable Factory 300 BLK Ammo is Available. But for hunters using a bolt gun, there are any number of tried and true options, such as the 7.6239, .30-30, and, of course, the .308 Winchester (7.6251 NATO). They can run any barrel length without an additional stamp. Share the post "300 Blackout Basics Specs and Cartridge INFO", Tags: .223 Rem, .300 AAC Blackout, 300 BLK, AR15, Lapua Brass, Suppressor. Your muzzle choice should also be in consideration of the flash produced and the muzzle rise with every shot. So, if a 5.56 requires 20 inches of barrel to burn all of its powder, would it make sense to reduce the powder quantity when shooting a 5.56 through a 16 inch barrel (or even something much shorter like a 5.56 pistol)? I live vicariously thru you new school young guys, and your passion for AR platform and SBRs and various side uses- the hunting post you did awhile back was pretty useful, and points out the versatility of the .300. The shortest .300 Blackout barrel we have in stock is the 6-inch barrel. Another reason why 9 to 10 inches is the best overall .300 Blackout barrel length is the minimal muzzle rise and comfortable recoil. So heavy a bullet conveys a subsonic muzzle velocity and correspondingly softer report. But all things considered, the .300 Blackout will surely deliver whenever it's put to the task. It probably worked loose after multiple shots, and somebody forgot to tighten it back up. These days, #1 on my list, especially for new silencer owners, is the Liberty Mystic-X. Not on my 300 blk. As such, a subsonic 300 Blackout load makes an ideal accompaniment to a suppressor, suiting it well for (A) tactical situations where ear protection would be impractical, and (B) hunting hogs without scattering the whole pack after the first shot. Like you stated, as long as there is more pressure pushing the bullet forward than barrel friction retarding it, the bullet will continue to accelerate. I think problems with any firearms are possible and the worst will show up on the internet (like snake and spider bites) because folks need help but its probably the exception not the rule! Have had a LOT of different ARs including a Colt upper in 7.6239 that I killed my first deer with! The stability provided by the long barrel will help the bullet fly on a flat trajectory and increase its likelihood of hitting its target. 9 models V Seven 300 AAC Blackout Stainless Match Barrel (8) As Low As (Save Up to $10.00) $359.99 Best Rated. BA, Rosco, WC, and others have all worked immediately without any specialty tuning. Supersonic ammo out of a 10-inch barrel retains rifle caliber velocities, but with more significant bullet drop at longer distances. Groups 110% of the size of my 16 5R barrel on the 700 test gun. As for velocity gained with added barrel length (from loads not tailored for subsonic), Hornadys website FAQ explains there is no way to simply calculate gain or loss because due to variations in individual firearms, but on average, velocity gains or losses will be approximately 25 or 35 feet per second per inch of barrel differenceTo truly measure performance, the load should be tested over a chronograph.. For those with suppressors, the 1:7 twist favors the heavier subsonic rounds. The .300 Blackout is a worthy firearm since it gives you the ballistic power of an AK just by switching the upper in an AR. This isnt that hard. In the case of .308, if youre doing a bolt gun the longer barrel lengths can make a huge difference if you have the right powders same as my 9mm example. WebThey found the optimal barrel length for 300 BLK is between 9" and 11.5". The .300 BLK bullets are 0.30 inch in diameter (7.62 mm) and the .223 Rem (5.56 mm) is 0.224 inch. The muzzle velocity used for 5.56 in the chart is with a 16 barrel, but the 300 BLK is using a 10 barrel. Jones design of .300 Whisper, gave it an ever so minor redesign, renamed it, and submitted it to SAAMI for certification. The 300 Blackouts .30 caliber bullet can be made especially long, and as the result may weigh up to 220 grains quadruple the weight of the typical 223 Rem rounds. . WebThe 300-Blackout is a lower-power 30-caliber cartridge. ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? They designed it for the needs of Special Forces to be real compact (as an Mp-5) and QUIETER than an MP-5. The best barrel length for .300 Blackout depends on how you intend on using your gun. But on the good side, you cant have too MANY cans. However, if you want the best barrel length for .300 Blackout home defense, we recommend not going shorter than 6 to 8 inches. Mike: I cant seem to edit my comment. Visit us today to browse the .300 Blackout barrel lengths we have in stock and place an order to receive your selection at your doorstep. What's the Best Barrel Length for .300 Blackout? Besides being powerful and efficient, .300 Blackout rounds are ideal for home defense because they are lethal when fired from short-barreled guns. Converting an AR-15 to fire 300 Blackout is as simple as swapping its barrel. 300 HAM'R Ive seen a few other suppressors suffer the same fate, for the same reason. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Best twist rate for 300 Blackout? Using a short-barreled rifle is ideal for home defense as its compactness makes it easier to maneuver throughout the home. 4 models Rainier Arms AR Ultramatch MOD2 300BLK Barrel $400.00 Final Sale. Whether you decide to go long or short on your barrel is entirely a matter of what you are shooting at and where the shooting is taking place. Another shilling advertisement for Faxon Firearms products. With these details in mind, the best .300 Blackout barrel length for hunting is one that can hit long-range targets. It was state of the art just a few years back. For 300 AAC Blackout, that point is 9 inches of barrel. [Email your firearms-related questions to Ask Foghorn via[emailprotected].