Ammunition News

300 blackout is a suppressor’s best friend. Like this SilencerCo Saker ASR 762 provided by SilencerShop.com. IMG Jim Grant
USA – -(Ammoland.com)- “And I want the rest of you cowboys to know something, there’s a new sheriff in town.  And his name is Reggie Hammond,” …correction… 300 Blackout.

A buddy of mine bet me $20 I couldn’t work that into an article on AmmoLand News.  Here’s the skinny though…  It’s true depending on where you land.  The 556mm has a challenger.  A real contender.  So, when I crack a movie line from “48 Hrs.” as humor, it’s valid.  The 300BO may be the sheriff in town for a good many customers.

The 556 has a tremendous volume.  Whether this is realized in the form of America’s most popular sporting rifle platform, the AR15, or a myriad of other configurations, you can’t deny the popularity.  The 300BO would have a serious hill to climb to best this kind of volume across the globe.  But, I don’t live all across the globe.  Neither do you.  We’re, in most cases, truly interested in what works primarily for ourselves.  And if we’re smart, we’re asking ourselves what will each of us do with an intended weapon 90% of the time.  When we ask questions like these and answer them adequately, we just might find that the 300BO or the 556 was tailor-made just for us.  Let’s explore the possibilities.

In part 1 of the 556 v 300BO series, I offered some perspective on the origins of the 556 and the 300BO.  It’s important to know what and why a thing is a thing.  For this installment, it is necessary to do a serious comparison.  There will be a part 3 of the 556 vs 300BO as well, where they’re tested and run through the paces.  For now, we need to illustrate the attributes, weaknesses, and strengths of each and also project how they fit with our intended uses.  Each of us is different in this regard, so we’ll try to cover a lot of ground.
Attributes, Weaknesses, & Strengths of 300 BLK vs 5.56
In terms of size, the 556 caliber ammunition round is often found in the 55gr and 62gr weights.  Granted, there is plenty above and below, but you’ll see those two grain weights most often.  In the case of the 300BO, I typically see the 110gr and the 125gr the most when casually shopping.  The same is true of course, in that you’ll find 300BO well below and above the common core.
300 ACC Subsonic
Something interesting is the subsonic offerings in 300BO.  I know there are many of you out there that simply don’t care about this hidden gem among characteristics.  But, if you’ve ever tried to do any real wet-work or common hunting, even when suppressed, there is a ton of noise associated with pulling the trigger.  I can drop a magazine, cycle a round out, hammer another mag home full of subsonic, drop a carrier, and be in the business of quiet as my prerequisites for the transition from noisy to shush.  That’s huge in any carbine and not too many chamberings or weapons out there offer this flexibility.
The AR15 weapon the Stoner team came up with makes this all possible. Eugene Stoner and Mikhail Kalashnikov
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  The AR15 weapon the Stoner team came up with makes this all possible.  With most other weapons, this transition in 300BO from super to subsonic is much tougher, more expensive, and takes a lot of time and effort.  With something as simple as 1/9 twist in the 556 I’ve stabilized 69gr and a bit over and shot them out to 1000yds.  I’m no Camp Perry contender.  And even with a ton of elevation dialed in, I could hold MOA or a tad over in most cases.  I don’t mean to put across to you that the 556 can’t effectively use plenty of different types of ammunition.  With those same barrels I was shooting 1K with heavy FGMM, I’ve also shot 45gr VMAX in a field of prairie dogs out to 700yds.  It can be done.  Heck, every now and then I actually hit one at that range.  😉  My longest shots were back-to-back pulls of the trigger with 52gr TNTs at 702yds.  Two big daddies barked no longer.  So, 556 has flexibility.
300BO Flexibility
The 300BO though, has a wider range of flexibility, IF you need it.  When can you cycle 78gr 300BO and also 220gr in the same 1/8twist barrel?  Dude…  That’s insane compared to most chamberings on the market.  Make yourself a list of the available bullets on the market you can load and then nearly triple the weight, and see if they still work at all.  Oh, and run them through a gas-operated weapon, not a bolt.  I’ll bet your list is pretty short.
If you didn’t notice above, I quantified some of what could be done with a quality 556 built weapon, which had solid optics, and an average shooter.  There are many riflemen better than me, with far better performance, I assure you.  Range isn’t a problem with the 556.  You can pretty much do practical things beyond the typical need.  For me, in rifle configuration, being defined as 18” or longer, the 556 is the king of the two.  I can’t imagine what kind of elevation I’d be dialing in for a 300BO on those 2 prairie dogs I mentioned above.  Instead of nearly 10ft of drop with a 52gr sizzler, I’d been at something more like triple that with a 125gr projectile from a 300BO.  Even with a canted rail and a ton of available elevation in my scope, I’d been using a holdover for sure.  Not good.
300 Blackout Excels at Short Ranges
When it comes to carbine applications things don’t improve in terms of long-distance.  But, if we’re talking about SBRs or pistols in the 10.5” category, new possibilities exist depending on your range.  If we’re going to avoid long-distance shooting, and concentrate on things as simple as hitting man-size targets at 300yds and closer, it’s a race again.  Or at least close enough, you can do the work.  The 300BO will arrive a little later due to a lower speed, it’ll hit a bit harder, and smack the target a bit lower.  Keep in mind though, when you chop a 556 back to 10.5 you’re killing the velocity, so remember that.
I recall the first time I built a 7.5” AR15 as a test weapon in my shop.  I was ringing steel with it and after the first round hit, I was like, “What’s up with this ammo?”  There was far less “Thwack” going on.  I didn’t notice it as much in 10.5” and 11.5” but it was a quick reflection I’ll never forget.
When you compare what an average 300BO and 556 will do in a short barrel configuration there is a slight nod to the 300BO in terms of power and a slight nod to the 556 in terms of trajectory.  But for truly close work, they’re both in it to win it.  This translates to hunting game inside those closer distances as well.  You’re going to have more forgiveness with a 300BO in most cases than the 556.  While I’d use both on a coyote, I’d probably stick to the 300BO for deer-sized game, bear, etc.  Depending on elevated shot placement and other factors both would be fine for hogs and the likes.
The Finicky 300BO
Another thing you’ll notice is how finicky the 300BO isn’t in terms of gas system settings.  Once you get one dialed in, you’re in pretty good shape regardless of the ammo you choose to run.  Even so with short barrels.  That isn’t the case with the 556.  When barrels get really short, hopping around to various ammo weights and transitioning between suppressed and unsuppressed uses can be a problem.  It takes some work to overcome those gas problems.  I wish there was a magical formula, and we’ve got our shortlist of things we do to each weapon that falls in that category, but it’s not always as easy as using our cheat sheet.
It’s truly pretty hard to compare these two ammo offerings in an apple to apple heads-up comparison.  If you’re going to use these both in barrels that are about a foot long in 300yd circumstances and in, then you’ll only pay a bit more on the average for the 300BO ammo.  But if you need a shorter barrel or serious suppression, the 300BO is something to seriously consider.  If you’re looking for range and speed, the 556 is a clear winner.  You should be asking yourself how you intend on using the weapon 90% of the time.  If you can answer that, your choices should come a little easier.

The final part 3 article in this series will surround the actual testing and reflection of each in a 10.5” configuration.  That’s where they tend to intersect, so we’ll put them through their paces as such.  We’ll find out if the new Reggie Hammond is the real deal or not.

(Editors Note, part three’s link will work tomorrow)

About Michael Ware:
Michael is a Christian husband and father to two children. He owns and operates Controlled Chaos Arms, a premier custom weapons shop in the Midwest. He serves as Chairman of the board of Directors at the Iowa Firearms Coalition. The pursuit of truth drives him in research and his writing.
Michael enjoys shooting, hunting, and fishing throughout the Midwest and Rockies. An avid outdoorsman and tireless supporter of all Second Amendment virtues, he can be found in his gun shop, in a tree stand with his kids, or on Capitol Hill lobbying in support of Freedom and Liberty at any given time.

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Energizer Battery v. 5.56 NATO/.223 (tall one on the right) v. 300 Blackout
U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)- 300 v 556?  It almost sounds like a court case.  DC v Heller, Roe v Wade, etc.  The truth is, many shooters look at this as if it really is some kind of court case.  The problem with that thought is simple.  The jury is still out for many of us.

There are people who are fueling their flamethrowers as you read this.  The title alone will get their ire chain on the big sprocket and they’re reading to burn anyone on the other side of this discussion to the ground.  I have to admit, I have deeply held opinions myself.  But when it comes to the firearms industry, there don’t seem to be as many absolutes as you’d think other than safety measures.  There used to be plenty of black and white, but through industry innovation, continual sidestepping of law, codification, or ignorant rule, and the desire for niche performance, we have plenty of grey areas today.

When I was pitched the idea of writing about the 300 Blackout in comparison to the 5.56NATO, I assumed it would be a walk in the park.  I’ve built countless weapons for customers, my corporate collection, and my personal collection in both.  I’ve used both of these chamberings for everything from target shooting, training, and practice, to home defense, hunting, and carry.  Why would writing a series of articles be a problem?  Well, as I found out, making a choice of one over the other isn’t as simple as you’d think.

We should start at the beginning, or a brief history, of both in order to grasp their originally intended uses.  After all, I learned long ago in church that the most vital thing to seek in scripture is context.  If you don’t have the context of the subject matter, you’re in real trouble.
5.56 NATO/.223 Ammunition
5.56mm BALL XM185 Ammo on Stripper Clips IMG Jim Grant
There was a concept floating around in the 1950s that a small speedy bullet might be superior to a large slow one in terms of performance and also easier to use in fully automatic firing situations.  I’m not weighing in on which is better or worse.  I’m just offering the context.  You also need to consider that 1950 was a long time ago.  Both projectiles and powder have come a long way since then.  An opportunity arose to offer some new infantry weapons and along with a new platform came new rounds.  With irony, Stoner offered the AR-10 in 7.62x51NATO, which wasn’t ultimately accepted.  However, a parting gift was offered.  The AR-10 had a great impact and a scaled-down version loomed larger in the mirror.  This wasn’t as simple as laying it on the copy machine at work and hitting the, “Reduce by 20%,” button, but you get the idea.
The original testing design which used the .222 Remington was fine for testing, but the Stoner team agreed that the particular brass case wasn’t as tough as they’d like for the pressures they eventually wanted to utilize.  This gave way to the .222 Special and was later renamed the .223 Remington.  It was a tad beefier and a bit longer, so it could handle the pressure and feed pretty well due to length.  There were highs and lows with the .223 Remington, which we grasp as the civilian version of the 5.56.  But testing ultimately was favorable over a period of years.
Vietnam and Southeast Asian conflict had shown to be a significant spread of Communism, and opportunities presented themselves to field test the AR-15 rifle system.  Politics, roadblocks of all kinds, and practical concerns were raised.  The chief among them was, “Why change weapon systems and chamberings when we have a bajillion M2s and all the ammo we could need for them already bought and paid for?”  I don’t actually know if anyone said, “bajillion,” and I’m not certain “bajillion” is even a word.  But, it represents a lot.  And I believe it was a natural question to have asked and answered.  General LeMay was like a dog with a bone and had a track record for getting what he wanted – and General LeMay wanted the AR-15, thus the 5.56.  NATO eventually picked it up in the late ’70s and gave the 5.56 approval in 1980.  Officially, the 5.56×45 NATO, was adopted across many countries and many military branches.
The concept of a smaller and faster projectile coupled with a more controllable response when firing automatic-only took 30 years to be given the nod by the powers that be across the globe.  With lighter ammunition and various magazine configurations, the weapon system proved to be a true force multiplier as well.  If you were humping an M14 with 13 20-round mags at 21.5lbs, you could now carry an AR15 with 20 30-round mags at 21.6lbs – 280rds @ less than 22lbs became 600rds.  Engagement during WWII that was claimed to be 300yds and closer only could be extended with greater success.
There have been many considerations and configurations through the last 70 years.  I’ve built weapons in the chambering that were set up with ultra-slow twist barrels so I could send a customer out into a field of prairie dogs using 40gr hollow points.  I’ve built ultra-fast twist barreled uppers for target shooting that used 80gr projectiles.  The vast majority of rifle configurations fall in between and can swallow everything from 55gr to mid-70s and not a hiccup.  The rifle system, when properly understood, is truly versatile, simple, and very sound.
300 Blackout
300 blackout uses a larger projectile than 5.56mm NATO, but still fits in standard AR-15 magazines, and works exceptionally well with sound suppressors. IMG Jim Grant
If it weren’t for such a versatile rifle, in and of itself, it would be hard to imagine the 300BO (300 Blackout).  We really must pay respect to the Stoner team, for there was a great idea realized that dramatically changed the world.  The sheer versatility the AR series offers us makes a lot of dreams possible.  I love that.
I’d heard of the 300 Whisper, and some years later I’d learn who J.D. Jones was.  But I didn’t realize until more recently the 300 Whisper was essentially the starting point for the AAC (Advanced Armament Corp) designed 300 AAC BLK.  That might sound kind of silly to you, but as you delve deeper into just how many chamberings there are out there in past and present alone, you begin to get the idea.  Go find a picture of the 8×35 Ribeyrolle.  Soak it up.  Then realize that it was developed for carbines over 100 years ago.  That’s WWI technology folks.  And most would take a quick peek at that and assume it was a 300BO.

To give you an idea of the timing present here, the 300 Whisper, which was never popular, was an early 90’s idea.  Fast forward a few years and there was a military call for something akin to the venerable AK-47 round, 7.62×39, for some limited applications.  Essentially the ask was this: give us something with better performance in terms of energy, without being too long or heavy, oh, and by the way, a subsonic version would be great, as the 9mm is good, but not great.  If you think about it, that’s a pretty tall order.  The AK-47 using the 7.62×39 was a great option, but unless you’re going to use a platform eerily similar to the Kalashnikov, you might not see success.  The steep angle of the 7.62×39 case in its design lends itself to the need for banana-shaped magazines and snag-free breeches and ramps.  Yes, we build, as do countless others, 7.62×39 chambered AR15 rifles.  But they often require some tweaks to assure users of peak reliability.  It wouldn’t be my first choice of options quite frankly.
When you have a suppressor building company with an eye on military sales giving time and energy to a project in league with Remington Defense, it isn’t a stretch to use a wildly popular and healthy system like the AR15, take its ammo, the 556, chop it, swage it, and stuff in a 30cal bullet.
Imagine you’re capable of using the existing weapon system, and all you have to do is change the barrel, pick a great and forgiving place to drill a gas hole with some system tweaks, monkey around with the projectile sizes and powder, and you’ll be a winner.  That’s horribly simplistic but somewhat outlines what took place that got us to today’s 300 ACC.
They really did come up with a winner.  I remember at the time it first started to take hold in the market, I had a friend, Thomas, who was enamored with it.  He was in his basement whacking off 556 empties like they were going out of style.  They looked extremely crude.  He’d then zip them through resizing dies, a Giraud trimmer he modified, and he was walking in high cotton.  I had no idea what he was doing was going to last.  But, he was at the range tearing up the course of fire and enjoying every minute of it.  I wasn’t able to realize the full 300BO potential, though, until I bought an upper myself and started to play with it.
At the time, suppressors weren’t legal in Iowa.  I had a Type 07 FFL with SOT II, and still do, so a safe full of cans wasn’t a problem for me.  It was for Thomas.  He made some subsonic 300BO and popped over to the shop one day.  He didn’t actually ask if he could try on a can but suggested I try it.  Of course, after I enjoyed the ultra-quiet shooting with a significantly louder “DING” from the steel than I was used to with my 556 carbines, I told him he should try on the beat-up YHM can I’d been using.  He was transformed.  I knew right then and there that not only was this a viable option in the market, but when cans were added, this thing had a real purpose in a relatively open band of use.  I also knew the moment suppressors were made legal in Iowa, that he’d have a half dozen on order.  …Which came to fruition a few years later.
The background and history of these two commercial chamberings are necessary.  If you truly think about it, each and every one of the boxes of ammo you’ll see on any shelf began life as a wildcat cartridge.  “Many are called, few are chosen,” was a bit of Matthew I was studying just the other day.  It tends to be this way with Wildcat cartridges.  There are so many different combinations of possibilities out there, that it truly boggles the mind when you think of all the possible outcomes.  But, very few make their way into familiar weapons and are marketed to the masses.  In our case, not every conception will run through an M4 flawlessly, use the same mags, and offer different potential outcomes.  That makes this ammunition pair mutually exclusive in some realm.  We’ll delve into the considerations of performance and applications in the next article as the jury continues deliberations.
(Editors Note, the part two link will work tomorrow)

About Michael Ware:
Michael is a Christian husband and father to two children. He owns and operates Controlled Chaos Arms, a premier custom weapons shop in the Midwest. He serves as Chairman of the board of Directors at the Iowa Firearms Coalition. The pursuit of truth drives him in research and his writing.
Michael enjoys shooting, hunting, and fishing throughout the Midwest and Rockies. An avid outdoorsman and tireless supporter of all Second Amendment virtues, he can be found in his gun shop, in a tree stand with his kids, or on Capitol Hill lobbying in support of Freedom and Liberty at any given time.

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