I'm building a 300 blackout rifle, 8.5" barrel, and intend on running it suppressed. I assume 220gr bullets are my target. I've read boat tail is a no go in subsonic bullets. So what type of bullets should I be using? I assume no one has any in stock, but certainly curious about type and brand.
Blackout advice
- Thread starter clay_fv
- Start date
- Replies 89
- Views 3,899
Blackhawk44
Active Member
These work well for me:
www.sierrabullets.com
.30 CALIBER/7.62MM 220 GR. RN - Sierra Bullets
In rifle cartridges, these bullets are highly recommended when good expansion and deep penetration in medium and heavy game are required at short to medium ranges. These bullets give pinpoint accuracy because of their short lengths for their weights. This short length for a given weight allows a...
www.sierrabullets.com
backwoodsshooter
there’s always a method to the madness
I run a 220gr serria round nose flat base. 9.6gr of h110 out of my 8.5' barrel.
I've shot 208gr hornady BTHP and they shot well, just poked hole through the milk jugs as the 220gr RNFB acctually did expand a little but popped the jug a lot better
I've shot 208gr hornady BTHP and they shot well, just poked hole through the milk jugs as the 220gr RNFB acctually did expand a little but popped the jug a lot better
What is your COAL?These work well for me:
.30 CALIBER/7.62MM 220 GR. RN - Sierra Bullets
In rifle cartridges, these bullets are highly recommended when good expansion and deep penetration in medium and heavy game are required at short to medium ranges. These bullets give pinpoint accuracy because of their short lengths for their weights. This short length for a given weight allows a...
Blackhawk44
Active Member
All my loading stuff is at my shop and I’ll get a measurement tomorrow but best I remember, they are just short enough to fit the mag.
I'm using 1680 powder.
I'm using 1680 powder.
Last edited:
OP
clay_fv
Well-Known Member
Not saying they do or don't, just something I read. I just want to know what you guys are using/what works well. This will purely be "planned" as an indoor home defense weapon with some light back yard plinking at max 50 yards.
I just got an 8lb jug of Shooter's World Blackout powder. Was going to wait till CFE Blk showed up, but this was wayyy less expensive so I went ahead and popped for it. I do have H110, but prefer to save that for my handguns. Just got some dies ordered. Now will just need to find some brass and bullets.
Chdamn
Dungeon Master
Staff member
2A Bourbon Hound OG
Charter Life Member
Benefactor
Multi-Factor Enabled
You don’t have to go that heavy. @jim2024bob had some load data for a different weight. I had a few of them and then loaded some more.
But I gave all the supplies and info to a buddy. Lol.
But I gave all the supplies and info to a buddy. Lol.
Last edited:
These are what I use (over Accurate 1680). Have loaded and shot a couple thousand over the years with no issues.
Q u i e t !
georgel
Behind Every Blade of Grass
Charter Member
Benefactor
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
I believe the criticizm of boat-tails is that they protrude more into the case and therefore take up powder space. But, I'm not 100% on that.
My subs are Hornady 208g BTHP (I think Amax). They run fine & are only used for fun. For HD I’m running 100g Raptors, 110g or 125g A-max. For subsonic HD I’d much rather use a 45 cal.
Yeah I used to load the 208 Amax as that’s what was available for the longest time but once I got hands on a few boxes of the Hornady 220g soft points like those posted above, that turned out to be my go to. They are an absolute hammer in that cartridge.
I only plink with my 300BLK. I use 203gn coated LRN with 8.5gn H110 to get 1050 FPS. I would not rely on this for anything serious, but it cycles the action with a can and bongs a gong pretty good.
I also have some 123 gn Extreme plated bullets that they market for x39 but won't hold up to the velocity... go figure. I load 300 BLK light subs with them. They work great for plinking (or secret squirrel control) over 4.1 gn Titegroup. They don't cycle the action but who cares... they're cheap and they fly straight.
I also have some 123 gn Extreme plated bullets that they market for x39 but won't hold up to the velocity... go figure. I load 300 BLK light subs with them. They work great for plinking (or secret squirrel control) over 4.1 gn Titegroup. They don't cycle the action but who cares... they're cheap and they fly straight.
Last edited:
I cast 230's and powdercoat them. They're nice and quiet. It's a Lee 5R so very pointed round nose. It is boat tailed though. I use 1680 as well.
Ikarus1
Avtomat Krishna-kov
Just like a pistol bullet....because for all practical purposes a subsonic .300blk is just a heavy pistol round with a pointy nose.
And thats why I shoot 110gr at 1900fps out of my 8.5" guns.
Unless I need to raid the OBL compound in bumfuckistan quiet just isn't in my needs
This is the SOP on this end. For ALL the dope on 300 BO check with @Michael458 .
These guys want to run SubSonic, I just don't care much for that in .308 caliber........Not much help on that front.
Yep.........On all counts............
In 8.5 inch guns I get 2250-2300 fps with the 100 Raptor Loads
As stated, I just don't see much of a point of Subsonic in 308 caliber..... 45 ACP comes that way easy......... But 300 BLK with real bullets is very serious CQB medicine.
Boat tails are fine for 300bo subs. You can get good subsonic accuracy with 187-230 grain bullets. I've had the best results with Win 296 or H110 powder. There is a lot of empty space in the cartridge when using subsonic velocities..... if your charge is too weak, you will have serious vertical stringing. Try to keep the velocity as close to subsonic without exceeding it for the best accuracy results. Try for 1060 fps and that should give you good results with a little cushion room.
For HD, the subsonic bullets don't pack a lot of energy and typically don't expand well. Barnes, Sierra and Hornady all make hunting bullets in the 110-125 grain weights, those with more velocity are impressive. I think it was Mr. GunsnGear on youtube did a video on the Barnes bullet in 300bo.... it dumped a lot of energy very quickly.
For HD, the subsonic bullets don't pack a lot of energy and typically don't expand well. Barnes, Sierra and Hornady all make hunting bullets in the 110-125 grain weights, those with more velocity are impressive. I think it was Mr. GunsnGear on youtube did a video on the Barnes bullet in 300bo.... it dumped a lot of energy very quickly.
Last edited:
HEH...... I had to read your post twice before I realized it was not me saying that.... HEH ............
I prefer to learn from those with more experience and wisdom than I. Thank you for taking the time to share the details of what you've learned with us.
OP
clay_fv
Well-Known Member
I really didn't want a discussion on 45 suppressed vs 300blk suppressed. 
Just looking for helpful info on building a 300blk "pistol" sub loads. I've got most of the parts on the way, God knows how long it will take to actually get my suppressor though.
Just looking for helpful info on building a 300blk "pistol" sub loads. I've got most of the parts on the way, God knows how long it will take to actually get my suppressor though.
Threads on CFF are like the wild west. They're a biatch to control 😝
OP
clay_fv
Well-Known Member
The plus is I got 500 berry's plated 220gr bullets designed for 300blk, today. It seems the biggest thing, for me, is that all dies are roll crimp. None are tapered. If there's no canelure and I'm shooting this out of a semi-auto, I'd want a tapered crimp, right?
Blackhawk44
Active Member
If I felt the need to crimp, I'd probably get one of the Lee dies that uses a collet.
Ive reloaded a few 10K of 190, 208, 220 and 240 grain 300 BO. Just did a thousand this weekend of some old 240's I had been sitting on for years. In any case no problem with boat tails. Light crimp.
I dont much see the point in 110's. To me is a subsonic cartridge. Stick with 5.56 for supers.
I dont much see the point in 110's. To me is a subsonic cartridge. Stick with 5.56 for supers.
300BLK out performs 5.56 in short barrels.
Yep...... Apologies to @clay_fv for thread HiJack........... and it gets worse..........
No offense, and of course this is just my opinion. SubSonic .308 caliber bullet, 1050 fps....... .......... Caliber makes a BIG difference, and even more so at lower velocity. 9mm at .355 at 1050...? Hmmm....... 45 ACP .451 caliber 1050 fps? Hmmm....... Absolutely 223 at rifle velocity is far far far more effective than this......
100-110 gr .308 caliber at 2350-2550 fps is another story all together. In animal tissue the 100 gr Raptor at 2350-2550 fps is far far more EFFECTIVE than a 223 50 gr Raptor at 3000 fps. The 223 is nothing to sneeze at BTW, and is extremely effective with the 50 Raptor in Animal tissue, in fact, the best and most traumatic bullet in .224 caliber that I have seen. That said, the 100 Raptor in 308 is a big step up, in both caliber and terminal performance at any reasonable range and way ahead in close range encounters. In 300 BLK this load/bullet has taken many many deer/pig and even black bear with extreme prejudice. The Various 110s available are extremely effective as well, at the top of that list is the Barnes.......
Me personally I would not give 2 Cents for SubSonic .308 caliber anything, not when it comes to terminal performance. Play around fine, 45 ACP is more effective, and easier to come by for SubSonic.
Again, Apology for the HIJack........ That's all I have to say about it............
Plenty of feral pigs would disagree. The 220 grain 308 cal bullet going 1000 FPS hits with authority out to 100 yards with nowhere near the drop of say a 45 cal bullet going the same speed. The 308 bullet going that fast through a silencer is orders of magnitude quieter than a 45 caliber bullet doing the same thing as well. The 300 BO excels as a silenced round and is only really eclipsed by perhaps the 338 Spectre in the ability to hit hard with adequate attenuation . Its marginal at anything but that. The 300 BO outperforms the 45 ACP same bullet weight same speed in every measurable way.
Last edited:
I've killed, and I have seen a few things killed, and I have never seen a bullet at 1000 fps kill with "Authority"...............regardless of caliber. I am not considering ground hogs and squirrels of course.
Tell you what. Pick up a box of 220 grain pedal expansion Lehigh 308 bullets and load up some 300BO with say 10.7 grains of 1680 and also pick up a box of your best 45ACP . Load it however . Use both with a 8" barrel AR. I have both. I'm sure you do too since you are speaking from experience. Shoot two 400 lb hogs at 100 yards broadside just under the shoulder. See which drops faster. We will be waiting for your results.
Now the 338. It's magic.
That is a very good bullet, and designed for that purpose....... I would concur with your assessment on that count in comparison to any common 45 ACP, but if you are going to compare Super Premium bullet technology, then one
would have to consider the 45 ACP with 150 Raptors, or perhaps the 120 Lehigh Extreme Penetrator. But 100 yards would be a problem I concur, and the nod would lean to the .308 caliber bullet because of BC.
I will also assert that the same bullet at SubSonic, is absolutely no comparison to other trauma inflicting bullets at 2000 fps +...............That is when "Authority Begins"............
I expect 45ACP will expand more at sub velocities and work at least as good if not better at short ranges such as HD use.
However if your goal is subsonic head shot accuracy out to 200yds then 300BLK all day long. Better accuracy, better energy retention, less wind deflection, and better sectional density for poking through skulls. If you are going for head shots you want penetration, no expansion required or desired.
Who am I planning to assassinate? No one, but I want the capability to go clandestinely offensive against 2 legged predators when/if need be. And with 300BLK I can simply switch mags to a supersonic round more suitable for combat if the need arises. I think this is a much more potentially useful capability in my AO than the ability to hit a man sized target at 1000 yds which a lot of us challenge ourselves to do, and presents many similar ballistic challenges which gives me something to work toward, but at a much more attractive cost and convenience.
Now the real challenge is finding a subsonic round/load that will give me that kind of accuracy. Still a work in progress.
However if your goal is subsonic head shot accuracy out to 200yds then 300BLK all day long. Better accuracy, better energy retention, less wind deflection, and better sectional density for poking through skulls. If you are going for head shots you want penetration, no expansion required or desired.
Who am I planning to assassinate? No one, but I want the capability to go clandestinely offensive against 2 legged predators when/if need be. And with 300BLK I can simply switch mags to a supersonic round more suitable for combat if the need arises. I think this is a much more potentially useful capability in my AO than the ability to hit a man sized target at 1000 yds which a lot of us challenge ourselves to do, and presents many similar ballistic challenges which gives me something to work toward, but at a much more attractive cost and convenience.
Now the real challenge is finding a subsonic round/load that will give me that kind of accuracy. Still a work in progress.
Last edited:
OP
clay_fv
Well-Known Member
For hunting and rifle velocities, I have 3 different 308s to use and around 10 different bullet weights/types to choose from (and to also use my "whenever the ATF allows it" suppressor with). The 300BO is purely a "plan" for an inside SD/HD weapon. I have a 9mm with light as my bedside gun. The thought of shooting it inside is not a pleasant thought. I figure a suppressed 220gr blackout with a nice light and red dot would allow for better target acquisition and shot placement while also not causing me to lose my hearing if, god forbid, I had to use it for HD. It'd still rank in the same terminal range as most handguns.
In the end, it's one more gun in m collection.
In the end, it's one more gun in m collection.
For hunting and rifle velocities, I have 3 different 308s to use and around 10 different bullet weights/types to choose from (and to also use my "whenever the ATF allows it" suppressor with). The 300BO is purely a "plan" for an inside SD/HD weapon. I have a 9mm with light as my bedside gun. The thought of shooting it inside is not a pleasant thought. I figure a suppressed 220gr blackout with a nice light and red dot would allow for better target acquisition and shot placement while also not causing me to lose my hearing if, god forbid, I had to use it for HD. It'd still rank in the same terminal range as most handguns.
In the end, it's one more gun in m collection.
Not going deaf in an HD situation is pretty much my reasoning for owning mine too. Though I'd probably shoot supers for HD as well if I could get my gas system tuned right. With the suppressor back pressure it ends up gunking up everything in the mag and locking up after about 20 rounds of rapid firing. Subs I can sustain fire as long as my wallet allows.