.300 BLK load thread

[CP]

Subsonic loading:

Sierra 220g RN with 1680 powder:
10.8g – velocities: 1036, 1026, 975, 965 (fps)  - 3” spread at 75 yards
12.0g velocities:  1108, 1070, 1043, 1047, 1092 (fps) – less than 1” at 75 yards

These all stayed subsonic (Mach 1.0 = 1128 fps @70 degrees F) but I’d like to figure out how to tighten up the velocity spread.

[Yondering]

Those 12.0gr velocities are too high for subsonic use - they'll crack a little bit especially in cold weather.

Remember, there's not a hard cutoff between supersonic and subsonic. Your faster loads are in the transsonic range and will make more noise than you'd want.

[Alchase]

I do not want to hijack this thread, lots of good information here.
I was curious if any of you had decent results with factory sub-sonic ammo?

If this is off topic I can start a new thread?

[CP]

I think this will be my hunting load.

[Yondering]

I'm curious why you would choose a 150gr load for hunting with this round, instead of a 125gr that works better within the velocity range of the Blackout?

I'm not 100% sure about that Hornady 150gr SP you're using, but I think it's intended for a higher velocity rifle (308, 30-06, etc), so you're probably pretty close to the minimum expansion threshold at the muzzle. With a lot of high velocity rifle bullets, you can't expect much/any expansion below ~1800 fps, which gives you a pretty narrow effective range with that bullet for good terminal performance.

If you were to use a 30/30 bullet of course, intended for lower velocity, that would be a different story, or one of the good lighter bullets started at higher velocity.

[CP]

Here's a good read on the subject.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/ar-15_deer_cartridges.html

I intend to do some expansion testing to determine the max range but I don't intend to use it for long distance hunting.

[h20hunter]

Steel plates aren't the best medium for expansion tests? 

[CP]

Steel plates aren't the best medium for expansion tests? 

More of a splat test

[CP]

Maybe I'll try the 150g SST

[hunter399]

Most 300blk is getting 2300 fps at muzzle , so unless your gonna stay at 50 yards or less ,your not gonna get the expansion your looking for ,think varment bullets will expand, like these

https://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/30-cal-308-110-gr-v-max#!/

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2149663126/speer-tnt-varmint-bullets-30-caliber-308-diameter-125-grain-jacketed-hollow-point

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010929186/nosler-varmageddon-bullets-30-caliber-308-diameter-110-grain-tipped-flat-base-box-of-100

At the fps blackout put out they won't explode like it would out of a 3000 fps rifle ,i have played with the blackout for two years and learn the hard way ,barnes makes the best expanding bullets for blackout , but there's a cost factor,and lots of options.

[Yondering]

Most 300blk is getting 2300 fps at muzzle ,

Not with a 150gr.

CP, you really gotta think about down range velocity, not just muzzle velocity. You're not stacking the odds in your favor with those bullet choices. Why not use something more appropriate to the cartridge?

[hunter399]

Most 300blk is getting 2300 fps at muzzle ,

Not with a 150gr.

CP, you really gotta think about down range velocity, not just muzzle velocity. You're not stacking the odds in your favor with those bullet choices. Why not use something more appropriate to the cartridge?

I was just saying in general with any bullet,that 2300 fps is about tops at the muzzle,and do agree lots of bullet choices,If your looking for extra wt bullets,I would look for 125 grain varment bullets good expansion ,varment bullets are not gonna fragment much with the low velocity 300 blk.

[CP]

No, I'm not going to shoot a deer with a varmint bullet.  I'd rather have a no expansion pass through than blow fragments 5" under the skin.

I've done my research and have spoken with folks that take several deer and hogs a year with the 300 BLK.  My 1st choice is still a 150g bullet - 2nd choice would be the 125g SST that I posted about earlier.  Nothing lighter than that.

[hunter399]

I have no debate that sst will work for deer 100 yards and less,anything over 100 yards I don't think you will much expansion.

Here's a artical I read awhile ago on the set for 300blk.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.outdoorhub.com/amp/index.php/breaking-5-different-300-blackout-loads-terminal-ballistics

This is a 300blk forum maybe your a member already but if not lots of info,and people they say it does work.

http://www.300blktalk.com/forum/index.php

This is from hornadys website which says expansion is best a higher velocity.

The Hornady® SST® is designed to deliver tremendous shock on impact while expanding quickly and reliably, particularly at higher velocities.

Hope any info helps I'm a member on 300blk talk tons on info there Good luck.

[Biggerhammer]

I'm not a Barnes bullet fan but Barnes did design their 110gr TAC-TX for .300 Blackout velocities. They shot well in mine, shot between 1/2 and 3/4 MOA with a 16",  1-8 twist Anderson Arms barrel which my cost is about $70.00 bucks, maybe less can't recall exactly.