Hey guys, I'm set on purchasing a Ballistic Advantage .300bo barrel very, soon, ideally today or tomorrow.  I'm debating the following options: 8.3" vs 10.3" and their performance series (4150) vs premium (stainless).  The way I see it there are four options on the table.  This will be an unsuppressed pistol for the foreseeable future and not running subs until I get a can (1+ years away).  I want to keep it short, but also want feedback on personal experiences.  I have searched and read everything, but was hoping for some updates from people who have been running these barrels for a while.  Thanks!

I have the 8.3" and don't regret it, especially since it's a pistol.  It balances nicely with a carbine extension.  

No complaints on accuracy or reliability.

OK, I'm asking as much as making any definitive statement about the Hanson barrel profile.  Is the Hanson barrel really an advantage on something like a 300BO pistol in the 8"-10" range?  I can see barrel harmonics, barrel whip, etc. being a more critical issue in at least two cases.  The longer a barrel is, the more susceptible to those elements it might be.  I'm not suggesting an 8" barrel has no barrel harmonics/whip elements...just that perhaps, depending on barrel profile, a barrel in the 14.5" and longer may be more of an issue.  Secondly, I tend to think a short barrel in something like 300BO does not have as much negative influence from barrel harmonics/whip issues as it pertains to accuracy when you consider the caliber, it's limitations, and especially shooting subs suppressed.  

Understand, I have no issue with the Hanson profile, I'm just wondering if it's worth the extra money in the application of a 300BO pistol length.  I have an 18" and 20" AR15 with higher magnification optics for longer range use and hunting.  I wouldn't mind having a Hanson profile on those barrels as I can see a potential accuracy consistency being possible.

On Ballistic Advantage barrels, I have the 9.5" nitride 300BO version and couldn't be happier.  This barrel is accurate and well finished.  I will say I've only been using this in suppressed mode with subsonic ammo, and it is awesome in that role.  The barrel, while not a sewer pipe, bull profile, is quite beefy.  I'm not trying to deter you from buying what is obviously a quality BA barrel in that Hanson profile.  I'm just curious how much benefit for the price one might actually realize in a stubby 300BO.

I'd probably go with the 8.3" barrel, pinned gas block for another $40 is a deal.

Ballistic Advantage 300 Blackout Performance Series 8.3 Hanson Barrel $140 shipped

Ballistic Advantage 300 Blackout Modern Series 8 DRP Barrel $103 shipped

Some great prices on BA barrels

That "Modern Series" model is what I went with in 9.5".  I got mine from "Right to Bear" for about $105.  Those prices tend to make one suspicious that quality might not be that great, but that has definitely not been the case.  Accuracy, finish, and all other features has been excellent.  I'm a fan of the nitride treatment...or CPQ as BA refers to it...on barrels.  Just curious on barrel length preference...isn't 9" for subs supposed to be about the ideal length for 300BO?  It's the reason I went with 9.5" at the time as I didn't seen a straight 9" version available from BA.  I'm thinking about dipping into the supersonic area of 300BO since I'm already loading my subs for the caliber, but I think I'll select a 16" barrel for that upper or complete rifle.

Those of you with 8.3" barrels, any issues with supersonics?

I have the BA Hanson 10.3" 4150 CMV on my blackout pistol build.  I don't know if it is because of barrel harmonics or not, but I can say it is a very smooth shooter.

8.3" performance series (4150) ordered. Down to a muzzle device, likely BRT fluted, and handguard.

I got the 8.3" deal from Monmouth.  Thanks

The optimal barrel length for 300 BO is 9 inches. So get one like the one in the link below and also get an SLR Adjustable gas block so you can do Suppressed fire
reliably - you are going to do Suppressed with a 300 BO, right....right


9-inch BA Barrel

GB and tube

Linear Muzzle Device

Hand Guard
Recommend a non-black HG to ID the Upper as not-5.56 to help avoid 5.56 vs. 300 BO in the magazine KABOOOM

nada, on the adjustable gas block, I had a Seekins adjustable GB on my 9.5" BA 300BO barrel.  Even shooting various off-the-shelf subs and testing my various home reloaded subs, I found I never needed to reduce the gas...ran it wide open.  It yielded perfect ejection pattern, no overgassed brass, and smooth on the action...no hammering.  I went ahead and took off the GB and installed a plain, low profile GB and kept the Seekins for possible use on another gun.  The Sentry AGB is an outstanding unit, but I think at over $100 I'd find out if a standard GB would do the job first.  It probably will.  If not, it's an easy item to switch out after the fact.

Have the 10.3 Hanson performance and while it's a great shooter, I wish I'd done the 8.3 Hanson as I went in thinking I'd use it for multi purpose and the 10.3 would be better for supers. Now I'm thinking it'll be for HD/subs as I want a 6.5grendal for my supers.

The adjustable gas block is most useful for suppressed shooting. You are going suppressed, right... right

If you still have that Seekins adjustable gas block, and it matched the barrel journal, go ahead and use it - save $20 over a new non-adj.

Happy G-Smithing

The 8" BA 300 "Modern" does supers well. But not so good with subs, at least without can. It will cycle them, but not let the the bolt hold open on last round. Tried buffer and LW BCG, still cycles subs, but no bold hold open. Will try a Nemo spring. For subs, tried the Hornaday Black 208s and Rem 220s.

All tests above w/o can, and standard pistol/carbine spring and buffer.

Just got through yesterday shooting a bunch of different 1680 powder weights with my 208g ELD-M Hornady's in my 9.5" BA barrel for load development.  Even with the lowest powder load which dropped the velocity into the low 900's, the gun cycled perfectly and locked back on last round...no adjustable gas block and with suppressor of course.  I don't intend to use this gun unsuppressed.  I just don't think it's optimal for anything else even it if it will function/cycle.  It's just an awesome setup for a suppressor.  My best load of 11.0g of 1680 with the 208g ELD-M was .5" at 50-yards which should translate to 1 MOA at 100.  Using a Meprolight RDS red dot was better employed at 50 for real accuracy testing.

I avoided the 300 BO for a long time.  I shouldn't have.  I'll probably experiment with lighter bullets in a 16" barrel setup at some point in the future since I'm set up to reload for the caliber now.  I'm just finding the suppressed, short-barrel, 300 BO to be an extremely effective 100-yard gun.  Maybe not so much as a "game" gun, but for varmints, defensive, and just plain fun it's an amazing round.  I'll develop a 16" for supers if I want a better game rifle.

Recently started a .300 BO build. Using a 9" Mr Blonde barrel with a 10" KMR

This is what I found with my 8" Modern as well. Wont hold open, and every now and then wont pick up the next round. Standard spring and carbine buffer.

Curious with your results with the lighter spring.

Please update.

A lightweight buffer spring will get you running. Tubb's and GunSprimgs carry them

Will do. Spring arrived, very light (1.15 oz), and shorter than normal carbine (10"). Probably won't have time to test at range for a week or two, but the pull is noticeably lighter than standard spring.

Did the spring work?

Sorry, still have not had a chance to get range time with it.

8.5

Do you shoot any supers suppressed?