[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is 300BLK even worth it? (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 4/10/2018 9:12:14 AM EDT
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I already have a stamped lower and a 30 caliber can, I also have a spare mount in 5/8x24.
I’m considering a barrel in the 8”-9” range just to play with, is it even worth it for something like that? I don’t reload, I’m sure that should be factored in. |
| I have 2, an 8.2 inch and a 9 inch. They both suppress well, and I cannot complain. I also do not reload, so I buy factory ammo. As far as a "plinker" it will be more expensive then 5.56, but ammo selection is pretty good, so you can select how you want yours set up. You can use 110-115 gr supersonic ammo made specifically for hunting/defense, or 200-220 gr subsonics when you want to surprise people with how quiet a 30 cal rifle can be. |
The only reason I bought one was to shoot subs in it! 
Just ordered 400 rounds of subs for about $0.45 each from Brownells. 
If you buy them locally they run in the $0.80 range. I have everything to reload but have never done it. Mine is an 8.5" and the SilencerCo Saker 7.62. |
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In Kentucky woods yes, very worth it, on the plains of South Dakota, maybe not.
That said, I spend more time with my 8.5” suppressed SBR than all of my other guns combined other than simply wearing my concealed pistol. Pigs are the most taken critters, but others have succumbed when it whispers and occasionally barks. |
For me it is. I carry an AR to work in my backpack now because of it 
I'm actually 50/50 on 5.56 and 300BLK now, and about to be majority 300. For short ranges out of short barrels it's hard to beat for simplicity. I don't care about suppressing. I pretty much only shoot supers. |
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I don't reload either, so buying ammo is definitely a factor. I'm not sure what makes the ammo so expensive at this point. I don't know if industry is still unsure whether or not to invest in it or if the market just isn't large enough to make bulk loading of factory ammo as cheap as it could be. You can buy supersonic hunting rounds all day long, for premium ammo prices. You can buy subsonic plinking rounds, which are a hell of a lot of fun to shoot, but they're still double what 5.56 plinking rounds cost, unless you find the right sale. If you do find the right sale, then it's not double the cost of 5.56, but it's still not as cheap as 5.56. I see more ammo makers are starting to develop a wider variety of rounds for it. I just ordered a dozen boxes of subsonic self-defense rounds for $1.05 each - developed by Hornady. And we all know The way I look at it, it's a really versatile round, suitable for hunting, self defense, and as a plinker, it's a fun round to shoot. I just can't afford to shoot a whole lot of it until more people get into it and start buying enough to drive up demand and drive down cost. So by all means, buy your .300 AAC upper. Buy two. The more of it we all shoot, the cheaper it'll eventually get. |
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It makes plenty of sense if you reload. If not, I'm not sure - it's certainly quieter than 223, and great out of short barrels. For me, though, the value is in loading powder coated lead subsonics so I can shoot my AR at steel up close and not worry about getting a jacket back in the face or screwing up my steel targets. In that regard, it is pretty much the only solution - I have a clone of my HD 5.56 upper built in 300 blk so that I'm getting similar recoil etc., but I can practice on steel with instant feedback. It's also a nice hunting round out of a short barrel - suppressed supers are still more quiet than 223, and thus more pleasant to shoot.
Outside of that, I don't see much appeal, TBH, especially if you don't reload. |
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Quoted:
I think so Its expensive to shoot though The caliber is optimized for 8 to 9 inch barrels. Im impressed more so with its supersonic round abilities versus its subs https://i.imgur.com/DepnINL.jpg |
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I'd say yes mostly because you already have a can. I got a 30 cal can in jail, then it occurred to me I needed a 300 blk to go with. Now I have a 300 blk pistol and I'm waiting on the stamp for the SBR, and the can is still in jail. |
| I've been running a 9" AAC MPW SBR for six or so years now. It is my go to hog patrol gun with a AAC SDN-6 on the end. It usually has a 110-125gr supers in it, but from time to time I will throw some subs in for the new comer to ooh and ahh over. Are there better options ballistically, sure, but nothing that's as readily available with such accuracy and reliability in such a short package. The recoil impulse is nearly non-existatnt too, making it a very popular gun with females and younger guests. I have amassed quite a few round over the years, so the cost of ammo isn't something I pay much attention to, but regardless of price it is certainly here to stay and I'll continue to purchase ammo for it regardless of the market.. |
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Quoted: Where?!?! 
 HK53 build  HK53 testing. 7.62x35mm. 300 blackout |
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- If you want to maximize an AR SBR suppressed then yes.
- If you reload then yes. - If you live in a free state where you can hunt (pig/deer) with an AR then yes. I have 3 .300 BLK’s ... SBR, 16” upper and bolt gun. I got into 300 BLK because I had about 7k converted LC primed pieces of brass along with about the same amount of 147 grain pulled bullets. If the decision is based entirely on logistics and cost then it’s probably not the best choice. |
| It's a great caliber for short barrels with a lot of options for projectile weight & velocities. It is worth it to get into reloading (at least in a small way) to be able to take advantage of low component costs & expanding options without spending a lot. Even a single stage press can let you produce a decent stock of subs & supers. 300BO is economical in terms of powder use, so a pound of powder goes a long way. |
| I have one in an SBR and I like it. Mostly the performance you can get out of a short bbl. I'm not sure what the people are talking about when they are saying it is quiet though. A .22 with a can is quiet to me. I have yet to hear ANY AR that I think is "quiet". Better than a 5.56 SBR? You betcha. Quieter than my bolt .308 with subs and a can? Nope. |
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Juice wasn't worth the squeeze for me. Even suppressed wasn't as quiet as I thought it would be. Add in the risk of chambering in a 5.56 gun and it's a no-go.
Suppressed 9mm shorty's have the fun/cheap/quiet factor. 6.5G scratches my oddball and heavy hitting long range caliber itch. Cheap x39, and the upcoming 9x39 are going to contribute as well. |
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yes, tis worth its....
factory loads are becoming affordable... [sga] reloading is cheap and easy, with lots of bullet/powder choices.... more effective than a traditional subgun.... much better indoors and cqb than .223/5.56.... sups from a shorty tis kinda a big deal.... |
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Worth it if you want both subsonic (and really quiet) subgun level performance with reasonably high sectional density bullets that penetrate well AND near 30-30 level performance in a platform that is optimized for short barrels with supers in the 120gr range. And willing to pay the $ that it takes for the ammo, (which isn't hateful in price). If you plan to shoot a bunch of volume, personally I think a suppressed 9mm for the subgun and a 223 with heavy for caliber bullets MAY be a better fit. I'm not convinced that a 120gr supersonic 30 cal bullet is that advantageous over a 70gr Barnes TSX out of a 223... IF you are using a 16" barrel. If you are going to SBR it, I think the 300 BLK has some clear advantages. |
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Quoted:
I think so Its expensive to shoot though The caliber is optimized for 8 to 9 inch barrels. Im impressed more so with its supersonic round abilities versus its subs https://i.imgur.com/DepnINL.jpg |