110gr TSX Black Tip

[jonconsiglio]

I posted this in the hunting and not sure how useful this is in this subforum, but figured I'd post it here in case anyone is interested and doesn't check the hunting subforum.

After the past year with a 9" 300blk AAC upper, I started to take a serious look at it to fill a primary defensive and work role. Within 150 yards, the trajectory is pretty close to the 10.5" 5.56 I used to run, and the 11.5" I ran most recently. The 50/200 zero people talk about becomes a 50/160 with a 10.5" 5.56 with heavier TSX. The 300blk gives me a 50/135 using 110gr Black Tip with 1.5" drop at 150 yards, 3.5" at 175 and 6" at 200 yards. The highest point of the trajectory is .8" at 90 yards.

Considering a likely engagement will be well within 50 yards and maybe the farthest .1% of engagements in the US are still within 100 yards, this rifle makes a lot of sense.

Then when I considered it for hunting and compared the expansion threshold of different ammo in 5.56 and 300blk, the 300blk proved to give me more distance than I needed. Black Tip from a 9" rifle will have no problem maintaing 100% expansion, reliably, at 300 yards. My typical distance for hunting is within a few yards out to 150 at most.

We hunt quite often from a truck, so having a small, maneuverable rifle works well, also for when we get out and are in the thick wooded areas. I can manage with a 14.5" or 16", but if I can go shorter, I will.

Anyway, I have taken jackrabbits out to 125 yards with this rifle using Black Tip and Vmax, but no hogs or deer until 2 weeks ago. I've taken dozens of hogs with BH 50gr TSX, Barnes 55gr TSX, SSA 70gr TSX, 64gr Gold Dot, etc at varying ranges with 11.5" to 16" 5.56 rifles. So I was interested to see how this would compare.

I was using munch520's Leupold VX-R Patrol 1.25-4 instead of my usual T1. I did a real hasty zero that had me hitting high and went out hunting. The first shot I fired from 70 yards hit the spine, completely obliterating it. It took a fist sized chunk out of it with a number of sharp splinters, and the 110gr TSX passed completely through as expected.

The hog dropped and kicked with his front legs only. When he turned, I fired a second round from 70 yards into the left side of his head right behind the ear. You could easily fit four fingers inside the exit wound, and the skull would easily open like a flap where you could fit your fist. What little brain matter that was not sprayed on the trees and bushes behind him was basically liquified and turned to mush.

I have to say, this rifle performed better than even 70gr TSX from a 14.5" fired from just a few yards away. The damage was impressive and with the Leupold, I can hold 1.5 MOA groups and the 9" barrel has less blast and concussion than my 11.5" 5.56.

9" AAC 300blk sitting on my Noveske lower.



Just in case any of you are too sensitive, the graphic pics are below.

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Initial shot that broke (destroyed) the spinal cord



Initial shot, spinal cord damage



Finishing shot, entrance wound



Finishing shot, exit wound

[abanks8245]

delete

[dudley0]

That is pretty impressive.

I have a 300blk upper that I built but have yet to test. Originally got it for subs and since I don't have a can that will fit it I haven't even tested for function.

Just curious but is that barrel length accurate to 300 yards?

[bzdog]

Should be fine assuming you sort out the zero/holdovers.

-john

[jonconsiglio]

Should be fine assuming you sort out the zero/holdovers.

-john

At 300 yards, the drop is a good bit more than 5.56 and barrel length isn't going to make that much difference. Now, using a 1-4 and dialing or holding for elevation, accuracy from a 9" 300blk using good ammo is on par with a good 5.56.

Within 125 yards, there's actually slightly less holdover/holdunder than with 5.56. At 150 to 175 you start to see it more, but even at 200 yards we're only looking at 6.5" of drop..... Which is within the size of a T1 red dot at 200 yards, actually s little less.

Issues with holdover and drop isn't as big of a deal in normal use within 150 to 200 yards for me. Still a little more than 5.56 at 200, but very manageable.

Subs drop more as do heavier supersonic bullets of course.