Everybody here has made valid points...as usual, nobody is wrong. It's all based on your perspective, your needs, and your objectives for an AR platform. The 300 BLK was born for a variety of VERY RELEVANT reasons:
1) Need for better terminal ballistic effects in close quarters...yes a 7.62 has more energy and does more damage than 5.56 inside 100m (go ahead and tell me to carry a 7.62 NATO gas gun...I did that as well. One guy is fine, but a team/squad carrying heavy rifles is not good)
2) Need for modularity/similarity with the M4/AR platform...everybody knows the details by now...let me just say it's pretty cool. Time is EVERYTHING...based on mission one can just swap an upper (or a barrel with some platforms), grab same type mags loaded with 300 BLK, and go. No need to change your entire kit. I can't stand when somebody tells me to just carry an AK if I want 7.62 type performance. Yeah, I'm a fan of that weapon system too, but it's not very practical to change everything just to shoot a bigger round. Let's be smarter.
3) Need for truly suppressed/subsonic performance. Obviously only for inside 100m...it's awesome. 5.56 just doesn't have the reliability or consistency in a subsonic rd.
4) Need for better performance with a short barrel/suppressor combination. 300 BLK is much better than 5.56 in 8-10 in barrel lengths. The gas system just handles recoil and cycles better. 5.56 ARs shine in the 11.5-12.5 barrel lengths...then add a suppressor and your OAL is more than a standard carbine. Not to mention the suppressor doesn't work as well with high velocity rds.
5) Need for a wide range of ammunition choices. This is really where the 300 BLK makes its money. You mean to tell me I can load anything from a 110gr Barnes or Hornady hunting rd to a 175gr SMK to a 220gr SMK subsonic? That is freakin awesome...and practical! I can carry mags with different ammo and change them whenever the situation calls for it. Huge advantage over just choosing between 62gr or 77gr.
There are more reasons, but I believe these are the main ones. Now, with this said, it still doesn't mean that 300 BLK is right for everyone...heck it might not be right for hardly anyone. What are your needs? If you're just punching paper and training at the local range, then by all means save as much $ as possible and stick with 5.56. Maybe one day 300 BLK ammo will be about the same price though...heck it's only been popular for 2-3 years...let the market adjust. But please don't shy away for fear of "investing" too much in something that is unproven. First of all, you don't really have to invest much of anything besides an upper...everything else is the same! And please also don't discredit the round for having poor ballistic performance. It is a very capable rd, especially in the 110-125gr range. I would shoot some 125gr OTM against 77gr OTM for comparison out to 800m any day...both perform very well.
And when all else fails, yes...the 300 BLK is great for hog and deer hunting. Especially now that GA has legalized hunting with suppressors![]()


Reply With Quote

Bookmarks