10.5 inch .300 blk AR pistol vs 16 inch 5.56 AR

[Skeeter98]

Which of these 2 setups would be better for general use/ home defense/ plinking? I really like the .300 BLK and I think its real neat, but are its potential improved terminal ballistics and SBR friendliness worth the 50% more expensive ammo, less available ammo, increased recoil and range reduction over the 5.56 rifle? Also I'm pretty sure I wont have an NFA suppressor for a really long time. This will be my first real long gun and will probably be my only long gun for quite some time. 5.56 has been slaying bodies for the U.S. for quite some time so I guess its still a good round and .300 BLK has been around for 8 years and hasn't really picked up any major contracts with militaries or police.

[Eurodriver]

I really like the .300 BLK and I think its real neat, but are its potential improved terminal ballistics and SBR friendliness worth the 50% more expensive ammo, less available ammo, increased recoil and range reduction over the 5.56 rifle?

You know, I think a CBR600rr is really neat. It’s fun. Chicks like it. It’s sexy. It’s cool to look at.

But when I needed daily transportation I bought a car.

I had an AAC 9” 300BLK. Formed my own brass from 5.56. Had a suppressor. Shot subs that I loaded. It was “neat” as you said, but I no longer have it.

Ammo was expensive - even when handloading. I’m also not really a “gun guy” and didn’t want two rifle calibers to deal with. At 300 yards the bullet’s trajectory was already as round as Moose-Knuckle’s belly. I was never confident with it at 400.

I don’t regret it. Plenty of people will soon reply with “but muh ballistics”, and “subsonic so quiet” and other claims.

Stick with a 5.56mm 16” AR. There is an inherent sexiness to simplicity.

[Clint]

Stick with a 16" 5.56 for your first/only general purpose AR.

[MegademiC]

16” 556. You can get a lot more trigger time with the same money and skills>gear, and 556 is a great round, especially if you buy decent ammo.

[snakyjake]

I've been going through the same thought process...

Hornady has some good 5.56 SBR ammo, but noise will be an issue, and you won't be plinking with it.

From what I've read, all the goals of a civilian home defense carbine can be achieved with 9MM.

[Eurodriver]

I've been going through the same thought process...

Hornady has some good 5.56 SBR ammo, but noise will be an issue, and you won't be plinking with it.

From what I've read, all the goals of a civilian home defense carbine can be achieved with 9MM.

Where have you read that?

[Daksquatch]

I currently own both a 9" 300Blk pistol and a 16" 5.56 rifle.

If you made me choose, I'd take the 16" 5.56 all day, everyday, and like 4x on Sunday.

I really really like the little .300blk, though. I shoot suppressed, and it's deer legal in it's current configuration in my state. With all that being said, if I could only own a single rifle, it would be a 16" AR in 5.56 because it's just a much more shootable gun from both an ergonomic and economic standpoint for me personally.

[Rogue556]

I'd go 16" 5.56 without a doubt.

Having a quiet .300 blk round for HD sounds nice until you realize how much it under performs with subs.. and that's really the only upside I think .300 blk has going for it is its db reduction with a can. If you don't own a suppressor then there is no reason to spend more money on a niche round.

Quality 16" rifle in 5.56 loaded with BH 77gr TMK (or similar quality ammo) and a good LPVO/RDS and you've got it covered.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

[VT RAIDER]

As another person who owns both, as a general purpose rifle I would also suggest a 16” 5.56. I love my .300 Blackout, but if I did not have 5.56 rifles and/or pistols I would not own a .300 Blackout.

[Captains1911]

Having a quiet .300 blk round for HD sounds nice until you realize how much it under performs with subs.. and that's really the only upside I think .300 blk has going for it is its db reduction with a can. If you don't own a suppressor then there is no reason to spend more money on a niche round.

Not necessarily. A 300 BLK with a 10.5” barrel and can, shooting supersonic ammo, is about the same overall length and more powerful at close range than a 16” 5.56, but in a much quieter package.

Having said that, I’d also recommend the 16” 5.56 for a first rifle.