Opinions on AR Platform in 300BLK or 6.5Creed

[Neophite]

I used the handle neophite because I don't have info or experience with AR's other than 5.56 caliber. I have two ARs and am considering a third in a different caliber so far my choices are narrowing down to 300BLK or 6.5 Creedmore. In the case of the .300BLK how difficult is ammo to obtain, I'm not interested in sub-sonic. Does the Creedmore feed OK from AR mags and does it use the same bolt head as the 5.56? All answers and comments will be greatly appreciated.

I've been shooting and reloading since the late '50's at this time I reload for:
223/5.56, 243, 6.5x55, 308, 450 Marlin, 44 mag, 45 ACP.

[Polinese]

I think you have to maybe define a purpose for the rifle as performance wise those two calibers are geared towards completely different applications.

[Palmetto-Pride]

I really like my 300BLK also keep in mind that you can also shoot 300 Whisper in it also. I like shooting 30 cal out of the AR-15 platform I know it cant push 30 cal bullets as fast as something in a AR-10 platform, but I am not expecting to kill deer at 300+ yds with it either. Ammo is still very hard to find for the 300 BLK right now unless you reload you aren't going to do much shooting.

[hodaka]

You can use a 300 Blackout upper on your AR 15's but the Creedmore will require an AR 10 platform. You may want to check out a Grendel or a 6.8 SPC.

[therifleman556]

I would also recommend a 6.5 Grendel. Easy to load for and very versatile. Wolf is also making good economy rounds for it as well.

[Justice06RR]

Since you already reload 223/5.56, going with 300BLK would make sense.

You didn't define your purpose and range, but 300BLK supersonic is good for anything under 300yards.

[Txhillbilly]

Like hodaka said,they use different platforms.The 300BLK uses an AR15 lower,and the 6.5 Creedmoor uses an AR10 lower.
What type of shooting distance are you wanting to use the caliber for?
The caliber choice will depend on the intended use of the weapon.

[Palmetto-Pride]

The 300BLK uses an AR15 lower,and the 6.5 Creedmoor uses an AR10 lower.

If I were going to step up to a AR-10 platform I would go with 308win ....:)

[ripnbst]

Yeah I think you probably want to compare .300 BLK and 6.5 Grendel. Even then the design intents of these two cartridges are extremely different.

[dean1818]

Again.....application and how you want to get there is huge

If you want to simply upgrade what you have, adding a 300blk barrel seems like a good fit. Since you reload, this also helps that choice. If you plan to run suppressed it is a trifecta

The promised cheap 300 blk factory ammo is like a unicorn. So reloaders would enjoy more.

If you are hunting and your range is 1 to 300 plus yards, I would recommend getting a 6.8 upper.

I went with a 6.8, because the range increase over the 300blk is impressive.

Many hunters use 1000ft lbs as a minimum for hunting mid size animals.

The bullet I use is a Hornady 120g SST 6.8, which stays above 1000ft lbs over 275 yards. The best 300 BLK bullet I could find drops below 1000ft lbs at 128 yards. Double the distance.

The 6.5 in the AR15 is even better than the 6.8 as far as distance is concerned.
But..... The availability isnt as good

Good luck in your choice they are all good, and they all have their place.

[JD0x0]

What's the point of shooting 300blk if you're not using a suppressor and taking advantage of subsonic loads? It's essentially the equivalent of the 7.62x39 except, ammo is harder to find and more expensive, I would think...

The 6.5 is faster, flatter, has bullets with relatively good BC's and SD's, and has more muzzle energy. It would, more or less, give you a 800+yard capable rifle.

[dean1818]

The 6.5 ammo availability is far worse than the 300 blk.

Its amazing that it didnt catch on more than it did, its a good round.


One other thing is being reported, that when folks have taken their 300blk and their 223 to the range, since the mags are the same, there have been incidents of guns blowing up putting the wrong mag in the wrong gun.


Lastly, look on the availability on gunbot on all 3 cartridges for general availability. It will also help you decide if you want factory ammo

[Mobuck]

I have both a 300 AAC and 7.62x39. From the small amount of testing, I'll say the 300 is considerably more accurate but the 7.62x39 has an advantage in velocity/energy. If you're reloading, the 300 is actually cheaper to shoot. I just bought brass for $20/100 and the last 7.62 brass I found was double that. In a pinch, I can also make my own AAC brass from available .223. I also have a much bigger supply of .308 bullets than .311 and the resupply is easier.
In addition to these comments, keep in mind that the 300 AAC uses common .223 mags and bolt so the only part that's different is the barrel. The Grendel is more of a specialty item in every aspect.

[Neophite]

My grateful thanks to all of you who responded to my questions about 300BLK vs Creedmore but some of your responses have opened up issues I didn't know existed, it always pays to ask the experienced. I did not know the Creedmore required an AR10 lower so that's out. There were several mentions of the 6.8SPC I had taken that caliber off my list as I heard it does not feed well from 5.56 mags and that the magazine well must be expanded to accept the correct mag it this correct? My use for this rifle is basically range shooting however I would like to get back to deer hunting and may want to use an AR for this purpose so at this point it looks like the 300BLK is my future caliber but your comments to this post will help me make a decision. By the way how much do suppressors cost?

[hodaka]

6.8 mags are normally cheap as regular mags and plentiful. They are different but the well is the same.

[dean1818]

I will second the mag well comment on the 6.8.... You dont need a differnt lower.

Ar15 lowers will interchange easily with different ar15 calibers uppers.

You would never use a 6.8 bullet in a 223 mag. They are set up different.

Its a differnt mag, but you wouldnt mix them up with a 223 mag.


I would also check closely the bullet performance of the 300 blk suppressed
For hunting.

Subsonics will not do as well as a supersonic at distance.

In fact, some of the 300blk subsonics are on par with bullet performance for a 45ACP from a pistol

This may be fine, but something you should be aware of

The 220g 300blk subsonic offered by Remington hits at only 463 ft lbs at 100 yards, and is dropping fast

Suppressors will run you $600 and much more for the top of the line

You also need a tax stamp as well ($200 more)

I have held off on getting a "can" because I dont want to show up on yet another government list, getting a federal tax stamp.



There are folks out there that are so enamored with one caliber or the other they cant see the benefits of the " other caliber"

They both have their place

I would check out 68 forums and 300 blk forums.

Much good info on both

Good Luck

[Rikakiah]

From what I've been researching (seriously wanting a .300BLK, probably as an upper "upgrade" from a 5.56 platform in the future), it really seems impractical if you're not wanting to get into subsonic and suppressed. Sure, supersonic performs better, but not as well as other options. So really, if you're wanting quiet, under 200yd ranges, go with the .300BLK. From what I've researched, can probably take a deer out to 125yds, MAYBE 150ish tops reliably suppressed, smaller game out farther, but bullet drop looks pretty drastic after 200yds. If you're wanting a more versatile hunting or target round to ranges past 150-200yds, look at something else (6.8 or .308/7.62 seem to be the most popular choices for that when .223/5.56 won't do).

[Neophite]

Once again I thank you guys for your responses although my heads spinning with the possibilities available. I don't think a tax stamp is required for a suppressor in Florida although I thought tax stamps were a federal issue but to further confuse the picture I know there are states where they are not legal so maybe that's where the tax stamp comes in. I'm still heading in the direction of the 300BLK so please tell me if I'm nuts.

[hodaka]

The tax stamp is federal but state rules vary. I would be surprised if FL allows them for hunting although Texas does. My 6.8 puts out a 110 grain bullet at 2500 FPS which works well for hunting and everything else. I don't think the 300 comes close to that, even with reloads. No personal experience with one though.