300 AAC Blackout Upper

[USAF Ret]

I am really having a hard time not pulling the trigger on a PSA 300 Blackout Upper. It would go on the custom built Stag lower I have attached to my 6.5 Grendel.

Talk me out of it.
Talk me into it.

I am a hunter. Not a precision shooter. However, looking at brass and it being 30 cal, it would be super cheap to shoot and could load with a Hornady CX for hunting.

[HiBC]

You do you your way.
I do not have a plan to hunt with mine. Its a 10 in bbl. Ballistically its not much different than an 18 in barreled 30 carbine.The "niche" it fills,IMO,is if I am going to have a pistol length AR, the 5.56 seems ballistically less efficient .
The 5.56 benefits from a little more bbl length and fps. I consider mine an alternate to an M-1 Carbine.

For any hunting situation that comes to mind I myself would choose your 6.5 Grendel.

I won't suggest which on is right for you. I don't know.

I'd suggest asking yourself :

Hunting? Hunting what?

What characteristics of the 300 blk make it a good choice?

Understand,IMO a perfectly good reason to get a 300 Blk upper is : "I just want one" No justification required.

One selling point for a 300 BLK as a compliment to a 5.56 you can get by with the same bolt carrier group and magazines.

If you stocked up on cheap and plentiful 5,56 bulk brass (The Good Old Days) your brass component is covered.

[USAF Ret]

Originally Posted by HiBC

You do you your way.
I do not have a plan to hunt with mine. Its a 10 in bbl. Ballistically its not much different than an 18 in barreled 30 carbine.The "niche" it fills,IMO,is if I am going to have a pistol length AR, the 5.56 seems ballistically less efficient .
The 5.56 benefits from a little more bbl length and fps. I consider mine an alternate to an M-1 Carbine.

For any hunting situation that comes to mind I myself would choose your 6.5 Grendel.

I won't suggest which on is right for you. I don't know.

I'd suggest asking yourself :

Hunting? Hunting what?

What characteristics of the 300 blk make it a good choice?

Understand,IMO a perfectly good reason to get a 300 Blk upper is : "I just want one" No justification required.

One selling point for a 300 BLK as a compliment to a 5.56 you can get by with the same bolt carrier group and magazines.

If you stocked up on cheap and plentiful 5,56 bulk brass (The Good Old Days) your brass component is covered.

I have a bad issue of wanting stuff. But, just doing research, I use my 30-30 in some close quarters blinds. They pretty much have the samE ballistics, but having the AR in that capability is appealing. And also, super cheap to reload.

It would be for deer in areas I only have 100-150 yard ranges. Then I could flip between the 300 BLK and the 6.5 Grendel based on situation.

[taylorce1]

I like mine, but I feel unless you're going to shoot suppressed it's a waste of time. Subsonics suppressed is where the round really shines and is the most fun. I've only taken one deer with the .300 BLK, but I used a varmint bullet to do it. At .300 BLK speeds a varmint bullet is a decent choice for deer, even Hornady loads their 110 V-Max for deer hunting in the BLK. If you want economy in an AR-15 you're not going to beat the .223/5.56, except with a .22 lr upper.

[USAF Ret]

Originally Posted by taylorce1

I like mine, but I feel unless you're going to shoot suppressed it's a waste of time. Subsonics suppressed is where the round really shines and is the most fun. I've only taken one deer with the .300 BLK, but I used a varmint bullet to do it. At .300 BLK speeds a varmint bullet is a decent choice for deer, even Hornady loads their 110 V-Max for deer hunting in the BLK. If you want economy in an AR-15 you're not going to beat the .223/5.56, except with a .22 lr upper.

Just ordered a PSA upper. Good deal. And when I get a suppressor here in the future, I can reload subsonic.

I was looking at the 110 V-Max. I ordered a few boxes. Ammo was pretty cheap. Less than $20 a box. I have an extra scope an mount, so really an inexpensive way to have another AR-caliber that I can possibly deer hunt with.

Also, if shoulder and neck issues get worse, super low recoil.

Thanks Chad.

[taylorce1]

If you wanted a low recoil deer cartridge in an AR-15, I think the .350 Legend is better than the .300 BLK. Oh well, damage is done and you'll enjoy the BLK especially if a suppressor is in your future. Suppressors for larger than .30 cal start to get expensive for rifle cartridges.

[GeauxTide]

I don't use suppressors, so I chose a 300 HAM'R. Cases available from Starline, barrels from ERShaw, and a 135gr FTX at 2500, in 16.25", is stout. My first loads were 3/8", 5 shots.

[USCS]

I’ve found it to be a handy 100 yard S.C deer gun. I reload, which cuts ammo cost. The round is more accurate than I am, YMMV, but there seems to be less muzzle blast from the Blk. I haven’t shot 5.56 since I retired.

[USAF Ret]

Originally Posted by taylorce1

If you wanted a low recoil deer cartridge in an AR-15, I think the .350 Legend is better than the .300 BLK. Oh well, damage is done and you'll enjoy the BLK especially if a suppressor is in your future. Suppressors for larger than .30 cal start to get expensive for rifle cartridges.

Yes sir. Ammo is cheap as well. Got some from PSA for about $11 a box.

[USAF Ret]

Originally Posted by USCS

I’ve found it to be a handy 100 yard S.C deer gun. I reload, which cuts ammo cost. The round is more accurate than I am, YMMV, but there seems to be less muzzle blast from the Blk. I haven’t shot 5.56 since I retired.

Yeah, here in NC have some short shooting lanes, so it will be good. Plus my late son's friend is trying to get his wife into shooting and hunting. Will be good with low recoil and she can borrow it to hunt.

[smee78]

It will be a fine addition to your setup especially if you decide to get a can later. I like the variety of being able to shoot subs or supers without any major modifications. Plus being a reloader will keep your options open for ammo choices.

[imashooter]

I really enjoyed mine and was fortunate enough to purchase a few thousand commercial rnds at .41 cents per (Outback). Great gun. Though I had the magazines banded with the caliber etc and used other color magazines, in the end I decided the juice wasn't worth the squeeze regarding the ease of having a senior or grandson moment. Sold it all to a friend of mine. He made out well. When rnds were fetching 1.50 plus, I sold mine for the same 41 cents.

[Sharkbite]

Ive been into 300blk since its inception. I agree with most of the stuff above.

I load the 110gn V-max almost exclusively. I gave up on Subs except for giggle time with friends on the range (i have mtpl suppressors) and it IS fun to hear the steel ring louder then the shot. Subs give up so much power, its in the pistol class (208gns at 950fps is almost like shooting a 45acp). Id rather shoot supers and get into the 7.62x39 power level.

My cans make the supers quiet enough for my uses. I have a cpl SBR’s in this caliber (a 9” AAC AR and a 10.5” home build) i also have a 16” 700 AAC bolt gun. I would not hesitate to use them for deer here in Western Colorado.

The above statement about the 110gn V-max working very well at Blackout velocities is spot on. Impact velocities are slow enough it doesn't fragment like it does at 308 or 30-06 speeds. Just a good solid mushroom (at least in gel).

I say go for it

[USAF Ret]

Originally Posted by Sharkbite

Ive been into 300blk since its inception. I agree with most of the stuff above.

I load the 110gn V-max almost exclusively. I gave up on Subs except for giggle time with friends on the range (i have mtpl suppressors) and it IS fun to hear the steel ring louder then the shot. Subs give up so much power, its in the pistol class (208gns at 950fps is almost like shooting a 45acp). Id rather shoot supers and get into the 7.62x39 power level.

My cans make the supers quiet enough for my uses. I have a cpl SBR’s in this caliber (a 9” AAC AR and a 10.5” home build) i also have a 16” 700 AAC bolt gun. I would not hesitate to use them for deer here in Western Colorado.

The above statement about the 110gn V-max working very well at Blackout velocities is spot on. Impact velocities are slow enough it doesn't fragment like it does at 308 or 30-06 speeds. Just a good solid mushroom (at least in gel).

I say go for it

Ammo on order. Upper is on the way. Got a scope and rings. So, ready to go when it all gets here.