.300 BLK

Overview

The .300 Blackout is a modern cartridge built for compact rifles and semi-automatic platforms, developed specifically for short barrels and versatile shooting scenarios. It is known for running reliably in AR platforms, offering a wide selection of both supersonic and subsonic loads, and delivering solid performance at short to medium range. Depending on the load, it is well suited to sport shooting, training, and hunting applications on roe deer and comparable game. The cartridge appeals to shooters looking for a compact, modern, and flexible round with broad platform compatibility.

History & Background

The .300 Blackout (also designated .300 AAC Blackout) was designed to give AR-platform rifles increased bullet weight and energy in a cartridge that feeds from standard magazines and functions reliably from short barrels. Its hallmark is the breadth of available loads: light, fast supersonic bullets for general use and heavy subsonic bullets that pair naturally with suppressed setups. This flexibility, combined with its compatibility with widely available semi-automatic platforms, has made it a popular choice for shooters who want one rifle that adapts to many roles.

Ammunition Types & Loads

Sellier & Bellot offers a representative range of .300 AAC Blackout loads covering both hunting and sport/training use:

Hunting loads - TXRG Blue (lead-free): A copper deformation (expanding) bullet with a blue polymer tip and boat-tail design, approved for hunting roe deer. The 7.1 g (110 gr) bullet features a newly developed tip that initiates expansion quickly and reliably, with excellent expansion characteristics, outstanding precision, and maximum energy transfer. Its flatter, more stabilized trajectory makes the load usable out to 200 meters (about 220 yards) and beyond. Muzzle velocity is 675 m/s (about 2,215 fps) with a muzzle energy of 1,617 J, providing effective performance for small game.

Sport and training loads - Full metal jacket (FMJ): Ideal for simulator/shooting-cinema practice, training, and competition. Offered in two bullet weights: - 8.0 g (124 gr) at 660 m/s (about 2,165 fps), 1,742 J - 9.55 g (147 gr) at 633 m/s (about 2,077 fps), 1,913 J - These FMJ spitzer bullets use a boat-tail design and a tombac (gilding-metal) jacket, delivering excellent precision, a stable trajectory, and dependable function. The tombac jacket prevents bore leading and significantly reduces barrel fouling.

All loads are tuned specifically to the .300 AAC Blackout and are engineered to cycle reliably in semi-automatic firearms. The cartridges use high-quality brass cases with soft Boxer priming.

Applications & Game

The .300 Blackout serves a wide range of uses: sport shooting, training, and — depending on the chosen load — hunting. Expanding hunting loads such as the lead-free TXRG Blue are suited to roe deer and comparable small game, while full-metal-jacket loads are intended for target, training, and competition use. The cartridge's strong performance from short barrels and its semi-automatic compatibility make it especially versatile at short to medium distances.