Posted on 04/03/2019 5:28:58 AM PDT by w1n1
In this cartridge comparison of .300 Blackout and the iconic .308. The respective cartridges have their strengths and weaknesses. Both cartridges are .308 calibers, comparing the two is a bit of a challenge because we need to view it from various performance specs.
These performances takes place in several categories and we'll be able to see which application is best with the respective caliber.
So there is more to it than choosing one cartridge and saying this is better than the other. Instead we’ll let situations dictates which cartridge is best for.
.300 Blackout Quick History
The .300 Blackout made its entrance in 2011 by Advanced Armament Corporation. The idea behind the Blackout was to produce a round that could match the performance of our enemy firearm 7.62x39 round. With the capability to be used on an AR platform with a short barrel, based on tactical scenario needs.
At the time the 5.56x45 NATO round was predominantly used for close quarter combat, with a mix of 9mm. (MP5) The results at times were dissatisfied with the performance of these rounds.
It's quite remarkable how the .300 BLK has assimilated into so many corners of the shooting community from special ops, competition shooters, home defense, and even hunting.
.308 Winchester Quick History
Since its beginning in 1952 the iconic .308 Winchester has been grounded in hunting and tactical traditions. The military was impressed with its performance specs and quickly adopted it, which was used in Vietnam for a short period of time. Before being replaced by the 5.56 NATO round military wide.
With the short coming of its military debut, the .308 prevailed in the hunting world which has given hunters a reliable round to count on. The .308 definitely found its home among hunters and long range shooters. Law enforcement and military sharp shooting teams obviously noticed the .308 long range and accuracy prowess which they gladly adopted into their contingency program. The .308 ruled the long range, penetration and stopping power performance.
Similarities
The only similarities between the two cartridges is that they are both .308 calibers. Differences is that the casing for the .308 Win is larger than the .300 BLK, which holds a higher amount of powder and can withstand greater pressure. You may have guessed by now the performance characteristics of these two rounds are going to be different.
The Cartridges used below for comparisons are based off of the respective manufacturers information.
-300 BLK Hornady A-MAX Black 208gr
-300 BLK Hornady FTX 135gr
-300 BLK Barnes Vor-TX 120gr
-300 BLK Winchester Deer Season XP 150gr
-300 BLK Remington Premier OTM 220gr
-308 Nosler Ballistic Tip 165gr
-308 Federal Vital-Shok Ballistic Tip 150gr
-308 Winchester Super-X 180gr
-308 Hornady BTHP Match 168gr
-308 Federal Gold Medal 175gr
What follows are the main characteristics that most gun ballistics experts and gun nuts looks at when comparing or viewing performances. We won’t be going too deep into each category because we’re only looking at comparisons and purposes from respective cartridge.
Recoil
When we hear recoil we associate it with the .308, it comes with the territory. The .300 BLK has less recoil than the .308. But this doesn’t mean the .300 BLK is not a good round and that it lacks power. Read the rest of 300 Blackout vs 308.
Sheesh.
I would compare the Blackout to the 556.
It really is a fatter round for the AR15 that keeps bullet energy in short barrel and suppressed.
The 308 is for the AR10chambering, and the 6.5 or 6mm CM is it’s high velocity countrrpart
Sure, you could use a 308 in short suppressed format, and with subsonics you would get the exact same performance as with the 300AAC... except that the round for the 300AAC does not allow the long and heavier bullets that can be chambered in necked up 308, but those are very difficult to prevent from tumbling beyond 100 yards
“Hey, let’s compare the Russian 7.62x39 with the 7.62x54R while we’re at it.”
This blog is written by tards.
L
Same AR lower.
Same AR mags.
Very convenient.
Comparing apples to oranges again. Yeah, they’re both round and grow on trees.
Admittedly I know little of the blackout.
I remember when the discussion was between the .30-06 and the .308. The government wanted a shorter 30 caliber round for reliable feeding in semi/fully auto firearms. They demanded that the new cartridge give the same performance as the venerable.30-06. The Garand was reimagined as the M-14. Shorter and able to handle 10000psi greater pressure than the Garand. This limited the new round to 150 - 165 grains for optimum safe performance As that was the weight used by the Garand, it worked.
In a bolt action hunting round, if you wanted to over weight the round for Moose/Elk/grizzly you stuck with the .30-06 in 220 grain.
Now with new powders there is more leeway to what can be accomplished. Companies like Hornady have developed non powder propellants that can give the velocities without all the pressure. These rounds are unfortunately not for the reloadeder. for those who don’t reload I’m sure you can get very good performance out of the .30 Blackout.
It is pretty hard to beat the utility, range and accuracy of the very old 30-06. You can load it to fit a wide range of tasks. Yes, it is heavier to carry around. It may not be in vogue, but it is still very effective.
“It is pretty hard to beat the utility, range and accuracy of the very old 30-06. You can load it to fit a wide range of tasks.”
Indeed. With the proper load it’s suitable for everything in North America with the exception of the Great Bears.
L
Yes. Agree. And my Winchester Model 71 .348 is up to the largest bear. If you are man enough to shoot it. smile.
None of those bear are in Texas. smile.
Article needs edited by an English speaker. ;-)
Yup. The 30-06 does everything the 308, 300 BLCKOUT, and 7.62x30 does except maybe in a suppressed platform.
And will take any animal on the Continent to boot!
About average for 'Am Shooting Journal'.
Here is my comparison, and the only one that affects me:
I go to my ammo supply and see an assortment of 308s. I see no 300 blackouts. Case closed.
30-06 220 gr bear load?
https://www.chuckhawks.com/200-220_30-06_loads.html
It is not the equivalent of the .348 250 gr load, but very close.
It is very hard to beat. Have you ever looked at the case profile of the 30-06 compared to the 50BMG? They are dimensionally very similar. Both very incredible performance.
Yup. And a "West Va. Socket Set" (adjustable wrench) will work on practically any nut/bolt. But there are better tools... d;^)
I'm not disparaging the '06 in any way. The poster(s) is/are absolutely correct that it can be loaded from varmint to bear and would be a skosh cumbersome suppressed (although Trail Boss usually fixes such things nicely). And personally I've never seen much need for anything requiring a long action in my lifetime that didn't involve 13.5#+ class rifles, benches and targets wayyyyyy over there. But if it's whatchygot and ya don't have an interest in anything else, it can be made to work.
Concerning the BLK, which I still own, it's a 7.62x39 for yer AR without the goofy magazines. Prolly woulda been better off with 45ACP for strictly suppressed. Current rendition is the lil Handi single. Click-Thud.. d:^)
Anyone liking the SWEDE 6.5 ????
Never underestimate M2 AP Black tip out of an M1903 held by a patient, angry, old man.
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