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.
Yep, that's 'Am Shooting Journal'.
Excellent cartridge.
No one ever compares anything with the 30-06 because they always lose.
Not only informative but you can watch an amazing example of marksmenship as Travis Haley hits a man sized target at 700 meters with a red-dot scope and a short barreled rifle firing 300 BLK
I know what you mean. I inherited a Browning Safari from one of my great uncles chambered in .375 H&H mag. It’s a beautiful rifle manufactured in the late 40’s but it’s a beast to pull the trigger on.
200 yards vs. 1000 yards
The 6.5 Swede may be the greatest cartridge ever. Because it was also chambered in some Krags, it is not loaded as hot as it could be in modern rifles.
Swedish Mausers tend to be extremely accurate but I would not take a chance on hot loads tho it probably would handle them. They also are almost always beautifully made.
W.D.M. Bell loved the various 6.5 calibers and even favored them for elephants.
Ah, the Winchester 71. The rifle that always comes to mind when I read that old Patrick McManus story about borrowing a deer rifle (surplus from the Indian Wars), and being able to “clap with his shoulder blades” after sighting it in.
Yes, sir. It kicks.
Speaking of .308 I am really wanting a Savage 110 Scout in .308. It just occurred to me that I could trade an impractical .44 mag for one.
That is an elephant gun. smile.
Yes, my uncle Robert used to hunt in Africa. I have fired this rifle several times but I have never hunted with it. You put it up to your shoulder, start pulling the trigger and tell yourself, “ this is gonna hurt”.
Yep. You cannot help but flinch. smile.
I have a Savage 99 in .308.
Works like a dream. Coupled with a Zeiss 4X9X40.
Imagine the kick of one of these Zagros.
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/02/10/kurdish-zagros-gen-2/
chambered in 50BMG, 12.7mm or 14.5mm
Single shot home brew anti material weapon. It was put together in response to ISIS using similar heavy machine gun adapted weapons. I saw photo’s of the ones ISIS was using, they used them in Kobane. I remember the conversations begging for heavy weapons. That is why.
They are described as designed and manufactured by Kurds.
I have read there is a company in Vietnam making a similar one and one is for sale in the US that is similar (Anzio Irons works http://www.anzioironworks.com/Anzio_single_shot_50.htm they even make a 20MM, smile. ).
In 50BMG it is possible to own one in the US without added paperwork and fees. I think there are restrictions on anything over 50 caliber.
I imagine it is not light on the recoil.
(note: during WWII they made my father an armorer, he worked on Quad 50’s and Bofors. He still has a few 50’s in links for machine gun use)
50BMG is a bit overkill for Bear.
Anzio Ironworks home page http://www.anzioironworks.com/
“I am really wanting a Savage 110 Scout in .308.”
I have a 110, but not the Scout model. It came with a factory mounted Nikon BDC scope. Out of the box a 3 shot group fired at 100 yards could be covered with a quarter. Handloads, granted, but still phenomenal accuracy.
The whole shebang was less than $400 out the door.
L
I would love to shoot a .50 caliber Barrett. It’s my understanding that the recoil on them isn’t too bad because of the way the rifle is designed.
Yes, it is true. Especially with those like Barrett produces. They are recoil dampened.
The Zagros rifles may or may not be spring dampened. I’m sure the 12.7mm and 14.5mm must be.
I’ve seen pictures of some of the home made rifles that had motorcycle spring dampeners. Suspect springs in a tube surrounding the barrel would be a better approach.
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