Revisiting the 300 Blackout on a Savage platform?

[tobnpr]

Don't own a .300 Blk currently but do plan to put one together configured as a SBR because I think it is a great option for close quarters. That Nucleus pistol is damn near perfect :cool: (I'd do the SBR tho)


But, touting it as a viable, even mid-size game hunting round doesn't pass muster.

With around 1K ft/lbs of energy at 100 yards- roughly bare minimum for whitetails- and dropping quickly beyond; might be OK if it's a dense brush type environment where it's all under 100 yards but not a serious contender for this application IMHO. It doesn't have anything close to the 1500 ft/lbs needed for elk- even at the muzzle.

No free rides anywhere in this game.
Hot rounds = increased throat erosion and shortened barrel life.
Overbore = the same...
Boiler room matters. Case capacity = more powder= bigger, faster boolits. This = more energy on target.
Sure, some cartridge designs are more efficient than others but physics always rules. Just ain't enough case capacity to push bullets of the weight needed for that application.

Nice work.

[Dave Hoback]

It may not be great at too many things but name another caliber capable of what the 300 blackout is. Quiet subsonic rounds and 500+ yard capable rounds out of the same gun and magazine without any adjustment. If I hunted I could take 00 buck and a super lightweight load of powder to take squirrels or use full power loads to kill most anything in North America. Granted it isn't going to kill an elk at 500 yards but people have killed elk with it. What makes it great isn't that it can do any one of those things you mention but it can do all of them. It is hard to find a compromise that is as useful as the 300 Blackout. Name a semi auto that can shoot 75 grain to 280 grain bullets and cycle with every single one. Not to mention the selection of bullet weights.

But single shots is where it really shines. I use very fast pistol powders and with my silencer it is magical. I call it my slingshot load because it is quieter than a slingshot. When at the range I wait for a lull then I launch one and ring steel. All the other shooters start looking around trying to figure out why the steel target range without a shot being fired. Most people I let shoot think there was a misfire because all you hear most times is the hammer fall on my Encore.


Oh I’m not disputing what you are saying, for someone like you interested in it. Although I do agree with topnpr....no way would I call it an “ethical” medium-large game cartridge. It carries about the same power as 7.62x39. And yes, it has a wide variety of bullets to choose...but half of them aren’t going to be all that accurate. Don’t tell me it’s going to shoot 110gr ballistic tips, 220gr btph and heavier 265gr hard casts ALL sub MOA. (No such thing as a magic bullet JFK conspiracy theorists!LOL)

For your purpose I think it’s great. And anyone who likes it, I encourage to reload & push it. Me... I’ll keep my 5.56 that eats it for breakfast, lunch & dinner!

[mattri]

Is anyone offering loaded ammo with cast lead bullets?

[Dave Hoback]

Is anyone offering loaded ammo with cast lead bullets?

https://dallasreloads.com/product/245-grain-hard-cast-rnfp/ Probably one or two more of these small companies selling it. Not going to find hardcast loads in the well known ammunition suppliers. Best bet (and cheapest by far), is to load your own. There are a host of bullet suppliers for .308 hardcast pills.

[mattri]

Good call, thanks.

Seems like hardcast would be ok but wouldn't a softer lead be better at such low speeds?

[mattri]

https://i.postimg.cc/jCSyzrXh/20220421-205213-3.jpg (https://postimg.cc/jCSyzrXh)

Well it took a while but here we are ;)

[Dave Hoback]

Good stuff mattri. Yeah, that was indeed awhile; 2019 we were discussing it. Quite a bit has happened in the 300aac world. And now it’s pushed aside for yet another AR round looking to overthrow 223. The 6mmARC, LOL! It’s good you stuck to your original game plan.

[mattri]

Thanks Dave. I looked at a number of different rounds, many of which have their own strengths for sure. The things that kept me coming back to the BO were component availability, load data for sub and super loads, the ability to shoot subs and ballistics adequate for nice light "stalking rifle" type build. Hope to do some shillouette type shooting with it as well. So far we have:

200 action T&T by SSS
Shilen select match 18" 1:7
Factory 200 stock pillar bedded
Vortex PST 2.5-10 EBR-1 mil/mil

Nothing too crazy hopefully it comes together well.

[mattri]

https://i.postimg.cc/zy0rbHDZ/001.jpg (https://postimg.cc/zy0rbHDZ)
https://i.postimg.cc/47Tkj6Bc/002.jpg (https://postimg.cc/47Tkj6Bc)
https://i.postimg.cc/c6sPY4jd/003.jpg (https://postimg.cc/c6sPY4jd)
https://i.postimg.cc/hJc1whVj/004.jpg (https://postimg.cc/hJc1whVj)
https://i.postimg.cc/HrCwcjZ2/005.jpg (https://postimg.cc/HrCwcjZ2)

[Dave Hoback]

Very cool bud! Ya know, it never fails… no matter what it is; I have such a deep appreciation for DIY builds. The anticipation through a thread. Collecting the parts. Showing updates, & the BUILD. Then finally the finished product. Thank you for sharing mattri. Looking forward to hearing how it performs & how you like it. Slick little brush gun.

[mattri]

Thanks Dave- hope to get out tomorrow to do some initial sighting and barrel break in. Will just be cheap factory fodder but hopefully the overall impression is good. Will sure to post results.

[mattri]

1st range session went well. Rifle handled well, like how the various parts work together, think the scope and reticle are a good fit. Barrel cleaned up well, not a lot of copper and it came out easily enough. Accuracy with the cheap factory ammo wasn't amazing- around and inch @100 but didn't really expect miracles.

Look forward to load development.

[Dave Hoback]

Nice.. yeah, it’s like any other. Not going to memorable groups until you reload it. Glad you’re enjoying mattri.

[mattri]

https://i.postimg.cc/0rZvs5rb/20220522-073132.jpg (https://postimg.cc/0rZvs5rb)

150gr Speer over CFEBLK @ 200 yards. Nothing to brag about but at least headed in the right direction.

[mattri]

https://i.postimg.cc/K4tVFnN2/20220604-154644.jpg (https://postimg.cc/K4tVFnN2)

Typical group from the range session today with the 135 FTX. It's probably me having a hard time steering such a small, light rifle but have struggled to break .5 even at 100, groups today were in the .6s.

Velocity wasn't what the load data suggested, it seems that this barrel is in fact on the slow side- not the end of the world just need to calibrate accordingly.

Will have to run the #s but for now it seems it may be almosta wash between the 150gr Speers and the 135gr FTX.

[Dave Hoback]

Hence the joy of working up a load.;)

[mattri]

True Dave- its a process of elimination but a fun one.

Accuracy with the 135s wasn't really any better than the 150s and the velocity wasn't there even with compressed loads. After putting the numbers through a ballistics calculator it looks like the 150s make more sense so I will focus on them. Going to try casting as well, prob start with the 170gr Lee mould.

[Dave Hoback]

You know mattri, I have a close friend in AZ. He had his Win model 70 built by a known Smith. Had it chambered in 6.5-06 AI. The first reloads he rolled did a clover leaf on the first outing. “Wow.. lucky!”, he though. So he tried a several other bullets, powders, etc., & pretty much everything he loaded was doing or near a clover leaf. No load work up at all and instant accuracy!

He put it away in his gun room & RARELY shoots it. No fun for him.

[Dave Hoback]

Delete

[mattri]

What part of AZ? I was in Prescott for a while.

My first ever wildcat was a 20 Practical and fell into an accurate load right off the bat- 39gr Blitzkings at a crazy velocity. That thing was a laser out to 400 yards and then the wind just blew it around too much. Explosive on prairie dogs and downright boring inside of that 400 yard window.

Part of the point in this build is to have a light, accurate "walking rifle" that handles quickly and can be shot offhand. To that end 1 MOA accuracy off a bench is realistically more than adequate for my sub par offhand skills. I'd love to find a medium load with a cast bullet but even if I stick with the Speers should be g2g.