.300 Blackout

[David LaPell]

I saw the new Ruger American Ranch rifle in .300 Blackout. I admit not knowing much about the round but I am curious. Would it make a decent deer round especially for a beginning shooter? I know the round is similar to the 7.62 x 39mm but that's about all the info I have on it.

 

[Big Old Boy]

It is similar in ballistics to a 30/30.i have not hunted with mine but a grandson will this fall. We were shooting clay birds on the back stop with a red dot last weekend and it was hard to miss at 50 yds.

 

[pisgah]

The ballistics of the .300 vary considerably with bullet weight, and a wide range of possible weights is probably its main advantage, if that floats your boat, plus the capability of being chambered in the AR. With 125 gr. bullets, it's pretty much a dead ringer for the 7.62x39; step up to 155 gr. bullets you'll get around 2000 fps; or, you can go all the way up to 240 gr. or so bullets and still run them at around 1000 fps.

 

[usmc6433-6437]

I saw the new Ruger American Ranch rifle in .300 Blackout. I admit not knowing much about the round but I am curious. Would it make a decent deer round especially for a beginning shooter? I know the round is similar to the 7.62 x 39mm but that's about all the info I have on it.

I would believe that. If it is like my American Ranch in 5.56 NATO, it would have to be accurate.

Personally, in the lighter bullet weights, I would think the .300 Blackout would make a dandy deer round, inside of 200 yards.

 

[wunbe]

Local SWAT guys use it with a silencer and night vision to reduce deer herds in parks near housing clusters. That kind of use is illegal for you and me in most -- all? --states.

I prefer a 6.8 SPC II for deer higher velocity/longer range, minimal recoil, good factory fodder readily available, and more surely lethal.

wunbe

 

[COSteve]

Deleted

 

[Hunter6657]

It works great with the Barnes Vortek 110gr ammo on deer and hogs. The Hornady SST ammo is good too and loading it with Nosler 125gr ballistic tips or buying ammo with that bullet is also a great choice.

 

[peyton]

I have two of the bolt actions and one semi auto, all Ruger and all reliable. I also love the lesser recoil plus adaptability of the cartridge.

 

[Coyote Hunter]

My first AR was a gently used S&W M&P15 .300BLK with a Rock River
Coyote upper with a Wylde (.223/5.56) chamber that came with it.

After playing with the .300 I have loads for the Barnes 110g TAC-TX and a 110g Hornady V-MAX, both about 2380-2400fps per the load data. Also a 125g Nosler Ballistic Tip at about 1962fps per Nosler.

The only load I've chrono'd is a 208g Hornady A-MAX at 1040fps.

While fun to shoot and a good defensive round, the .300BLK won't reach its full potential until I get a suppressor.

 

[crashdummy]

In ARs I prefer it to the 5.56/223

 

[dfletcher]

I saw the new Ruger American Ranch rifle in .300 Blackout. I admit not knowing much about the round but I am curious. Would it make a decent deer round especially for a beginning shooter? I know the round is similar to the 7.62 x 39mm but that's about all the info I have on it.

I've had a 300 AAC in Remington 700, AR 15 and an Encore barrel. I reload for each, had some ups & downs.

The Remington 700 had a 1 in 7" twist - great for heavy bullets, but I wanted to use 110 to 125 grain bullets and got lousy accuracy. My mistake I suppose, the gun was a gift so not a big deal. The Encore was 1 in 10" and did much better.

I think using cut down 223/5.56 brass is a mistake when trying for best accuracy. Judging by the resistance felt seating bullets, there's alot of case wall thickness variation in the area of the 223 case that ends up being the AAC neck. Some bullets seated tight as heck, others slipped in with great ease - the difference was easily felt. I use "factory 300 AAC" now and not cut down 223/5.56.

The AAC does about 2,200 fps with a 125 grain bullet. Pleasant to shoot especially for a beginner, but it seems "just enough" and I'd wonder if they have the ability to use it on deer. I tend to think of the M1 Carbine round as a good cutoff point for deer, that's 110 grains at about 2000 fps. Maybe the AAC is a good choice for someone who's been around for a while?

I know deer aren't exactly monsters to kill, but maybe the AAC is too close to "just enough"?

 

[Coyote Hunter]

...

The AAC does about 2,200 fps with a 125 grain bullet. Pleasant to shoot especially for a beginner, but it seems "just enough" and I'd wonder if they have the ability to use it on deer. I tend to think of the M1 Carbine round as a good cutoff point for deer, that's 110 grains at about 2000 fps. Maybe the AAC is a good choice for someone who's been around for a while?

I know deer aren't exactly monsters to kill, but maybe the AAC is too close to "just enough"?

Depends on the deer. In Colorado you need to have 1000fpe at 100 yards for a rifle cartridge to be legal. The Blackout can just barely make the cutoff with Barnes 110g TAC-TS bullets at 2300fps or a Nosler 125g AB/BT. Crank both loads up to full power (about 2400fps and 2240fps respectively) and you get 1000fpe for another 35 yards for the TAC-TX and 65 yards for the AB/BT.

I've thought about taking mine antelope hunting - probably won't - but wouldn't consider it for my annual elk/mule deer hunt.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

I have the American Ranch in 300 Blackout. I like the rifle and I reload for it. Simple round to reload for and lots of options. I have been loading Hornady 125 grain SST and I get an inch at 100 yards. I started off with IMR 4227 but recently I found some Lil Gun and I like the performance.

I ran out of 125's and had a bunch of the 150 SP Hornady. I loaded up about 50 of those and I can get them to 2000 FPS. No crono but that is what the loading manual says. I test fired those 150 grainers and POI at 50 yards was the same as the 125's.

I like to use it for Coyote hunting in my area. The rifle is super light and easy to carry. Recoil is light and the bolt action is smooth. I would think that a kid would enjoy shooting the rifle in 300.

Bill