.300 BO, yes or no

[Nwcid]

The current thread about barrel length for this caliber has got me thinking, do I need one.....

Many moons ago, before the BO existed and barrels were readily available, I had 16" Lilja barrel made and set up a .300 Whisper AR. I did not shoot this very much due to the cost of ammo, even reloaded, so I re-barreled that rifle into a .223 DMR styles set up.

I have no plans to shoot anything besides subsonic ammo in .300 BO, I have other guns that fill the role of supersonic better, plus the POI difference between ammo is significant for going back and forth.

I see that you can buy decent SS ammo now for less than $0.70/round shipped and I can reload for under $0.40/round which has brought my interest back up but still not sure it is right for me so seeking some thoughts.

While I would likely build a new upper around the barrel I still have, I am not sure when or what I would use it for other than just the cool factor. The other gun that really has me considering this is my AR pistol, but I am not sure that ballistically or logistically it makes sense. I have a 7.5" AR pistol with brace that mainly rides around in my UTV for, "just in case" and gets abused. Just in case could be from immediate 2 leg predator, to having to spend the night in the woods after a break down, or even a long 1-3 day hike out of the woods situation. I recently added a can to it which really tamed down the noise/blast but it is still a beast.

Ballistically, how significant is .223, 55gr ballistic tip vs 300BO, 200gr FMJ subsonic from a 7.5" barrel?

Logistically, I do keep 6 mags in a pouch in the UTV toolbox which I know is overkill, but nice to have. Also when we travel, often for weeks or months on end, we each have our .223 AR's with us and additional mags/bug out gear for a major emergency/disaster to get home. Logistically I am not sure adding another caliber makes very much sense.

While the BO is cool and would be a cool set up again, I am not sure it makes sense. Thoughts?

Here is the current pistol, which is in the opposite condition from those that called me, "anal" in my tumbling brass thread. This is about as good as it ever looks, typically it is much worse riding in the cab of the UTV.

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[kmk1012]

My purposes are different than yours as my AR's typically don't get much use from me. I'm tired of chasing brass and almost always forget my Brass Goat. But, for your purposes I'd think you would be pleasantly surprised in a 7.5" in 300BO with a can on it. Aside from the facial you get every time you pull the trigger from gas in the chamber escaping. They make gas sealing charging handles and other devices to avoid that from happening. My 7.5" 300BO AR is tons of fun and quiet enough suppressed that you can really go through the ammo in a hurry.

 

[OrPackrat]

For me, my only 300bo is a Ruger American Gen2 that will be a for fun platform, subsonic specifically, suppressed...

30cal, to have for a quiet platform just incase I want more energy than 22lr..

 

[ilikegunspdx]

…Ballistically, how significant is .223, 55gr ballistic tip vs 300BO, 200gr FMJ subsonic from a 7.5" barrel?…

For me, I would not shoot a 7.5" 5.56 unless it's just range toy to blow fireballs and make noise (nothing wrong with that btw). 11.5" min for me on 5.56, or 10.3" if piston gun and have no other choice. Reliability goes way down. Effectiveness goes way, way down.

300 BLK supers would blow away the 5.56 at 7.5" (about 900fpe). But for subs 300 BLK would be less than 375fpe - 460 (those # are for 10.5").

 

[ferret427]

I have an SBR with 9.5" barrel. With the can it is basically the same length at a 16" carbine. With 125gr projectiles, it behaves pretty much like 7.62x39 and with 208gr subs like a pissed off .45ACP.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

The current thread about barrel length for this caliber has got me thinking, do I need one.....

Many moons ago, before the BO existed and barrels were readily available, I had 16" Lilja barrel made and set up a .300 Whisper AR. I did not shoot this very much due to the cost of ammo, even reloaded, so I re-barreled that rifle into a .223 DMR styles set up.

I have no plans to shoot anything besides subsonic ammo in .300 BO, I have other guns that fill the role of supersonic better, plus the POI difference between ammo is significant for going back and forth.

I see that you can buy decent SS ammo now for less than $0.70/round shipped and I can reload for under $0.40/round which has brought my interest back up but still not sure it is right for me so seeking some thoughts.

While I would likely build a new upper around the barrel I still have, I am not sure when or what I would use it for other than just the cool factor. The other gun that really has me considering this is my AR pistol, but I am not sure that ballistically or logistically it makes sense. I have a 7.5" AR pistol with brace that mainly rides around in my UTV for, "just in case" and gets abused. Just in case could be from immediate 2 leg predator, to having to spend the night in the woods after a break down, or even a long 1-3 day hike out of the woods situation. I recently added a can to it which really tamed down the noise/blast but it is still a beast.

Ballistically, how significant is .223, 55gr ballistic tip vs 300BO, 200gr FMJ subsonic from a 7.5" barrel?

Logistically, I do keep 6 mags in a pouch in the UTV toolbox which I know is overkill, but nice to have. Also when we travel, often for weeks or months on end, we each have our .223 AR's with us and additional mags/bug out gear for a major emergency/disaster to get home. Logistically I am not sure adding another caliber makes very much sense.

While the BO is cool and would be a cool set up again, I am not sure it makes sense. Thoughts?

Here is the current pistol, which is in the opposite condition from those that called me, "anal" in my tumbling brass thread. This is about as good as it ever looks, typically it is much worse riding in the cab of the UTV.

View attachment 2035748

If you want to play around with 300 BLK bear creek arsenal sells side charging 8.5", 10.5" (and other sizes) complete uppers for about $169 on sale. Up to $229 off sale as I recall. Have had great luck with mine shooting supers and subs suppressed (flow through can so I don't know if conventional can would behave the same or not, my guess is it would perform the same just be more gassy, but only a guess).

 

[Nwcid]

If you want to play around with 300 BLK bear creek arsenal sells side charging 8.5", 10.5" (and other sizes) for about $169 on sale. Up to $229 off sale as I recall. Have had great luck with mine shooting supers and subs suppressed (flow through can so I don't know if conventional can would behave the same or not, my guess is it would perform the same just be more gassy, but only a guess).

Not sure what you mean. I have/had a .300 Whisper and shot it a bit. I know what it does in terms of sound.

I am not sure it logically makes sense for my intended use.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

I am not sure it logically makes sense for my intended use.

Yea it may not make sense for your situation. Between these two it seems to me you are looking at 600fpe loud vs 425 fpe quiet.

 

[PORSCHE928S4]

I use my 45 suppressor on a 7 in 300 bo AR only using subs and let me tell you what a hoot ! I am pleasantly surprised there is no blowback the only thing was to source a lighter buffer spring and now runs like a champ . I love that you can actually hear the brass when it hits the ground so kinda movie like .

 

[ilikegunspdx]

I use my 45 suppressor on a 7 in 300 bo AR only using subs and let me tell you what a hoot ! I am pleasantly surprised there is no blowback the only thing was to source a lighter buffer spring and now runs like a champ . I love that you can actually hear the brass when it hits the ground so kinda movie like .

Ditto that on the fun part! Really fun to shoot suppressed. I use 9mm can which is rated for 300 BLK subsonic (not supers).

 

[Nwcid]

I use my 45 suppressor on a 7 in 300 bo AR only using subs and let me tell you what a hoot ! I am pleasantly surprised there is no blowback the only thing was to source a lighter buffer spring and now runs like a champ . I love that you can actually hear the brass when it hits the ground so kinda movie like .

Yes, when I had my .300 Whisper complete I was running it with a 9mm can since it was a lot lighter than my .30 can and I only run subsonic. I did have to play with loads, but once I had a good one I had no cycling problems.

It is as quite as my integrally suppressed 9mm AR with a lot more impact down range.

Edited to add photo of 9mm AR that I built in 2008. Apparently I do not have a picture of my .300 Whisper, or at least I cannot find one.

 

[PORSCHE928S4]

I see guys at the range running 556 suppressed and very disappointed they/ we still need ear pro! The 300 Bo is a gem and takes very little to switch over to the dark side.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Re taking very little to switch, $180-$200 bear creek complete uppers with bcg:

Shop 300 Blackout Uppers for AR-15 | Bear Creek Arsenal

Shop 300 Blackout uppers built for smooth cycling, accuracy, and dependable performance from BCA. Multiple barrel and cerakote options for AR-15 platforms.

www.bearcreekarsenal.com

 

[PORSCHE928S4]

Has anyone rune those Bear creek uppers if so what is the verdict ?

 

[Nwcid]

I see guys at the range running 556 suppressed and very disappointed they/ we still need ear pro! The 300 Bo is a gem and takes very little to switch over to the dark side.

I guess it depends on the gun and what they are doing. With the AR pistol if I was shooting more than a couple of rounds I want ear pro. With my 16" or 24" I have never felt the need for ear pro nor is it uncomfortable to shoot without it.

 

[Gunbuggy]

For me 300blk filled a couple voids. It's not an end-all be-all cartridge by any means but I got into it for its size, sound and terminal capabilities at close to medium ranges with a short barrel.


The POI between cartridge types isn't as crazy as people make it seem to be at least for the distances I would plan on using this weapon. It is an up close and personal to short-medium range weapon. It's my urban weapon. I work in Portland quite often. When I'm out in the woods, or on vacation with the family, I still choose my 5.56 suppressed AR due to its versatility and its ability to adapt. I can shoot up close or out to 300 yards even with just an eotech.

I have a 30 yard sight in on my 300 blk which is basically perfect within under 2 inches of hold over/under out to 200 yards. Chances are if I'd ever need it I'd be closer to the 30 yards.

I sighted it in to my 130g Styx hyper expanding hollow point, and will train with cheap 147 grain FMJ. The 147 grain in the distances I use this gun for the poi is non existent.

When I switched to 220g subs to have some fun, the poi was not bad enough to make me not ever consider carrying some fancy 2 dollar per round subs with me.

As for the noise, even with my self defense / duty style supers it's insanely more quiet than a suppressed 556.

 

[kmk1012]

Has anyone rune those Bear creek uppers if so what is the verdict ?

I've had several over the last few years. They worked decent enough for me in all chamberings with one exception, 12.7x42 aka 50 Beowulf. They are more accurate than me but being on chemo sometimes makes me shake a little bit. I like the complete uppers as they make great gifts. I'm about to get another 16" 300 upper because I gave my last new one away and I have a few lonely lowers in the safe. Other than the fifty upper all others have run super reliably and have not failed to function unless it was from ammo I loaded that wasn't powerful enough to cycle, not BCA's fault.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Has anyone rune those Bear creek uppers if so what is the verdict ?

Mine have been great in 300 BO (8.5") and 5.56 (18"). I don't have many thousands of rounds on them or anything though. No malfunctions (super and subs suppressed for the 300 BLK). 300 BLK is side charging and 5.56 is rear and side charging. They are heavy but I think both have the heavy ss barrel as I recall.

 

[oa98pistol512]

Has anyone rune those Bear creek uppers if so what is the verdict ?

Absolute crud. I have one ans it is super picky on ammo vs my home built that so far has eaten everything I have thrown at it. But my home build is much nicer adjustable gas block etc. I also hunt with 300bo with a bolt gun. 180gr super. Just black tail but it drops em. Most have been head shots out to 100yrds

 

[PORSCHE928S4]

I guess it depends on the gun and what they are doing. With the AR pistol if I was shooting more than a couple of rounds I want ear pro. With my 16" or 24" I have never felt the need for ear pro nor is it uncomfortable to shoot without it.

It was a rifle and didn't even ask what can because of my disgust that someone spent $200 to get permission and still loud AF ! I say shame on them lol