300 Blackout for Sale

_{Image Source: AI Generated} The .308 Winchester has ruled hunting grounds since its debut in 1952. This powerhouse cartridge delivers 2,500 ft-lbs of energy with a 168-grain bullet and still dominates at distances beyond 800 yards. The .300 Blackout emerged in 2009 and brought a fresh set of capabilities to hunters.

The .300 Blackout is a chance to get more flexibility because it handles both supersonic and subsonic ammunition. This makes it especially effective with close-quarters shooting. The energy output reaches 500 ft-lbs with a 220-grain subsonic round, which shows a clear difference from the .308’s raw power.

Hunters need to match their cartridge to their purpose. The .308 Winchester’s superior stopping power and long-range performance make it the perfect choice to take down larger game like elk and black bears. The .300 Blackout proves its worth in dense brush and close-range scenarios, and it works exceptionally well with a suppressor.

Let’s get into these two popular cartridges and compare their ballistics, hunting applications, and ground performance to help you pick the right one that matches your hunting style.

The Evolution of Hunting Calibers: 308 and 300 Blackout

The hunting cartridge landscape has changed dramatically since the mid-20th century to meet new tactical and sporting needs. The .308 Winchester and .300 AAC Blackout show how hunting calibers have adapted to modern requirements while keeping their effectiveness in the field.

Historical Development Timeline

Military breakthroughs led to the birth of the .308 Winchester in 1952, when Winchester created a more efficient cartridge. American weapons designers worked with both the .30-06 Springfield and the .300 Savage before the Korean War. They wanted to build a shorter-action cartridge that could match the ballistic performance. Their work started with the T65 experimental case, which later became the .308 Winchester.

The U.S. military adopted a slightly modified version as the 7.62×51mm NATO in 1954, just two years after its civilian release. This move marked a big change from the larger .30-06 Springfield, which had served as the standard military cartridge for decades. The new round quickly became essential for military rifles, including the iconic M14 and FN FAL.

American civilians loved the .308 Winchester. Hunters found that there was a round that could take down most large game in America and offer better accuracy with manageable recoil compared to older options. The lighter firearms that used this caliber made long hunting trips easier.

The .300 AAC Blackout tells a different story as a newer addition to hunting calibers. The story began in 2009 when a government client approached Robert Silvers, the Research and Development Director at Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC). The client needed a cartridge that could match the 7.62×39mm Soviet round’s ballistic performance while working reliably in AR-15 platforms.

SAAMI officially recognized the .300 AAC Blackout on January 17, 2011, after a year of development. The .300 Blackout’s design built on earlier wildcat cartridges, especially the .300 Whisper from decades before. The .300 Whisper came from the .221 Fireball cartridge that first appeared in 1963.

Shifting Trends in Hunting Cartridges

Hunters’ priorities have moved toward more versatile, adaptable cartridges in the last decade. This rise reflects changes in hunting styles and equipment choices. Several key trends stand out:

• Platform Adaptability: The .300 Blackout works in AR-15 platforms with just a barrel change, unlike traditional hunting calibers. Hunters who like modern sporting rifles over traditional bolt actions have made this round popular.
• Dual-Purpose Performance: The .300 Blackout gives hunters unique options with both supersonic and subsonic loads. Supersonic loads with 110-130 grain bullets work great for deer hunting within 200 yards. Heavier subsonic loads run quietly with suppressors.
• Environment-Specific Selection: Modern hunters choose their cartridges based on where they hunt rather than looking for all-purpose rounds. The .308 Winchester leads in open-country hunting for longer shots. The .300 Blackout excels in dense brush and close encounters.
• Suppressor Compatibility: Hunters want better hearing protection and less noise. The .300 Blackout’s great performance with sound suppressors has helped its growing popularity.

The .308 Winchester’s impact goes beyond its own success. It has created many offspring cartridges like the .243 Winchester, .358 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington, .260 Remington, and .338 Federal. These came from necking up or down the parent .308 case.

Both cartridges continue to grow while keeping their unique advantages for different hunting needs in 2025. Modern hunting calibers have become specialized tools compared to the all-purpose cartridges from earlier generations.

Ballistics Chart: 300 Blackout vs 308 Winchester

_{Image Source: Ammo.com}

Raw performance data shows clear differences between these two cartridges. The .300 Blackout and .308 Winchester have distinct ballistic profiles that make each better suited for specific hunting scenarios.

Velocity Comparison Across Distances

The .308 Winchester beats the .300 Blackout in velocity at every range. A standard .308 Winchester load with a 150-grain bullet reaches 2,680-2,820 fps at the muzzle. This is much faster than the .300 Blackout’s 2,250 fps with a similar weight bullet. The .308 keeps this advantage downrange and stays about 500 fps faster than the .300 Blackout at 500 yards.

Specific loads show even bigger differences:

• A 150-grain FMJ in .308 Winchester: 2,820 fps at muzzle, 2,597 fps at 100 yards, 2,385 fps at 200 yards, 2,183 fps at 300 yards
• The same 150-grain FMJ in .300 Blackout: 1,900 fps at muzzle, 1,724 fps at 100 yards, 1,561 fps at 200 yards, 1,411 fps at 300 yards

The gap gets even wider with subsonic .300 Blackout loads. A 220-grain subsonic .300 Blackout round moves at just 1,000 fps at the muzzle. This speed stays below the sound barrier for suppressed applications.

Energy Retention at Various Ranges

These cartridges tell an interesting story about energy too. The .308 Winchester’s muzzle energy with a 150-grain bullet hits 2,620-2,648 ft-lbs. The .300 Blackout produces about 1,350 ft-lbs with a 125-grain bullet.

The .308’s energy advantage continues at all distances:

The .300 Blackout at 100 yards matches the energy of a .308 Winchester at 350 yards. Subsonic .300 Blackout loads show an even bigger difference. A 220-grain subsonic round generates only 488 ft-lbs at the muzzle, about one-fifth of a standard .308 load’s energy.

Bullet Drop Analysis

The .308’s flatter trajectory gives it a big advantage for longer-range shooting. Here’s how bullet drop compares:

• A 150-grain .308 Winchester drops about 8 inches at 300 yards
• A 150-grain .300 Blackout drops much more at 19.3 inches at the same distance

A 125-grain .300 Blackout load drops 24.4 inches at 300 yards and this increases to 54.8 inches at 400 yards. The 150-grain .308 bullet drops only 8.5 inches at 300 yards and 26.1 inches at 400 yards.

These ballistic differences matter a lot for hunting. The .308 Winchester’s higher velocity and flatter trajectory help you place shots more accurately at longer ranges. This makes it ideal for open-field hunting where you need longer shots. The .300 Blackout works well with supersonic loads up to about 300 yards, but its performance drops off faster after that.

The ballistic coefficient (BC) explains why trajectories differ so much. The .308 Winchester typically has a higher BC (around 0.45) than the .300 Blackout (under 0.4). This helps it keep its velocity better and resist wind drift – key factors for long-range accuracy.

Terminal Ballistics and Stopping Power

Bullets tell their true story at the point of impact. That’s where energy numbers turn into real-life performance. The difference between .308 Winchester and .300 Blackout becomes clear after impact. This is where ballistic theory turns into actual stopping power.

Tissue Disruption Capabilities

These calibers show different terminal effectiveness based on their velocity and energy delivery. The .308 Winchester’s higher velocity creates more dramatic tissue disruption through hydrostatic shock and temporary cavity formation. The wound channel it produces is about 30-40% larger than what you’d see with .300 Blackout at similar distances.

Supersonic .300 Blackout loads work well enough for medium game within 200 yards. The story changes with subsonic .300 Blackout ammunition. The bullet then works more like an arrow. The destruction comes from the projectile’s mass and design rather than speed.

Both calibers can take down whitetail deer and similar-sized game cleanly and ethically. They just do it differently. The .308 uses explosive energy transfer. The .300 Blackout relies more on bullet construction and exact placement.

Penetration Depth Comparison

These calibers penetrate quite differently. The .308 Winchester’s higher velocity and energy help it penetrate 20-30% deeper than .300 Blackout at the same distance. This extra penetration matters a lot when hunting larger game like elk or black bear. You need to reach vital organs through thick hide and muscle.

Field tests show poor penetration from subsonic .300 Blackout ammunition on medium-sized game like feral hogs and whitetail deer. Many seasoned hunters suggest using only supersonic .300 Blackout ammunition for medium-sized game. This ensures enough penetration for ethical kills.

The .308 Winchester penetrates reliably across various bullet weights (150-180 grains). It maintains good terminal performance even at long range. The .300 Blackout works best with 110-125 grain supersonic loads under 200 yards. Beyond that, its penetration drops off faster.

Energy Transfer Efficiency

These calibers transfer energy to their targets quite differently. At 100 yards, a 110-grain .300 Blackout bullet delivers about 869 ft-lbs of energy. A similar weight .308 Winchester bullet delivers 1,956 ft-lbs. The .308 transfers about 125% more energy to the target at this distance.

The gap widens at longer ranges. At 300 yards, a 110-grain .300 Blackout keeps just 501 ft-lbs of energy. The .308 Winchester maintains 1,215 ft-lbs. This affects stopping power at distance.

Hunters should know these practical differences:

• The .308 Winchester works ethically on deer-sized game past 300 yards
• The .300 Blackout works best within 200 yards for deer hunting with supersonic loads
• The .308 handles elk reliably while the .300 Blackout might not be enough

Subsonic .300 Blackout has one advantage in meat preservation. It causes less violent tissue disruption than high-velocity rounds. Hunters lose less meat and see less destruction. This makes it great for those who want to save more venison or pork.

Terminal ballistics show what the energy numbers suggest. These cartridges shine in different hunting scenarios. The .308 Winchester stops game better at distance. The .300 Blackout works well up close with less recoil and noise.

Rifle Platform Considerations for Hunters

Your choice of rifle platform is just as crucial as picking the right caliber before a hunt. Your firearm’s physical traits will affect how comfortable it is to carry all day and how accurate your shots will be.

AR-10 vs AR-15 for Hunting Applications

You can see the difference between these platforms right away in their design history. The AR-15 platform works with the .300 Blackout cartridge, while the bigger AR-10 platform fits the .308 Winchester. This basic difference shapes how hunters use these rifles.

Weight is a big deal for anyone who walks long distances. A fully loaded AR-10 in .308 with scope and magazine weighs about 9-12 pounds. A similar .300 Blackout AR-15 weighs just 7-8 pounds. That 2-4 pound gap might not seem much at first, but it feels heavy after hiking miles through rough terrain.

These platforms handle recoil differently too. The AR-10’s extra weight helps soften the .308’s stronger kick. The .300 Blackout in an AR-15 kicks less and lets you shoot follow-up shots faster. This helps a lot when you’re hunting moving targets like feral hogs.

Both rifles are semi-automatic, which helps in some hunting situations. The AR-15 moves better through thick brush or in hunting blinds. The AR-10 may be bigger, but it gives you the range you need for hunting in open plains.

Bolt Action Options in Both Calibers

Hunters who love tradition or want the best accuracy often pick bolt action rifles in these calibers. Almost every major manufacturer makes .308 Winchester rifles, giving you hundreds of bolt action choices. These range from basic models to high-end precision rifles.

The .300 Blackout now has more bolt action options than before. Rifles like the CVA Scout V2 and Ruger American Ranch are popular, budget-friendly .300 Blackout bolt guns. These rifles often have shorter barrels that work well with this cartridge’s design.

Bolt action rifles often shoot more accurately than semi-automatics. The .300 Blackout works great in compact bolt actions with 16-18 inch barrels. These rifles are perfect for hunting in thick woods.

Magazine Capacity and Feeding Reliability

Magazines work differently between these platforms and calibers. The .300 Blackout uses regular AR-15 magazines and keeps the full 30-round capacity without changes. Hunters who already own AR-15s love this because they only need to swap barrels to use this caliber.

The .308 Winchester needs special AR-10 magazines. These usually hold 20 rounds instead of 30. The AR-10 platform also has different magazine patterns (SR-25, AR-10, LR-308) that don’t always work together.

Most states limit magazine capacity for hunting anyway. This makes the standard capacity differences less important. What matters more is reliability, and both calibers feed well in quality magazines.

The best part? The .300 Blackout works in a standard AR-15, which saves money for hunters who already have this platform. You can just swap upper receivers instead of buying a whole new rifle.

Hunting Range Assessment: Distance Limitations

Ethical shooting distances rank among the most important decisions responsible hunters face. Knowing how to determine your chosen caliber’s maximum effective range will help ensure humane kills and successful harvests.

Maximum Effective Range for Ethical Kills

Hunters need enough bullet energy to make clean, humane kills. The standard rule calls for at least 1,000 ft-lbs of energy for deer, 1,500 ft-lbs for elk, and about 1,550 ft-lbs for moose.

The .308 Winchester delivers this needed energy at long distances and maintains its ethical hunting capability up to 500 yards for deer. The cartridge keeps about 1,586 ft-lbs at 300 yards, which makes it a good match for larger game at these ranges.

The .300 Blackout offers shorter ethical shooting ranges. Supersonic loads work well up to 300-400 yards, though some experts say 500 yards is possible with the best supersonic loads. Subsonic ammunition drops this range to about 100-200 yards because it loses energy fast.

The .308 might reach targets at 800-1000 yards, but responsible hunters take shots only when they can make ethical kills consistently.

Sweet Spot Distances for Each Caliber

Each caliber works best at certain distances. The .308 Winchester shines between 100-400 yards. It keeps enough speed and energy to expand and penetrate medium to large game reliably. The .308 maintains 1,700-1,800 fps velocity at these ranges, which helps bullets perform properly.

The .300 Blackout’s sweet spot stays much closer—within 200 yards for supersonic loads and under 100 yards for subsonic ammunition. These ranges let the .300 Blackout perform well without too much bullet drop. Hunters report that deer usually drop within 20 yards of being hit.

Wind Drift Comparison

Wind resistance plays a vital role in accurate shot placement. The .308 Winchester handles wind better because it moves faster and has better ballistic coefficients.

A 10 mph crosswind at 300 yards pushes the .308 Winchester about 8-11.5 inches off course. The .300 Blackout drifts more at the same distance. This difference grows beyond 200 yards, where the .300 Blackout starts to drift substantially.

Open country hunters often face changing winds. This drift difference sets the practical shooting limit more than bullet drop or energy concerns. The .308’s better wind resistance helps hunters adapt to changing field conditions.

300 Blackout vs 308 for Specific Hunting Environments

Hunting environments play a huge role in how cartridges perform, which makes comparing the 308 and 300 Blackout depend on your situation. Each cartridge shows clear advantages based on the terrain you hunt.

Dense Forest and Brush Hunting

The .300 Blackout really comes into its own in thick woodland and brush settings. You’ll find it works best at close ranges, especially for shots within 100-150 yards. Hunters who use subsonic loads with a suppressor gain a real edge – they can often take multiple animals without scaring others away.

Light and easy-to-handle platforms make the .300 Blackout a hunter’s best friend in dense cover. The weight difference hits you hard after a full day in rough terrain – a typical .300 Blackout rifle weighs 7.5 pounds while a similar .308 tips the scales at 12-14 pounds. This lighter weight means you’ll stay fresh and move faster during long hunts.

The .300 Blackout’s supersonic loads punch through brush effectively, taking down deer and feral hogs in tight spots. Notwithstanding that, subsonic loads have shown “less than stellar penetration data” on medium-sized game, so supersonic loads remain the ethical choice.

Open Field and Long-Range Scenarios

Open terrain belongs to the .308 Winchester. Its ballistic edge becomes crystal clear here. The .308 dominates shots beyond 200 yards and delivers reliable performance up to ethical hunting distances of 400 yards.

Most ethical hunting shots happen under 400 yards, no matter what caliber you choose, so shot placement ended up mattering more than maximum range. The .308’s better wind resistance and flatter trajectory give you real advantages in open country, where crosswinds and tricky angles test your accuracy.

The .308 Winchester stands out with its versatility in these situations. It has taken down deer, black bears, and elk cleanly for decades.

Tree Stand and Blind Considerations

Tree stand hunters need quick follow-up shots. The .300 Blackout helps here with about 4× less recoil than the .308 Winchester. This reduced kick could mean the difference between a clean harvest and a wounded animal getting away.

Blind hunters love the .300 Blackout’s quiet report, particularly with subsonic loads and suppressor, because it keeps nearby wildlife calm. The reduced muzzle flash also helps in low-light conditions common in blinds.

Whatever environment you choose, both cartridges will take deer-sized game effectively when you use them within their sweet spots and pick the right ammo.

Economic Analysis for Hunters

Money matters just as much as performance when choosing between .308 and .300 Blackout. Your budget affects both what you buy first and how much you spend on shooting over time.

Original Investment Comparison

The platform cost makes the biggest difference in your upfront spending between these calibers. Quality AR-10s in .308 cost more than similar AR-15s in .300 Blackout. Hunters who already own an AR-15 can switch to .300 Blackout by changing just the barrel. This works with their existing bolts and magazines. You’ll save a lot of money compared to buying a whole new rifle.

Some special .308 rifles are about the same size as standard AR-15s. They cost more and weigh much more though. A Daniel Defense DD5V4 in .308 sells for around USD 3,000. You’ll pay much less for a similar AR-15 in .300 Blackout.

Ammunition Cost Analysis

Your shooting style determines which caliber costs less. Target practice rounds for .300 Blackout run about USD 1.00 each. Premium hunting and self-defense rounds can reach USD 2.00. The .308 target rounds cost under USD 1.00 each, while premium options hover around USD 1.50.

These price differences add up faster during long practice sessions. The .308 Winchester has been around longer, so you’ll find more ammo options. It’s easier to buy, even in small towns.

Long-Term Ownership Expenses

Reloading changes the math for both calibers. The .300 Blackout needs less brass, lead, and powder than .308 ammo. This makes it cheaper to reload. Experienced reloaders say 100 rounds of .300 Blackout costs about USD 28.50 to reload. That’s a big saving compared to store-bought ammo.

People who shoot a lot benefit most from reloading. Someone who reloads 100-150 rounds per hour saves about USD 25.00 compared to buying factory ammo. The .308 needs more components per round. This means higher long-term costs for reloaders, even though the ammo costs less at first.

Your total costs depend on how much you shoot. Casual shooters won’t notice the ammo price difference as much as competitive shooters or people who practice often.

2025 Ammunition Innovations

Ammunition manufacturers constantly expand what these cartridges can accomplish. Several groundbreaking developments emerged in 2025 to boost performance on both platforms.

New Hunting Loads for 300 Blackout

Black Hills introduced their 205-grain Sierra GameKing load, engineered specifically for terminal performance at subsonic velocities. This projectile’s design will give accuracy and maintain sufficient expansion energy despite lower speeds. Hornady met the need for more power with their revolutionary 338 ARC that delivers 1.5 times more energy than 300 Blackout subsonic loads. Their 307-grain SUB-X bullet creates a new category between the 300 Blackout and larger calibers. Despite these developments, field reports consistently recommend supersonic ammunition for hunting medium-sized game with 300 Blackout because subsonic loads show “less than stellar penetration” on deer and hogs.

Advanced .308 Winchester Hunting Ammunition

Federal’s 2025 lineup has Terminal Ascent .308 Winchester loads with a bonded 175-grain bullet and a “Slipstream” ballistic tip that starts expansion at velocities 200 fps lower than similar designs. Their Fusion Tipped ammunition proved exceptionally accurate and produced sub-inch 20-shot total groups—an uncommon tight performance. Among these options, Hornady’s Outfitter line now features their latest CX mono-metal bullet that resists deflection better than lead-core bullets of similar shape. These advances keep the .308 relevant as newer cartridges emerge.

Performance-Enhancing Bullet Technologies

Bullet design innovations now revolutionize both calibers’ capabilities. Barnes LRX copper bullet maximizes range through high ballistic coefficients and delivers devastating expansion through its unique nose cavity. Berger’s Elite Hunter combines industry-leading ballistic coefficients with thin-jacket design to produce extreme hydrostatic shock. Federal’s AccuChannel groove technology improves accuracy while reducing drag. These technological advances address each caliber’s traditional limitations by boosting terminal performance for the 300 Blackout at subsonic velocities and improving the .308’s excellent long-range capabilities.

Comparison Table

Conclusion

The .308 Winchester and .300 Blackout work best in their roles, but each serves different hunting purposes. My lots of testing and field experience shows the .308 Winchester stands unbeatable for long-range precision and stopping power, especially with larger game beyond 300 yards. This battle-tested cartridge delivers reliable performance that makes it a solid pick for open-country hunting.

Close-quarter scenarios showcase the .300 Blackout’s true strengths, particularly during brush hunting or blind operations. Hunters who want quick follow-up shots or sound reduction benefit from its minimal recoil and excellent suppressor compatibility. Supersonic .300 Blackout loads work great on deer-sized game within 200 yards, despite having less range than the .308.

Your choice of platform greatly affects hunting success with either cartridge. Heavier rifles suit the .308’s superior ballistics, while lighter and more maneuverable AR-15 platforms work better with .300 Blackout. Hunters who already own AR-15s find the .300 Blackout more economical, though .308 ammunition costs less per round.

New ammunition developments have improved both cartridges’ capabilities, yet their core traits stay the same. Long-range hunting remains the .308 Winchester’s domain, while close-quarters belong to the .300 Blackout. Your typical shooting distances, preferred game animals, and hunting environment should guide your choice rather than trending caliber debates.

FAQs

Q1. What are the main differences between .308 Winchester and .300 Blackout for hunting? The .308 Winchester excels at long-range hunting (up to 500 yards) with higher velocity and energy, making it ideal for larger game. The .300 Blackout is better suited for close-range hunting (within 300 yards), offering less recoil and better suppressor compatibility.

Q2. Which caliber is more versatile for different hunting scenarios? The .308 Winchester is generally more versatile, being effective for various game sizes and at longer distances. However, the .300 Blackout offers unique advantages in dense brush and close-quarters hunting, especially when used with a suppressor.

Q3. How do the costs compare between .308 and .300 Blackout? Typically, .308 ammunition is less expensive per round for practice and premium loads. However, .300 Blackout can be more economical for those who already own AR-15 platforms, as it only requires a barrel change rather than a new rifle.

Q4. What are the effective hunting ranges for each caliber? The .308 Winchester is effective for ethical kills up to about 500 yards, while the .300 Blackout is generally limited to 200-300 yards with supersonic loads and 100-200 yards with subsonic loads.

Q5. How do recent ammunition innovations affect the performance of these calibers? Recent innovations have improved both calibers. For .300 Blackout, new subsonic loads offer better terminal performance, while .308 Winchester has seen advancements in long-range accuracy and terminal ballistics. These developments have enhanced each caliber’s strengths without fundamentally changing their roles.