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Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 1:39 am
by kyswede
I loaded my 1st 300 BLK ammo this evening. Used Nosler Custom Competition 220 gr. BTHP bullets and IMR 4227 powder. Loaded 10 rounds each with 9.0, 9.2, 9.4, 9.6, and 9.8 grains of powder. Should get to try these out this weekend. I will chronogragh each load and see which one does best at cycling action and holding bolt open after last round. My 8# jug of powder should be good for almost 6000 loads.
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Re: Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 7:05 am
by yagreg
I'm looking forward to hearing your results. Do you only plan to load subsonic rounds?

Re: Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 7:10 am
by Gunsmokin
Excellent. Interested in the results as well.

Re: Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 8:47 am
by Niceguy
yagreg wrote:I'm looking forward to hearing your results. Do you only plan to load subsonic rounds?
220gr and he has a can so I'm pretty sure these are.

Re: Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 10:46 am
by kyswede
I will eventually load supersonic 120-150 grain bullets. Right now I am looking for subsonic loads. I got my YHM Phantom LT .30 back in November and haven't tried it yet. I want to make sure the bullets are stabilized before shooting thru a can. I have been reloading over 30 years, but I have never loaded a ladder until now.

Re: Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 11:10 am
by Joe
As long as your has enough twist then bullets will stabilize. I have plenty of 190 hpbt if you want to try them.

Re: Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 7:13 pm
by Jff24Gordn
You might need more powder. It took 10.5gr of 4227 to get my AR to cycle 220gr SMK in a 8.5" barrel.

Re: Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 7:46 pm
by kyswede
I realize it may take more powder to cycle my AR with a 8" barrel. I have an adjustable gas block, which it set wide open to start. After I find a load I like, I will turn down the gas until it just cycles, then open it just a bit. This should keep from being over-gassed with supers. I have never used IMR 4227 before so I am probably being over cautious.

Re: Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 8:46 pm
by ken6881
I shoot 203 gr subsonic with h110 8" barrel no can yet. No weights in the buffer for it to cycle 100%


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Re: Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 9:50 pm
by Vividia
I am curious to see your results. I have loaded some 125gn Sierra Match Kings with 4227, but haven't had the time to shoot them. I hope I like the 4227 because i bought 8 pounds of it, too. I have some Hornady 125gn SSTs somewhere, too.

For subs, i bought Hornady 208 Amax and have 4 pounds of Accurate 1680 to try. Also bought some H110 and W296 for variation.

I don't know what makes me think i have the time to work on this, ugh.....

Edited to fix the 208 from SST. They are Amax. Brain freeze.

Re: Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 9:35 am
by Wyldman
A1680 has performed beautifully in both my pistol and rifle. Sending 208 grain Hornady & 220 grain Sierras with extreme consistancy and a hard hitting authority.

H110 with 125 grain Sierra are just insanely accurate, again in both the pistol & the rifle (does anyone remember the pics I posted of the Hawg Hammer?)

Crush, kill, mangle, maim, destroy.

Re: Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 9:47 pm
by kyswede
I picked up a few 1# cans of Win296 powder a few months ago. Supposed to be good for supersonic loads. Will be trying it in the future. Being able to shoot subsonic and supersonic creates many reloading possibilities.

Re: Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 10:52 am
by Vividia
300 BLK is fascinating to me for exactly that, Swede. From 110gn supers to 220gn+ subs, the variations are almost endless.

From a HD point of view, i have been thinking it might be more suitable more than 223/556. Hit the bad guy and take him down, and no worrying about how far any stray shots might go.

I like that, with a can, 300 BLK with subs is stupid quiet. No worries about ear concussion from shooting indoors. Even the supers with a can are tolerable, if not exactly quiet. Without a can, 300s are still not that bad and 223/556 is undeniably loud, especially indoors.

Yes, the 223/556 is capable of much longer range. The 300 BLK range is very much shorter, it simply wasn't designed with range in mind. However, I look at it as the right tool for the right job. You don't use a sledgehammer on a 10p nail, and you don't have to have a weapon with 600yd range for shooting at home defense ranges. Some people have been happy using 30-30 for hunting deer at short ranges for years, even though 30-06 and 308 can go out much further.

I am hoping to have some more time this spring to try a buncha different loads, both suppressed and unsuppressed. I have one AR build, and the Rem 700 AAC-SD for bolt rifle playing. Still gathering parts to make the AR pistol, but i am sure i will F1 it into an SBR right quick before the trust route becomes too onerous.

Swede, one of the parts i havent decided on quite yet for the pistol/sbr is the adjustable gas block. Have you had good luck with it? My Carbine has a fixed block.. It cycles everything i have thrown at it, 110 to 220, suppressed and unsuppressed, so i am not going to mess with that one. If it ain't broke, I ain'ta gonna fix it.

Re: Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 11:27 am
by kyswede
I put an adjustable gas block on mine, even though many people say it isn't necessary. I have it set wide open for now. I have shot 140 rounds of Rem.120 grain supers with no problems. Expect to be over-gassed with a can though. I may get to shoot some subs today if rain holds off for a while.

Re: Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 3:07 pm
by kyswede
Well, I tried out my loads today. Set up my chrony and a couple of boxes filled with magazines and catalogs. 1st shot with 9.0 grains registered 1017 fps on chrony, which is faster than expected. Shot was high on target, so I aimed lower for 2nd shot. Forgot red dot was 2 1/2" higher than bore. Killed my chrony. Fired 5 rounds of each loading, results are below.
9.0 gr. No eject, no feed next round, no BHO
9.2 gr. 3 eject " " " " " "
9.4 gr. 3 eject " " " " " "
9.6 gr. 4 eject " " " " " "
9.8 gr. 1 eject " " " " " "
No signs of excessive pressure.

Re: Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 3:09 pm
by kyswede
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Re: Loading 300 AAC Blackout

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 3:13 pm
by kyswede
Recovered 7 bullets.
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