300 BLK vs. 5.56 NATO: Which one’s better? Is one better? (Yes). Which one should you pick for target shooting, self defense, short-barreled rifles, long-range accuracy? The answers to these questions might surprise you. We’re covering ballistic data for both rounds and comparing their performance in depth to give you the answers. Before we get…
We’ve explained parts compatibility in our 300 Blackout AR-15 build guide. In that guide, we explained how, technically, the .300 AAC Blackout cartridge can be stacked in standard 5.56 NATO magazines — but there’s a critical caveat that needs to be covered. The short n’ sweet summary is this: Although 300 Blackout rounds can fit…
300 Blackout is an impressive cartridge: It can be fired suppressed or un-suppressed, subsonic or supersonic, with no modification to the rifle or pistol that’s firing it. But to make sure your 300 BLK-chambered AR can shoot both supers and subs with good accuracy and reliable cycling, you’ve got configure it the right way. This…
The AR-15 is equally capable of chambering 300 Blackout and 9mm Parabellum. Both cartridges can function as supersonic and subsonic loads with short barrels. Both can be effectively suppressed when loaded as subs. Both provide similar AR configurations to accomplish this. So, 300 BLK is a pretty direct competitor to 9mm when it comes to…
Just as the differences between .223 and 5.56 NATO are hotly debated and shrouded in misinformation, the same applies to the world of the .300 family. The new and popular 300 Blackout round was officially developed by the Advanced Armament at the request of the U.S. Military, but the story of the 300 BLK round…
You want to build a black rifle, but you’re not sure which caliber to go with. Maybe you just want to know the differences between the three most popular calibers the AR-15 can easily chamber: 300 Blackout, 5.56 NATO or .223 Remington, and .308 Winchester (technically called an “AR-10” or “AR-308” by builders). Each of…
Every time a new “gee whizz” rifle cartridge comes out, the curiosities about it can do begin to mount. One of the template questions is, “can it penetrate body armor”? While this curiosity is a novelty for most, 300 BLK serves its purpose among military folks and operators, so it’s worthy of analysis. Is 300…
