7.62x39 vs 300 Blackout

[Trinimon]

One dealer was looking into bringing in bulk 300BLK ammo. Can't recall who it was and what's the current status.

The only sucky thing about 300BLK is that not enough people shoot 'em on my range so there's zero chance of finding free range brass. Just for that reason, I bought a brass catcher to save those little pieces of gold. lol

 

[mwjones]

I wasn't criticizing. Just saying its a factor, I value my time. I don't see a couple hours of my life as zero dollars in a comparison.

That doesn't work unless you get paid to do nothing. Most of us don't take time off of work to reload Free time is just that.

 

[cr5]

One dealer was looking into bringing in bulk 300BLK ammo. Can't recall who it was and what's the current status.

The only sucky thing about 300BLK is that not enough people shoot 'em on my range so there's zero chance of finding free range brass. Just for that reason, I bought a brass catcher to save those little pieces of gold. lol

I did the same and have attachment blocks on five of my rifles.

 

[cr5]

I wasn't criticizing. Just saying its a factor, I value my time. I don't see a couple hours of my life as zero dollars in a comparison.

That doesn't work unless you get paid to do nothing. Most of us don't take time off of work to reload Free time is just that.

It's either sit like a turd on the couch watching stupid f'n shows that show just how pathetic society has become, take care of things on the honey-do list, or say I'm busy and go to my man cave and do some loading and/or general fiddling around with my firearms or bikes so the choice is easy for me

 

[jimythetulip]

I bought a Windham Weaponry SRC in 7.62x39. So far the only issue I have had are light primer strikes with Dominion ammo.

I have had 100% reliability with very cheap Chinese surplus ammunition.

I have been using the XCR 7.62x39 pistol mags. 100% reliable with surplus. When I'm done shooting surplus I just use an electric kettle and run some boiling water through the barrel and gas tube, wait for it to dry and oil it as usual.

 

[Suputin]

300blk = $1-$2 a round
7.62x39 = $0.20-$0.40 a round

it all comes down to how much you want to shoot

Or reload and the price becomes the same only .308 bullets are way easier to find than .311 bullets.

Reloaded .300Blk. per 20round box
Primers-$1.20
155gr. A-max $8.00
Powder(1680)$1.80
$11.00 for non-corrosive match grade ammo. Not bad at todays prices.

Bullets can be had for way less than an A-Max. I use bulk 150gr which are something like $22/hundred IIRC.

+ capital in machinery and tools
+ frustration trying to find components

Its another set of dies, which is like $30 if you go for inexpensive ones.

Components are the same as any other .30 cal. The only real issue with the BLK is brass. Making it is a drag so really the best solution is to find someone selling brass. Realistically that is the only difficulty with the BLK.

 

[Suputin]

You're free to load the wrong bullets in your rifle if you want to but they're still the wrong bullets and have fun finding load data for a 155gr BTHP or a 208gr subsonic load.
The 7.62x39 cartridge is a fine plinking cartridge and is more than capable of taking a deer with the correct bullets but it's no where near as versatile as the 300BLK.

762x39 is a cheapo round that is basically good for going BANG in a cheapo crapola rifle which requires extensive cleaning every single time it is shot to prevent corrosive ammo destroying it. If thats yer thing then more power to you but the BLK is a way better choice.

 

[Suputin]

Are there issue with 762 functioning properly in the ar -- or the mags

762x39 will eventually result in a cracked bolt when run in an AR.

300 blackout can be shot at a pistol range with 220gr subsonic. Since my range is pistol only its a no brainer for me.

300 BLK will run 150gr subsonics which are even cheaper to make. Those big 220gr bullets tend to be very expensive.

If you have a bolt gun you can even run 110gr subsonics which are ridiculously quiet.

 

[cr5]

762x39 is a cheapo round that is basically good for going BANG in a cheapo crapola rifle which requires extensive cleaning every single time it is shot to prevent corrosive ammo destroying it. If thats yer thing then more power to you but the BLK is a way better choice.

That's exactly why I always suggest to guys wanting to run x39 that they buy an SKS or a CZ/VZ 58/858. A rifle designed around the cartridge not a rifle modified to work marginally with it.
I have an SKS for shooting x39, My three most used 30 cal rifles are in 300BLK.
Loading is easy for it, it doesn't use a lot of powder, brass seems to last a long time if you don't load hot, very accurate, light recoil, quiet and clean

X39 is dirty, not as accurate, and very limited on bullet choices. Good for plinking but not much else.

 

[Sqr]

Just finished reading up on the 30HRT, I definitely wouldn't go so far as to call it a 300BLK/7.62x39 killer, it's only around 200fps faster and with all the people knocking the 300BLK for it's low availability and high price for factory loads the 30HRT is going to be about zero availability and will be a reloading only cartridge.
I would simply go with a 6.8SPC if I was going to consider the HRT, at least there is brass available everywhere and plenty of load data as well as factory ammo available.

The bolt failures in x39 AR's is caused by there not being enough material remaining after opening up the bolt face to accept the case head. This is exactly why CMMG designed the Mutant AR the way they did with a proprietary bolt and carrier that's between the AR-10 and AR-15 in size. If I was going to buy a x39 AR that's the one I would go with.

Yes the 30 HRT is a dedicated wildcat that requires a considerable amount of reloading time. It still tops the 7.62, 300 ACC as well as the 6.8 in performance and depending on loading will only be 75 - 150 fps slower then a full blown 308. The 30 American and 30 Herrett AR are also close cousin variants of this TC cartridge that are great AR sized rounds. Out of the three discussed the 300 ACC is the lowest performer, followed by the 7.62 and then the pre mentioned killer 30 HRT.

Having said that the 7.62 in a quality AR is a great choice. Fun and cheap to shoot.

 

[Brian46]

You're free to load the wrong bullets in your rifle if you want to but they're still the wrong bullets and have fun finding load data for a 155gr BTHP or a 208gr subsonic load.
The 7.62x39 cartridge is a fine plinking cartridge and is more than capable of taking a deer with the correct bullets but it's no where near as versatile as the 300BLK.

depends on the bore of the barrel, some manufacturers are not using a .311 bore on their 7.62x39 rifles (savage for example)

 

[Brian46]

If you're going to spend the money on an ATRS rifle I would definitely go with a cartridge that's capable of a little more than the x39. Seems like a real waste to me

Just finished reading up on the 30HRT, I definitely wouldn't go so far as to call it a 300BLK/7.62x39 killer, it's only around 200fps faster and with all the people knocking the 300BLK for it's low availability and high price for factory loads the 30HRT is going to be about zero availability and will be a reloading only cartridge.
I would simply go with a 6.8SPC if I was going to consider the HRT, at least there is brass available everywhere and plenty of load data as well as factory ammo available.

Then go with the Remington 30AR, IMO it is the best performing 30 caliber available that feeds out of a STANAG pattern magazine with factory loadings on the shelf

 

[Brian46]

Yes the 30 HRT is a dedicated wildcat that requires a considerable amount of reloading time. It still tops the 7.62, 300 ACC as well as the 6.8 in performance and depending on loading will only be 75 - 150 fps slower then a full blown 308. The 30 American and 30 Herrett AR are also close cousin variants of this TC cartridge that are great AR sized rounds. Out of the three discussed the 300 ACC is the lowest performer, followed by the 7.62 and then the pre mentioned killer 30 HRT.

Remington 30AR is supported by Remington ammunition wise and there are various loadings available for roughly the same price or cheaper than the equivalent 308 ammo

 

[cr5]

Yes the 30 HRT is a dedicated wildcat that requires a considerable amount of reloading time. It still tops the 7.62, 300 ACC as well as the 6.8 in performance and depending on loading will only be 75 - 150 fps slower then a full blown 308. The 30 American and 30 Herrett AR are also close cousin variants of this TC cartridge that are great AR sized rounds. Out of the three discussed the 300 ACC is the lowest performer, followed by the 7.62 and then the pre mentioned killer 30 HRT.

I guess it depends on a guys definition of performance. To me there is more to it than just a couple hundred extra fps. The 30HRT is definitely an interesting cartridge but way too far into the wildcat spectrum for me to consider.

From http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=647&

110 grain bullet – about 2500 fps
125 grain bullet – about 2200 fps
168 grain bullet – about 1800 fps
240 grain bullet – about 1000 fps

I'm trying to find where it's making 308 win performance. I have a 308 win load using 110gr V-max pills that will throw those out at 3000+fps. To me the HRT looks to be about half way between 300BLK and 308 win, not enough improvement to warrant the trouble of trying to source all the parts needed to build a rifle and find reloading dies. I'll just use my 308 win when I need something more than the 300BLK.

More 30HRT info
http://www.msrhunt.com/post/30-herrett-ar-30hrt-6788003

 

[Brian46]

It's either sit like a turd on the couch watching stupid f'n shows that show just how pathetic society has become, take care of things on the honey-do list, or say I'm busy and go to my man cave and do some loading and/or general fiddling around with my firearms or bikes so the choice is easy for me

I'm not sure where all this free time is supposed to come from, If it was not for multitasking and wireless internet I would not have time for this website let alone reloading

 

[cr5]

Then go with the Remington 30AR, IMO it is the best performing 30 caliber available that feeds out of a STANAG pattern magazine with factory loadings on the shelf

I have all those powders listed
Another very interesting cartridge that I may be tempted to try some day. I'd like to build a conversion kit to run it in my NR ACR. Maybe I'll put some work into getting my 6.8SPC conversion running then sell it to finance a 30AR build. Do you know anyone who has a 30AR reamer? Ian probably has one but I don't want to pay him to do it.

Is Ian making you a conversion for your ACR or were you just talking about it with him?
Your .50 kit still working well? That's another I would be interested in one day as long as they don't take away the magazines.

I'm not sure where all this free time is supposed to come from, If it was not for multitasking and wireless internet I would not have time for this website let alone reloading

I work 40ish hours a week and have a wife and an acreage to attend to when I'm not at work. I still find time here and there to do some loading and shooting. It helps that I can shoot on my land now

 

[Sqr]

Remington 30AR is supported by Remington ammunition wise and there are various loadings available for roughly the same price or cheaper than the equivalent 308 ammo

it is a very good cartridge that I left out of my selection as it requires a specific bolt unlike the other 30's that utilize the 6.8 bolt.

 

[Sqr]

K

I guess it depends on a guys definition of performance. To me there is more to it than just a couple hundred extra fps. The 30HRT is definitely an interesting cartridge but way too far into the wildcat spectrum for me to consider.

From http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=647&

110 grain bullet – about 2500 fps
125 grain bullet – about 2200 fps
168 grain bullet – about 1800 fps
240 grain bullet – about 1000 fps

I'm trying to find where it's making 308 win performance. I have a 308 win load using 110gr V-max pills that will throw those out at 3000+fps. To me the HRT looks to be about half way between 300BLK and 308 win, not enough improvement to warrant the trouble of trying to source all the parts needed to build a rifle and find reloading dies. I'll just use my 308 win when I need something more than the 300BLK.

More 30HRT info
http://www.msrhunt.com/post/30-herrett-ar-30hrt-6788003

Some hand loaders are posting close too performance and ARP,s barrel manufacture himself states high performance on other 6.8 SPC loading forums. The benefit is a high performance cartridge in a lighter AR platform over a heavier fully loaded AR 10. I am not implying it has superior performance then a 308 as much a saying it is a good choice and is my selection over the inferior 300/7.62's.

I really like mine.

Suggested loads-
125gr Sierra prohunter loaded to 2.240-30.5gr 1680=2610fps CCI 450 primer
125gr Nosler Ballistic tip loaded to 2.3"-30.5gr 1680=2680fps CCI 450primer
110gr Barnes TSX loaded to 2.295, 31gr 1680=2678fps
110gr Barnes TSX loaded to 2.295, 32gr 1680=2796fps

 

[Brian46]

it is a very good cartridge that I left out of my selection as it requires a specific bolt unlike the other 30's that utilize the 6.8 bolt.

the 6.8 bolt is still not a 223 bolt so really what does it matter when you are buying an aftermarket bolt of having one made anyways?

 

[Brian46]

Is Ian making you a conversion for your ACR or were you just talking about it with him?

He is working on it

Do you know anyone who has a 30AR reamer? Ian probably has one but I don't want to pay him to do it.

No, just Ian if he has been able to source one yet