7.62x39 vs 300 Blackout
- Thread starter Sorbz62
- Start date
I own three 300BLK rifles. I love the cartridge. Don't consider 300BLK unless you handload though. There are factory loads available but they're not cheap.
I have supersonic handloads developed for 110gr through 208gr and subsonic loads for 150gr and 208gr projectiles. It's extremely versatile and my 155gr A-max loads are sub moa in two of my rifles.
Don't buy this if you want a 308 Winchester in an Ar-15 platform, you're using half the powder and also using a pistol powder for most loads. It's very comparable to a 7.62×39 when shooting 110gr pills but has the flexibility to run any .308 cal rifle bullets out there.
It's a great cartridge as long as you understand what you're getting up front and your expectations aren't more than it can deliver. I would feel comfortable using it for hunting whitetail deer with the right bullets out to 100-150 yards but not much further.
I have supersonic handloads developed for 110gr through 208gr and subsonic loads for 150gr and 208gr projectiles. It's extremely versatile and my 155gr A-max loads are sub moa in two of my rifles.
Don't buy this if you want a 308 Winchester in an Ar-15 platform, you're using half the powder and also using a pistol powder for most loads. It's very comparable to a 7.62×39 when shooting 110gr pills but has the flexibility to run any .308 cal rifle bullets out there.
It's a great cartridge as long as you understand what you're getting up front and your expectations aren't more than it can deliver. I would feel comfortable using it for hunting whitetail deer with the right bullets out to 100-150 yards but not much further.
The BLK uses a 223 case head so it will never split the bolt unlike the 762x39. The BLK also feeds properly and reliably from 556 mags. The BLK is super versatile able to easily run bullets from 110gr to 220gr.
With subsonics and the right muzzle device, the BLK is nearly hearing safe.
With subsonics and the right muzzle device, the BLK is nearly hearing safe.
- Location
- Fort St John B.C.
300blk = $1-$2 a round
7.62x39 = $0.20-$0.40 a round
it all comes down to how much you want to shoot
7.62x39 = $0.20-$0.40 a round
it all comes down to how much you want to shoot
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.
+time
The machinery can be used to lower the cost of shooting all the calibers I own and there isn't much frustration finding components. I've probably got enough supplies to load 5000 rounds of 300BLK alone.
Spend a couple hours a week less on the internet and in front of a television and you'll have plenty of time to load.
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.
Last edited:
Not usually in Canada due to our magazine capacity laws but the tapered case of the ×39 doesn't do well in an AR mag when you get to 10 or more rounds. Some guys have no problems with the x39 pistol mags and others have issues. That's why there are a few manufacturers these days making banana mags that fit an AR magwell.
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, would be like buying a corvette and feeding it regular unleaded and using it to drop the kids off at soccer practice.
Two of my 300BLK rifles are capable of shooting sub moa with my 155gr A-max handload, My third one is probably capable but I haven't done any load development with it yet. I've never seen a rifle in x39 shoot anywhere close to that.
X39 is great for banging gongs and shooting cans but you don't need a high end rifle for that.
The 7.62 is more common, very inexpensive and feeds fine in any quality AR barrel after the OEM have figured out the correct feed ramps. 30/5 mags can be the week link, however for range use the shorter LAR-15 mags works perfectly. There are a few reported issues with bolt failures that are usually associated with very low quality product. There are a number of more expensive higher end bolts that rarely break.
The 300 ACC is also a fine cartridge and has the advantage of utilizing the 5.56 bolts and mags but, are very expensive to shoot OEM boxed ammo. Not on par with the 7.62 in my opinion.
If you are into only hand loading and prefer a 30 caliber cartridge with the performance of a 308, I would consider the 30 HRT. Its the 7.62 and 300 ACC killer.
This is my choice over the two previously mentioned cartridges.
The 300 ACC is also a fine cartridge and has the advantage of utilizing the 5.56 bolts and mags but, are very expensive to shoot OEM boxed ammo. Not on par with the 7.62 in my opinion.
If you are into only hand loading and prefer a 30 caliber cartridge with the performance of a 308, I would consider the 30 HRT. Its the 7.62 and 300 ACC killer.
This is my choice over the two previously mentioned cartridges.
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.
Last edited:
