#300 blackout supersonic vs subsonic series

The 6th Edition of the Ammo Encyclopedia describes the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge as follows: From re-sizing 5.56 brass to fit the larger projectile, to tailoring their own ideal balance between powder and bullet weight, one further layer of personal tuning could be enjoyed by the shooter like a well-developed family recipe.

Reloading enthusiasts benefitted from the generous adaptability of the round. Where the faster option optimizes ballistics, the slower subsonic ammunition performs exceptionally out of a suppressed firearm, giving pistol ammunition a run for its money. A key feature of the round is its versatility as either a supersonic or subsonic load.

#300 blackout supersonic vs subsonic series

Where military interest initiated the series of events that resulted in the 300 Blackout round, the civilian market played a role in solidifying the success of the cartridge. JD Jones pioneered much of field earlier with the 300 Whisper cartridge, which furthered the concept of a low-visibility use firearm with a cartridge specific to that purpose. The idea of a slow-moving, heavy round has been around since the 60's, and Soviet engineers adopted the concept early with the 7.62×39 round. The limited ability for Night Vision Goggles to clearly identify possible enemy combatants at distances beyond 300 meters, combined with the inherent increase in Close-Quarters Battle type engagements drove development to look at new cartridges that could combine the best of both pistol and rifle caliber cartridges. Their influence over the private industry demonstrated itself as short barreled rifles, suppressors, and eventually, night vision took the market by force, cascading into private interests on maximizing performance. The rise of Special Operations during the Global War on Terror increasingly focused on night capability. Multiple influences contributed to the origin of the 300 Blackout cartridge. From the 30,000-foot view, the first testimony to the merits of the cartridge begin at how well it has taken root in firearms culture. At the same time, the round has been compared to 5.56 NATO and 7.62×39 by both enthusiasts and professionals. The dates of its development coincide with the proliferation of AR-style firearms after the sunset of the Clinton Assault Weapons Ban resulting in the quick adoption by hunters, reloaders, and manufacturers, as well as those concerned with self-defense.

The intermediate cartridge known as 300 Blackout or 300 AAC Blackout carries with it a bit of mystery and a short history of rapid acceptance across various shooting traditions.