300 Blackout Ammo

The .300 AAC Blackout was purpose-designed for suppressed and short-barreled AR-15 use, delivering .30-caliber performance with only a barrel change from a standard .223/5.56 AR-15. It excels in two configurations: supersonic loads that match .30-30 ballistics for hunting and general use, and subsonic loads that combine with a suppressor for the quietest possible result. No bolt, carrier, or magazine changes are needed to run .300 Blackout in an AR-15—only the barrel needs to change.

Read our full .300 Blackout Ammunition Buying Guide ↓

Supersonic vs. Subsonic

The .300 Blackout uniquely offers two completely different performance profiles in the same platform. Supersonic loads (110–125 grain at 2,100–2,350 fps) deliver .30-30-class energy for hunting and general-purpose use. Subsonic loads (190–220 grain at 1,000–1,050 fps) reduce noise substantially when used with a suppressor, producing energy comparable to .45 ACP from the same rifle. Both load types cycle the same gas-impingement AR-15 action reliably—one of the cartridge’s core design advantages.

Suppressor Use

The .300 Blackout in subsonic configuration with a suppressor is one of the quietest centerfire rifle setups available. Subsonic loads eliminate the supersonic crack; the suppressor handles the muzzle blast. From a 9-inch SBR barrel with a quality suppressor, the result is hearing-safe for most shooters without additional protection. Federal 220gr Subsonic, Hornady 208gr A-MAX Subsonic, and Remington 220gr OTM are reliable suppressor loads that cycle AR-15 actions consistently.

Hunting Applications

Supersonic .300 Blackout loads are capable of taking deer, hogs, and similar game inside 150 yards. Hornady 110gr V-MAX, Federal 120gr Fusion, and Barnes 110gr TAC-TX are purpose-designed hunting loads that expand reliably at .300 Blackout velocities. The cartridge performs best where shots will be inside 200 yards—its ballistic coefficient drops off more rapidly than .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor at distance. For short-to-moderate range hunting from a compact suppressed or unsuppressed platform, it’s an excellent choice.

AR-15 Compatibility

The .300 Blackout uses a standard .223/5.56 bolt, carrier, and magazine—only the barrel needs to change. This makes the caliber extremely practical for AR-15 owners who want .30-caliber performance without buying a complete new rifle. The primary safety concern is accidentally chambering .300 Blackout in a .223 barrel—the round will chamber and fire but destroys the barrel and can be dangerous. Use dedicated .300 Blackout magazines or clearly mark your setup to prevent dangerous mix-ups in multi-caliber households.

Pricing and Availability

The .300 Blackout is priced higher than .223/5.56 but lower than most centerfire hunting calibers. FMJ supersonic loads typically run $0.60–$1.00 per round; subsonic loads run $1.00–$1.50 due to the heavier projectile. Availability is generally good from Federal, Hornady, Remington, and SIG. Buying subsonic loads in quantity when available is advisable—they sell out faster than supersonic loads and are less consistently stocked by retailers due to more limited overall demand.

Browse our rifles page for .300 Blackout AR-15 builds and complete rifles, or visit our AR-15 pistols page for SBR-style .300 Blackout options. See our rifle ammo overview for other calibers.