300 blackout is becoming more popular these days, especially with short-barrel rifles. With that popularity, there is a lot of debate on how good 300 BLK is for self-defense. It is mostly compared to the 5.56 NATO. But when looking at a weapon for self-defense, the type of defense, the person using it, and the location should also be considering factors. Those who own short-barreled rifles and those seeking suppressed performance often gravitate toward 300 Blackout. This is because of its close-range terminal ballistics, making it an excellent option for self-defense.
300 Blackout was developed for special operations and contrary to popular belief, the 300 BLK was not designed to replace 5.56. Instead, it was designed for suppressed and shorter-barreled weapons. The 300 Blackout did not take off when it was first introduced but over time has gained in popularity. Several different rounds have been offered to compete with the 300 Blackout, but many have had problems that have limited their acceptance. The 300 Blackout can’t compete with the AR-15 when shooting long distances, but it is a great option for CQB.
Is 300 Blackout a Good Caliber for Self-Defense?
When creating a reliable, powerful self-defense weapon for yourself, selecting the correct caliber is essential. A caliber is the size of a bullet fired from a gun; it also indicates how much power that bullet has. The 300 Blackout is an ideal option for self-defense because it gives you a bigger bullet than a handgun round. Many other calibers like the 5.56 will have so much velocity they lose the knock-down power of larger bullets.
For self-defense, you want something that has stopping power but not something that will shoot through the entire home. Comparing rounds is essential when looking at the overall performance, cost, velocity, and accuracy. But you also must consider what you need a bullet to do. Are you setting up a long-range defense weapon, indoor defense weapon, or something for a vehicle? While comparing 300 Blackout to 5.56 NATO may seem like a straightforward comparison, it does a disservice to the cartridges themselves because they shine in different areas. The 300 Blackout is heavier and slower than other rifle calibers, but it delivers more ft-lbs than higher velocity rounds.
What is different with a 300 Blackout AR-15?
Engineered specifically for military special operations, the.300 Blackout Rifle was made to deliver ballistic performance equivalent to 7.62x39mm while providing effective subsonic suppression. Subsonic means it shoots a slower bullet that does not break the sound barrier. This makes the gun much quieter when suppressed. The cartridge was designed to work with the same basic parts as AR-15 rifles. This includes the magazines, bolt, upper and lower receivers.
This makes it especially appealing to people who already have AR-15s or are familiar with them. Essentially, the only thing different about a .300 Blackout is the barrel. For those with more than one AR-15, this means they can buy a new barrel to replace on their existing AR-15 instead of buying the entire gun. It was designed for short barrels and suppressed use, so even though it can use a standard AR-15 platform, it may need to be configured to shoot with a suppressor. This could include a heavier buffer spring, buffer weight, and/or adjusting the gas block. This will allow the rifle to shoot both supersonic and subsonic ammo with good accuracy without having cycling issues.
Is it worth the money?
One of the first differences you will notice when looking at the 300 Blackout is the price. On average, 300 Blackout ammo costs twice that of .223 or 5.56 NATO. This can get expensive if you like to blast 30-round mags at the range like you’re Al Capone. But when you look at the benefits of a short-barrel rifle chambered in 300 Blackout as compared to other rifle calibers, it may be worth the money. When I converted one of my AR-15s to a 300 Blackout, I paid $145 for a barrel and that was it. I removed the handguard, gas block, and gas tube. From there you simply remove the barrel nut and the barrel and swap them out.
I don’t think this caliber should replace the 5.56 NATO because it was made for a different purpose. But a 300 Blackout will use all of its energy when fired through a short barrel and a 5.56 NATO will not. This means you get more muzzle energy from short-barrel rifles with the 300 Blackout. I also like that I can have another caliber that is compatible with nearly every other AR-15 part I have. This makes it worth the money for me.
Summary
If you are trying to decide between one or the other, I would first identify what you will be doing with the rifle. Is it for hunting, general self-defense, and target shooting, doomsday, or home defense? If you want a rifle for close-quarter defense, the 300 Blackout is a great weapon. If you want a rifle that can be used for just about anything but still reach out there a long way, you may want to stick with the 5.56 NATO.
After looking at both calibers, if you still can’t decide which way to go, you could always buy them both! I don’t have just one power tool for all purposes or just one wrench to work on the car. A gun is no different. It’s a tool, and sometimes you need different tools for different things. If you only want to own one, buy a standard AR-15. But if you want a rifle that was designed for close quarters and to shoot suppressed, a 300 Blackout will be a perfect tool for the job.
