Ik, that was always my deal with Michael and the 300BO. Once removed from the magazine fed deal ballistically it pales in comparison to a .357 mag that will launch 200 grainers at 2,000 and 110s at 3,000+. Believe me, I am the Last person in the world to have to justify just plain old Fun to any cartridge. Since they were talking about x39 and BO I was thinking they were locked in on 125s or so for weight.
I finally have a BO and it is beside my bed. I relented when Mike said he would keep me in ammo for life. I can see it for a Mag fed platform and in Mike's loads I suspect it is better than x39 ball for serious purposes.
None of them in a subsonic form would interest me for serious social purposes. Of course that only applies to the rifle platform. Again, just for me.
300 BLK for me without any concerns, or questions. 1 Reason.......... THE BULLET. Life for me is all about Terminal Ballistics. What happens once the bullet begins to do its job, once it enters typically animal tissue. I am no 7.62X39 expert by any stretch, but I never seen any real bullets for one. Yes, I can have some made, no doubt about it, but then other factors come into play for me. I don't like AK's either, much prefer the AR Platform. I don't care for the fact that is is .310 or .311 now there are far fewer common bullets to work with. Yes, lots of cheap ammo, and that is just what it is, CHEAP. Fine for making noise, but that is about it.
The bullet is 100 Flat Base Raptor from Cutting Edge Bullets. In the 300 BLK I run it at 2525-2550 fps in 16 inches, in 10.5-12 inch guns 2375-2420 fps depending on the gun/barrel, and 8 inch guns 2250-2275 normally. I also run this same bullet in 308 Winchester and 300 Winchester. For those not familiar with Raptors. Once the bullet enters into any aqueous medium 6 blades shear at 1.5 inches into terminal penetration. Those 6 blades stay close to center channel, ripping and tearing tissue along the way, working close with the remaining center bullet. The remaining center bullet becomes a full meplat solid once shear occurs driving deep and straight for the entire terminal process. Blades begin to radiate away from center once they enter into the body cavity, becoming secondary projectiles once working away from center. Smaller caliber blades do not penetrate as far away from center, or as deep as larger caliber blades. Tissue damage is extensive and irreversible. You do not sacrifice penetration for this, you have both massive tissue destruction, along with deep penetration, best of all worlds............... This is proven not only in the lab on the range, but extensively in the field as well. The way these bullets work is the same every single time........... This bullet has been used numerous times on everything from big hogs, to bear, deer and other similar sized critters with extreme results. From 300 BLK and 308 Winchester in particular. I know two black bears taken with them in 300 BLK, and both bears were DRT on the spot. Being this successful on bear, hogs, and lots of deer, I am quite sure they would be incredibly successful on other similar sized critters.
In addition to the mighty Raptor, there are several other really decent, good bullets to choose from for the 300 BLK. I like the 110 Barnes TAC, 110 Hornady Zombie bullets (Cheap and decently effective)...... and several more.
I have two bolt guns in 300 BLK... Billy of course says this is totally useless, and in some ways has a good point. However, in my case, it is much easier to run consistent pressures in a bolt gun, than it is a semi. Can be done, but you have to take the "SEMI" out of the Semi and have a single shot rifle...... I have this with one 358 MGP that we are testing pressures. But with a bolt gun, you can have it hooked up at any time, and take it to the field at any time, and makes a better test platform in my opinion.
Yep, I keep Bill in the very best of ammo for his gun, he might need it someday, and there is zero doubt the combination he has beside his bed will rise to the moment of need. I keep one next to the bed, in my truck, and next to my sitting chair while watching tv. There are two on the boat as well. Then another dozen or so 300 BLKs scattered about in different configurations. I also have 5000+ rounds loaded with 100 FB Raptors. All magazine and all rifles and pistols are loaded with 100 FB Raptor loads, and sighted in with those as well. Most of these firearms will also shoot the 110 Hornady and 110 Barnes to or very close to POI with the 100 Raptor at 50 yards.
I do not look at 300 BLK as a suppressed firearm. As Billy says, .308 at 1050 fps is not hitting on much at all. I see someone mentioned flip and flop between SubSonic and Real Ammo. Well, you must have a magic firearm, none of mine will do that when it comes to POI. Point of Impact. POI on mine are 12+ inches apart at 50 yards, between SubSonic and High Velocity. When the crap hits the fan, that is just way more than I wish to account for.
I have suppressors, but don't care much for them honestly. When it comes to Terminal Ballistics, 1050 is not hitting on much at all. Take into account very very few bullets in .308 caliber are designed to work at 1050 fps or less. Common bullets do not expand or do anything. The best you can hope for is they tumble once penetration begins. There are a few special designs for SubSonic, that work similar to the Raptors, from Cutting Edge and Lehigh, these are the best for serious SubSonic work. Back in the day JD was working hard with several game departments in Ohio and PA with the 300 Whispers/300 BLK suppressed for Urban Deer Removal. Many issues with those guys using Conventional bullets, and deer running off to be lost and unaccounted for. This is where the cuts or slits in the various type bullets from Lehigh and CEB came from. To attempt getting more tissue distruction transferred to these deer. It works far better than common .308 caliber, but there still is no replacement for Velocity in this situation.
223 is even worse, at 1050 fps or so, you are just as well off, if not better, with a 22 LR...........
In my opinion going suppressed, you need to rely on CALIBER for that extra tissue destruction. Funny how 45 ACP fits that bill exactly, and already most of that Subsonic right out of the box, with bullets designed to operate and be terminally effective at those velocities. My pick for "effective SubSonic" is 45 ACP.........
This however is not about SubSonic, its about a choice between two cartridges, that go beyond just the cartridge. Type of platform, bullet technology and availability of choice of bullets and ammo.........
300 BLK Every Single time, without reservation or concerns................ For me!
