What Guns Shoot 300 Blackout?
A Brief Introduction
The 300 AAC Blackout cartridge, also known as 300 Blackout, has gained immense popularity in the world of firearms due to its unique versatility. Introduced by Advanced Armament Corporation in 2005, 300 Blackout is designed to shoot both supersonic and subsonic ammunitions, making it an attractive option for firearms enthusiasts who want to handle various applications. In this article, we will discuss what guns shoot 300 Blackout and explore their characteristics, advantages, and suitability.
Mid-Cycle and Gen III M4 Carriages
In its initial stages, 300 Blackout was typically paired with mid-cycle or Gen III M4 carry-handle-style rifles. These guns were designed for short-range, higher-velocity applications, firing .30-caliber cartridges at supersonic velocities (around 2100 ft/s). With its muzzle energy of over 1500 ft/lbs, this configuration became a go-to choice for close-quarters battle (CQB) and short-distance precision shots.
Piwata and Knights Armament Company (KAC)**
In **2014**, Piwata USA and Knights Armament Company (KAC) announced the development of dedicated 300 Blackout carbines. These were the **first production AR-platform firearms** specifically built around this cartridge. Featuring shorter barrels (10-16 inches) and shorter gas systems, these platforms offered reduced recoil, faster muzzle velocities, and the ability to accommodate **subsonic and supersonic bullets** with ease.
**Subsonic and Supersonic Ballistics**
< table>
| Caliber | Effective Range (yds) | Muzzle Energy (ft/lbs) |
| — | — | — |
| **Supersonic** | 500 – 2000 | 1500 – 2500™ |
| **Subsonic** | 75 – 200 | <1200 |
These dedicated 300 Blackout carbines demonstrate remarkable **ballistic synergy**, allowing shooters to efficiently dispatch targets at diverse ranges with both supersonic and subsonic configurations. When firing supersonic cartridges, the **enhanced ballistics** **generate an impressive 1300 – 1500 ft/s**, and at close ranges, using **.30-caliber subsonic rounds results in muzzle energies of **up to 1200 ft/lbs** .
**AUG and AR 10 Configurations**
Aside from traditional AR-15 style carbines, a select group of firearms designers explored incorporating 300 Blackout in **AUG-style (Steyr Aug)** and **AR-10 platforms** (based on the AR10, used for larger 7.62x51mm caliber). These options brought varying degrees of compactness and versatility to users.
* **AUG-platform:** The Steyr AUG-A3 MLO 300 Blackout adopted this 300 Blackout variant. Its **AUG architecture** and dedicated upper assembly allowed for easier maintenance, reduced recoil, and reliable performance.
* **AR-10 300 Blackout:** Certain manufacturers have also experimented with integrating 300 Blackout functionality into their AR-10 (larger caliber variants). Some notable examples are **DAN Wesselmann’s 300 BLACKOUT/7.62×39 AR-10 Hybrid Rifle** and other specialty conversions.
**Savage and Other Rimfire Adaptations**
In recent times, 300 Blackout’s potential has been investigated by rifle manufacturers, notably Savage Arms, to adapt its features into **rimfire-caliber firearms**.
* **Savage BA10-BR 300 Blackout:** This short-barreled rifle represents one example of how design iterations of the 300 Blackout cartridge can converge with standard rimfire actions.
* **Other Innovations:** Other manufacturers such as *Wilson Combat (CZ 805 * variants)* and *Brux Carbines (WFAF 300** BLACKOUT* variants ** )* are incorporating innovative components into their guns, allowing increased reliability, accuracy, or **accessibility** as an AR-platform firearm can have 300 Blackout options at a lower manufacturing cost
**Conclusion**
This article has emphasized the significant versatility of guns shooting the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge. Dedicated to subsonic **& **supersonic ammo ** compatibility, these rifle systems ensure a wide appeal. AR-15-platform conversions remain the most established application. However, by adopting and adapting the capabilities of **AUG style and AR-10 guns **or even rimfire rifle**.
