New to Reloading 300 BLK Advice

[treillw]

Gonna start reloading 300 BLK subs. Any advice? Mainly wondering what the best projectiles are for plinking and maybe shooting a deer? What is the best way to go about getting brass? I probably want around 500 pieces.

Thanks!

 

[Axlrod]

For brass, I use reformed lake city 5.56 from gun broker or Midway and new Starline brass. Haven't/won't hunt with it, so no idea what to use for bullets.

 

[RifleDisciple]

1. Brass: I bought some once fired 300BLK factory brass from an individual. Tons of places to buy lake city converted brass, but the once fired headstamped stuff was affordable second hand. It was mixed headstamp, but this is not a precision gun, so mixed was fine by me.

2. Projectiles: Easy button for subs is any match style 200+ grain jacketed bullet. I have used the 208 ELD-M and it works well for subs, not the cheapest, but not over the top either. For a little more work and a little less cost buy some 200 grain cast and powder coated bullets. You need a neck expander die and a Lee Factory Crimp Die. I don't find the cost savings on the cast bullets to be worth the 2 additional dies and 2 additional steps. But maybe the cast bullets are cheap enough now to justify. For the volume I shoot in subs I'll stick with jacketed bullets for 35-45 cents each.

2.5 Expanding Subs: The most available expanding subsonic projectile is the Hornady 190gr Sub-X bullet. I have not gotten to try them on animals yet, but this fall I will certainly try. They get mixed reviews but are still considered the most cost effective bullet designed to expand as sub speeds. For more reliable expansion looks to the all copper options, but they cost double or more. Keep shots on game inside 100yd due to rainbow trajectory.

3. Powder, depend on local availability. CFE-BLK is plentiful and gassy, so if functions my AR-15 pistol in 300BLK. about 11.5gr for a 16" barrel and 12.0 grain in a pistol barrel is a good start, but work down on your gun for safety. If you are using bolt action or single shot, then use a faster powder with lower charge weight to save a few DB's. Lil'Gun is a common one.

 

[tstith]

Agreed with previous post. You can use 300AAC specific brass or chopped and reformed LC 5.56 brass. Harbor freight 2" chop saw, then size and trim to spec. ALWAYS anneal. I get more loads out of 300 brass when annealed. Otherwise, the case mouths crack within about 3 loadings.

After owning 300AAC in 8" and 16" configurations for about a decade and loading for the caliber, I would never try to take a deer with a subsonic round. To be honest, I played with subs a little bit in the beginning, it was cool to be quiet with a can, but that caliber only really serves some purpose with supersonic ammunition. I use the 150gr FMJ for plinking, the 110gr Varmageddon (or Midway blem 110gr ballistic tip AKA V-Max) for critters, and 110 Barnes Tac-TX bullets for any hunting/self-defense ammo. The latter load works really well on hogs. Performance wise, the 110's over a near max load is about the best performance you're going to get from the 300.

I hope this helps. WIN 296 and H110 are going to be your friends with this caliber.

 

[waspocrew]

300 BLK subsonic is way too much fun.

For hunting, don’t just use any projectile - it needs to expand at these low velocities. Maker and Lehigh defense make excellent expanding subsonic projectiles. The 190 SubX is more affordable, but the performance seems lacking from reports. Sierra now has a 205 gr expanding projectile as well.

I’ll be using the 200 gr Maker this year on whitetail does.

For plinking, I usually use blems from Midway or Shooters pro shop. Midsouth even has some 220s available as well.

For brass - either form your own from 5.56 (just watch vids on YT) or buy some with factory headstamp like Starline and others.

When loading for subs and testing charges at the range, work your way down from higher charge to lowest. Otherwise, I’d your charge is too low, you risk having a squib in your barrel.

 

[ryanww]

My "accuracy" loads are blem 220gr sierra MK bullets in the same headstamp brass.

For less expensive loads I have used 3 different bullets in mixed brass that give decent accuracy at 50 yards, but have not pushed them farther:
Leatherhead 220 gr coated bullets. They are not being made by leatherhead anymore but I believe another company has continued.
Missouri bullet 215 OEM grooveless coated bullet.
Everglades 220 plated version 2 bullets.

 

[98XJRC]

I'll be the one to step on the super side of things.

Anything once fired and reformed would be fine, depending on how deep into it you'd like to go you can do it yourself. As for plinking I use either a 147 or 150 gr fmj with LilGun behind it. It's been a great relatively inexpensive plinking load for me out of my 8.5" SBR with SilencerCo Omega on the front. I also have 125 gr Speer TNT and Barnes 110 Tac-TX loaded as well, but those are more for hunting and HD.