Looking to get my first AR, would anyone recommend the 300 blk over the .223? I know it’s way more expensive for the ammo, but is it really balistcaly better to justify the cost? Just curious, if you do reccomend 300blk what brand would you go with? I’m looking at the Colt 6920 for the 223 currently, anything comparable reliability wise chambered in 300?
Thanks!
Well all I can add is the price of range ammo has went down big time over the years. Down around 45 cents a round. I have a 10.5" 300BLK barrel coming tomorrow for my LMT MRP CQB. The nice thing about the LMT MRP line is a barrel swap is a 3 min job. I can go from 5.56 to 300 BLK in about the same time it would take to swap uppers. I can also use my optic and BUIS on both calibers with a little elevation adjustment.
The only reason to go 300blk is SBR or hunting. (6.8) is better for hunting
As a 16" gun it’s interesting, but really not all that impressive. It’s a great round, but it really shines in short barrel, and suppressed. That’s what it was built for. I wouldn’t consider it a substitute for a 556. Get a 556 first, and have a 300 to play with. Unless money is no object, because the cost disparity in ammo does add up.
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If it’s your first AR, definitely go with .223/5.56. Until you decide what your requirements and needs are, it’s the all-around caliber. Plus ammo is much less expensive. No real advantage in your case to justify the extra cost.
As a die hard 300blk guy I always suggest having a 223/556 gun(or upper) as you base, do all gun. If you want to venture into 300blk I would do it later on.
This is coming from a guy that shoots ~10x as much 300blk as 5.56.
I will also agree with the others, if you’re buying your first AR, get a 5.56/223. The 6920 is a good choice, and there’s some really amazing pricing on them right now. The magic and fun of 300blk is in SBR’s and suppressors, so unless you want to jump right into the deep end, there’s no reason to go 300 over 5.56 for a one and only carbine.
And while the difference in cost of ammo may be a non-issue and something under your control, availability is not. 5.56/223 is everywhere, and although it seems to be getting better, the same cannot be said for 300blk.
What is the end goal of the OP? What are his desired results?
Normally, I wouldn’t recommend a caliber other than 5.56 for newer users, but some recent experiances may sway my opinion depending on use, volume of ammo, budget, etc?
I have to agree with others, it depends on purpose.
I have a 10.5" 300blk and want to change it to 8" but my purpose is for an easy to carry to the woods and hunt Whitetail at sub 300 yards (really sub 100)
If you’re not building to hunt then I’d say go 5.56 as its waaaaay cheaper
I suggest you spend a little time reading the various 300 Blackout threads. Default answer is to get a 5.56. You can look at a 300 upper down the road.
Howdy,
As an owned of both .223/5.56 ARs and a 10 1/2" barrel .300BLK I will agree with most posters, go with a .223/5.56 gun first then either buy a .300 upper or another gun.
Also remember with a .300BLK ammo is expensive so I roll my own and since I make my own brass from once fired .223 brass it can be very labor intense and time consuming.
HTH
Paul
You’ve received plenty of answers to make an informed decision, but just incase you needed one more, I’d also say go with the 5.56/.223 16" first. This is a great all purpose rifle. If, down the road, you decide you want to go with a .300 blk, then go for it. I ended up just recently putting together an 8.5" suppressed 300blk, and I enjoy it very much, but it’s more of a niche rifle and doesn’t replace the 5.56.