Ok,
brand new to this cartridge.
Far from new to ARs or reloading.
This was a budget build when I realized all I needed was a barrel.
I ordered an Alpha Sports 16 inch govt. profile carbine gas barrel
160$ delivered.
So that’s it, that is all it cost.
Seriously, laying around I had
I had a PSA LBK, a mil-spec BCG, and CH laying around-
225$
RED X Arms upper + UBK-
88$
Lower= 125$
I also splurged, and got
300 Blackout etched ejection port cover- new 15$
So, 613$
gas tube and pin, 5$ and Brownells gas block, 30$,
so about 650$ really.
This is a little handy deer/hog slayer, not going for a tactical sling or back up sights. So that saves a few bucks.
I put on a PEPR type mount that came with a 1x4 scope, that came with a free better mount,
and a cheap armored scope I got in the 90s that has held up to everything it has been on and still works and accurate that was probably like 40 bucks. I
had a blemished rail system I could have put on (150$) but put it on my youngest daughters carbine instead.
I had a pair of carbine handguards laying around
with the heat shields.
I have been told anecdotally that round for round these heat up more than 5.56.
I can’t really count any of the above in the expense,
but if the heat stuff is true I have one of those barrel shroud type flash hiders coming (and it is stamped 300 blackout) for 35$.
So let’s round it off to a 685$ carbine.
There are some 5.56 entry level carbines on the gun store racks at that price, and
I could probably have found a new gun in 300 AAC at a LGS or delivered to an FFL for just a few hundred more. But, I like building my own and everything was just sitting here to use except a barrel and FH/comp.
I have plenty of brass, powder, primers, and bullet tips.
Still waiting on dies.
Oh, and I forgot to count 3 Pmag ten rounds and a 3 pack of 5 round limiters to keep it hunting legal.