The 300 Blackout, also known as 300 AAC Blackout or 300 BLK, is a versatile rifle cartridge developed by Advanced Armament Corporation in 2011 for use in AR-15 platforms. It was created to provide performance similar to the 7.62x39mm in a compact package, with the ability to use standard AR-15 magazines and bolts, requiring only a barrel change. This caliber excels in both supersonic and subsonic configurations, making it ideal for tactical applications, suppressed shooting, and hunting. This article focuses specifically on ballistics, analyzing external factors like bullet drop, wind drift, and energy retention, as well as wound ballistics for practical terminal performance. Both supersonic and subsonic loads will be examined to give reloaders and hunters a clear understanding of how this cartridge behaves in real-world scenarios. For more on the cartridge specs and reloading tips, check our 300 Blackout guide. Compared to similar rounds, see the 7.62×39 vs .300 Blackout comparison.
Core External Ballistics
The 300 Blackout uses different bullet weights and velocities, with supersonic loads (typically 110-125 grains at 2200-2350 fps) offering flat trajectories for hunting and defense, while subsonic loads (190-220 grains at 1000-1050 fps) prioritize quiet operation with suppressors. Supersonic rounds behave like lighter rifle cartridges with good energy transfer, but subsonic ones drop quickly due to lower velocities. Data sourced from major manufacturers shows significant differences in performance beyond 200 yards. For deeper charts, refer to our 308 Winchester ballistics for comparison, or the caliber selection guide.
Bullet Drop to 1000 Yards
| Range (Yards) | 110gr Supersonic (Drop in inches) | 125gr Supersonic (Drop in inches) | 190gr Subsonic (Drop in inches) | 220gr Subsonic (Drop in inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 200 | -6.5 | -8.3 | -48 | -54 |
| 300 | -19 | -25.1 | -110 | -125 |
| 400 | -42 | -48.2 | -200 | -230 |
| 500 | -80 | -82.5 | -320 | -370 |
| 600 | -130 | -140 | -470 | -540 |
| 700 | -200 | -220 | -650 | -750 |
| 800 | -290 | -320 | -860 | -990 |
| 900 | -400 | -450 | -1100 | -1270 |
| 1000 | -530 | -810 | -1400 | -1620 |
These numbers, based on a 100-yard zero, illustrate the 300 Blackout’s limitations at long range. Supersonic loads like the 110gr remain practical to 300-400 yards for hunting, with manageable drop for ethical shots on deer or hogs. Beyond 500 yards, the trajectory arcs sharply, making hits unreliable without precise holdovers. Subsonic loads drop dramatically after 200 yards, limiting them to close-range suppressed applications. Realistic ranges for hunting are 200-250 yards supersonic and under 150 yards subsonic. The caliber’s ballistic limitations begin around 300 yards for precision work. For comparisons, see our 6.5 Grendel ballistics or 308 vs 30-06 comparison.
Wind Drift (10 mph Crosswind)
| Range (Yards) | 110gr Supersonic (Drift in inches) | 125gr Supersonic (Drift in inches) | 190gr Subsonic (Drift in inches) | 220gr Subsonic (Drift in inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 100 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 1.7 |
| 200 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 6.5 | 7.2 |
| 300 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 15 | 17 |
| 400 | 13 | 15 | 27 | 30 |
| 500 | 21 | 24 | 43 | 48 |
| 600 | 31 | 35 | 63 | 70 |
| 700 | 44 | 50 | 88 | 98 |
| 800 | 60 | 68 | 118 | 132 |
| 900 | 79 | 90 | 154 | 172 |
| 1000 | 101 | 115 | 196 | 219 |
Heavier subsonic bullets resist drift better at short ranges due to mass, but their slower speeds increase time-of-flight, amplifying drift beyond 200 yards. Supersonic loads, with higher velocities, show less drift initially but still require wind calls at distance. Practical accuracy diminishes after 300 yards in windy conditions, where reading gusts becomes unreliable. For supersonic shooting, expect consistent hits to 250 yards; subsonic is best under 150 yards. See our varmint caliber guide for wind-related tips.
Energy Retention
| Range (Yards) | 110gr Supersonic (ft-lbs) | 125gr Supersonic (ft-lbs) | 190gr Subsonic (ft-lbs) | 220gr Subsonic (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1358 | 1363 | 490 | 490 |
| 100 | 1010 | 991 | 460 | 453 |
| 200 | 750 | 733 | 430 | 430 |
| 300 | 560 | 540 | 400 | 408 |
| 400 | 420 | 403 | 370 | 380 |
| 500 | 320 | 311 | 340 | 350 |
| 600 | 250 | 240 | 310 | 320 |
| 700 | 200 | 190 | 280 | 290 |
| 800 | 160 | 150 | 250 | 260 |
| 900 | 130 | 120 | 220 | 230 |
| 1000 | 110 | 100 | 190 | 200 |
Energy decays faster in supersonic loads due to air resistance, dropping below 500 ft-lbs by 400 yards, while subsonic starts low but retains better proportionally. Ethical hunting ranges are 250 yards for supersonic on medium game, where energy supports expansion; subsonic fails to expand reliably beyond 100 yards without specialized bullets. Certain loads lose effectiveness at distance due to velocity thresholds. For more, review our long-range calibers guide.
Terminal & Wound Ballistics
Bullet design is crucial in 300 Blackout, as supersonic loads create hydrodynamic shock for rapid incapacitation, while subsonic rely on expansion and penetration for effective wounds. The goal here is to provide practical guidance on terminal performance for hunting and defense. For gel-testing insights, explore our bullet reviews.
Bullet Performance Profiles (5 Most Common Loads)
Hornady V-MAX
- Type – Polymer-tipped varmint bullet with thin jacket for rapid fragmentation.
- Behavior – Fragments explosively in tissue, creating wide but shallow wounds with minimal penetration.
- Use – Suited for predators and varmints like coyotes or groundhogs.
- Effective Range – 50-200 yards supersonic.
- Short Summary – Ideal for varmint control where overpenetration is a concern, delivering quick kills on small game.
More details available in our dedicated Hornady V-MAX profile.
Barnes TTSX
- Type – All-copper monolithic bullet with expanding tip for controlled expansion.
- Behavior – Expands reliably with deep penetration and high weight retention in gel tests.
- Use – Perfect for medium game like deer or hogs, ethical hunting.
- Effective Range – 100-300 yards supersonic.
- Short Summary – Provides consistent performance for hunters seeking lead-free options with minimal meat damage.
More details available in our dedicated Barnes TTSX profile.
Nosler Ballistic Tip
- Type – Polymer-tipped hunting bullet with lead core for balanced expansion.
- Behavior – Rapid expansion in tissue, creating large cavities with moderate penetration.
- Use – Geared toward deer and similar game where quick energy dump is needed.
- Effective Range – 50-250 yards supersonic.
- Short Summary – Versatile for hunting, balancing expansion and penetration for clean harvests.
More details available in our dedicated Nosler Ballistic Tip profile.
Hornady ELD-X
- Type – Polymer-tipped match-hunting hybrid with heat shield for long-range stability.
- Behavior – Expands at various velocities, penetrating deeply with controlled wound channels.
- Use – Suitable for big game at extended ranges, like elk or large hogs.
- Effective Range – 100-400 yards supersonic.
- Short Summary – Excels in all-range hunting, maintaining accuracy and terminal effects.
More details available in our dedicated Hornady ELD-X profile.
Lehigh Defense Maximum Expansion
- Type – Solid copper bullet designed for maximum expansion at subsonic speeds.
- Behavior – Creates massive wound channels in gel, with full expansion and limited penetration.
- Use – Ideal for suppressed hunting on hogs or defense scenarios.
- Effective Range – 50-150 yards subsonic.
- Short Summary – Optimized for quiet, close-range terminal performance in tactical setups.
More details available in our dedicated Lehigh Maximum Expansion profile.
Practical Summary
For predators like coyotes, the Hornady V-MAX in supersonic loads fits best with its explosive fragmentation. For hogs and deer, opt for Barnes TTSX or Nosler Ballistic Tip supersonic for penetration and expansion. Subsonic suppressed use shines with Lehigh Maximum Expansion or Hornady ELD-X variants, providing quiet, effective terminal results under 150 yards. Range discipline matters greatly, as the .300 Blackout loses energy quickly beyond 300 yards supersonic. Bullet choice defines terminal results more than velocity alone, especially in subsonic where expansion is key. To dive deeper, read our big game caliber guide or AR-15 barrel guide.
Explore related articles for deeper analysis, such as detailed wound-ballistics breakdowns in our Barnes VOR-TX profile, gel-testing results via Lehigh Controlled Chaos, extended ballistic charts in 30-06 ballistics, and individual bullet reviews like Hornady SST.
