Max effective range of 300 AAC BLACKOUT

[rsilvers]

The US Military rates the Max Effective Range of the M4 as 500 meters for a point target.

If the max effective range of the M4 with M855 at 2900 fps is 500 meters, that has 100 inches of drop, 41 inches drift, and 291 ft/lbs of energy:

16 inch 300 AAC BLACKOUT 125 grain at 2220 fps has:
100 inches drop at 440 meters
41 inches drift at 484 meters
291 ft/lbs of energy at 700 meters.

The military tends to go by hit probability rather than energy. If we use the drift and drop range as being correlated with hit probability, and discount the energy advantage of 300 BLK, we get 462 meters.

Using M4 military hit-probability standards, the max effective range of 300 AAC Blackout from a 16 inch barrel is 460 meters.

From a 9 inch barrel (2049 fps):
100 inches drop at 410 meters
41 inches drift at 470 meters
291 ft/lbs of energy at 625 meters.

440 meters for a 9 inch.

300 BLK from a 9 inch barrel has the same energy at the muzzle as a 14.5 inch barrel M4, and about 5% more energy at 440 meters.

 

[SELPHB]

Re: Max effective range of 300 AAC BLACKOUT

I have taken wild pigs out with my 16”BLK at 300 yards with no problem; I was using Barnes 130gr TTSX with 18gr of H-110.

 

[BERTMAN77MK2]

Re: Max effective range of 300 AAC BLACKOUT

always wondered how those mathmatical computations would compare
certain cartridges--very interesting to say the least

 

[BlackMamba]

Re: Max effective range of 300 AAC BLACKOUT

I was testing some black out yesterday, shooting subsonics.
My friend that loaded them I believe said they 178 sierras with 15gr 4895. They were still making a very big splash at 600yds(shooting into water).
Yes we had some drop but still affective.

 

[Dcusator]

As the 300 AAC cartridge has become more common and the effective range of 462 Meters, is an 8x scope too much/nice to have compared to 6x? I am looking to add a LPVO to my new 300 Blk Daniel Defense M4 V7P (10.3 in barrel).

 

[The King]

Gotta realize that effective range is sort of a bad metric - particularly when the governments accuracy specs are so low.

The m4 carbine accuracy spec is “over there” and the ammo accuracy spec for 855 is “that barn there”.

Is a 16” 300 blackout shooting match bullets the same or less effective range than a 3 MOA m4 shooting 4 MOA ammo with an ES or 200fps?

Nope.

Then again, neither is the mk12 platform and ammo a 500m gun.

 

[loveha]

What is it lately with Booty McBoot Face resurrecting old posts.

@Dcusator As to your question. Get whatever you want that will fit your needs. I personally like some magnification on my 300BLK.
Both my subsonic and supersonic 300BLK have 4-12x40 scopes. I use them for hunting.

Barnes says their 120gn 300BLK is effective out to 300 yards. How accurate it is at that distance is you and how well you can aim with whatever power scope you have.

300 Blackout - Barnes Bullets

www.barnesbullets.com

 

[alamo5000]

It's going to depend on the projectile more than anything. There is a thread that I just re-found that is 100 posts long discussing the effectiveness of given projectiles at distances. At very least it's a starting point.

Max Effective Range of Common 300 BLK Projectiles » 300BlkTalk

 

[r.tenorio671]

...in my foray into the 300BO world years back I found it to be a very good alternative to 223/556 in multiple areas, especially in reloading costs. I find it to be my preferred use for HD and "CQB" type scenarios if it ever comes down to that, especially in a short platform of 10", and still have the 100-200YD stand-off reach. I have been fortunate in that only barrels & ammo /ammo components have been what I've had to purchase to make reliable platforms, all ancillary components (mags, etc) can be shared with my 223/556 platforms.