RangeReport: .300 Blackout Delta Company Arms

[libertyman777]

Well, I finally had the opportunity to shoot my new .300 BLK upper from Aaron at Delta Company Arms. Long story short, I was looking and trying to decide between a bolt gun and an upper. Spoke with Aaron and we discussed the merits and short comings of each system at length, and I mean at length. Aaron took the time to explain his ideas, address my concerns and once I was satisfied, work proceeded.

I chose a pistol length gas system, adjustable gas block and the 16" barrel. I also went with the side charger so that I can cut the gas off and run it like a bolt gun. (That was one of the trade offs. Although it's not as quiet as a bolt gun, it's still pretty quiet but having semiauto capability is there too).

Right now, I have a pile of 180 grain bullets and 155 grain. I gathered some load data and headed downstairs. I like to play it safe so I started at what I felt were appropriate levels.

Started out with what I new would be supersonic to get on the paper at 25 yards. I opened the gas block 1/2 turn per Aaron's recommendation. Fired round one, and it stove piped. Opened up 1/4 turn, made dope change, ejected but did not strip a round from the magazine. Opened 1/4 turn. Full cycle and zero problems.

Shot the 3 rounds at 25 yards them moved out to 50. Fired a couple more rounds and thought I could see the hole but not 100% positive through the 4x scope.

Then I closed the gas block and tried several single fire shots with the 180 grain subsonic. I don't think the bolt tried to cycle but I'm not 100% positive. I was hearing some spring noise but it may have been just from straight recoil. It was not out of battery and it was a piece of cake to eject and chamber a round by hand.

So I returned to the supersonic and opened up the test block 1 full turn, pulled out a the Berger supersonic rounds and fired three of those. Then I walked down to have a look. Here's the results of the supersonic ammo at 50 yards.

So, I'm thinking this is good and I move out to 100 yards.

I only had 4 Sierra Palma rounds left so I shot a group.

Then I took my last five of the 155 Berger and shot another group.

Subtract .30 from either of those and it's MOA and that's about as well as I can shoot with a 4x Com Bloc scope.

So now I'm out of supersonic ammo, I move to the remaining subsonics. But I left the gas block open 1 full turn just to see if it would cycle. It's generally accepted that heavier projectiles are needed to cycle at subsonic velocities, at least heavier than 180 grain. But it cycled, then it cycled again. And again and again and again. It took me a number of rounds to figure out the POI shift but on the BDC of this scope, it's 4.5 between the super and subsonic loadings, which is about 11 inches or so. Admittedly, the supersonic loads are somewhat anemic, I started middle of the road. The Berger were slightly hotter than the Sierra, but I'd like to take them up some more.

40 rounds total.

10 rounds Sierra 155 Palma
2.188 OAL
14 grains of H110
1614 (adjusted gas block)
1574 (adjusted gas block)
1576
1555
1576
1572
1563
1561

10 rounds Berger 155 VLD
2.250 OAL
14.5 grains H110
1658
1664
1644
1662
1631
1670
1654
1640
1658
1654

10 rounds Hornady 180 Spire Point Flat Base
2.26 OAL
10.4 grains A1680
1010
1060
949
976
995
1018
989
1007
1061
970

10 rounds Hornady 180 Spire Point Flat Base
2.26 OAL
10.2 grains A1680

931
955
948
936
972
1007
995
973
994

I forgot to write down a shot or two on a couple of strings but the missing shots were similar.

I fired one group with my last 5 subsonic rounds, the 10.2 grain.

I'm really tempted to put some glass on this rifle and see what it will do. The upper was assembled by Delta Company Arms, 16" barrel, Samson FF tube with rail, PRI adjustable gas block, pistol length gas system. Lower is a RRA, A2 stock, stock internals and RRA 2 stage trigger. Scope is a IOR LPS 4x6 TIP2 with Dragunov reticle converted to picatinny.

I could not be more pleased with the upper and service that I've received from Delta Company. The only problem I have now, is that Aaron is building me a .308 bolt gun and I'm going to have a hard time waiting for it. I have no doubt that it will shoot the lights out.

 

[Oakland Tactical]

Re: RangeReport: .300 Blackout Delta Company Arms

How much faster do you think you can push the berger 155VLD?

 

[libertyman777]

Re: RangeReport: .300 Blackout Delta Company Arms

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Re25</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How much faster do you think you can push the berger 155VLD? </div></div>

Not sure. 18 grains is max for a 150 grain projectile based on the information I've been able to glean off the web. If I were able to get another 300 fps out of it safely, I'd be happy.

I'm gonna try some stick powders as well.

 

[rwest309]

Re: RangeReport: .300 Blackout Delta Company Arms

Spoke with Aaron today about a bolt action 300 blk. He took a significant amount of time to speak with me and I was pleasantly surprised with his knowledge and professionalism. I will order from him when the time comes. Good guy.