Loading 300 aac black out
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muta4warrior
Member
H110/W296 does not make enough gas to cycle an AR in that weight class, Accurate 1680 is the preferred powder for 220's.. and is what I use in mine.
shooter444
Member
muta4warrior said:
Agreed! A1680 is what I started loading 300BLK and have had only one problem with 220 grain bullets jacket/cast lead. But, I load my 300BLK different from most. I load it to a few hundred feet per second above subsonic. The problem was not enough room for the powder charge I wanted resulted in bullets giving me seating problems. It has been awhile since loading some 300BLK, but, I believe 12.5 grains of A1680 is what I settled on, I would have to check my records to be exact.
I am sure you have read this before, You should never use load data published on the net without extreme caution!
I highly recommend A1680 with 200 grain / plus bullets, for the velocity I load for.
I've loaded and chronographed some 203 grain Palmetto Projectiles powder coated bullets. I used 9.0 grains of Accurate 1680. Cartridge overall length was 1.95 inches. I used Lee factory crimp die at the default setting. Barrel is 1:8 twist, 10.5" long. I used standard D&H aluminum AR15 mags. It was reliable but I was only getting 904 fps. I have not ran them suppressed yet or on paper targets (to check for tumbling). I plan to increase my powder charge until I get to 1000+/- fps.
Has anyone had any problems with powder coated bullets leading or clogging up gas ports or suppressors? I haven't seen any signs of it yet but it still something I'm concerned about.
Has anyone had any problems with powder coated bullets leading or clogging up gas ports or suppressors? I haven't seen any signs of it yet but it still something I'm concerned about.
shooter444
Member
AZ1, you may want to consider using some straight Linotype lead cast bullets. I considered the powder coat route when I started casing, but soon realize staying with my bare lead castings, sized .003" over bore and my moly lube (moly powder+bees wax+avocado oil) resulted in a lead free bore with my 10.5"/1-8 twist pistol upper at around 1,400 FPS. So, I decided, why fix what ain't broken.
IN FACT, when I got through shooting that combination, my barrel was cleaner than when I started and with no signs of leading in my gas system! Actually, I find a bright shinny barrels with all my lead reloads. I can't state my praise for moly lube, strong enough!
I doubt very much, you can find Pure Linotype Boolits on the open market. So,if casting your own is not on your bucket list, just pass this post by.
IN FACT, when I got through shooting that combination, my barrel was cleaner than when I started and with no signs of leading in my gas system! Actually, I find a bright shinny barrels with all my lead reloads. I can't state my praise for moly lube, strong enough!
I doubt very much, you can find Pure Linotype Boolits on the open market. So,if casting your own is not on your bucket list, just pass this post by.
Harrier
Member
hmmm... I have some aa-1680 and a pile of the 220-230 lee bullets cast with WW +pewter.
aa-1680 was not one of the powders I tested in my 16" barrel - I also have some Winchester 180gr Silvertips I haven't loaded up yet.... since the upper hasn't sold, I may give it another try... any recommendations?
aa-1680 was not one of the powders I tested in my 16" barrel - I also have some Winchester 180gr Silvertips I haven't loaded up yet.... since the upper hasn't sold, I may give it another try... any recommendations?
shooter444
Member
Harrer, I have read of complaints with A1680 for subsonic loads w/220gr.
It has been awhile, but I think those who were complaining were trying to get the velocity down so slow, to facilitate extreme noise reduction/suppressor work, that they ran into grouping issues. Ramshot load data doesn't have any load data on subs less than 1,000FPS. It seemed like the common consensus on that site was that H110 would do a better job for their goal. I had no problem with A1680 in my initial work up from subsonic speeds to what I wanted, so, I can't confirm what they were complaining about. Personally, I wouldn't go much lighter than your 180's w/A1680. I believe there are much better calibers suited for 150gr and lighter bullets, just my opinion.
Here is a link to Ramshot 's reload data.
http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/WesternLoadGuide1-2016_Web-1.pdf
As you can see, ALL loads for A1680 in 300BLK supersonic are COMPRESSED loads. Personally, I had problems compressing A1680 for subs and supers, and after a very long trial and error period gave it up. I just dropped down to just below bullet base for all the projectiles I tried and stayed with the ones that grouped well for my pistol. After casting some linotype Lee 300BLK 230gr?, I found I could get more powder in, than I could with my jacketed 220's and not run into a compressed load problem. Linotype casts lighter than a heavier lead percentage mix, and cool off a a little over 200gr for me, which meets my goal of approx. 1,400fps. That is why I specifically specify that I load 200's+ a few hundred feet faster than subsonic when I publish comments on A1680 and 300BLK.
good luck.
It has been awhile, but I think those who were complaining were trying to get the velocity down so slow, to facilitate extreme noise reduction/suppressor work, that they ran into grouping issues. Ramshot load data doesn't have any load data on subs less than 1,000FPS. It seemed like the common consensus on that site was that H110 would do a better job for their goal. I had no problem with A1680 in my initial work up from subsonic speeds to what I wanted, so, I can't confirm what they were complaining about. Personally, I wouldn't go much lighter than your 180's w/A1680. I believe there are much better calibers suited for 150gr and lighter bullets, just my opinion.
Here is a link to Ramshot 's reload data.
http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/WesternLoadGuide1-2016_Web-1.pdf
As you can see, ALL loads for A1680 in 300BLK supersonic are COMPRESSED loads. Personally, I had problems compressing A1680 for subs and supers, and after a very long trial and error period gave it up. I just dropped down to just below bullet base for all the projectiles I tried and stayed with the ones that grouped well for my pistol. After casting some linotype Lee 300BLK 230gr?, I found I could get more powder in, than I could with my jacketed 220's and not run into a compressed load problem. Linotype casts lighter than a heavier lead percentage mix, and cool off a a little over 200gr for me, which meets my goal of approx. 1,400fps. That is why I specifically specify that I load 200's+ a few hundred feet faster than subsonic when I publish comments on A1680 and 300BLK.
good luck.
Harrier
Member
Thanks for the info, my barrel 16" with no can- so I'm pretty much committed to supersonic loads.
A couple years ago when I got it, I put together some loads to see if there was anything that stood out.
Bullets I tried were 110 JHP, 115 JHP, 125 JSP, 130 JSP, and 230 LSP powders I tried included aa5744, imr4227, lil'gun, re-7, unique, aa9 and w296... velocities ranged from 930 to 2330fps - nothing impressed me so I stuck it in the gun room and haven't messed with it since. Haven't tried the 150-180 weights yet. If I could find a nice load, especially with lead, I'd keep it for the interchangeability plinking factor.
A couple years ago when I got it, I put together some loads to see if there was anything that stood out.
Bullets I tried were 110 JHP, 115 JHP, 125 JSP, 130 JSP, and 230 LSP powders I tried included aa5744, imr4227, lil'gun, re-7, unique, aa9 and w296... velocities ranged from 930 to 2330fps - nothing impressed me so I stuck it in the gun room and haven't messed with it since. Haven't tried the 150-180 weights yet. If I could find a nice load, especially with lead, I'd keep it for the interchangeability plinking factor.
shooter444
Member
Harrier, I have posted much about my likes for heavy, slow, penetrating bullets in defense work. I have found the 300BLK 200gr plus weight bullets to fit those requirements quite nicely. Here is a video that pretty much says it all for me, about the 300BLK as a low velocity, reduced sound, reduced recoil, penetrating AR pistol caliber.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ely6T4ZfSls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ely6T4ZfSls
I load 168 gr BTHP with H110 and CCI #450 with 16.0 and they are still super sonic. I load for a 16" with a pistol gas tube set up. If you are going 220 I would say stay around 9.4 gr max. Might be okay to go less if you are using an 8" to 10" barrel.
Racewin
Member
Lil'Gun is also a proven option.
Harrier
Member
Besides 300 Blk, I use it for 357/44 Mag - mostly in lever actions....
it burns hot and they say it will burn out your forcing cone or top strap if used extensively in a revolver.
I've shot some of the loads from my pistols and it does get the velocity up there but as a general rule I keep them for the carbines.
it burns hot and they say it will burn out your forcing cone or top strap if used extensively in a revolver.
I've shot some of the loads from my pistols and it does get the velocity up there but as a general rule I keep them for the carbines.
