Which is the Better AR Round
When it comes to purchasing a rifle one of the most important factors to consider is the chambering of the rifle. In modern rifles like the AR-15, two rifle chamberings reign supreme: 5.56×45mm and .300 Blackout rounds. Standard 5.56 rounds have a wide array of applications and are easy-to-come by, making them good for basic applications. However, chambering a rifle in .300 Blackout allows one to purchase far more specialized ammo for their use-case, as both supersonic and subsonic ammunition exists for the .300 Blackout.
Our team at Ammo by Pistol Pete has prepared this guide to better understand the differences between these chamberings and which might be best for you.
5.56×45mm and its Qualities
Let’s take a look at the qualities of 5.56x45mm.
Affordability
Due to its widespread usage not only by the United States Military and NATO, but by the civilian population as well, 5.56 rounds are easy to come by and in-turn relatively cheap at ~50 cents per round.
Effective Range
As 5.56 is a lighter round with a higher velocity it has an effective range that exceeds 500 yards.
Recoil and Sound
As it is a smaller round with a moderate powder content, it fires the projectile far without significantly high recoil, but the because it is a high-pressure round, it is very loud.
Personal Defense
Due to its speed and shape, 5.56 rounds have a tendency to penetrate softer targets, meaning it is less optimized for home defense, as rounds could penetrate potential attackers and damage items or people.
Subsonic .300 Blackout Rounds
Compactness
Subsonic .300 Blackout Rounds are designed to fire effectively (complete powder burn) in rifles with barrels as small as 8”, making it great for compact rifles
Effective Range
As subsonic .300 Blackout Rounds are heavier rounds, they only have an effective range of around 100-200 yars
Recoil and Sound
As these are low-pressure rounds designed for suppressed fire, subsonic .300 Blackout Rounds are extremely quiet with minimal recoil
Cost
As a harder to come by round, subsonic Blackout rounds are on the more expensive end of rifle rounds costing upwards of .85 cents per round
Personal Defense
As these are heavier rounds travelling at a lower speed, these rounds are great for personal defences as they lose lots of speed on contact, meaning they have a lower risk of penetrating an attacker and damaging people or items
Supersonic .300 Blackout Rounds
Compactness
Similar to the subsonic .300 Blackout Rounds, supersonic rounds can fire out of rifles with barrel lengths as low as 9”. This being said these rounds are far better suited rifles with longer 16” barrels
Effective Range
These rounds have a flatter trajectory, as they are traveling much faster, when compared to their subsonic counterparts allowing them to have nearly double the effect range at ~400 yards
Recoil and Sounds
As these rounds are far more powerful and designed to penetrate larger targets such as hogs or deer, they are far louder with moderate, but manageable, recoil
Cost
Similar to the Subsonic .300 Blackout Rounds, these cost about 80 cents per round, making them less affordable when compared to other rifle formats
Personal Defense
Less optimized for personal defense when compared to their subsonic counterparts, as they have a higher penetration risk, and are far louder
Which Chambering is Better for You?
When deciding between the two it is important to factor in what you’re going to be using your firearm for. When it comes to most general use cases, 5.56 will be the better option as it has a higher effective range, is far more available, and it has moderate recoil. For hunting or range shooting, weapons chambered in 5.56 will hit targets both close and far with a high degree of accuracy. When it comes to personal defense, .300 Blackout may be the more optimized round. Due to the variety of ammunition types for the platform, weapons chambered in .300 Blackout can be used both effectively in personal defense and hunting applications. Subsonic .300 Blackout rounds are fantastic for suppressed fire as they can fire at their max velocity from smaller barrels, and they are far quieter than standard 5.56 rounds.
Supersonic .300 Blackout rounds can be used effectively against larger game as they have a moderate effective range coupled with a tendency to expand inside larger targets. So if you will be mostly using your firearm at the range or hunting medium-sized game, 5.56 would be more optimized for those uses, whereas, .300 Blackout is more optimized for personal defense or large game hunting depending on the ammunition you purchase.
Where to Buy Ammo
Whether you’re looking to purchase some of the ammunition mentioned in the article above or weapons chambered for them, you need a trustworthy and reliable supplier. That’s where Ammo by Pistol Pete comes in, whether you’re purchasing firearms, ammunition, accessories, firearm parts, or apparel, Pete’s has you covered!
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Final Thoughts
Both of these rifle chamberings are effective for most general uses, when it comes to deciding between the two, it’s a decision between general and more specialized use. 5.56 is popular for a reason, as are the weapons chambered in it, it’s great for hunting, shooting at the range, and can be used somewhat effectively in personal defense (albeit at the risk of collateral damage from a round exiting a target and hitting something else).
For more specialized use rifles chambered in .300 Blackout can outperform 5.56 in many of these uses depending on the ammunition used, although it does still fall short in terms of range.
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