Left the 300 Blackout camp....

[imarangemaster]

I briefly took a trip into the 300 Blackout. I loved it, BUT ammo is totally unaffordable. Even reloading cost 3X to 4X more at least than 5.56. Correct bullets cost about $200 or more for 500 - when you can even find them. I found I almost stopped plinking when I made the switch, because I didn't know when I could afford to load more at .75 to .80 a round.

I am on a disability retirement, and only working part time now. I just could not afford to shoot the .300. I sold off the 300 and went back to 5.56. I have my Retro 20" SP1/602 clone and will build "one piece at a time" a super light weight KISS carbine with early CAR15 fiberlite stock, 16" pencil barrel and slick side SP1/604 upper. Hopefully I'll find a 1/7" twist pencil barrel I can afford so I can shoot MK262 Mod 1, occasionally.

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[imarangemaster]

I forgot to mention that I have since picked up a PTR-91 .308 HK clone. That is expensive enough to feed, and fills the bill for what I intended the 300 BLK to fill. I don't need two expensive ones. I guess I should have mentioned that, too.

[Bill Hollinger]

After your last series of posts on the 300 BO I did some research and concluded it would be best if I stuck to the 5.56 or, maybe a 7.62 X 39 build.

[imarangemaster]

Amen, Bill. I researched the 300 BLK extensively before I switched, BUT as stupid as it sounds, I never really researched how much it would cost to feed it! I knew factory ammo was through the roof, but never counted on the cost of the specialized .308 projectiles needed. I am used to loading lead 45 ACP and 30 Carbine, and cheap 55 grn FMJ .223s. When I finally found the 125 grain BLK projectiles, it was $200 with shipping for 500 of the cheap ones! The Hornady were quite a bit more. Once I got the .308 too, I knew I would be loath to load two expensive rifle calibers.

I really am a fan of the 5.56, though. WHat the 5.56 won't do, my PTR91 .308 will. I am a fan of the MK262 Mod 1, 77 grain OTMBT. It has the thump of the 6.8 and 300 BLK at range, but needs a 1/7" twist barrel. That would still be cheaper to load than the 300 BLK!

[WarPig1976]

Said it before, come on over to the Dark side.!!..it's a cheap date..

[imarangemaster]

Said it before, come on over to the Dark side.!!..it's a cheap date..

Hahaha! Are you referring to the AK platform????? Been there, done that. I would restore Saigas to "real" intended configuration just for fun. Settled on ARs and M1 Carbines (and now G3 clone) when I moved back to Kalifornication! My favorite AK was a tie between a Folding stock Yugo M70 and a Saiga restored to AK103 trim.

[kosmolinekid]

Reminds me of when I bought my first Deer Rifle. My friends had 7mm Mags and .270s and I chose the the old '06 . They both asked why as the 7mm and the .270 were flatter shooters . Easy I said Ammo availability . I can be in Bum Frick Idaho and they will have 30.06 there for sure . My new to shooting friends ask me what caliber they should get for their toys. Easy i said anything the Military or Government uses . It may be lean right now but in the future there will be Surplus ammo and brass . Hopefully !

[imarangemaster]

Reminds me of when I bought my first Deer Rifle. My friends had 7mm Mags and .270s and I chose the the old '06 . They both asked why as the 7mm and the .270 were flatter shooters . Easy I said Ammo availability . I can be in Bum Frick Idaho and they will have 30.06 there for sure . My new to shooting friends ask me what caliber they should get for their toys. Easy i said anything the Military or Government uses . It may be lean right now but in the future there will be Surplus ammo and brass . Hopefully !

I can regularly pick up 223/5.56 brass at backwoods shooting spots. Lately I picked up 500 once fired 223 left by a shooter who was there with me who was bragging about only paying $1 a round! That was at the height of the hysteria shortages and gouging prices. Reloading the 5.56, I haven't paid more than $0.35 a round for ammo, whether factory (or the cost on my components during the shortages). Fortunately 55 Grain .224 FMJBT projectiles are fairly cheap. I still have about 800 55s, with about the same number of CCI #41 primers and 3 pounds of IMR-4198 waiting to be loaded up.

[imarangemaster]

I think I was intoxicated by the exotic aspects 300 BLK, and its superiority at 200 yards to the 5.56. Now that I have a .308 semi-auto PTR91, it will kick the 300 BLK's @ss at 200, 300, and beyond. I actually like the feel of the PTR91/G3 HK platform. I admit the Kalifornication legal Kydex grip paddle sucks, but it does allow me to use my "legally possessed in California before 1-1-2000" 20 round G3 magazines.... Since the photos, I have put a G3 magazine button on it and dug out my G3 mags..

[kosmolinekid]

Yep I have the components too it's the powder that's the problem . IMR powders are too hot for me (heat wise) so I use the old Win 748 for my reloads . My Howa I use IMR 4198 though . i owned 2 HK 91s back in the day sold them because of the ban . They had one of the worst triggers on any rifle I've owned . They ate any ammo I fed it and it kicked that Brass out hard . The Brass had those neat striations left by the chamber . I have an L1A1 now it's more temperamental with the ammo but a classic.