{"id":1670,"date":"2025-05-17T01:17:56","date_gmt":"2025-05-17T01:17:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/?p=1670"},"modified":"2025-05-17T01:17:56","modified_gmt":"2025-05-17T01:17:56","slug":"300-blackout-vs-5-56-nato-theres-really-no-comparison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/?p=1670","title":{"rendered":"300 Blackout Vs 5.56 NATO: There&#8217;s Really No Comparison"},"content":{"rendered":"<div> <!-- image --><\/p>\n<div class=\"td-post-featured-image\"> <\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-300-blackout-vs-5-56-conversation-is-like-debating-apples-and-oranges\"><strong>The 300 Blackout Vs 5.56 conversation is like debating apples and oranges.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-bright-line-between-300-blackout-and-5-56-nato\"><strong>The Bright Line Between 300 Blackout and 5.56 NATO:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Similarities between the cartridges end with them sharing the same case and being tailored for military use.<\/li>\n<li>Thanks to its higher velocities, the 5.56 is much more adept at longer ranges.<\/li>\n<li>The standard .22-caliber also performs better out a longer barrel.<\/li>\n<li>300 Blackout is less finicky about barrel length and is excellent out of SBRs.<\/li>\n<li>The .30-caliber is hands down the more suppressible of the two, with ample subsonic loads available.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By now, most everybody knows the 5.56\u00d745mm NATO cartridge. Its fortunes are tied to America\u2019s most popular rifle\u2014the AR-15\u2014the small-bore thunderbolt has become among the most shot centerfire cartridges in the world. As it goes, success breeds competition, and since its adoption by the U.S. military more than one contender has attempted to knock it off its throne. Most have proven mere pestering flies to the king, but not the 300 Blackout.<\/p>\n<p>Admittedly, Blackout\u2014formally known as the 300 AAC Blackout\u2014is still a comparatively niche chambering compared to the 5.56 NATO. AR-smiths across the board offer the latter, not as often the former. Yet, the .30-caliber cartridge\u2019s popularity and stability are impressive, especially for an AR option dubbed by many naysayers as a \u201cflash in the pan\u201d from the start. By far, the .300 Blackout is the second-most popular AR chambering of all time and arguably earned consumer shooters\u2019 respect quicker than even the old standby AR cartridge.<\/p>\n<p>For those who don\u2019t already have both in their gun locker, the 300 Blackout vs 5.56 NATO question is pertinent. There are few dividing lines quite as bright as the one drawn between the two most popular AR cartridges on the market. I&#8217;m a big fan of both, but you need to understand how they vary if you want to employ them in the correct context.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-history-of-service\"><strong>History Of Service<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Most times, the history of a cartridge\u2019s development sheds light on its particular aptitudes, given they were tinkered to specific performance specifications. This is especially true when it comes to the 5.56 NATO and 300 Blackout. Both were tailored for military service, and used the Soviets\u2019 7.62\u00d739mm cartridge as their measuring stick. But each was dialed in for much different operational settings, and thus excel in different areas.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-56-nato\"><strong>5.56 NATO<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-advantages\"><strong>Advantages:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Can reach out further than 300 BLK<\/li>\n<li>Better against body armor<\/li>\n<li>Lower recoil allows for faster follow-up shots<\/li>\n<li>Lighter ammo, easier to carry<\/li>\n<li>Standard military cartridge\u2014better availability of ammo and parts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The 5.56 NATO origin story runs through the turbulent 1960s and the Vietnam War. The knives had been out for the service rifle America entered the war with\u2014the M14, chambered in .308 Winchester\/7.62\u00d751 NATO. Lackluster performance against North Vietnamese\u2019s AK-47s sealed the rifle\u2019s and cartridge\u2019s fate, as politicos and the Pentagon went searching for a lighter, intermediate option that mirrored its adversary\u2019s weapon.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-271381 size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1021\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5.56-Ammo.jpg\" alt=\"Outside of dry times like 2020, 5.56 is typically abundant and low cost. \" class=\"wp-image-271381\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5.56-Ammo.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5.56-Ammo-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5.56-Ammo-768x496.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5.56-Ammo-696x450.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5.56-Ammo-650x420.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Outside of dry times like 2020, 5.56 is typically abundant and low cost.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Eventually, the AR-15 (M16 when adopted by the military) and 5.56 NATO became the choice. What made the 5.56 NATO so appealing for warfare were two main factors: weight and cost.<\/p>\n<p>A single round of 5.56 NATO weighs substantially less than a single round of 7.62. Therefore, a soldier could carry more on his person, and the logistic corps could fit more rounds per truckload. Given numerous post-World War II studies showed proximity to the enemy and volume of fire were keys to winning a firefight, the .22-caliber was perfect for the job. Since it\u2019s a smaller round, requiring less material to construct its bullets and a smaller powder charge to launch it, it was also less expensive\u2014particularly compared to its .30-caliber predecessor.<\/p>\n<p>While it might irk some old-timers\u2014and not delving into the horrendous rifle failures of Vietnam\u2014the 5.56 made for better marksmen as well. The 55-grain bullet moving at 3,250 fps (original specs from the military\u2019s first load) from the AR-15\u2019s muzzle showed improved hits over the M14 and 7.62. The round remained supersonic out to 500 yards and passed the Army\u2019s penetration tests in spades, making it a deadly effective intermediate option\u2014one that&#8217;s been serving the country well since 1964.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, our military is now supposedly planning on replacing 5.56 NATO with .227 Fury\/6.8x51mm, a full-power cartridge that is as roughly heavy as 7.62 NATO and even more expensive to produce. I&#8217;ll save my thoughts on why I think that&#8217;s a very dumb idea for a separate article.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pros\"><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>High velocity, flat trajectory<\/li>\n<li>Very low recoil<\/li>\n<li>Excellent terminal ballistics at optimal velocity<\/li>\n<li>Lightweight<\/li>\n<li>Most common rifle cartridge in U.S., more affordable ammo<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cons\"><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ballistics are very dependent on barrel length<\/li>\n<li>Subsonic loads unviable for most tasks, so shooting suppressed will still result in supersonic crack<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-300-blk-vs-5-56-nato-case-comparison\"><strong>300 BLK Vs 5.56 NATO Case Comparison<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Cartridge<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Case Type<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Bullet Diameter<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Neck Diameter<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Shoulder Diameter<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Base Diameter<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Rim Diameter<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Rim Thickness<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Case Length<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Cartridge Length<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Primer<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>5.56x45mm NATO<\/td>\n<td>Rimless, bottleneck<\/td>\n<td>0.224<\/td>\n<td>0.249<\/td>\n<td>0.349<\/td>\n<td>0.373<\/td>\n<td>0.375<\/td>\n<td>.041<\/td>\n<td>1.76<\/td>\n<td>2.26<\/td>\n<td>Boxer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>.300 AAC Blackout<\/td>\n<td>Rimless, bottleneck<\/td>\n<td>.308<\/td>\n<td>0.334<\/td>\n<td>0.361<\/td>\n<td>0.375<\/td>\n<td>0.375<\/td>\n<td>0.045<\/td>\n<td>1.368<\/td>\n<td>1.78<\/td>\n<td>Small rifle<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: Gun Digest&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gundigeststore.com\/product\/cartridges-of-the-world-17th-edition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cartridges of the World, 17th Edition<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-300-blackout\"><strong>300 Blackout<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-advantages-0\"><strong>Advantages:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Better for shooting suppressed<\/li>\n<li>Bigger bullet, can be more effective at closer ranges, good for hunting<\/li>\n<li>Retains good ballistics out of very short barrels<\/li>\n<li>Commonly offered in both supersonic and subsonic varieties<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>How do you get 7.62\u00d739 ballistic performance out of an AR? Seems the answer is the 300 Blackout. Just don\u2019t think the relatively new cartridge was the first crack at seating a .30-caliber bullet in a .223 Remington case. J.D. Jones did a spell before Advanced Armament Corporation got the Blackout standardized by the Sporting Arms And Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI) in a little wildcat known as the .300 Whisper. (Patrick Sweeney has an exceptional write-up on the <a href=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/gear-ammo\/ammunition\/300-blackout-vs-300-whisper-is-there-a-difference\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">300 Blackout vs .300 Whisper<\/a> and their minute differences.)<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-203569 size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"688\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blackout-2.jpg\" alt=\"Close to medium range, the 300 Blackout is right on target, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.\" class=\"wp-image-203569\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blackout-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blackout-2-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blackout-2-768x528.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blackout-2-100x70.jpg 100w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blackout-2-218x150.jpg 218w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blackout-2-696x479.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blackout-2-610x420.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"688\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blackout-2.jpg\" alt=\"Close to medium range, the 300 Blackout is right on target, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-203569\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blackout-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blackout-2-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blackout-2-768x528.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blackout-2-100x70.jpg 100w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blackout-2-218x150.jpg 218w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blackout-2-696x479.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blackout-2-610x420.jpg 610w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Close to medium range, the 300 Blackout is right on target, don&#8217;t let anyone tell you otherwise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Whisper or Blackout, the cartridge is extremely innovative on several levels. Not only does it do a bang-up job of replicating the iconic Soviet cartridge\u2019s ballistics, but it does so with minimum modification to the AR platform. Barrel switch and that\u2019s it; you&#8217;ve gone from 5.56 to 300 Blackout. Bolt, magazine, gas system can all stay the same.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s handy, but what the cartridge is best known for is what its wildcat predecessor was created for\u2014suppression. Go heavy with bullet weight, say 220 grains, and subsonic in velocity, and the 300 Blackout is as quiet as a church mouse fart (my favorite quality of 300 BLK). Suppression isn&#8217;t it&#8217;s only forte, however, as the Blackout doesn\u2019t lose a beat when shot out of short-barreled rifles. If you want a super short AR as a truck or backpack gun, I think .300 BLK is the only sane choice. Don&#8217;t believe me? Go look at the ballistics for 5.56 NATO when it&#8217;s coming out of an 8-inch barrel.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bone-up-on-ar-15-cartridges\">Bone Up On AR-15 Cartridges:<\/h3>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p>The combination of all three traits is what piqued the military\u2019s interest, but not for any mainstream duty. Instead, special operations\u2014hamstrung by suppressed pistol-caliber sub-machine guns and carbines\u2014found it an especially potent upgrade. The punch of a rifle round, quiet as a graveyard when suppressed and adaptable to most configurations made it a flexible tool, malleable to mission criteria.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pros-0\"><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Subsonic loads great for shooting suppressed<\/li>\n<li>Still effective out of very short barrels<\/li>\n<li>Heavier bullet can have ballistic advantage at closer ranges<\/li>\n<li>Available in supersonic and subsonic loads<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cons-0\"><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Not as effective at longer ranges, steeper trajectory<\/li>\n<li>Heavier ammo<\/li>\n<li>If loaded into a 5.56 rifle and fired it could blow it up<\/li>\n<li>More expensive than 5.56<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-300-blackout-vs-5-56-nato-ballistics\"><strong>300 Blackout vs 5.56 NATO Ballistics<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Given their much different ends, it\u2019s no surprise the two cartridges contrast each other in performance. As a general rule, the 5.56 NATO shoots flatter and, true to its original parameters, doles plenty of damage out to 500 yards. Farther out, as the round stays supersonic for a spell, it takes a steady hand to keep the light, wind-sensitive bullets on targets.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-278337\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1227\" height=\"627\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blk-vs-556-Trajectory.jpg\" alt=\"Head to head, it's simple to see where each cartridge excels in terms of range.\" class=\"wp-image-278337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blk-vs-556-Trajectory.jpg 1227w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blk-vs-556-Trajectory-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blk-vs-556-Trajectory-1024x523.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blk-vs-556-Trajectory-768x392.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blk-vs-556-Trajectory-696x356.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blk-vs-556-Trajectory-1068x546.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blk-vs-556-Trajectory-822x420.jpg 822w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1227px) 100vw, 1227px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1227\" height=\"627\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blk-vs-556-Trajectory.jpg\" alt=\"Head to head, it's simple to see where each cartridge excels in terms of range.\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-278337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blk-vs-556-Trajectory.jpg 1227w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blk-vs-556-Trajectory-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blk-vs-556-Trajectory-1024x523.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blk-vs-556-Trajectory-768x392.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blk-vs-556-Trajectory-696x356.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blk-vs-556-Trajectory-1068x546.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-Blk-vs-556-Trajectory-822x420.jpg 822w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1227px) 100vw, 1227px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Head to head, it&#8217;s simple to see where each cartridge excels in terms of range.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Theoretically, supersonic 300 Blackout has the ability to make it a threat at 500 yards, though I doubt I&#8217;d want to take that distance on a target I must land a shot on. Given the mild velocities\u2014somewhat akin to the .30-30 Winchester\u2014and pedestrian ballistic coefficients for the caliber, its bullets drop relatively quickly. This is especially true compared to the 5.56.<\/p>\n<p>An example is in order. Take the U.S. Military\u2019s 5.56 M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round (.371 BC, 2,970 fps MV) and a somewhat comparable load for the 300 Blackout, Hornady\u2019s 125 gr FMJ Frontier (.250 BC, 2,160 fps MV). At a mere 200 yards with a 100 zero, the 300 Blackout drops nearly 5.5 inches more than the 5.56, at 300 yards it drops a whopping 19-inches more. From there it really degrades. By and large, the relatively rapid loss of velocity confines the 300 Blackout to near medium and close ranges.<\/p>\n<p>Terminally, especially in the context of hunting anything larger than a coyote, the Blackout has the upper edge. True enough, the 5.56 and .223 Remington have taken deer and are popular (and legal) options in many corners of the county. However, numerous hunters consider a .22-caliber too light for big game, and quite a few state divisions of wildlife agree.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, according to my home state of Colorado\u2019s DOW, a big-game hunter must be armed with \u201cRifles using center-fire cartridges of .24 caliber or larger, having expanding bullets of at least seventy (70) grains in weight, except for elk and moose where the minimum bullet weight is eighty-five (85) grains, and with a rated impact energy one hundred (100) yards from the muzzle of at least one thousand (1000) foot-pounds as determined by the manufacturer&#8217;s rating \u2026 .\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There are plenty of 300 Blackout loads that meet the criterion laid out by the Centennial State to hunt every one of its big game species. Though, dust up on your stalking skills if the smallish .30-caliber is your choice.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Cartridge\/Load<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>G1 BC<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Muzzle Velocity<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>5.56x45mm NATO 62gr M855A1<\/td>\n<td>0.371<\/td>\n<td>2,970 fps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>300 BLK Hornady 125gr FMJ Frontier<\/td>\n<td>0.250<\/td>\n<td>2,160 fps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-rifle-configuration\"><strong>Rifle Configuration<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>For most, this is where the rubber hits the road in the 300 Blackout vs 5.56 NATO discussion. Every shape and size of AR is chambered for both cartridges, but each excels in different configurations. I like to think small with the 300 Blackout and go long with the 5.56 NATO.<\/p>\n<p>Since it was designed with short-barreled rifles in mind and is suitable for close-in work, the 300 Blackout makes a much more logical AR pistol option. For hunting, carbine length has served me well and I&#8217;ve found makes for a nimble companion in the woods. When suppressed, the ability to eschew one&#8217;s earpro while traipsing around is the cherry on top.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-275575\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1021\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-blackout-10.jpg\" alt=\"Be warned, if you have both calibers, the 300 Blackout will chamber in a 5.56 ... not good.\" class=\"wp-image-275575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-blackout-10.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-blackout-10-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-blackout-10-768x496.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-blackout-10-696x450.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-blackout-10-650x420.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1021\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-blackout-10.jpg\" alt=\"Be warned, if you have both calibers, the 300 Blackout will chamber in a 5.56 ... not good.\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-275575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-blackout-10.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-blackout-10-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-blackout-10-768x496.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-blackout-10-696x450.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/300-blackout-10-650x420.jpg 650w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Be warned, if you have both calibers, the 300 Blackout will chamber in a 5.56 \u2026 not good.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The 5.56 is more than functions in a pistol configuration, but at the sacrifice of velocity. You\u2019ll have more than enough for CQC if that\u2019s your aim. But if you have a yen to let the reins out on your rifle or want to pick off called coyotes, you\u2019ll likely be happier with a carbine-length barrel or longer. Hell, if you don\u2019t foresee pieing corners, you might even consider a classic 20-inch barreled rifle\u2013my favorite barrel length for the caliber\u2013many of which are out and out tack drivers. Being the original configuration, I think it&#8217;s a shame how 20-inch ARs have fallen out of popularity these days, with many younger shooters having never even shot one. If that&#8217;s you, do yourself a favor and try one sometime, they&#8217;re buttery smooth shooters compared to any carbine.<\/p>\n<p>One last note, suppressed shooting is a no brainer \u2026 300 Blackout. It\u2019s where the cartridge\u2019s roots are laid and there\u2019s ample subsonic ammunition available.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-parting-shot\"><strong>Parting Shot<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>It should go without saying, when talking 300 Blackout vs 5.56 in the AR platform, there\u2019s little reason to settle for one or the other. You always have the cost-effective option of having different uppers for each cartridge, in case you can\u2019t make up your mind. But if you run a domestic-beer budget, define mission parameters for your AR, and the clear choice of cartridge will shine through.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-18\" style=\"margin: 8px 0; clear: both;\">\n<div style=\"border: 2px solid #e5e5e5; padding: 20px; border-radius: 10px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-271572\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300-300x235.jpg\" alt=\"44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300\" width=\"300\" height=\"235\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignright size-medium wp-image-271572\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300-300x235.jpg\" alt=\"44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300\" width=\"300\" height=\"235\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"color: #333; text-align: center;\">Next Step: Get your FREE Printable Target Pack<\/h2>\n<p>Enhance your shooting precision with our 62 MOA Targets, perfect for rifles and handguns. Crafted in collaboration with Storm Tactical for accuracy and versatility.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Subscribe to the Gun Digest email newsletter<\/strong> and get your downloadable target pack sent straight to your inbox. Stay updated with the latest firearms info in the industry.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\nn.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\nif(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\nn.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\nt.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\ns.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script',\n'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\nfbq('init', '621304737315292');\nfbq('track', 'PageView');<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 300 Blackout Vs 5.56 conversation is like debating apples and oranges. The Bright Line Between 300 Blackout and 5.56 NATO: Similarities between the cartridges end with them sharing the same case and being tailored for military use. Thanks to its higher velocities, the 5.56 is much more adept at longer ranges. The standard .22-caliber [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1671,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1670","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tactical-gear"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1670","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1670"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1670\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1672,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1670\/revisions\/1672"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1671"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1670"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1670"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1670"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}