R&R | 7.62x39 or 300 Blackout?

Published on July 25, 2024
Duration: 14:43

This video compares 7.62x39mm and 300 Blackout, focusing on reloading considerations and platform compatibility. The speaker, a firearms enthusiast and reloader, highlights that while 7.62x39mm may offer slightly higher velocity, 300 Blackout presents advantages for AR-15 users due to smaller rifle primers, wider bullet selection, and standard AR magazines. The diminishing availability of cheap steel-cased 7.62x39mm ammunition has narrowed the cost gap, making 300 Blackout a more appealing option for many reloaders.

Quick Summary

For reloaders, 300 Blackout offers key advantages over 7.62x39mm, primarily its use of more available and cheaper small rifle primers compared to large rifle primers for 7.62x39mm. Furthermore, 300 Blackout utilizes standard .308 diameter bullets, providing a wider selection and often lower cost than the specialized .310/.311 bullets required for 7.62x39mm.

Chapters

  1. 00:04Intro & Bullet Unboxing
  2. 01:01AR vs AK Context
  3. 01:337.62x39 vs 300 Blackout Comparison
  4. 03:11Ammunition Cost & Availability
  5. 04:04Merits of Each Round
  6. 04:23Velocity Comparison
  7. 05:25Why 300 Blackout is Better for Reloaders
  8. 05:45Primer Type Advantage
  9. 06:53Bullet Diameter & Selection
  10. 08:39Case Body Taper & Magazine Compatibility
  11. 10:30Summary of Pros & Cons
  12. 10:52AR vs AK Platform Preference
  13. 11:49Final Thoughts on 7.62x39 vs 300 Blackout
  14. 13:14Reloading Brass Availability
  15. 14:10Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main advantages of 300 Blackout over 7.62x39mm for reloaders?

For reloaders, 300 Blackout offers significant advantages primarily through its use of small rifle primers, which are more readily available and cheaper than the large rifle primers needed for 7.62x39mm. Additionally, 300 Blackout uses standard .308 diameter bullets, providing a much wider selection and often lower cost compared to the specialized .310/.311 bullets for 7.62x39mm.

How does the cost and availability of 7.62x39mm and 300 Blackout ammunition compare currently?

The cost difference between steel-cased 7.62x39mm and 300 Blackout has narrowed considerably. Brass-cased 7.62x39mm is now priced comparably to 300 Blackout, making cost less of a deciding factor. Availability for both is generally good, though the speaker notes the decline of cheap steel-cased 7.62x39mm.

Why is magazine compatibility a factor when comparing 7.62x39mm and 300 Blackout in AR-15 platforms?

300 Blackout's straight case body allows it to feed reliably from standard AR-15 magazines. In contrast, 7.62x39mm's tapered case requires specialized, often curved AR-15 magazines that can be prone to feeding issues and reliability problems due to the platform's design not being optimized for this cartridge.

Does 7.62x39mm offer any ballistic advantages over 300 Blackout?

In terms of raw velocity, 7.62x39mm can push a slightly lighter bullet (123-grain) marginally faster (100-150 fps) than a comparable 125-grain bullet in 300 Blackout from the same barrel length. However, this difference is often negligible with factory ammunition and doesn't outweigh other factors for many shooters.

Related News

All News →

More Training & Techniques Videos You Might Like

More from The Gun Dungeon

View all →