Best .300 Blackout Ammo for Hunting

AR platform rifles have been gaining in popularity as a hunting go-to, and rightly so. They are a lightweight, and comfortable firearm option- and seriously fun to shoot. However, what any hunter will tell you is that taking care to match your caliber, and cartridge type, with your game is an incredibly important detail if you have any integrity. 

A clean, quick kill is what you always want to aim for, and the right bullet will help that happen. If you are considering using your 300 Blackout set-up on your next hunting trip, you want to keep a few things in mind. Let’s explore the best 300 Blackout ammo for hunting hogs, deer, and your favorite small game or varmints. 

Quick Comparisons of the 5 Best .300 Blackout Ammo for Hunting

The Rise of AR Platforms for Hunting

An AR offers a few things a traditional rifle doesn’t when it comes to hunting, making it a popular platform for many. On the top of the list is its versatility, accuracy, and customizable features. And although you have to still abide by state laws concerning how many bullets you have loaded, the semi-automatic ability can come in handy in certain scenarios- such as if you have an angry hog settling you in his sights.

Lightweight and easy to disassemble, it can be packed down for hunters who are working their way into those backcountry sweet spots; plus the low recoil helps you stay on target if you need to get off another round for a quick moving game. The stock adjustability, as well as ease of accessory addition, makes it a great choice for children and smaller framed bodies or those who have a shorter overall reach- or want to enhance their target. 

And what has possibly become the most widely practiced feature is how easy they are to modify for various caliber cartridges with a simple barrel change. This makes them even more popular for anyone who wants to use the same firearm for different size game, and allows them to transition from one hunting season to the next fairly easily. 

Small Game

Small game and varmint hunting has never been easier with a 300 BLK cartridge. As a .30 caliber, it is in some great hunting companies, but the smaller size makes it ideal for longer range small game and varmint hunting unlike some of its larger relatives. Squirrels, prairie dogs, and coyotes aren’t going to get far, and a supersonic laid on these critters can bag you a kill at 200+ yards easily without losing much trajectory or power. 

Deer 

It also has become a popular choice for deer and antelope, which again, is best suited for supersonic rounds. Although these are lighter choices, they have better energy and velocity for short-range, medium-size games. Because you want stopping power for ethical purposes, it is a great choice for this size game when you are under 200 yards- but is considered best used at 150 yards or less to ensure you have the best kill. In fact, It has become a favored go-to in Northern and Midwestern states that rarely have a shot longer than 50 yards due to topography and forest cover.

The Concerns of Hunting Hog

The semiautomatic capabilities of a 300 Blackout can definitely come in handy in these situations, but many people will tell you the round isn’t always the best for purposeful hog hunting- and their reasons are worth listening to. 

As a hunter, you have an ethical obligation to ensure you have a clean kill. Either a shot that is instantaneously lethal, or one that makes a clean exit that allows you to track a pig that runs, should always be your goal. A 300 Blackout isn’t always capable of this and are considered somewhat underpowered. For small hogs? Sure. But can you guarantee you aren’t going to be up against a 300 or 400 pound behemoth? 

Which is much larger than any whitetail, or muley you might bring down, and more common than you might think.  

Are some 300 BLK cartridges better than others for a hog? Absolutely, and we will highlight which ones are best below. And there are quite a few opinions about this out there since you can easily pick off dozens of smaller pigs all day with a supersonic round. But having personally seen what a hog is capable of, I absolutely want to highlight the importance of being prepared. 

Qualities of a Great 300 Blackout Cartridge for Hunting

When searching for a good 300 BLK round for hunting, you have quite a few choices to pick from. It is available in a healthy range of weight options, and you can easily pick and choose from various manufacturers to get the best possible. Obviously, you want to consider a few details in advance as well. 

Reliability

You don’t want to skimp on your hunting rounds. What you might enjoy shooting on the range that helps you stay within a budget won’t be what you want to shoot while hunting. First, you don’t want to have a misfire or issue with feeding, Once you have your target in sight, you won’t appreciate a jammed cartridge. 

Bullet Type

Bullets fall into various categories, such as full metal jacket (FMJ) and open tip match (OTM). You definitely want a jacketed option for hunting, unless you want to take the chance on picking out pieces of broken bullet from your meat later on. But you also want an option that expands upon impact. A jacketed hollow point (JHP) is best for dropping medium to large game, and should be considered. 

Top 5 .300 Blackout Hunting Cartridge Reviews

If you have ever searched for 300 BLK cartridges, then you know there is quite a bit out there for you to choose from.  Dozens of ammo manufacturers jumped on board with the bullet, which has helped drive its popularity; nobody likes having to search for an obsolete round. 

The following rounds are top picks for various hunting scenarios. Each has its own perks and are choices you definitely want to take a closer look at in reference to your target game. 

This is a popular hunting option that provides a powerful supersonic load that boasts a copper-alloy construction with a consistently expanding hollow point expansion upon impact. This creates a large wound channel for an efficient kill. Lead-free, it provides accurate and reliable performance. 

This is a lead-free bullet, so no need to worry about state restrictions- and the 2100 ft/s velocity ensures an excellent trajectory between 100 and 200 yards. Made specifically for hunting, it is designed for you to take advantage of when you need a dependable round.

What This Is For

An excellent choice for deer, this is also a round that you can take advantage of for hogs due to its excellent wound channel creation. For deer, you’ll want to stay under 200 yards. For hog, under 100. 

Designed for varmint eradication and self-defense, this is a versatile supersonic round that provides a high-quality case and primer for dependable use. Excellent trajectory and a powerful muzzle energy of 1377 ft lbs is a result of the 110 gr weight Hornady offers in their Black V-Max series. 

The polymer tip allows for excellent ballistics and penetration even at longer distances. The overall design is created to hold energy and help create an accurate kill. 

What This Is For

This is a good choice for small game and varmint hunting., and can handle white tail as well as long as your shot isn’t too long. Thin skin predators won’t stand a chance against this cartridge, and you can most likely sight in on smaller targets over 200 yards with excellent accuracy. 

Hornady is a trusted ammunition manufacturer and their custom 135 gr FTX for the 300 BLK is an amazing hunting option designed specifically for hunting performance. The flex-tip expanding projectile has an awesome 2085 ft/s velocity out of the barrel, allowing you to accurately sight in within 200 yards without losing much trajectory. 

As a supersonic bullet, they are very accurate, but can also work with a suppressor for a reduced noise signature- making it a good choice for hog as well. The polymer tip covers the hollow cavity to help create a mushroom-like expansion and energy transfer to your game. The copper jacket is locked to its lead core to enhance this effect even further. 

What This Is For

This is a great choice for a wide range of games. Drop varmints, deer and other medium-sized ungulate, as well as hogs as long as you consider maximum range capabilities. 

When you want to create a force that will drop a hog in its tracks, this is the round you have been looking for. Best shot suppressed, you can influence accuracy and reduce both recoil and noise to pick off hogs at your convenience. Designed specifically to load into a 30+ round mag, these are designed to feed smoothly so you can take full advantage of your semi-automatic AR. 

The exclusive on-jacket design works for excellent expansion and devitating lethal force upon impact. Plus, the 1000 ft/s velocity works well for accuracy and dependability. 

What This Is For

Perfect for hogs, this is best shot suppressed and kept under 100 yards for best results.

Engineered for reliability and control, the4 Sig Sauer solid copper 120 gr hunting tipped hollow point cartridge provides a 1.8  times expansion upon impact, and is a good all-around hunting choice for use in a short barrel (9 inches or less). This SBR compatibility is easy to spot due to the brass case that is finished with a black oxide for easy recognition. 

Fun to shoot, this is a lead-free choice that allows you to avoid worrying about certain state restrictions. The SBR friendly design is optimal for varmint and hog hunters as well, allowing you better movement and compression capabilities. 

What This Is For

Great for small game and hogs within a 50-yard range, this is a versatile choice that provides you the means to take full advantage of your SBR build. 

Conclusion

Obviously there are A LOT of 300 Blackout rounds you can take advantage of for all sorts of games- and it’s pretty obvious that what you might prefer is not going to be the same as what somebody else chooses. Honestly, the amount of options available does make it difficult to narrow down, but you can start by taking into account what you are hunting, and then go for the weight and design of the cartridge you are considering. 

What we’ve highlighted above is just a sample of what is out there, and you’ll need to narrow down your own choices based on experience over time. We would love your opinions on the options we’ve suggested (all popular with various hunting crowds), and also ask you to let us know which are your favorite rounds for hunting purposes. As always, please share!