The AR platform continues to advance on all fronts from features through new calibers. Among the latter are several intriguing .30 caliber AR-15 offerings. Driven by the quest for more powerful alternatives to the standard 5.56 NATO chambering, the .30 caliber field has evolved.
Although the 6.8 SPC shows promise, many of us can relate to something with a larger bore and few will feel under-gunned if it’s .30 caliber. This may explain the explosion of bigger cartridges capable of functioning in the smaller AR-15 platform. The surrogate 7.62s are an interesting development for .30 caliber fans, and may provide a practical alternative to the large and awkward AR-10 chambered for the standard .308/7.62×51.
.30 Caliber AR-15 Options
A limiting factor has always been the size of the AR-15 platform which restricts the length of cartridges that can fit within its magazines. Despite some creative attempts to circumvent physics, not all .30 caliber solutions have turned out to be winners.
7.62×39 Russian
First up is the venerable 7.62×39. Although actually a .311 bore, it’s close enough to lump with the .308s and will approximate .30/30 performance. Ammo is cheap, but your AK magazines won’t fit an AR-15. However, they will fit the reliable Robinson Arms AR/AK hybrid design, or the MGI modular AR system with interchangeable magazine wells.
Perhaps the most interesting is Windham Weaponry’s modular AR system with interchangeable magazine wells. A few other manufacturers sell dedicated 7.62×39 ARs modified to accept AK magazines which are curved for good reasons. This whole setup throws a wrench into the AR-15 vs AK-47 debate.
The Kalashnikov round remains problematic in conventional AR-15s due to its tapered case and diverse sources; not well-suited to the dimensional parameters of Stoner’s design. A different bolt is required, meaning a completely separate upper is necessary, along with a supply of dedicated magazines. Modified AR-15 mags have appeared for use in standard lower receivers.
| Product | Retailers |
|---|---|
| 7.62x39mm Upper Receivers | Optics Planet Palmetto State Armory Sportsman’s Guide |
| 7.62x39mm AR-15 Magazines | Brownells |
The latest Windham Weaponry “7.62×39” is one example among several others that ships with a distinctive curved 30-round AR mag. For incidental use by those with large quantities of cheap 7.62×39 ammo (buy it cheap and stack it deep) and magazines, a spare upper could be worthwhile – maybe.
But, since 2012, a better-matched .30-caliber/AR-15 combination has stolen much of the limelight. The starring .300 Blackout bridges the gap between .223 and full-size .30 battle rounds – with the added advantage of an ultra-quiet report if fired through a suppressor.
.300 Blackout
The .300 Blackout, as offered by AAC, is essentially an incarnation of the older, J.D. Jones-designed “Whisper.” This is the staple among .30 caliber AR-15 options. You can form brass from 5.56mm/.223 cases by trimming off the shoulder area, but it’s really a necked up .221 Fireball (with an alternate title of 7.62 x 35mm). The original idea, as marketed by SSK, was to offer a .30 cartridge capable of cycling through an AR-15. But not just any cartridge!
The shortened case of this one left room for longer heavy bullets weighing 200 grains or more. When fired at subsonic velocity, pressure was sufficient to cycle an AR-15 and the cartridges were still short enough to fit within M-16 magazines. The addition of a suppressor results in a very quiet rifle; hence the “whisper” moniker.
AAC embraced this concept for use by the Spec Ops community with further emphasis on fast loads. After minor tweaks they introduced the new .300 Blackout which, with lighter 110-125 grain loads, increases velocity to around 2300 fps. Recoil is negligible and performance is roughly on par with the 7.62×39 Russian.
Of interest to hunters, using the latest solid-copper 110 or 120 grain bullets from Barnes (TSX), or Hornady (GMX), good expansion and deep penetration are possible. These pointed bullets and others retain sufficient velocity for practical use out to 200 yards on average-size whitetail deer, but subsonics are another issue. Inevitably, their trajectories resemble bricks, and velocities are usually too slow for reliable expansion.
Fortunately, Hornady recently solved the expansion problem through introduction of a .300 Blackout Subsonic which incorporates their expanding 190-grain SUB-X bullet. Such projectiles require a larger chamber leade (or throat) and fast rifling twists. Normal .30-caliber twists run 1:10 to 1:12, but the slow heavyweight BLK-types need a 1:7 or 1:8 to prevent bullet yawing. These factors often limit the accuracy of lighter-weight supersonics. Five-shot groups will probably average 1.5 MOA-ish (1.5 inches at 100 yards), but that’s still plenty useful for most purposes. Read about the many .300 ammunition choices if you want more details.
As of 2020 the .300 BLK has really caught on, resulting in a proliferation of firearms, AR-15 upper-receiver assemblies, and barrels, along with ammunition from mainstream manufacturers. Most developments center on AR-15s configured as carbines or pistols, but new bolt-actions and some other types have appeared. The higher-end ammunition choices cost as much as other calibers but affordable FMJ Q-loads now exist. You can conduct your own 5.56-to-.300 conversion or buy a dedicated upper receiver outright.
| Product | Retailers |
|---|---|
| .300 Blackout Upper Receiver | Optics Planet Palmetto State Armory |
| .300 Blackout AR-15 Magazines | Brownells Palmetto State Armory Sportsman’s Guide |
Wilson Combat’s 7.62x40mm Wilson Tactical Cartridge
Not everyone is interested in .30-caliber ARs for use with suppressors. Some folks are after greater punch for use on deer or hogs. Recognizing this niche, Wilson jumped aboard the .30-caliber wagon in 2011 with complete 7.62x40mm rifles, upper receivers, and ammo. Instead of catering to quiet but loopy subsonics, the emphasis was on lighter projectiles. These shorter bullets allow use of a longer case that still fits standard M-16 magazines. The increased capacity boosts velocity to 2400 fps, using 110–125 grain spitzers.
The two drawbacks are lack of subsonic AR capability, and proprietary ammunition sourcing. But for reloaders, case forming is much easier than the Blackout. After trimming .223 brass .005”, the cases can be run through a forming/resizing die. Wilson says velocity will increase after the initial fire-form that fully expands the case. Although it won’t be nearly as quiet as a subsonic Blackout/Whisper, you can suppress this cartridge. Wilson Combat manages to cover just about all supersonic bases through a selection of effective loads which were obviously developed from firsthand experience.
Remington .30 AR-15 – FAILED
When introduced in 2008, this cartridge offered great promise. It provided another clear step up in .30-caliber AR-15 performance, on par with the venerable .300 Savage (itself close to a .308 Winchester). However, the fat case with its rebated rim still required a different bolt and tweaked magazines. I was pretty excited about the .30 AR until the .223-based designs gained traction. Possibly for these reasons, the .30 AR was nearly DOA upon arrival. As of 2020, it’s deceased. Even Remington no longer offers ammunition.
Wilson Combat .300 HAM’R
This one’s fairly new. It’s also the culmination of an all-out effort to achieve maximum .30-caliber velocity in the AR-15. The parent case is, again, the 5.56×45 NATO (or .223), stretched beyond their 7.62×40 WT. This translates to a gain of 0.260” (more than a quarter-inch) over the .300 BLK, resulting in a significant boost in velocity. The HAM’R really begins to shine as bullet weights increase. Comparing 125-grain types, the increase can be 300 fps over a .300 BLK – resulting in a stunning muzzle velocity of 2,500 fps!
The leade is also optimized for shorter supersonic loads, and the barrel incorporates a slower 1:15 rifling twist. Freed of the dimensional concessions required to accommodate ultra-heavy subsonic projectiles, much better accuracy is attainable; on the order of 1 MOA.
| Product | Retailers |
|---|---|
| Wilson Combat .300 HAM-R Rifle | Brownells Palmetto State Armory |
The downsides? Exclusion of some excellent longer bullets (including many monolithic types), and the need for proprietary ammunition.
.30 Caliber AR Effectiveness
As for hunting, for .30 caliber AR-15 options, my personal experience is limited to the .300 Blackout. But since it’s the lowest rung of the .30-calber ladder, the results should have some relevance. The following is a sampler based on firsthand action.
Whitetail Deer
Our whitetails run fairly large but, so far so good with the .300 BLK, using solid-copper Barnes TAC-TX in 110 or 120-grain weights (the latter as a factory offering). These TSX derivatives expand reliably and retain nearly all of their weight. As such, they behave like heavier bullets. All of our deer were one-shot pass-throughs but, judging by the results, they performed similarly to a few larger-caliber TSX specimens we’ve managed to recover – all of which displayed picture-perfect performance. Having witnessed ballistic testing of Hornady’s similar 110 GMX .300 BLK, I’m betting it’ll work equally well. The MV of these 110s will run around 2350 fps from a 16-inch carbine.
Coyotes, Bobcats, Etc.
Our Northern New England coyotes have wolf genes. Some can top 50 pounds, but they’re no match for Hornady 110 V-Max. There are many high-quality .223 rounds for an AR-15. My handloads are the equivalent of Hornady’s factory offering, with a chronographed MV of 2350 fps. The 100-yard POI is usually similar to 110 Barnes TAC-TX. If zeroed around 1 ¾ inches high at that range, they’ll strike that amount low at 200 yards. Accuracy is at least as good as anything else I’ve seen in this caliber.
Suppressed Performance
Using a suppressor, I’ve taken a bunch of coyotes and bobcats with Hornady’s Subsonic 190-grain SUB-X load. Like other subsonics, this one is a short-range affair best used (for these purposes) inside 125 yards. Because MV is only 1050 fps, if zeroed with the above 2350 fps loads at 100 yards, POI will shift downward around a foot! But, SUB-X certainly is quiet when suppressed!
FYI, Sig has a similar load in the works. For what it’s worth, you can also fire supersonics through a suppressor. They’ll be quieter, but their telltale sonic cracks will be obvious. To me, supersonic .300 BLK loads sound a lot like snappy .22 LR high-speed rounds that were fired through bare rifle barrels. Regarding self-defense, I’d go with the latter two loads – especially if indoors.
There are no feral hogs in my area, but Wilson Combat has plenty of experience with these tough critters as well as deer, etc. Their website is thus a goldmine for good bullets, as well as their proprietary cartridge details. Interestingly, as of December 2020, the .300 Blackout is still listed as Wilson’s best seller. Part of the reason no doubt involves availability of affordable FMJ Q-loads, suitable for practice or plinking. Another driving force is the popularity of suppressors which require subsonic loads for true effectiveness.
2021 Choices
The .300 Blackout and Wilson .30 variations share one major advantage: They require nothing more than a new barrel! With proper head-spacing everything else should be good to go. For the most part, this also includes magazines. I use 10-round P-mags as-is with my .300 BLK ARs, but if using hi-cap types, their internal vertical ribs can squeeze larger stacks of stubby rounds inward through bullet contact. Some users file down their polymer ribs while others switch to newer .300 types. Caution: Owners of 5.56/.223 ARs should avoid caliber mix-ups by using distinctive mags! Consider a labeled dust-cover, too.
Suppressed Users or Non-Reloaders
For someone who doesn’t handload, the .300 Blackout makes the most sense. Add a suppressor and you’ll really have something interesting. Stashed in an assault-type case (with designated magazines), just about all bases could be covered. To take full advantage of such a system, you’ll need an optic with trajectory-compensating features capable of accommodating disparate POIs.
For Reloaders? With a bucket full of 5.56 brass and the correct reloading equipment, a nearly indefinite supply of economical .30 caliber AR-15 options would be assured for any of the above calibers. Assuming suppressors are off the table, especially if maximum performance is the goal, the Wilson .30s have potential based on ease of case forming. I view them more as hand-loading propositions which can take advantage of .223 brass and .30 caliber bullets already on hand.
Final .30 Caliber AR-15 Thoughts
Worried about availability of .30-caliber loads? Well, the .300 BLK has really grown legs. No, it’s not as widely circulated as 5.56 NATO, but the BLK has certainly gone mainstream. The Wilson loads are niche calibers which, for many AR owners, might not be a big deal.
Here’s another option: Pop the two pins on your lower receiver and drop in another pre-zeroed upper receiver assembly! Viola, you now have an instant transformer capable of handing 5.56 or the above .30s (along with a number of other spiffy new AR-15 calibers).
The .30 caliber AR-15 options may look out of place in the deer woods, especially when compared to Dad’s Remington M-742 .30/06, but it’ll kick a lot less and stay on target better thanks to the AR’s straight-line design. As a further bonus, especially for younger or smaller shooters, less recoil is good. All of the AR-based .30s are downright mild and less concussive. Their adjustable stocks are the icing on the cake.
Of course, there are other new intriguing calibers that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. At the moment I’m trying to resist a .350 Legend barrel – but that’s another story.
30 comments
I have heard rumors that Ruger is planning to make a heavy duty Mini 14/30 in 30.06 caliber after much customer feed back . This may be a a hard hitting , low maintenance alternative . Customers suggested this because the Mini 30s simplicity , clean lines , and action are very close to the M1 Garand , which is a popular old rifle and hard to find . It was also suggested by customers that like the design , but do not like metric calibers and want the tried and true American rounds , the 30.06 is easily available and a proven butt kicker . Typical of Ruger , they will probably start out with only a 10 round magazine . But then again , its a big round .
Check out the CMP for Garands at a good price. ’06 is only marginally better than 7.62 / .308, and cheap ammo is gone. PTR91 or M1A or CETME rifles are out there ready to go.
But its still American 😉
Part of your choice will denepd on what you are able to handle. You don’t mention the shooter’s experience. As I understand the way bison are hunted today, it is a carefully planned hunt when a particular animal is earmarked for you. It is more of an execution than a hunt. But I like the idea of using one of the old traditional rounds like the Sharps, the 45/70. Now, if you’re thinking about a gun that will do the job on bison and can be used for other North American game animals as well, you can’t go wrong with the .308, .30-06 or any of the .30 caliber magnums. Heavier bullets are called for. The body mass on a bison is over 1000 pounds. The animal won’t be excited, which is good. Some of the 7mm magnums might be acceptable but I’d prefer the heavier bullets you can get with the .30s. Nothing less than 180 grains would be my choice. Personally I’d use the .375 H H, but that’s a personal choice based on years of hunting with different guns, and also I’m over 6 and weigh over 200lbs. That gun packs a large recoil. If you can handle it, try it. But whatever you do choose, enjoy the experience.
the .308 is only close to the 30-06 until 150 grains then the 06 pulls away from it with 220 grain pills the 06 is a clear winner on bigger game
hi-cap magazines are handy to have, but in a hunting scenario many states limit mag capacity for hunting.
Nice shiny new toys, major expensive — I’ll stick with my 7.62×51 tools, already paid for, with plenty of surplus to feed them. Got my own platforms in 5.56 and 7.62×39, already to go also.
Exactly what other bullets can be used in a AR300 Hammer? That can be bought locally. And not have to be ordered. Over the internet.
I have nothing good to say about an AR, for my money they all suck. They are the most popular in a long line of realy ,REALY bad guns dreamed up buy the worst firearms tinker in history.Eugene Stoner. Everything the man did, was and is ,just crap. Note that no Stoner wepon, other than the AR/M-4/M-16 , is still manufactured in any numbers.Why? Because they do not work,and cannot be made to work. The only reson that the AR/M-4/M-16 is not a long forgotten relic of the 1950s , is the US military. In the last 40+ years the pentigon has spent more than 1 TRILLION dollars on “fixing” this “platform” ,And all they have managed to do is to make Colt,S&W, H&R, ECT.ECT. very very Rich. The government LOVES the fact that this wepon is so popular, for they know it for what it is .A failure prone , costly , money pit, that has a higher combat fail rate than a flintlock musket.If you try to defend yourself or your family with an AR, they and you, WILL DIE. THE AR WILL FAIL.It will jam.The bolt luggs will break . the mags will dent,or warp,or the feed lips bend. I truly belive that to carry this wepon WTSHTF is suicide. PS. I have rid myself of anythin useing box mags. the government dos’nt have to disarm you, all they need do is outlaw box mags. You can have all the ammo you want , but semi-autos ARE box mags. No mags= no rifle.
I suppose that’s why American troops are always getting their asses kicked. Their rifles break, and they’re simply mowed down by the Mosin-Nagant wielding luminaries of the Middle East and Central Asia. Thanks for the heads-up, man.
Body armor , without it the death rate would be about like vietnam. AND. The US has not won a single full on war with this rifle. You can worship the black rifle till domesday; but, If the US ARMY Rangers can’t keep this POS rifle running (and they can’t ) no one can. The fact is, that the M-16, M-4 , has the highest documented fail rate of any wepon fielded by any army in human history. ( yes, including the L-80s) In Vietnam ,Iriq and Afganistan , whole units have had documented 80-100% wepons failure. The US ARMY and USMC have both tryed repeatedly to repace the damn things ,only to be over ruled by congress. Gobbedyjook: Why do you think all those SEAL ,SF and FORCE MARINE units have had there asses kicked by a bunch of stone age tribesmen? Luck? Or was it because they were left to defend themselves with 9MMs ,grenades and K-BARS when there M-16/ M-4 wepons system failed . Ps. I carried one of those POS in the service. The ONLY reason we didn’t toss them in the nearest ditch , is ’cause we were ordered to keep ’em ,And if you are gonna troll sombody about US wars you best read history. US troops ARE getting there asses kicked because of wepon failure.
Like I said. Thanks for the heads-up.
Ray,
That’s interesting because every at platform I own has not given me a single hiccup! even after abusing the crap out of one, dropping it in mud, well over a thousand rounds ran through it without cleaning and it still ran like a top. I think our military would most certainly move on to a different platform if the AR-m4 was as bad as you say
Because the 243 is somewhat of a barrel burner and would not work well for a military rifle, they would be wearing barrels out too fast, but boy it sure would make a great nato round!!
You just won the internet with that comment sir! My feelings exactly!
The SEALS most likely wouldn’t kick his ass, just like my Army SpecOps Uncle (recently retired, a second time? Not sure his first ‘retirement’ was actually a legit retirement, but instead, a method to quietly transition to something else even more black-ops, cuz he kept deploying without a word as to where, or for how long), he wouldn’t waste time on some armchair shit talker either..
Yes, the AR failed alot during Vietnam. Congress held a meeting over the report, that most U.S. Deaths were soldiers found with their rifles disassembled, trying to clean and clear it, when they got hit. That was the first big order of changes, better rounds were demanded, with easier to clean systems, and field cleaning kits were issued, along with pocket size comic books to stress the urgency of cleaning one’s rifle every chance they get, and the instructions.
As for any JSOC team to get their asses kicked, 9.9 out if 10 times, it was never their rifles. From Iran, to Pakistan in Op. Geronimo, if anyone was to blame, it wasn’t the teams, it was the pilots.. And for that matter, it’s easy to blame someone when not in the shit one’s self.. I prefer not to blame anyone for those incidents, and instead just say THANK YOU for your brave service to your country, even if it IS filled with a bunch of America-Hatin, traitorous liberals & neo-communists (and the confused Fascists, the idiots acting like Fascists themselves, shouting “anti fascista” Everytime they crawl out of their mothers basements..
Let’s not even pretend you know the statistics of U.S. Spec Ops forces’ wins vs losses.., cuz the ONLY missions you know about in the first place, are the ones that didn’t come out a total success, and ended up in the media..
The number of WINS can’t be factored in,.. that’s kind of the whole difference between Regular Army, Navy, Marines, USAF,..and their Spec Op teams – secrecy.
Their wins, even if it averted WW3, 99.9% of the time, will never be known about by the public.
To this day, I have no idea how many asses my uncle kicked, he never talks about it. I can say this tho, he never came home with HIS ass kicked. .. And after his youngest son was killed in Iraq, my uncle’s desire to deploy, noticeably increased.
He came back in one piece everytime, so it’s safe to say he and his team members kicked ALOT of asses, using the AR, …AND his 9mm, knife, and grenade.
(No one’s ever said the rifle was perfect, such a thing doesn’t exist. While there are obviously better rifles, our forces make up the statistics differences with skill. They can kick ALLOT of asses, with the same rifle that would jam up on a weekend range warrior, or Internet Ninja.
Very ignorant and uneducated response.
I don’t understand why they want to come up with a new “want to be” round. Why can’t they just build the rifle around the .243 Winchester with a 100 grain bullet? Plenty of brass, bullet choices, and punch for two legged critters. Then they could sell me the same gun with a different barrel in .308 Winchester.
I seem to recall that Chuck Hawks made the same suggestion. Are you Chuck?
Great minds think alike? I am sorry but don’t know Chuck or recall reading anything to the effect. I do believe that they want to patent and put their name on a new caliber for the dollars.
I lived in South Dakota for 14 years and passed by bfuaflo on the way to town nearly every day. Hunting them with a modern center fire rifle on foot is mostly only a challenge if they calving or if you are hunting during the often brutal winters. Truthfully the bfuaflo is a very large animal and they can be very aggressive if given the opportunity. But they are not that hard to put down because you can generally have very precise shot placement. I’ve seen dozens go down with a single shot from a .243. That would not be my choice but it works. A 30-06 is plenty enough rifle for bison. Select the right bullet, a controlled expansion round that will penetrate deep and pick your shots. Shot placement is more important that caliber. I’d much rather see you shoot a smaller caliber that you can shoot well rather than a larger caliber you don’t shoot so well.Today’s high tech hunting ammo will easily get the job done if you do your part. Distances are normally short and shots are normally not rushed. Oddly while on a 4 wheeler or a tractor bfuaflo will ignore you unless you get within spitting distance, but on foot they seem to have a very different attitude about humans and it is not all that pleasant. Yet I fully believe that the 30-06 will get the job done.Good luck.
Boutique rounds for a SHTF situation don’t give me that warm, cozy feeling that John Lennon was talking about. Just get an AK-47 to go with your AR… and maybe an M1 in case a rabid bear decides to charge at you from 600 yards during the End Times. Didn’t Ranger make a list for this a while ago?
“My M4 cuts on the ar15 upper receiver and the M4 cuts on the chamber matching up don’t align. Does anyone know how I should fix this problem? What ar15 upper manufacturers can I buy from the avoid this problem? It’s frustrating and I’ve spent a lot of time and money building so far! “
I’ve been told that a good lower should either be forged or billet as cast lower receivers are unreliable and weak, but I don’t know who the best ar15 lower receiver manufacturers are. Does anyone have some recommendations?
Bushmaster is good !
From Roy
SOCOM – 16 !!! Enough said!
Throw some dirt in it. I will still work.
The primary problem getting 7.62 x39 rounds thru the smaller AR platform is “feeding”. A.S.C. now makes 7.62 x39 magazines that fit standard AR-15 magwells – perfectly.
BRA makes 7.62 x39 barrels with “30 caliber friendly” barrel extensions. They also offer complete 7.62 x39 BCGs – as does Red X and Moriarti Arms.
Grab a box of Tula and try not to let the smile eat your whole face!
You’re welcome ……. Happy shooting!
The primary problem getting 7.62 x39 rounds thru the smaller AR platform is “feeding”. A.S.C. now makes 7.62 x39 magazines that fit standard AR-15 magwells – perfectly.
BRA makes 7.62 x39 barrels with “30 caliber friendly” barrel extensions. They also offer complete 7.62 x39 BCGs – as does Red X and Moriarti Arms.
Bingo! AR accuracy, AK thunder!
Grab a box of Tula and try not to let the smile eat your whole face!
You’re welcome ……. Happy shooting!
Ar ‘s do not break had extractors break in two different Ar’s. And for every inch of barrel below 24 inches you lose a lot of velocity.