Born in the early 2010s when a few unnamed military special operators needed a specialized close-combat round, the .300 AAC Blackout is no passing fad — the BLK has become one of the most popular AR cartridges around. Whether you’re hunting hogs in thick brush, defending your home, or looking for the ultimate suppressed platform, the .300 Blackout delivers where 5.56 falls short.
The beauty of .300 BLK lies in its versatility. It reaches full velocity potential from barrels as short as 9 inches, uses standard AR-15 magazines and bolt heads, and offers everything from whisper-quiet subsonic loads to hard-hitting supersonic rounds. Best yet, switching from 5.56 to .300 Blackout often requires nothing more than an upper receiver swap.
With over 60 rifle makers currently producing .300 BLK-chambered firearms, figuring out the most accurate, best choice takes a little navigating. Rest assured, though, we are here to light the way.
Our Top Quick Picks
Best Overall Value: Palmetto State Armory PA-15 – $651
Few brands deliver the value of PSA when it comes to the AR platform. Range-ready right out of the box.
Best Premium: Barrett REC7 DI – $2,041
A premium rifle builder that runs Blackout with the best of them.
Best for Hunting: Noveske Light Recce – Price varies
Built for hard use with double aluminum heat shields and extended feed ramps.
Best Suppressor Host: Daniel Defense ISR – Price varies
Integrally suppressed and Hollywood quiet with subsonic loads.
Best Budget: Diamondback DB15 – ~$800
Outstanding quality control and in-house manufacturing at an unbeatable price.
By Michael Crites
Michael Crites has served as executive editor of AmericanFirearms.org since 2016 and previously held positions as associate editor and range correspondent dating back to 2000. He discovered his passion for precision shooting at age 12 during his first visit to his grandfather's shooting range, eventually earning an Expert classification in three different shooting disciplines before age 18.
During his studies at University of Wyoming, he earned four varsity letters on the collegiate rifle and pistol teams, serving as team captain for three consecutive years. He became the first UW student to complete the NRA Range Safety Officer certification while maintaining full-time student status. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Communications.
His diverse career has included roles as Range Safety Coordinator for the National Rifle Championships in Camp Perry 2001; editor-in-chief, Precision Shooter Quarterly; series editor, Modern Firearms Handbook collection; managing editor, National Shooting Sports Foundation Newsletter; editor, Competitive Shooter Magazine; operations director for Western Arms & Ammunition Co.; senior editor for the Shooter's Reference Annual (Cheyenne); content director for The Firearms Report, published by the American Shooting Coalition in Billings, MT; firearms correspondent for Hunting & Shooting, produced by Outdoor Sports Media Group in Jackson, WY; and publisher for Wyoming Shooting Sports Journal in Casper. He has contributed as a regular columnist for American Rifleman (NRA Publications), technical editor for Precision, a publication of the National Bench Rest Shooters Association (Phoenix, AZ); and as firearms specialist for the Gun Owner's Annual.
As a digital content creator, he has written more than 400 articles on AmericanFirearms.org, developed shooting technique coverage for the Brownells Shooting Blog (Montezuma, IA) and Federal Premium "Range Notes" platform (Anoka, MN), and served as lead content strategist for International Defensive Pistol Association (Berryville, AR). Beyond Tactical Firearms, his current endeavors include content development for the Wyoming State Rifle Association (Cheyenne, WY) and technical manual production for High Plains Publishing of Laramie, WY.
He has contributed to the 12th, 13th, and 14th editions of Modern Sporting Rifles Guide and edited The Complete Guide to Tactical Shooting and Competitive Shooter's Reference Manual (Gun Digest Books).
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