.300 Blackout vs 8.6 Blackout
Table of Contents
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to be discussing the
.300 Blackout vs the
8.6 Blackout. Both rounds have wildcat cartridge origins and have developed reputations for being optimal for suppressed shooting. We are essentially going to provide an overview of the two cartridges and discuss some of their traits and use cases. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
What is .300 Blackout?
The
.300 Blackout cartridge has enjoyed popularity for over decade. This intermediate cartridge was developed by Advanced Armament Corporation in 2009 and provides shooters with versatile supersonic and subsonic loadings. The round was designed to be utilized in M4/AR-15 style firearms and utilizes STANAG type magazines. An initial motivation for the development of the round was to potentially replace the current
5.56x45mm NATO cartridge. The round features a tame recoil impulse and low back pressure, making it a favorite among suppressed shooters.
What is 8.6 Blackout?
The
8.6 Blackout cartridge is a recent addition to the market, introduced in 2022 by Q, LCC. At its core, the cartridge utilizes a .338 caliber projectile with a shortened
6.5 Creedmoor case and is optimized for use in short barrels. Specifically, the round is at home in firearms with barrel lengths ranging from 9” to 12”. The use of a
6.5 Creedmoor case allows the cartridge to be utilized in magazines designed for the
.308 Winchester and
6.5 Creedmoor without reducing capacity. The cartridge features a manageable and tame recoil impulse, something not normally associated with rounds utilizing a .338 projectile. This up-and-coming round has been garnering popularity among shooters and support from the industry, hinting that the cartridge will not suffer the fate of other wildcat cartridges and disappear.
Purchase .300 Blackout Ammunition
Major Differences
An immediate difference is that the
.300 Blackout is an intermediate cartridge while the
8.6 Blackout is more akin to a typical rifle round. This is evident in both the difference of size in the rounds’ case and projectile sizes. As the
8.6 Blackout is a larger round and features a larger case, it boasts an increased effective range and degree of kinetic energy transfer than the
.300 Blackout. There is also an appreciable difference in the cost for
ammunition with the
8.6 Blackout being significantly more expensive than the
.300 Blackout.
Availability of Ammunition
Generally, one will find more
.300 Blackout ammunition than
8.6 Blackout ammunition. This is mainly due to the fact that the
8.6 Blackout cartridge was introduced very recently and simply lacks the market support that the
.300 Blackout has.
When it comes to
.300 Blackout, one will find a variety of supersonic and subsonic
ammunition. Supersonic and subsonic loads feature distinct grain weight trends with supersonic loadings being considerably lighter than subsonic loadings. One will typically encounter
.300 Blackout loadings that range from 110 to 220 grain projectiles. As far as
8.6 Blackout goes, the availability of
ammunition options is relatively small but steadily growing. This cartridge has a wide range of weights with loadings ranging from 150 to 350 grain projectiles.
Both cartridges have distinct supersonic and subsonic loadings, allowing end users to browse a variety of loadings to find the optimal load for their intended use.
Availability of Firearms
When it comes to firearms chambered in these cartridges, one will find that there is a higher degree of support for those chambered in
.300 Blackout than there are in
8.6 Blackout. Again, this is mainly due to the fact that
.300 Blackout has been around longer than the newer
8.6 Blackout.
Some of the most common firearms found in the
.300 Blackout cartridge are going to be AR-15 style rifles. This is due to the fact that the cartridge was designed to be utilized in these style rifles and particularly function in STANAG style magazines. It should be noted that while
.300 Blackout ammunition can be fed by typical magazines designed for
5.56x45mm NATO/
.223 Remington use, there are better options available. Companies such as Magpul and Lancer Systems manufacture magazines specifically intended for
.300 Blackout use. These magazines feature updated dimensions in the feed lips and magazine body, facilitating more reliable feeding. Bolt action rifles are also available in the cartridge such as the Fix from Q and other options from manufacturers such as Ruger.
While there are significantly less options available, one can still find firearms chambered in
8.6 Blackout on the market today. One can find complete offerings from companies such as Q and Faxon Firearms in both bolt action and semi-automatic form. Faxon in particular also offers barrels for bolt action rifles and AR-10s in the caliber. With what is commercially available today, one can buy or build a rifle or pistol in
8.6 Blackout.
Purchase 8.6 Blackout Ammunition
.300 Blackout Usage
Typically, shooters will utilize the
.300 Blackout for hunting or suppressed shooting. The cartridge has become popular with hunters, particularly when it comes to deer and hog hunting. The
.300 Blackout has also seen popularity among predator hunters. Hunters who wish to take advantage of a suppressor and are hunting at close ranges will find the cartridge to be effective.
Of course, the cartridge is optimal for suppressed usage. The heavier grain weights keep the velocities of specific loadings subsonic, leading to impressive suppressed performance. Bolt action and semi-automatic firearms will excel when suppressed and paired with the right
.300 Blackout loading.
8.6 Blackout Usage
The
8.6 Blackout cartridge has been establishing itself as a capable round when it comes to hunting and suppressor use. The higher grain weights are conducive to both dispatching larger game than what is ethical with the
.300 Blackout. Specifically, Kevin Brittingham of Q has reportedly taken many Cape buffalo down with the cartridge. The round was developed to be effective for hunting use with both supersonic and subsonic
ammunition alike.
The heavier projectile weights allow the cartridge to be loaded to subsonic specs, purpose built for suppression. The loadings with grain weights of 300 grains and higher are particularly optimal for this use as they ensure velocities stay subsonic even out of some of the longer barrels on the market.
Conclusion
All in all, both of these Blackout cartridges will serve a variety of shooters well. Whether you’re wanting to do some hunting or optimize your suppressed shooting experience, these cartridges will serve you well. While the
.300 Blackout is more established than the
8.6 Blackout, there is no denying the latter’s rising popularity. If the current trend of increased support for the
8.6 Blackout continues, it is reasonable to assume that the cartridge will be here to stay for some time. If you are looking for
.300 Blackout,
8.6 Blackout, or another cartridge, we here at True Shot have you covered. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
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