300blackout or 7.62x39

[mike_kaleigh]

i am a new ar owner, but been shooting for a loooong time. but i have a question that some of you played with. right now i have a 556 bushmaster, and i was wanting to get a larger cal upper. i was thinking 300 or 7.62x39, but i want to cast for it and cycle the gun with lead boolits.

i like the idea of 7.62x39 because when i dont feel like reloading i can always buy wolf and blast away for cheap. and for some reason 7.62x39 has been the most available threw the shortage. but i do not know if lead loads will cycle in an ar for this cal. and i have heard of problems with 7.62x39 in the ar.

the other option is the 300, it works better than the 7.62x39 in an ar, and lead boolits will cycle the action, but cheap ammo does not exist, and i have to form the brass.

so what do you think would be better?

[nicholst55]

300BLK uses standard magazines. There is a guy here that makes and sells formed brass.

7.62x39 has too many liabilities in the AR platform to make it a viable choice. If you want to use that Wolf ammo, buy an SKS or AK clone.

I'm inclined to agree. Unless you can pick up one of the AR47 lowers that allows use of AK mags, the 7.62X39 isn't nearly as versatile or trouble-free in an AR-15 as the .300 Blackout. I will go out on a limb and guess that in a few years, you won't be able to find the parts to build a 7.62X39 AR-15 - or they will be very scarce.

I've decided that I want an AR with a bigger hole in the barrel so to speak, and I'm definitely planning on a .300 Blackout.

[Jupiter7]

300blk, easy choice. Designed around the ar15. Also, if you own other .308 bores, cast boolits will work for them too. No funky mags or chopped bolt. Easier to find/make brass. If you don't own a 7.63x39 at all, then it's a win/win. I don't and probably never will now. Would be neat to have a sks or AK with a 300blk barrel though.

[x101airborne]

I am using both calibers for hog hunting and both out of AR-15's.
First: Pro's and cons of 7.62x39
Pro's: 1. Real deadly out to 150 yards on most any hog under 225 pounds.
2. I dont have to worry about chasing my brass.
3. Ammo is everywhere.
4. Mine has a .308 bore, so any boolit / bullet will work fine.
5. Mine cycles well with boolits. No issues.
Cons:
1. You almost HAVE to buy special mags to feed right in the AR.
2. Factory loadings are typically underpowered. Dont know why, just my opinion.
3. Factory ammo is usually around 125 grains and that is it. I would love a good 150 grainer.
4. Although I use it almost exclusively, Wolf HP ammo is VERY hit or miss. I have even had boolits peel apart on little of nothing and then the very next acts like a FMJ. Go figure.
5. Yep, special bolt for the AR.

300 Blackout
Pro's: 1. Factory loadings available.
2. much more accurate (in mine) than 7.62x39
3. No special mags or bolts.
Cons: 1. Brass is hard to come by unless you talk to Grumpa here.
2. No cheapy ammo.
3. Not as powerful as I had hoped. Still kills well, I guess I may have had unrealistic expectation. 130 grain Hornady's or Barne's Triple shocks work best for me.

[Artful]

My vote if you want something to shoot 7.62x39 get an AK or SKS - if you want a cast boolit round for AR go 300 - as far as buying brass - learn to make your own from 223/5.56 - And the Myth of cheap ammo - I never expect to see $80 for a case of 7.62x39 again.

[john hayslip]

I'd like to see one in 7mm TCU if it would work through the magazine. If anyone has done it I'd appreciate a PM with some information. Bill Wilson has a 6mm based on the full length case too.