300 Blackout vs. 300 Win Mag: Close-Range Cartridge vs.Long-Range Cartridge

A comparison between 300 Blackout and 300 Win Mag can never be apples to apples. One was designed for shooting at close range; the other, for covering extremely long distances.

This article will help you decide if the 300 Winchester Magnum or 300 AAC Blackout is better for your situation.

Can I Shoot 300 Winchester Mag in a Rifle Chambered for 300 Blackout?

Heavens, no. You cannot fire a 300 Win Mag cartridge in a rifle chambered for 300 BLK. If you somehow (magically) managed to chamber a 300 Win Mag round in a 300 BLK rifle, you would only succeed at blowing the rifle to smithereens (and quite possibly your hands while you were at it).

Although the 300 Win Mag and 300 Blackout do have “300” in their names, they are vastly different from one another. Let’s examine why we’re comparing two genuinely incomparable cartridges.

Differences Between 300 Blackout and 300 Win Mag

If you compare the cartridges side by side, you’ll see that the 300 Win Mag is much longer. We’ll discuss the implications of this in greater detail below.

Another difference is their intended purpose. The 300 Blackout was designed for close-range combat scenarios, whereas the 300 Win Mag is intended for long-range big game hunting. These differences explain why each performs better in the situations discussed below.

With that in mind, let’s discuss cartridge specifications.

Cartridge Specs

Why do these two rounds share a “300” in their name? Because they each fire a .308” diameter bullet. They also have similar bullet weights (ranging from 110 grain to 220 grain for the 300 BLK and 110 grain to 250 grain for the 300 Win Mag) and neck diameters (0.334” for the 300 BLK and 0.339” for the 300 Win Mag). That’s pretty much where the similarities end.

The 300 Win Mag's base diameter is 0.532” – whopping, compared to the 300 BLK's 0.367”. The case length of the 300 Win Mag also dwarfs the 300 Blackout: 2.62” and 1.368”, respectively. Its case makes the 300 Winchester Magnum’s overall length substantially longer as well: 3.34”, as opposed to the 300 BLK at 2.26”.

The 300 BLK's smaller case translates into a much lower case capacity: 26.5 grains H2O, which is just more than one-quarter as voluminous as the 300 Win Mag’s 93.8 grains H2O. The 300 Win Mag’s substantially higher chamber pressure and recoil energy are predictable outcomes of this disparity.

Recoil: 300 Win Mag vs. 300 Blackout

Several factors contribute to the amount of recoil a shooter experiences, including their stance, grip, and musculature. Fortunately, we can objectively measure recoil energy using only four variables: firearm weight, propellant charge weight, bullet weight, and muzzle velocity.

The 300 Win Mag has about 26 to 30 ft-lbs of recoil energy. This is on the higher end of recoil for rifle cartridges, but should be expected from a magnum. Be prepared for some serious shoulder thumping when you unleash a 300 WM.

The 300 AAC Blackout has a comparably paltry 6 ft-lbs of recoil energy, which isn’t too far off of the 5.56 NATO and 223 Remington. It’s barely noticeable, and substantially less than the .30 cal 308 Winchester as well.

For recoil-sensitive shooters (and those who enjoy keeping their shoulders socketed), the 300 Blackout is the better choice. We’re not saying the 300 Winchester Magnum’s recoil is totally unmanageable, but it does pack a heavyweight’s punch.

The 300 Blackout's welterweight recoil easily takes this section.

Trajectory

I like to consider the trajectories of any two rifle rounds I compare. It helps illustrate which one is better for specific scenarios. Trajectory doesn't matter quite so much in close-range situations, such as home defense or deer hunting within 200 yards. But when you’re covering long distances (e.g. the distances you are advised to keep between yourself and grizzly bears), a flatter trajectory is never a setback.

The 300 BLK was designed for engaging targets at close range (i.e. within 300 yards). It was also conceived as a subsonic cartridge (i.e. muzzle velocity lower than 1,125 fps), although it does boast a relatively flat trajectory out to (-52.7” at 400 yards following 100-yard zero) when it is loaded with a lightweight 110 grain V-MAX bullet.

On the other side of the spectrum lies the 300 Winchester Magnum. It was designed as a long-range hunting cartridge, so its trajectory is accordingly far flatter. When loaded with a heavier 220 grain OTM BT bullet and zeroed in at 200 yards, its trajectory drops a mere -42.08” at 500 yards.

The 300 Win Mag’s laser-like trajectory easily wins this section.

Accuracy: 300 AAC BLK vs. 300 Win Mag

A cartridge's accuracy is ultimately subjective, as it largely depends on the shooter, their perception of recoil, atmospheric conditions, ammunition selection, and whether a butterfly recently flapped its wings in Tokyo.

Many shooters find the 300 AAC Blackout to be more accurate due to its lower recoil. You’ll be less likely to develop bad habits (primarily flinching) when firing the 300 BLK.

The 300 Win Mag is more accurate at long range because of its flat trajectory. It requires fewer fine adjustments for windage, elevation and gravity than the 300 BLK, which greatly facilitates aiming.

This section is a draw. At close range, the 300 BLK will likely prove more accurate thanks to its gentler recoil recoil. At long range, the 300 Win Mag’s flat trajectory makes it much easier to hit precisely where you intend to.

Ballistic Coefficient

Ballistic coefficient (BC) is a numeric expression of a projectile’s aerodynamic efficiency and varies greatly from bullet to bullet. The higher the BC, the better the projectile will slice through the air and resist wind drift.

Both cartridges fire a .30 bullet in similar weights and designs, so their ballistic coefficients will be similar. However, the 300 Win Mag sometimes fires heavier bullets with a higher ballistic coefficient.

The 300 BLK uses bullets with a ballistic coefficient typically ranging from 0.267 to 0.393. The 300 Win Mag uses bullets with a ballistic coefficient typically ranging from 0.274 to 0.646.

The 300 Win Mag wins this section, as it fires longer, heavier projectiles with superior ballistic coefficients.

Stopping Power: 300 Blackout vs. 300 Win Mag

“Stopping power” is another subjective concept. Many shooters argue that the size of the hole matters more. Others emphasize how much energy the bullet can transfer to its target. But at the end of the day, neither assertion is worth a fig if you aren’t hitting your target.

Shot placement matters most. A well-placed small-caliber bullet is more effective than a big-bore yet poorly-aimed barn buster.

The 300 Blackout represents a drastic step up in stopping power from the 223 Rem or 5.56 NATO. Even so, the 300 Win Mag’s significantly higher muzzle velocity gives it a far, far harder wallop.

All things considered, the 300 Win Mag has more stopping power than the 300 Blackout.

Hunting

Despite being designed for combat, the 300 Blackout has found a place among deer, varmint and hog hunters who rarely fire beyond 200 yards.

The 300 Win Mag was designed for long-range big game hunting. It’s capable of taking down elk, moose, bear, and any other North American big game animal from 500+ yards away. It’s overkill on varmints, and will damage a lot of venison at close range.

The 300 Win Mag edges out the 300 BLK simply because it can hunt a wider variety of animals, but there are a few instances when the 300 BLK is the better option.

Home Defense: 300 Winchester Magnum vs. 300 AAC Blackout

I’m not a fan of using a rifle as a home defense weapon. I prefer a shotgun or a handgun for many reasons (primarily to lower the risk of over-penetration).

That said, if I were forced to choose between the 300 Win Mag and 300 AAC BLK for home defense, I would grab the 300 BLK in a heartbeat. Short-barreled rifles (SBRs) are often chambered in 300 BLK. With a suppressor, any one of them can deliver threat-stopping energy without deafening you in the process.

The 300 Win Mag is often chambered in bolt-action rifles, which is less than ideal for a home defense situation. It’s much more likely to punch a hole through your neighbor's refrigerator and continue down the block, however, which greatly increases the risk of striking an innocent bystander.

The 300 Blackout wins this section. It was designed for close-quarters combat (CQB). In contrast, a 300 Win Mag is only useful for combat when it’s placed in the hands of a sniper.

Ammo and Rifle Cost/Availability

We’re all limited by our budgets, so we often have to go with what’s most affordable. Let’s find out which cartridge will make a smaller hole – in your wallet.

300 Win Mag bolt-action rifles range from $500 to $4,000+. A good 300 Win Mag hunting rifle can be purchased for around $1,000. 300 Winchester Magnum ammo is also expensive.

At the time of writing, a 150 grain soft point deer hunting load costs around $1.80 per round. Premium ammo like Nosler Trophy Grade will cost you $4.25 per trigger pull. This isn’t a rifle you take to the range for a day of casual plinking!

The 300 AAC Blackout is similar in terms of rifle costs. The average price for a 300 BLK firearm is $500 to $2,500. 300 Blackout ammo is where you will save the most money, as it’s significantly less expensive (but not nearly so much as 5.56).

300 BLK 150 grain FMJ ammo costs about $0.90 per round, and premium loads like Barnes VOR-TX cost around $2 every time you pull the trigger. That’s less than half the cost of 300 Win Mag ammo, which makes it a much better option for a fun day at the gun range!

The 300 Blackout is the better option for shooters on a budget.

Reloading

Reloading is an excellent way to save money on ammunition. You can purchase your desired cartridges in bulk and reuse the spent brass to make handloads. Competition shooters and serious big game hunters fine-tune their handloads to achieve maximum performance out of their rifles.

The biggest downside to reloading is the initial cost. While purchasing reloading equipment and supplies can get expensive, it will save you money in the long run.

There is plenty of reloading information and supplies for the 300 Blackout and 300 Win Mag. I declare this section a tie.

300 Blackout vs. 300 Win Mag Ballistics

You'll love the ballistics chart below if you’re obsessed with numbers and want to see how a cartridge performs on paper. The team at Ammo.com has created easy-to-read charts to allow you to quickly compare each cartridge's ballistics.

300 Blackout Ballistics

Note: This information comes from the manufacturer. The actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from the advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type load.

Check out our article for a more in-depth look at 300 AAC Blackout ballistics.

300 Win Mag Ballistics

Note: This information comes from the manufacturer. The actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from the advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type load.

Check out our article for a more in-depth look at 300 Win Mag ballistics.

300 Blackout Ballistics Brief History

Advanced Armament Corporation developed the .300 AAC Blackout in 2010, offering a .30 caliber cartridge with better performance than the 5.56mm NATO. It is compatible with the M4. To fire a .300 AAC Blackout from a traditional M4, you just have to swap barrels.

Since its inception, it’s proven to be an excellent deer and hog hunting round. The .30 caliber bullet puts them down quickly without thumping the hunter’s shoulder. It’s capable of ethically harvesting deer out to 400-ish yards.

Despite being a relatively new cartridge compared to the 300 WM, the 300 BLK found favor among many enthusiasts. It’s not totally mainstream, but it’s not niche, either.

300 Win Mag Brief History

Since its introduction in the 1960s, the .300 Win Mag has developed a reputation for its ability to ethically harvest any North American game animal.

The popularity of the .300 Win Mag surged when the U.S. Army began converting 308 Win sniper rifles to fire it. This cartridge can engage human-sized targets out to 1,312 yards: about 50% farther than the .308 Winchester, which is a highly effective sniper rifle cartridge in its own right.

Competitive shooters have also found a place for the 300 Win Mag, as they cherish its flat trajectory during long-distance showdowns. I don’t foresee the 300 WM’s popularity waning anytime soon.

Parting Shots: 300 Blackout vs. 300 Win Mag

Congrats! You’ve made it to the end of the 300 Blackout vs. 300 Win Mag comparison. It’s time to tally up the sections and determine the winner for all eternity.

The 300 Blackout won three sections (recoil, home defense, and overall cost). The 300 Win Mag won four sections (trajectory, BC, stopping power, and hunting). Two sections were a draw (accuracy and reloading).

The 300 Win Mag edged out the 300 Blackout, but this comparison was fated to be a bit silly right from the start. Both cartridges are extraordinarily capable at handling situations they are actually intended for.

Don’t forget to check out our colossal ammo selection for both cartridges at Ammo.com!