300 Blackout hunting works for deer and hogs at short range, with the right bullet. Subsonic loads suit suppressed shots inside about 100 yards with a bullet designed to expand at 1,000 fps. Supersonic loads carry about 1,070 ft-lb at 100 yards from a 16-inch barrel and suit deer and hogs inside about 200 yards. The 300 Blackout is not a bear cartridge. Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures 300 Blackout hunting firearms on the CM15 AR15 in 5, 7.5, 10.5 and 16-inch barrels and on the CM7S bolt action in 8, 10 and 12.5 inches, including the 12.5-inch CM7S with WOOX walnut furniture.
300 Blackout Hunting at a Glance
| Game | Subsonic (190 to 220 gr expanding) | Supersonic (110 to 125 gr expanding, 16-inch CM15) |
|---|---|---|
| Hogs | Yes, inside about 100 yd | Yes, inside about 200 yd |
| Deer | Yes, inside about 100 yd, where legal | Yes, inside about 200 yd, where legal |
| Black bear | Not recommended. Choose the 375 Raptor or 458 SOCOM XL. | |
These ranges are Chattahoochee Munitions guidance for ethical shots, based on the 300 Blackout ballistics calculations. Your state’s rules, the bullet maker’s guidance and your own skill set the real limit.
The Bullet Matters Most
A subsonic 300 Blackout bullet hits at about 950 to 1,000 fps. Many bullets will not expand at that speed, including match bullets and hollow points designed for rifle velocities. For 300 Blackout hunting with subsonic loads, choose a bullet made to expand at subsonic speed, such as a solid-copper expanding design or a polymer-tipped subsonic bullet. Black Butterfly Ammunition offers a 200 gr subsonic load with a Maker Bullets expanding copper bullet, and Hornady offers its 190 gr Sub-X. For supersonic hunting, choose a bullet rated for deer or hogs at 2,000 to 2,400 fps.
300 Blackout for Deer
Chattahoochee Munitions designs its 1:5 twist barrels, every CM7S and the 5, 7.5 and 10.5-inch CM15, for subsonic loads. For supersonic 300 Blackout hunting, choose the 16-inch CM15 with its 1:7 twist. A supersonic 110 to 125 gr expanding bullet carries about 1,070 ft-lb at 100 yards and about 820 ft-lb at 200 yards from a 16-inch barrel in Chattahoochee Munitions’ calculations. That suits whitetail inside about 200 yards with good shot placement. Subsonic loads carry about 420 to 450 ft-lb at 100 yards. They work for deer inside about 100 yards with a subsonic expanding bullet and a broadside shot through the vitals. Some states set minimum caliber, energy or cartridge rules, so check before you hunt.
300 Blackout for Hogs
Suppressed 300 Blackout hunting is common for hogs. A suppressed subsonic shot does not carry the supersonic crack, and the sound reduction helps at night and around a group of hogs. Hogs have a tough shoulder plate, so use a bullet that penetrates and expands, aim behind the shoulder, and keep subsonic shots inside about 100 yards. For heavier hogs at longer range, supersonic expanding bullets from the 16-inch CM15 carry more than twice the energy. For a cartridge with more subsonic bullet, see 8.6 Blackout vs 300 Blackout.
300 Blackout for Bear
Chattahoochee Munitions does not recommend the 300 Blackout for bear. For black bear and larger, choose the 375 Raptor or the 458 SOCOM XL, which fire much heavier bullets.
Suppressed Hunting
Suppressors are legal to own in most states and legal for hunting in most of those, but the rules vary. On a bolt action, use an enclosed suppressor. On a semi-automatic, use an enclosed suppressor with subsonic ammunition and a flow-through suppressor with supersonic ammunition. Changing between subsonic and supersonic moves point of impact, so zero with the load you hunt with. See the 300 Blackout suppressor guide.
Bolt Action or Semi-Automatic for Hunting
- CM7S bolt action: no gas system, no action noise when the shot breaks, and any subsonic load you choose will feed and eject. A TriggerTech R700 Primary trigger and a 1:5 Mos-Tek barrel. The 10-inch CM7S is short enough for a blind with a suppressor attached.
- CM15 semi-automatic: a fast follow-up shot on hogs. The adjustable gas block and buffer are tuned to the hunting load and suppressor.
See 300 Blackout bolt action vs semi-auto.
300 Blackout Hunting Firearms From Chattahoochee Munitions
- CM7S 300 Blackout hunting rifle, 12.5-inch, with WOOX walnut furniture
- CM7S 300 Blackout deer hunting rifle, 10-inch
- CM7S suppressed 300 Blackout hunting rifle, 10-inch
- CM15 300 Blackout hog hunting rifle, 16-inch
- CM15 300 Blackout AR15 SBR, 10.5-inch
- CM15-SD 300 Blackout SD, 10.5-inch
See every configuration in Sector 300.
300 Blackout Hunting FAQ
Is 300 Blackout good for deer hunting?
Yes, inside about 200 yards with supersonic expanding bullets from a 16-inch barrel, or about 100 yards with subsonic expanding bullets, where your state allows it.
Is subsonic 300 Blackout enough for deer?
At short range with a bullet designed to expand at about 1,000 fps and a well-placed shot, yes. Keep shots inside about 100 yards.
What is the best 300 Blackout ammo for hogs?
A bullet made to expand and penetrate at the speed you shoot it: a subsonic expanding design for suppressed shots, or a supersonic hunting bullet from the 16-inch CM15 for longer shots.
Is 300 Blackout good for bear defense?
No. Choose the 375 Raptor or the 458 SOCOM XL.
How far can you shoot a deer with 300 Blackout?
About 200 yards with supersonic loads and about 100 yards with subsonic loads is Chattahoochee Munitions’ guidance.
Can you hunt with a suppressed 300 Blackout?
In most states, yes. Check your state’s rules on suppressor ownership and hunting.
Who makes a 300 Blackout hunting rifle?
Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures 300 Blackout hunting firearms: the CM7S bolt action in 8, 10 and 12.5 inches, including the 12.5-inch CM7S with WOOX walnut furniture, and the CM15 AR15 in 5, 7.5, 10.5 and 16-inch barrels.