The Ultimate Guide to Subsonic .300 Blackout Ammunition: Accuracy, Cost, Weight, and Cleanliness

The Ultimate Guide to Subsonic .300 Blackout Ammunition: Accuracy, Cost, Weight, and Cleanliness

The .300 AAC Blackout cartridge has become a favorite among shooters for its versatility, particularly in subsonic applications. Whether you're hunting, training, or simply want a quieter shooting experience with a suppressor, subsonic .300 Blackout rounds offer a significant advantage.

However, not all subsonic ammo is created equal. While major manufacturers like Hornady, SIG Sauer, and Remington offer great factory options, custom manufacturers like Discreet Ballistics and VELO Ammunitions provide highly specialized rounds tailored to maximize performance.

This comprehensive guide breaks down various subsonic .300 Blackout options, evaluating accuracy, cost, bullet weight, and cleanliness to help you make the best decision for your specific needs.


What Makes Subsonic .300 Blackout Unique?

Subsonic .300 Blackout ammo is designed to travel below the speed of sound (around 1,100 fps), eliminating the supersonic crack and significantly reducing noise, especially when used with a suppressor.

Key Features of Subsonic .300 Blackout Rounds:

Heavier bullets (180-250 grains) to maintain energy at subsonic speeds

Lower muzzle velocity for reduced noise signature

Less recoil than supersonic rounds

Works best with a suppressor for maximum noise reduction


Best Factory Subsonic .300 Blackout Ammunition

1. Hornady 208-grain A-MAX

Accuracy: 1.09-inch average group, best group at 0.785 inches

Cost: Around $32.76 per 20 rounds

Bullet Weight: 208 grains

Cleanliness: Burns cleanly, minimal fouling

Hornady’s A-MAX rounds are well-known for accuracy and reliability, making them an excellent choice for precision shooting and hunting.

2. SIG Sauer Elite Performance 220-grain HP

Accuracy: 1.155-inch average group, best group at 0.96 inches

Cost: Around $22.99 per 20 rounds

Bullet Weight: 220 grains

Cleanliness: Clean-burning powder for reduced fouling

SIG’s 220-grain HPs offer a balance of affordability and accuracy, making them a solid option for those who want subsonic performance without breaking the bank.

3. Remington 220-grain OTM

Accuracy: 1.08-inch average group, best group at 0.64 inches

Cost: Around $23.99 per 20 rounds

Bullet Weight: 220 grains

Cleanliness: Low-flash powders and sealed primers reduce fouling

Designed specifically for suppressed AR-15s, Remington’s 220-grain OTM rounds are a solid factory option for subsonic shooting.

4. Sellier & Bellot 200-grain FMJ

Accuracy: Great for training and plinking

Cost: More affordable than other options

Bullet Weight: 200 grains

Cleanliness: Moderate fouling, depends on batch

Sellier & Bellot’s 200-grain FMJ rounds are ideal for budget-conscious shooters who want a reliable subsonic option for the range.

5. Winchester White Box USA 200-grain JHP

Accuracy: Reliable for target shooting

Cost: One of the most affordable options

Bullet Weight: 200 grains

Cleanliness: Uses modern powders to reduce fouling

Winchester’s White Box subsonic rounds are a great choice if you’re looking for affordable, bulk ammo that performs well for general shooting.


Best Custom Subsonic .300 Blackout Ammunition

If you’re serious about subsonic performance, custom manufacturers like Discreet Ballistics and VELO Ammunitions offer high-performance, precision-engineered rounds tailored for hunting, defense, and tactical use.

Discreet Ballistics Subsonic Ammo

1. 188gr Selous Machined Expander

Accuracy: Sub-MOA accuracy within 75-100 yards

Cost: $44.99 per 20 rounds

Bullet Weight: 188 grains

Cleanliness: Low-flash powder and sealed primers

Best For: Hunting – This CNC-machined projectile expands reliably and ensures ethical kills with subsonic energy.

2. 190gr Recce Subsonic Target Load

Accuracy: Consistently sub-MOA, excellent for precision shooting

Cost: $67.99 per 40 rounds

Bullet Weight: 190 grains

Cleanliness: Meticulously loaded for minimal fouling

Best For: Target shooting and training – Great for semi-auto and bolt-action rifles, delivering consistent, quiet performance.

VELO Ammunitions Subsonic Ammo

1. 220gr Custom Subsonic Banana Expanding

Accuracy: Expands up to three times its diameter, maintains 95 percent weight retention

Cost: Contact VELO Ammunitions for pricing

Bullet Weight: 220 grains

Cleanliness: Non-toxic copper construction, minimal barrel fouling

Best For: Hunting and tactical use – This solid copper expanding round is designed for maximum energy transfer.

2. 225gr Custom Subsonic Black Mass

Accuracy: Polymer-coated projectile for better long-range accuracy

Cost: Contact VELO Ammunitions for pricing

Bullet Weight: 225 grains

Cleanliness: Reduced heat friction, cleaner barrel over extended use

Best For: High-volume shooting – Ideal for suppressor users who need a cleaner-burning round for frequent range trips.


Final Thoughts: Which Subsonic .300 Blackout Ammo is Best for You?

The best subsonic .300 Blackout ammo depends on your specific use case.

Best for Hunting

Discreet Ballistics 188gr Selous Expander – CNC-machined expansion for ethical kills

VELO Ammunitions 220gr Banana Expanding – Non-toxic copper with massive expansion

Best for Precision Shooting

Discreet Ballistics 190gr Recce – Sub-MOA accuracy for semi-auto and bolt guns

Hornady 208gr A-MAX – Factory precision with great consistency

Best for Budget-Conscious Shooters

Sellier & Bellot 200gr FMJ – Affordable for plinking and training

Winchester White Box 200gr JHP – Cost-effective and widely available

Best for Suppressed Shooting and Clean Performance

VELO Ammunitions 225gr Black Mass – Polymer-coated for reduced fouling

SIG Sauer 220gr HP – Clean-burning factory option


Ammunition Accuracy Cost (per 20 rounds) Bullet Weight (grains) Cleanliness Best For
Hornady 208gr A-MAX 1.09-inch avg, 0.785-inch best ~$32.76 208 Clean-burning Precision shooting, hunting
SIG Sauer 220gr HP 1.155-inch avg, 0.96-inch best ~$22.99 220 Clean-burning Affordable precision
Remington 220gr OTM 1.08-inch avg, 0.64-inch best ~$23.99 220 Low-flash powder, reduced fouling Suppressed AR-15s
Sellier & Bellot 200gr FMJ Good for plinking/training More affordable than others 200 Moderate fouling Budget-friendly practice
Winchester White Box 200gr JHP Reliable for target shooting One of the most affordable 200 Modern powders, reduced fouling Bulk ammo for practice
Discreet Ballistics 188gr Selous Expander Sub-MOA accuracy at 75-100 yards $44.99 188 Low-flash, sealed primers Hunting, ethical kills
Discreet Ballistics 190gr Recce Sub-MOA, excellent precision $67.99 (per 40 rounds) 190 Minimal fouling Target shooting, training
VELO Ammunitions 220gr Banana Expanding Expands up to 3x diameter, 95% weight retention Contact for price 220 Non-toxic copper, minimal fouling Hunting, tactical use
VELO Ammunitions 225gr Black Mass Polymer-coated for long-range accuracy Contact for price 225 Reduced heat friction, cleaner barrel High-volume suppressed shooting

No matter your needs, subsonic .300 Blackout offers an incredibly quiet, effective, and enjoyable shooting experience when paired with the right ammunition. Test a few brands to see what works best for your rifle and suppressor setup.

Which subsonic .300 Blackout ammo do you prefer? Let us know in the comments.

 


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