.300 Blackout vs 5.56x45 NATO
Typical factory loads side by side: speed, energy, BC, twist, range and what each one is built for.
The short answer
With typical loads, the 5.56x45 NATO is about 920 ft/s faster at the muzzle (2,100 vs 3,020 ft/s).
The 5.56x45 NATO carries about 7% more energy at the muzzle (1,255 vs 1,175 ft-lbs), which usually also means more recoil.
On the same size target, the 5.56x45 NATO has the longer point-blank range (275 yd), so you can hold dead-on a bit farther without adjusting.
Side by side
| .300 Blackout | 5.56x45 NATO | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Built for short, suppressed AR carbines. Hogs and deer at close range with expanding bullets. | U.S. and NATO service round since the M16. |
| Typical load | 120 grexpanding | 62 grM855 green tip |
| Muzzle speed | 2,100 ft/s | 3,020 ft/s |
| Muzzle energy | 1,175 ft-lbs | 1,255 ft-lbs |
| Typical BC (G1) | ≈ 0.30typical, varies by brand | ≈ 0.30typical, varies by brand |
| Twist rate | 1:8 | 1:7 |
| Practical range | 100–150 yd | — |
| Point-blank range | 202 yd6" vital zone | 275 yd6" vital zone |
| Recommended platform | AR-15 or short handy rifleVery light recoil; great with a suppressor | Varmints and coyotes; deer only with proper hunting bullets where legal. |
Which one fits you?
.300 Blackout: Built for short, suppressed AR carbines. Hogs and deer at close range with expanding bullets.
5.56x45 NATO: U.S. and NATO service round since the M16.
For most hunters, the right pick is the one you can shoot accurately and comfortably, in a rifle that fits how you hunt. Good shot placement and a bullet built for your game matter more than small differences on paper.
More
- .300 Blackout profile
- 5.56x45 NATO profile
- .223 Remington vs 5.56x45 NATO
- 7.62x39 vs 5.56x45 NATO
- All comparisons
Speed, energy and BC are typical figures for the listed load; real numbers vary by brand, lot and barrel length. Always check the ammo maker's data for your exact load.