Today I’m going to show you the best .300 AAC Blackout Rifle.
In fact:
I’ve hand-tested over 20 guns alone for this review.
The best part?
I’ve sorted each rifle by use. So whether you’re on a budget or need the best 300 Blackout rifle, you’ll find it here.
Let’s dive in!
The 4 Best .300 AAC Blackout Rifle
If you’re pressed on time, here’s a quick list of the best 300 blackout rifles:
- Springfield Armory Saint: Best Overall .300 AAC Blackout
- IWI Tavor X95: Best for CQB
- Wilson Combat AR-15 Ranger: Best .300 Blackout Rifle for Hunting
- Daniel Defense DDM4 V7P 300 Blackout: Best for Home Defense
1. Springfield Armory Saint: Best Overall .300 AAC Blackout
For AR lovers, the introduction of the AR-15 pistol brought a euphoric excitement on par with winning your first superbowl. Not that I’ve ever won a superbowl.
But I HAVE mistakenly shouted, “I’m going to Disney World!” after pulling my first shiny AR pistol out of the box.
So, does the Springfield Armory Saint .300 AAC Blackout induce such thrilling feelings? Let’s check out if this pistol is a total whiff or a game-winning touchdown…
Accuracy
At the 50-yard line, the Saint was putting up impressive groupings of less than half an inch.
The 1:7” twisted barrel didn’t seem at all phased by repetitive shooting, so the heat didn’t warp the metal and throw off my accuracy one bit.
For the close-range shooter, this 300 blackout pistol is fast and sharp as a tack. Exactly what you need for home defense.
Take it out another 50 yards, and it was still giving me groups around 2 inches, which is what I expected from an AR pistol.
After polling prospective shooters, SA decided to forego built in sights, but the top rail is plenty big for your favorite red dot.
(I’ll cover essential optics and accessories in a bit).
Reliability
Made with aircraft-grade anodized aluminum, the receiver extension and upper assembly are built to last.
Pair that with the indestructible steel barrel and bolt coated in a Melonite finish, and you’ve got one sturdy .300 AAC blackout pistol.
Once I got my ammo figured out, I put hundreds of 300 Blackout rounds through this Saint with no problems. It WAS finicky with some subsonic cartridges that caused a few frustrating misfeeds.
After I put on my suppressor, though, it was back to smooth sailing.
The Accu-Tite Tension System on the lower receivers made movement negligible.
Meaning less friction, more usable years on the weapon. Also, the stock was well-built and comfortable.
All in all, for a close-range home defense weapon, you want it to be reliable and durable.
The SA Saint certainly did the job in these categories.
Handling
One of my favorite ergonomic features of this pistol was the well-textured grip.
The Saint is fitted with a Bravo Company Mod 3 grip that has built-in storage that’s perfect for the adjustment hex or a small bottle of oil.
Even though the barrel didn’t seem affected by the heat of excessive shooting, holding this 300 blackout pistol after many rounds did have me wanting a glove.
The M-LOK handguard and Carbine “H” Heavy Tungsten buffer were well-placed and made the Saint fun and comfortable to shoot.
Trigger
I was impressed with the SA Proprietary trigger that comes standard on a Saint.
No take-up and a crisp break.
The nickel boron coated GI style was usable at about 6 and a quarter pounds of pull and had a nice Bravo Company trigger guard.
The reset had a distinctive “click” that some might find obnoxious, but I thought it added a level of ease to firing that made it that much simpler to reflex fire without too much thought.
Magazine/Reload
The SA Saint Blackout pistol comes with a sleek 30-round Gen M3 PMAG that is the top choice for many AR marksmen.
I found that the PMAG dropped easily from the well and the release was very convenient to access with my firing hand.
Length/Weight
One of the most compact options out there, the Saint has an overall length of 27.25 inches while still sporting a 9-inch barrel.
It’s about mid-range in weight for an AR pistol, coming in at about 5 and a half pounds. Even fully loaded, I found that it was an easily manageable 7 pounds.
Recoil
The excellent SB Tactical SBX-K brace makes for amazing recoil control in this 300 blackout. I hardly noticed any kick and saw virtually no muzzle rise.
If you’re looking for a soft-shooter (a rare find among .300 Blackout weapons), then the Saint is one of the best out there.
Ammo and Accessory Recommendations
My best groups came when using Remington UMC .300 AAC Blackout 120 OTFB and Hornady 300 Blackout 125 HP for higher velocities.
BUT these 300 blackout rounds didn’t seem like they were going to work WITHOUT A SUPPRESSOR.
That said, you’ll want to fit your Saint with something like the GemTech HVT-QD Tactical 300 BLK suppressor. Once I fitted this GemTech to my 300 AAC pistol, it shot beautifully without any issues.
Also mentioned above, the Saint doesn’t come standard with a sighting system.
So, to put up your best shots, I’d recommend attaching an Aimpoint Pro which makes target acquisition a breeze.
Price and Special Features
One of the best things about the Saint is the excellent price.
It retails for around $989.
Featuring the Direct Impingement Pistol-Length Gas Port with an adjustable gas block, the Saint can be tuned without altering the buffer, spring, or barrel.
A nice feature that most AR pistols don’t have.
Another unique feature is that beautiful brace we talked about before.
The SB Tactical qualifies this slick-shooter as a pistol, making it legal in places that otherwise would be hitting you with a fat $200 tax.
Is the Springfield Armory Saint Worth It?
If you’re looking for a compact, reliable, soft-shooting AR-15 pistol, then look no further than the Springfield Armory Saint .300 AAC Blackout.
Let’s look at a replay of the MVP features:
- Durable
- Light recoil
- Great for home defense
- Close-range groups under a half inch
- Excellent brace
So, if you want to get in the AR pistol game for a great price and put mega accuracy, reliability, and size points on the board, then suit up with the SA Saint .300 Blackout… TOUCHDOWN!
2. IWI Tavor X95: Best for CQB
Picture this:
You’re a tactical specialist storming an enemy bunker in the sweltering Middle Eastern heat. Suddenly, a bogie pops around the corner armed to the teeth. Do you panic?
Of course not. You’ve got the most reliable, best close-quarter rifle this side of the continent. You quickly take aim, get off a few smooth rounds, target down. Now repeat indefinitely. No misfires, no thought.
Now, how would you like to hold a weapon like that in your hands? Good news: You can!
Let’s take a look at the powerhouse bullpup, IWI Tavor X95…
Accuracy
This pup is a beast at close range.
While bullpups aren’t traditionally known for their long-range accuracy, the X95 was putting out sub-2-inch groupings at 100 yards. Get even closer (25-50 yards) and I was getting five-round groupings of less than an inch.
The 1:7-inch twisted barrel with 6 grooves gave me a nice, tight shot.
What’s more? It comes fitted with built-in tritium front and iron back sights that conveniently fold right into the upper assembly.
You can’t get a better close-range 300 blackout bullpup than the X95.
Reliability
This weapon will stand the test of time.
Why? It’s got a long-stroke gas piston system that makes it ultra-durable, a high strength polymer stock, and a cold hammer-forged barrel.
After 500 rounds, the X95 showed no signs of wear and had no issues of any kind.
Handling
Balance is where this 300 blackout semi-auto really shines.
The balance point and charging handle are closer to your body and made it comfortable to shoot repetitively.
It was very easy to transition between targets, field strip, and perform all necessary shooting functions with my support hand. This weapon was perfect for close-quarter shooting.
My only encountered awkwardness was with the placement of the pistol grip that caused finger slippage behind the trigger.
Trigger
The X95 did have a heavier trigger pull weight around 7 and a half pounds.
Like most bullpups, the pull felt long, but the reset was more crisp than many pups I’ve fired.
Not the best trigger you’ll pull, but certainly not the worst!
Magazine/Reload
This Tavor model comes with a 30-round, 3rd Generation MagPul PMAG.
It took some practice to get the reload down (standard for a shooter who’s used to AR-15’s), but once I did, the placement of the well and ambi button made for flawless reloading.
If you have a go-to magazine for your AR’s other than a MagPul, the X95 does take any STANAG magazine.
Length/Weight
One of the best things about this 300 AAC blackout was the compact size.
It’s got a barrel length of 16.5 inches and an overall length just over 26 inches. It was a bit heavier than your typical AR, weighing in at 7.8 pounds.
For the shooter who’s looking to fire in tight spaces (like home defense), the compact feel of the X95 was preferable to a standard AR.
Recoil Management
Talk about smooth shooting…
The X95 had virtually zero felt recoil.
It’s not a heavy caliber weapon to begin with, but throw in the long-stroke piston system and thick rubber buttpad and you’ve got great recoil management with minimal muzzle rise.
I could definitely tell this 300 blackout gun was made for the combat-ready soldier who doesn’t have time to mess with a choppy rifle.
Ammo and Accessory Recommendations
While the X95 I shot was chambered in 300 Blackout, you can also get it in 5.56 NATO (try HPR 60 grain V-Max) and in 9mm.
I found the heavier the round, the more accurate shots, so I’d stick with higher grain 300 ammo.
As far as accessories, if the built-in sights aren’t your style, check out the Aimpoint Micro T-2 red dot. It was easy to attach to the picatinny rail and upped my accuracy significantly.
I’d also recommend a trigger upgrade if you can hack it. I like the Super Sabra pack made by Geissele as it has a smoother and lighter pull.
Price and Special Features
You can pick up the X95 for a retail price of around $1,999 at most gun shops.
The compact size and long-stroke piston gas block system are the standout features of the X95.
It’s also unique in that it is significantly shorter than an AR, but the full-length barrel makes it non-NFA. What does that mean for you?
No annoying $200 tax!
Is the IWI Tavor X95 Worth It?
So, with the higher price tag, is the X95 worth the investment?
After shooting this compact 300 blackout powerhouse, I can confidently say…
“Absolutely!”
It’s one of the best choices for combat shooting as well as close-quarters home defense. Here’s why:
- Reliable
- Compact
- Well-balanced
- No extra taxes
- High polymer stock
Overall, this Israeli-made AAC blackout bullpup is a durable, well-balanced soft-shooter.
If you’re looking to take out short and mid-range targets with a high-quality 300 blackout rifle that’ll feel like it’s made just for you, then don’t miss your shot at the IWI Tavor X95.
3. Wilson Combat AR-15 Ranger: Best .300 Blackout Rifle for Hunting
Wilson Combat makes some of the most innovative, reliable, and deadly specialty weapons in the market.
But their AR-15 Ranger series may exceed even a die-hard Wilson fan’s expectations with its lightweight build and razor-sharp precision.
Let’s check out how this incredibly accurate, compact power-house will make you one of the deadliest predators in the field…
Accuracy
The Ranger is a precision paradigm.
Wilson boasts that this rifle has the lightest match-grade barrel on the market, making for extremely fast transitions between targets.
And I’d have to agree.
In speed drills, I was clocking my fastest times with my smallest groups ever in part because the taper of the aluminum barrel is incredibly light and maneuverable.
But chances are for hunting, you’ll need more accuracy within the 100 yard mark and less speed. So, I walked out to 100 yards and was pleasantly surprised at my 1.3-inch 5-shot groups.
I’d feel more than confident taking the Ranger out for whitetail, bear, and hogs.
Reliability
Nearly every component of the Ranger is mil-spec and MP inspected.
Not to mention the corrosion-resistant NP3 coating on the bolt and hard-anodized receivers coated in a super sturdy Armor-Tuff finish that make this rifle weather and wear-proof.
I pulled my Ranger straight from the box and put about 500 rounds through without incident.
Then, without lubricating a thing, I put through 500 more.
I’m not sure how long I could’ve sat there plinking, but after 1000 rounds the smooth action and sturdy hardware felt like they’d barely taken a hit.
This rifle will last as long as you need and is reliable enough for any length of hunting excursion.
Handling
With a midsize Wilson SLR click-adjustable gas block, the Ranger can be fine tuned to work best with whatever ammo you’re shooting.
This adjustment capability added an extra push to the already-comfortable rifle.
One thing I did find strange about the Ranger was the stock. It has such exceptional receivers, bolts, and hardware, that I didn’t expect to pick it up and feel cheap plastic.
That may have just been a first impression, though, because even later that day I couldn’t even notice the tacky-feeling stock.
Trigger
Here’s where I was sold on the Ranger.
The single-stage Tactical Trigger Unit had virtually zero take-up, no slack, and a distinct reset.
What’s more?
This trigger pulled crisp and clean right at a light 4 pounds.
Magazine/Reload
The Ranger ships with one standard 30-round magazine that clips into the well like just about every other AR.
Reloads were fast and easy, though I did scare away a few squirrels close by with the audible “click” as I snapped in the mag.
Since most AR-users want more than 30 rounds to work with, I’d recommend grabbing a few extra mags to keep in your bag.
Length/Weight
Virtually every metal component of the Ranger is made from lightweight billet aluminum, making it a reasonable 8 pounds.
With a barrel length of 16 inches and overall extended length of 36.5 inches, this rifle is easy to maneuver in thick brush as well as ground blinds.
Recoil Management
There wasn’t much kick to this rifle.
The Rogers Super-Stock buttstock absorbs a lot of the recoil and also features a unique locking mechanism to reduce movement.
Price and Ammo Recommendations
The Wilson Combat Ranger retails for $2300.
But, you get every ounce of what you pay for in a lightweight, accurate, and reliable precision machine.
The Ranger has a few caliber options, but my favorite is the .300 Blackout for its power and economy.
Here are my favorite rounds for the Ranger:
- Hornady 110 gr GMX Full Boar: Designed for deeper penetration and higher weight retention, I love this round for quick, clean kills.
- Winchester Deer Season XP 150 gr: Some of my best groups were with this Winchester round that was specially made to take down deer. This round fed smoothly and maintained a ton of power downrange.
Accessory Recommendations
The Ranger comes with a 10-inch MLOK rail and covers so that you can attach your favorite optics, lights, or accessories.
It also comes with a threaded muzzle fitted with an awesome Q-Comp muzzle brake.
Here are some of my favorite other add-ons for the Ranger:
- EOTech EXPS3-0 Red Dot (Night Vision Compatible): I love this red dot for its large FOV that allows me to shoot with both eyes open. Plus, it’s night-vision compatible and has a quick-detach lever.
- Wilson V3 Ultralight AR Scope Mount: To keep your rifle as light as possible, I’d go with this durable, lightweight mount that securely attaches your optic.
- Viking Tactics Wide Quick Adjust Sling: This heavy-duty sling will stand up to just about any weather conditions and makes carrying my Ranger silent and comfortable.
Is the Wilson Combat Ranger Worth It?
The Wilson Combat Ranger is my favorite .300 Blackout AR-15 to take out mid to large size game.
Here’s why. It’s:
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Accurate
- Reliable
For the best groups, highest durability, and happiest shoulder in the field, I trust no other AR-15’s apart from the Wilson Combat Ranger.
4. Daniel Defense DDM4 V7P 300 Blackout: Best for Home Defense
Daniel’s Defense, headquartered in Black Creek, Georgia, has rapidly become a top of the line weapons manufacturer.
Producing the famed DDM4V7 rifle, Daniel’s Defense has now produced an AR pistol variant – the DDM4 300 Blackout Pistol.
Let’s break it down the specifics.
Accuracy
The DDM4V7 is a highly accurate blackout rifle designed to be used for competition shooting.
(Speaking of competition shooting, if you’re into long-range shooting, check out this guide on the best .338 lapua rifles).
The barrel is an in-house fabricated, cold hammer-forged 5.56 barrel with 1:7 twist, manufactured from 4150 CV ordnance steel.
While certainly a shorter range weapon than its rifle predecessors, the .300 Blackout is most certainly a highly accurate weapon.
In fact, I’ve shot over 100 rounds while maintaining 2” (or less) groupings. Seriously. The accuracy is spot on.
Reliability
The DDM4 300 is INSANELY reliable.
In fact:
I’ve yet to experience any malfunctions or jams – despite shooting over 200 rounds through a variety of handloaded ammo.
How is it that reliable?
For starters, the lower and upper receiver are forged out of 7075 T6 aluminum. The spring and bolt are both manufactured to MILSPEC standards. And the bolt itself is high quality 158 Carpenter steel.
In other words:
The Daniel Defense DDM4 is built to last.
Handling
The DDM4 is lightweight and pleasant to handle, without the sharp projections that sometimes come with other AR platform models.
Weighing in at a 5.44 pounds and measuring at 28.5 inches, the DDM4 can be moved with ease, making it a great option for sport shooting, target shooting, and self defense.
The grip, hand guards, and enlarged trigger guard is easy and comfortable to handle.
The collapsible butt stock is backed by a rubber inlay where it meets the cheek, gripping well and preventing sliding during firing.
My one complaint with the butt stock is that the rubber can sometimes grab beard hair. However, this is a minor inconvenience at most.
Trigger
The trigger is very light.
It’s a straight bow Geissele Automatics Super Dynamic system that allows an easy pull, minimizing the chances of yanking the gun to the side while shooting.
Magazine & Reloading
The DDM4 300 ships with a standard 30 + 1 round magazine.
The gun itself works with all standard STANAG 4179 compliant magazines. Which means you’ll almost certainly be able to use your other AR-15 magazines with the DDM4.
As said before, the DDM4 comes with the proprietary flared magazine well, making reloading quick and easy.
This is a blackout rifle that will not be difficult to reload in a high pressure situation — including self-defense or competition.
Length & Weight
The 300 Blackout is 28.5 inches long and only 5.44 lbs.
Part of what makes this weapon special is that it is considered a pistol.
In other words, it does not require ATF approval or a tax stamp to get your hands on it.
The LAW Tactical folding stock adapter means that the weapon’s length can be reduced even further, making this a prime weapon for close quarters encounters.
(A plus if you’re in law enforcement).
Recoil Management
The DDM4v7 does an excellent job of making recoil almost non-existent.
The pistol-length gas system paired with the length of the weapon means that the barrel won’t be climbing as you shoot.
Furthermore, the rifle comes equipped standard with Daniel Defense’s own “Muzzle Climb Mitigator,” a legal flash-hider.
Shooting this weapon is not like firing off an old 30-06 hunting rifle where your bruised shoulder will remind you that you’ve been shooting.
The recoil is pretty much zero.
Price
I’m going to admit:
The DDM4V7 .300 Blackout is an expensive weapon, costing between $1,729 to $2,016.
With many decent AR-15 variants being priced around $800, the price tag may come as somewhat of a shock.
In fact:
You certainly can get an AR-15 or AR pistol that works well for a cheaper price. However, you might encounter some reliability or accuracy issues.
That’s not the case with the DDM4V7. It’s highly accurate and reliable, and the price reflects that.
Recommended Accessories
The DDM4V7 .300 Blackout AR pistol comes with a full length MFR 9.0 rail that runs the full length of the gun.
Which means, you can upgrade this bad puppy with sick accessories. I’d recommend attaching a Nightforce NXS 2.5-0X42. Or an EOTech sight.
Is the Daniel Defense DDM4V7 Worth It?
If you’re looking for one of the best 300 AAC blackout, then the Daniel Defense DDM4 is for you.
It has great accuracy, fantastic handling, and fault-free function. In addition, its low weight and short profile makes it ideal for close quarters engagements.
In short: the DDM4 is a high quality 300 blackout rifle with high quality parts.
Now It’s Your Turn
I hope you enjoyed my best .300 AAC Blackout Rifle guide.
So as a recap:
What is the best 300 Blackout pistol? I highly recommend the Springfield Armory Saint.
What about CQB? Then opt-in for the IWI Tavor X95.
Looking for a .300 hunting rifle? Get the Wilson Combat AR-15 Ranger.
Lastly, if you’re looking for the best home defense 300 blackout rifle, then the Daniel Defense DDM4 V7P is what you’re looking for.
All of the 300 blackout rifles above are tried and tested. I’ve fired hundreds of rounds through them and have experienced no problems whatsoever.
Now I want to turn it over to you:
Which 300 AAC blackout rifle will you pick?
Let me know by leaving a quick comment down below.
