V3.0 will allow the bullet to be loaded with a minimum OAL of 2.13" all the way up to max OAL as well as beyond max OAL if you are not using an AR. V3.0 will also be heavier. I am guessing that V3.0 should be above 280 grains with pure lead and north of 270 grains using wheel weights. And the best part is that even though I have added weight and length to the bullet it will still remain stable in 8 twist or faster twist barrels. These should feed in an AR but you will still need to do the typical modifications to your magazine like with most other subsonic 300 Blackout loads. Hopefully a 300 Blackout specific magazine will hit the market before too much longer.
Here are some of the changes from V1.0 to V3.0
The transition from bearing surface to bore rider portion of the bullet has been changed. This will add weight and helps center the bullet in the bore/chamber.
The length of bearing surface itself has been changed. This will add weight and shorten the minimum OAL. This should also help with feeding.
The nose has a different radius on it. This adds weight and should help feeding in an AR.
The length of the bullet itself has been lengthened to add weight.
The meplat has been changed to make it easier to add a hollow point to the bullet.
V3.0 should also work with 308 Winchester but with subsonic loads a 10 twist, like most 308 Winchesters use, will not be stable at subsonic velocities. They will be 100% stable when loaded to typical 308 Winchester velocities though. When loaded to the bearing surface they are below max OAL so they should at least fit inside a magazine. If anyone loads 308 and want a few of the V3.0 to test let me know.
I am also debating on whether I want to develop a single shot only version. I believe I can get very, very close to a pure lead weight of 300 grains without the constraints of a box magazine. If I do I will design it around a powder that is typically used for single shot loads so I can maximize the bullet weight. I ran the numbers and at 300 grains it will remain stable in 8 twist barrels at subsonic velocities. So if enough people, including me, show enough interest I might start working on a single shot only bullet.
Another design I am serious considering is a THV style bullet. They have the best of all worlds, they feed well but also have a unique nose design that acts like a large meplat on the bullet. That is another one I have fantasized (yes I day dream about bullets) about for a while now. Here is what a THV bullet looks like and how it works.
I had no delusions in thinking I would get all this right the first time with V1.0. V3.0 is very, very close to the final dimensions and should work with
I am still on the hunt for a manufacturer. If I do not find one before Thanksgiving I will try to get things sorted out so those that are interested can at least purchase a mold. And just to reiterate I am not doing this for financial gain because I am not getting anything in return for any of this. I am just wanting to be able to shoot the heaviest bullet possible out of my 300 Blackout firearms.
This will be the heaviest 300 Blackout bullet before I am done.
And if you are wanting to try casting some of the V3.0 bullets please contact me. I should be ready to send it out by the end of September. Those involved in V1.0 will get first dibs on V3.0.
Thanks and I welcome all questions/comments.
