The .300 AAC Blackout cartridge has become a popular rifle round since its introduction by Advanced Armament Company (AAC) in 2011. Originally developed for U.S. Military specifications, the civilian market has rapidly found the .300 AAC Blackout to be an effective sporting load, especially among those who hunt feral hogs.
The popularity of this .30 caliber round with varmint hunters is astounding. Many night hunters depend on stealth to approach their prey. Suppressors have become more prevalent in these groups to tame the savage muzzle report AR rifles tend to exhibit. Suppressors are also popular among target and competitive shooters during range practice time. Suppressed rifles are more comfortable to shoot for everyone involved.
This article will look at the leading suppressors on the market for the .300 Blackout cartridge. I will consider construction, quality, design, and performance in my reports. Hopefully, this discussion will give you a better understanding of how to evaluate suppressors and what you should look for in a suppressor for your rifle.
SKIP AHEAD
The Issues of Legality
Before you consider purchasing a suppressor for your .300 Blackout rifle, you must determine if it is legal to have a suppressor where you live. The only way to know for sure is to consult with someone in your jurisdiction who is qualified to speak to the issue. However, in general, the laws governing ownership of suppressors breaks down as follows.
Federal Law
Ownership of suppressors is legal under federal law but is controlled and regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF). You must have a apply to the BATF for a tax stamp for each suppressor you own.
State Law
Forty-two states currently permit suppressor ownership. The eight states which ban individual ownership of a suppressor are:
- California
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- New York
- New Jersey
- Rhode Island
The District of Columbia also has a ban on individual ownership and possession of suppressors.
Local Ordinances
Some cities and counties have also enacted ordinances banning or limiting the ownership of suppressors in their jurisdictions. The best advice is to check with your local law enforcement officials to determine if suppressor ownership is legal where you live.
The Best .300 Blackout Suppressors You Can Buy
We have not ranked the suppressors on our list because, quite frankly, the top of the line suppressors perform much the same. Let’s face it, a difference in sound suppression of five decibels isn’t detectable without sophisticated testing equipment. Construction and quality materials are much more important. Other factors such as ease of maintenance and repair are important as well. These are my picks for the best .300 Blackout suppressors available.
Gemtech GMT-300BLK Suppressor Review
Gemtech has been in the suppressor business since 1993. That kind of history indicates to me that this company is doing something right. Gemtech suppressors are the choice of many law enforcement and special forces operators throughout the world.
The Gemtech GMT-300BLK is a caliber specific suppressor. Many other manufacturers design their thirty caliber suppressors to work across various calibers, all of which fire the .30 caliber round. Not so, Gemtech. The GMT-300BLK works with both supersonic and subsonic .300BLK ammunition using the patented G-Core systems.
Features of the Gemtech GMT-300BLK suppressor include:
- Useable on barrels as short as 7.5 inches
- Operable with both subsonic and supersonic ammunition in the same rifle
- User serviceable internal parts for easy maintenance and repair
- Caliber – .30
- Diameter – 1.5”
- Overall Length – 6.5”
- Weight – 14 ounces
- Mount Type – 5/8 x 24 threads
- Tube material – Titanium
- Full auto rated – Yes
- Finish – Black high-temperature Cerakote
The Gemtech GMT-300BLK suppressor is short, light, and easy to service. Users report that this Gemtech suppressor seems to work best on short-barreled rifles. This fact doesn’t seem surprising since the Gemtech GMT-300BLK was born to mate with the military M4 rifle platform.
Pros
- Great noise reduction
- Can reduce felt recoil significantly
- Easy direct mounting
- Specific to the 300BLK cartridge
- Quick disassembly for cleaning and maintenance
- dB reduction – 36 to 39 dB
Cons
- Expensive
- May require some gunsmithing to fit properly
You may not be able to justify the expense of a Gemtech GMT-300BLK suppressor. If you aren’t a dedicated and frequent shooter or working in extreme conditions, you may have trouble justifying this kind of cost. However, if you want exceptional performance and durability, the Gemtech GMT-300BLK is a great choice.
SureFire SOCOM300-SPS Review
Surefire is undeniably one of the best makers of aftermarket shooting accessories in the world. From flashlights to suppressors, shooters know Surefire to produce high-quality equipment that can be counted on to provide years of service.
The Surefire SOCOm300-SPS suppressor maintains that reputation. The SOCOM300-SPS suppressor is a purpose-built .300BLK rifle suppressor for both supersonic and subsonic ammunition. The SOCOM, in the name of this Surefire suppressor, echoes its heritage as a tested combat system in use by special forces operators around the world.
As with all Surefire products, you find a rich list of features.
- Highly specialized V-shaped baffle design for superior sound suppression
- Almost total elimination of first-round flash and dust signatures
- Inconel and stainless-steel construction for long, trouble-free service
- CNC laser welding gives the best possible strength
- Optimized for short-barreled rifles
- Caliber – .30
- Construction – High-temperature alloy and stainless steel
- Finish – High-temperature Cerakote
- Diameter – 1.5 inches
- Overall length – 7.9 inches
- Weight – 20 ounces
- 99.5 percent of visible flash suppression
- Mounting – Surefire Fast-Attach systems and adapters
- Sub 1-MOA group sizes. Minimal POI shift
- Full auto rated
The name says a lot about the Surefire SOCOM suppressor. This suppressor may be the most popular in use by the U.S. Military special forces operators. Surefire doesn’t use the SOCOM designation lightly. They have earned the right to use the name.
Pros
- When used with subsonic ammunition, the Surefire SOCOM suppressor is remarkably quiet
- Compatible with all Surefire quick detach muzzle systems
- Relatively short and compact
- Best construction, fit and finish on the market
Cons
- Probably the most expensive suppressor on the market
- Only works with the Surefire quick-detach muzzle systems
If you want the best of the best, the Surefire SOCOM300-SPS system is your choice. In some cases, you will spend as much on the front end of your rifle as you will spend on everything that goes on the back end. However, you won’t be disappointed in the results.
SilencerCo Omega 300 Review
SilencerCo builds suppressors and a few accessories. There is something to be said for doing one thing and doing it well. SilencerCo has certainly found that to be true. The line of suppressors offered by SilencerCo is extensive. No matter your needs or demands, SilencerCo has a suppressor to meet your specifications.
The SilencerCo Omega 300 is a cross-platform suppressor. You can use the Omega 300 on any of your .30 caliber weapons from a 5.7 mm to 300 WM. Cross-platform capability gives you the capability of suppressing a wide array of guns in your safe without the expense of separate suppressor systems for each rifle.
You needn’t worry about features with a SilencerCo suppressor.
- Calibers – 5.7mm to 300 WM
- Fully welded construction for rigidity and strength
- Rated for full-auto operation
- Can be direct thread mounted or used with fast-attach systems
- Removable Anchor Brake reduces felt recoil
- Overall length – 7.09 inches
- Weight – 14 ounces
- Diameter – 1.56 inches
- Average Decibel level 300BLK subsonic ammunition – 119.5 dB
- Construction – Titanium, Cobalt 6, and stainless steel
The SilencerCo Omega 300 gets some of the best decibel reduction ratings of any suppressor on the market. The capability to use a single suppressor across a range of rifles is a huge advantage and significant cost savings for some shooters. The lightweight and short length are also big pluses in my book.
Pros
- Exceptionally durable for long shooting life
- Easy to install
- Probably the quietest suppressor on the market
- Adaptable to many quick-detach systems
Cons
- It isn’t designed specifically for the .300BLK cartridge
- Expensive
If you are on a quest to have the quietest rifle on the range, the SilencerCo Omega 300 is probably your best choice. The adaptability across a range of cartridges and rifle styles helps make the cost of the SilencerCo Omega a bit easier to accept.
Sig Sauer SRD762TI-10 Review
Sig Sauer is known for producing some of the highest quality firearms available on the civilian market. Their rifles are legendary. The Sig line of pistols is shot and carried by both professionals and civilians around the world. The same sort of attention to quality and dependability is found in the Sig Sauer line of suppressors.
The Sig Sauer SRD762TI-10 is another cross cartridge suppressor. This Sig suppressor works with .30 caliber cartridges chambered for 7.62NATO, 200 Win Mag, and the .300BLK cartridge. You would expect to find a rich feature list from Sig Sauer, and you won’t be disappointed.
- Construction – Grade 5 Titanium
- Direct thread mounting
- Ten baffle stack for maximum sound suppression
- Wrench flats on the rear mount for quick and easy mounting and removal
- Black Cerakote finish for durability
- Caliber – 7.62 NATO
- Diameter – 1.75 inches
- Overall length – 6.9 inches
- Threads – 5/8 x 24 TPI
- Weight – 13.5 ounces
- Full auto rated
- Sound reduction – 137cB
The Sig Sauer SRD762TI-10 is not the smallest or the lightest suppressor on our list. The tube’s overall diameter is slightly larger than most of the other suppressors we profile. However, in terms of durability, sound suppression, and build quality, you won’t find many other suppressors that compare.
Pros
- Good noise reduction
- Helps reduce felt recoil
- Well-built and tough
- Can be used with quick detach systems
Cons
- Not as quiet as other suppressors
- Larger tube diameter can be a problem with some sight systems
The Sig Sauer SRD762TI-10 may not be the prettiest suppressor on the market, but it is certainly one of the best. If looks are an issue, you may want to pass on this Sig Sauer suppressor. However, if performance and service are key factors, then you certainly should consider the Sig Sauer SRD762Ti-10 suppressor for your .300BLK rifle.
Radical Firearms 7.62 Direct Thread Suppressor Review
If you are on a budget finding a decent suppressor can be a challenge. Radical Firearms has risen to help you meet that challenge with their line of direct thread suppressors. The Radical Firearms suppressors much less costly than the other entries on my list but deliver performance far above their price point.
The Radical Firearms 7.62 Direct Thread Suppressor is a workingman’s product. I would call the design and manufacture utilitarian. These suppressors follow the concept of function over form. This concept does keep costs down but can result in a less than visually appealing finished product.
One place that Radical Designs has not skimped is on the features and performance side of the picture.
- Caliber rating – 7.62 NATO
- Construction – Stainless steel
- Finish – High-temperature Cerakote
- Rated for Semi-Auto only
- Overall Length – 9 inches
- Weight – 20.4 ounces
- Tube Diameter – 1.5 ounces
- Threads – 5/8 x 24 TPI
Yes, this suppressor is plain and unadorned. However, at about half the other suppressors’ price on my list, the Radical Firearms 7.62 Direct Thread Suppressor performs comparably to any of the others. For what is considered a budget suppressor, the Radical Firearms suppressors are amazing values.
Pros
- Sold construction
- Good sound reduction
- Clean lines and no-frills
- Direct thread attachments for solid and rigid installations
- Excellent price point
Cons
- The finish may not be as slick as some other suppressors
- May require a bit of gunsmithing to fit perfectly.
For the hunter who considers a rifle a tool or a range fanatic who wants to shoot more comfortably, the Radical Firearms 7.62 Direct Thread Suppressor is a top of the list pick. These suppressors are functional, quiet, and dependable. You needn’t spend a fortune on a good suppressor.
The Least Bang for the Buck
The objective in selecting a suppressor always must consider getting the least bang for the buck. The goal is to make things quieter. In general, the quieter you want, the more money you must spend. I hope that this article has given you some insight into finding the best suppressor for your .300 BLK rifle. There are hundreds of choices on the market. Do your homework and then enjoy the quiet.