The 300 Blackout cartridge is known for providing a wide range of bullet weights and velocities much to the chagrin of bullet drop compensating scope reticle designers.
When a certain caliber can range from pushing bullets around 150 grains down range around 2500 feet per second to throwing 245-grain bullets at 950 feet per second, it obviously offers shooters and reloaders a lot of options.
Check out the best powders for 300 Blackout ammo below.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Powder For 300 Blackout
- OUR TOP PICK: CFE BLK Smokeless Rifle Powder
- RUNNER-UP: Alliant Powder - Power Pro 300-mp Powder
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Hodgdon H110 Powder
What to Watch For When Buying Powder for a 300 Blackout
Choosing a gunpowder option is an important decision for reloaders. Don't get burned by choosing the wrong one. Use the information below, along with the list of the best powders, to make the right choice.
This Section Written By:
Brian Belko
Expert Author
Brian is an experienced freelance writer and technical writer who has previously written for publications such as Wide Open Spaces, Bigfoot Gun Belts, Alien Gear Holsters, and Kampgrounds of America. He brings both a passion for writing and a love of the outdoors to his published content.
Aside from writing and the outdoors, Brian enjoys gardening, being a co-host on The Nostalgia Blast Podcast, and learning to code.
Rounding the Bases
Unless you are a seasoned reloader, you may think that gunpowder is gunpowder. However, this is not true. When it comes to gunpowder, there are two basic types available on the market today. Those two types are single base and double base. What’s the difference? Well, single-base gunpowder contains nitrocellulose. This compound doesn’t burn as hot but does burn cleaner. Double base gunpowder also contains nitrocellulose but also has nitroglycerin added. This makes it burn hotter, but also dirtier.
The single-base powder does also have a much longer shelf life than double-base powder, but this hardly even matters considering they come in at 45 years and 20 years respectively. It is doubtful it will take you that long to work your way through a bottle of gunpowder.
If maximum velocity is your goal, then choose a double-base powder. However, if that isn’t as important to you, then you can’t go wrong with either type of gunpowder for your 300 Blackout hand loads.
Photo credit: gfycat.com
Going Subsonic
If you want to reload subsonic rounds, you will have to make sure you get a powder that is capable of doing so. The type of gunpowder matters in this regard. Subsonic ammo is ammo that pushes the bullet downrange below the speed of sound. This is ideal for reducing the volume of fired shots and for using suppressed firearms.
It will be important to research your particular requirements to find the right gunpowder. There will be plenty of professional resources available that will help you figure out what to look for more specifically. Subsonic ammo can sometimes cause cycling issues with AR-15 gas systems so that will be one important factor to keep an eye on.
Staying Official
When you search for reloading information online, you will be faced with a huge amount of articles, forum discussions, and videos featuring different hand loads that have been developed. However, it is the best practice to never trust secondary sources like this. Always get load information from official printed manuals from trusted and reputable manufacturers.
Safety should always be priority number one when it comes to reloading and when it comes to firearms in general. Always be sure to employ all the recommended safety measures when working with gunpowder in any capacity.
Comparison of the Best 300 Blackout Powders
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
Review of the Best .300 Blackout Powders
Below are five of the best powders currently available for a 300 Blackout. It is important to carefully look over each of these, because they may contain a few interesting features that may match your personal preferences or needs.
Since you’ll probably be loading them in cartridges, it is important to find which one will best suit the ones you are using. With that said, let’s get right to it:
Best Overall:
CFE BLK Smokeless Rifle Powder
Pros
Cons
For the first powder on the docket, we'll be looking at the CFE BLK Smokeless Rifle Powder from the Hodgdon Powder Company. This is specifically formulated for 300 Blackout cartridges. But what makes it the best overall on the market?
This is perhaps one of the best powders available for subsonic loads. In fact, this kind is so light in weight that the rounds themselves will stay light. You really don't want to add any unnecessary weight to your rifle now, do you? Of course not.
This is not only a match made in heaven for your 300 Blackout rounds, but they will also do very well with a variety of rounds that are mostly designed for varmint hunting. So if you're a hunter looking for a powder to load rounds appropriate for this kind of hunting, the CFE BLK powder may be the best possible choice for you.
It is guaranteed to leave no copper residue behind. On top of that, this will provide your subsonic rounds to achieve a superior amount of accuracy and velocity. Plus, this won’t make much of a mess. When the time comes to clean your rifle, this will usually come right off. If you hate the idea of cleaning up residue that doesn’t go away easy, then this is the product you might want to choose.
Bottom Line
The CFE BLK powder has proven itself to be one of the best on the market. On top of that, it's worthy of being considered the best overall. Aside from leaving no residue or much of a mess behind, this is possibly the best option for those who fancy themselves fans of the subsonic rounds.
If you want your subsonic rounds to be more accurate and have a good deal of velocity, there's probably no better choice other than this. Be sure to load your subsonic rounds with this powder before your next hunting trip. The varmints and small game won't even know what hit them with the CFE BLK powder and your subsonic rounds of choice.
Runner-up:
Alliant Powder - Power Pro 300-mp Powder
Pros
Cons
Next up, we have the Alliant Powder Power Pro 300-mp Powder. What better place in the world to get powder for your 300 Blackout rounds than the good ol’ US of A? This is made in the United States and is guaranteed to be nothing but top quality.
It is mostly designed for Magnum handguns, but will also work for 300 Blackout cartridges. If you hold velocity to a high standard, you’re going to want to have this powder ready in case you have some new cartridges to load up. So if you have a mid-range or even long-range 300 Blackout rifle that you’ve been dying to take out for a test run or for a day at the range, you may want to give this powder a try.
It will also give you the opportunity to duplicate any factory rounds, especially factory Blackout rounds. If that’s something that’s more your speed, this will allow you to do that. Plus, it’s lightweight and won’t add any extra weight to your gun or rounds. No matter if you’re using Blackouts or Magnum rounds, the Alliant Powder Power Pro can be your go-to powder if you’re satisfied with its overall performance.
Bottom Line
The Power Pro powder is a good option if you’re looking for something to mimic factory 300 Blackout rounds. Other than that, it’s a good choice if you also have rounds for a .44 or a .357. Either way, this might be a gun owner’s dream powder if it has the ability to be this accommodating with handgun and rifle rounds.
If you’re a gun owner or enthusiast that is looking for a powder to reload these types of rounds, the Power Pro may just be the best option to go with.
Best for the Money:
Hodgdon H110 Powder
Pros
Cons
Next, we'll be taking a look at the best option for the money. If you're on a budget and want a powder that is suitable for your 300 Blackout rounds, then we might have a product for you that won't break the bank. We bring you the Hodgdon 100 Powder.
This is not for the faint of heart. TIt is for those who want some serious power packed into every 300 Blackout cartridge that they fire. If you're one who wants a powder that can pack a powerful punch, you'll probably want this powder, in particular.
Do you want the best in velocity and accuracy? You got it. Do you want rounds that can do their job during your target practice sessions or competitions? You better believe that there's a powder that can help make the rounds more reliable in those types of situations.
The Hodgdon H110 Powder is also considered one of the most reliable brands used by 410 bore shooters. But, this is also a good powder to have to any mid-range or long-range 300 Blackout rounds. Whether it’s for target practice, competition, or even hunting, you’ve got a powder that won’t suck the life out of your bank account. On top of that, this puppy will perform at such a top level, you’ll think that you stole this product right off the shelf.
Bottom Line
We've chosen this powder for a few good reasons. As far as we know, this is probably considered one of the best in terms of both velocity and accuracy. The big surprise is that this type of Hodgdon Powder is affordable for most budgets.
If you're looking for a high-quality, high-performance powder that will work as top-notch as possible all while keeping your bank account intact, then you'll want to try the Hodgdon H110 Powder. If you're a first-time buyer, you can choose this product as a possible starter for your 300 Blackout rounds.
Honorable Mention:
IMR Powder Smokeless Powder
Pros
Cons
If you're looking for a good smokeless powder for your 300 Blackout rounds, then you might want to consider the IMR brand Smokeless Powder as a possible option. You have the option to choose between 1 pound or 8 pound containers. Your decision, of course, will come down to personal preferences or needs.
If you have plenty of reloadable 300 Blackout rounds, it’s important to choose one or the other. Either way, this may last you a long period of time depending on how often you use your 300 Blackout and how many rounds you usually fire in the process.
If you’re on a budget, you’ll obviously want to go with the one-pound container. If you have a little bit of money to work with and want a product that you know will last you a long period of time, the eight-pound container will do. All you want is the best possible velocity and accuracy for your 300 Blackout rounds. So why not give IMR a try if that’s what you’re looking for?
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for something that is close to military style in terms of powder, then the IMR will probably be your best bet. If you have some 300 Blackout rounds that are best used for hunting, this might be best suitable for the application. Velocity and accuracy matters, especially when your goal is to land a precise, accurate kill shot while you’re out in the field.
The IMR brand, for what is worth, has been around for more than 125 years. So expect this name to pop up in reference to the brand with the most reliable gun powder around.
Editor's Pick:
Hodgdon Lil' Gun Powder
Pros
Cons
For our final powder in this review, we'll wrap it up with another product brought to us from the Hodgdon brand. To point out, this kind was typically designed for 410 rounds.
However, upon further research, we found that this can also work with most 300 Blackout rounds. Once again, this is one of the many powders that not only works with most rifle rounds but will also work with a handful of pistol rounds (Magnum rounds, specifically).
No matter what your purpose is for your 300 Blackout, you want a powder that will give it just enough power to perform at its best. You want the best possible accuracy and velocity, make no mistake that this is a product that will give you that ability.
If you’re also looking for a powder that will be easy to meter and be consistent with every shot you fire. If consistency is what you look for, then the Lil’ Gun Powder could be the best powder that fits your needs.
Bottom Line
At the outset, the Lil' Powder was designed to solve a problem for .410 shotgun shells. This has become one of the go-to powders for most gun owners and enthusiasts. With its ability to deliver high performing shots and to leave very little residue, we can see why this is considered to be one of the best gunpowder choices on the market. While it doesn't matter which rounds you use for whatever gun, the Lil' Powder from Hodgdon is consistent with its firepower and overall accuracy.
Is All Powder The Same?
The short answer: not exactly. There are two types of gunpowder currently available on the market: single base and double base. So what’s the difference between the two?
Single Base
Single base powder contains what is known as nitrocellulose, while double base includes not only nitrocellulose but also nitroglycerin.
Double Base
Of the two, the double base will probably have more “oomph”. It also burns hotter and dirtier as well. Double base powder is also said to be associated with maximum velocity.
Aside from that, the performance difference between the two is hard to determine.
Photo credit: explosia.cz
How to Choose Powder For a 300 Blackout
Before making a final decision on which brand to choose, it's always important to know some of the aspects that will drive you to make a final decision. The important thing is to carefully consider which is more suitable for the 300 Blackout rifles and cartridges you use. With that said, here are some things to consider:
Subsonic or Full Auto?
300 Blackout rounds come in two types: subsonic or full auto. The important thing to consider here is whether the powder is appropriate for the type of rounds that you use. Your cartridges may be loadable or reloadable. Regardless, you’ll need to find a product that is appropriate for your specific round type. To err on the side of safety, don’t mix powders with rounds. For example, don’t use subsonic powder with full auto rounds and vice versa.
Price
Of course, there are those who are on a budget who may shy away from most brands due to price. But there are a bunch available at affordable prices. Performance and overall quality should also be prioritized when looking for the best possible powder that you can afford.
Which Rifle Do You Use?
Another thing to consider is which rifle you're using for your 300 Blackout rounds. Some use AR-style rifles while others use AR-style pistols and even tried and true bolt action, single-shot rifles. It's important to know which rounds you're using for these types of guns so that you're able to find the type that's best suitable for it. Likewise, you shouldn't use a type of powder that is used for bolt action, single-shot rounds in an AR-style rifle.
Photo credit: gungods.net
Cautious Considerations Before Buying Powder
While there are aspects to consider as part of the decision-making process, we also want to remind you of some things to take note of prior to making a final purchase. These pertain to safety issues and concerns that may arise when you’re purchasing powder for your 300 Blackout. They are as follows:
Legality Issues
In some states and jurisdictions, it may actually be illegal to purchase or even own gunpowder if you're under a certain age. In fact, the black powder may be illegal not just in the United States, but around the world. That's why most of the powders these days are far different from the black powder of ages past. But, we digress. It is important to double check the laws in your jurisdiction regarding gunpowder before buying it for your own use.
Find a Powder That Fits Your Rounds
As mentioned, there are supersonic and subsonic rounds. It's highly recommended that you find out which rounds you're using before finding a powder that will be compatible with them. Supersonic powder may be too much power for a subsonic and may cause some damage to your gun or pose as a safety risk. Err on the side of caution and never mix one type of powder with a different type of round.
Do Not Overload
Overloading powder into rounds is potentially dangerous. It’s important to note how much powder should go into each round as you load them. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to consult with some of your fellow 300 Blackout owners for any answers in regards to safely reloading your rounds.
Conclusion
Finding the best powder for your 300 Blackout is no easy task. But so long as you know exactly what you’re looking for, the task may not be as difficult. Please consider the products that we’ve listed above, along with the specifics of what you need to look out for. And as always, practice safe gun usage and also safe reloading practices.
Hodgdon Lil' Gun Powder
People Also Ask
Of course, this guide would not be complete without throwing in a few frequently asked questions. Be sure to refer to these while you're looking for a powder that will best work with 300 Blackout rounds. Here are the questions that are usually asked by first time buyers:
What Are The Different Types of Gun Powder?
There are two types of gun powder in existence. They are single base and double base. Both contain nitrocellulose, but the double base also adds on nitroglycerin as well.
What is Powder Metering?
The term metering is best described as how consistent the powder is measured. When you often hear about the powder “metering well”, it means that the precision of the powder is much greater than fluctuating measurements.
Photo credit: thegunmag.com
What is Burn Rate?
Burn rate is a fancy term to describe how fast gunpowder will ignite. This is kind of like comparing gasoline to something flammable like lighter fluid. As gas tends to explode more than lighter fluid, the latter tends to burn slower and longer. The same will apply to gunpowder. An example of this is comparing magnum powder against non-magnum powder. In short, magnum powder is considered the lighter fluid of gunpowders because it tends to burn slower. Of course, you know what that means for non-magnum types. That kind tends to burn faster.
How Does Gunpowder Explode?
Gunpowder consists of explosive elements. Of course, these elements are derived from nitrogen (more specifically, potassium nitrate). Also included are sulfur and charcoal. If it’s lit by a flame, then it will be able to explode, provided it’s in a confined space. If it’s in an open air environment, it won’t be as combustible.
What is Load Density Reloading?
Load density is defined as a calculation that is used to measure case capacity versus bulk density. Case capacity is defined as a measurement that uses fired brass and fills up with water before loading it to a case neck. Powder bulk density is defined as how many grams of powder can be fit in a liter. Reloading is basically using an amount of powder that is measured near precisely to the amount of the load density.
