Caliber comparison
.300 AAC Blackout vs 7.62x39
.300 AAC Blackout or 7.62x39? In short: According to the C.I.P., the 7.62x39 has the longer case (38.7 mm vs 34.75 mm). The C.I.P. allows the higher maximum pressure for the .300 AAC Blackout (3,900 bar vs 3,550 bar). Muzzle energy of the factory loads in the catalog, as stated by the manufacturers: .300 AAC Blackout 572–2,016 J; 7.62x39 604–2,242 J. Bullet weights: .300 AAC Blackout 110–220.7 gr; 7.62x39 111–255 gr. In the gun catalog: .300 AAC Blackout 5 models; 7.62x39 10 models. Standards retrieved on ; catalog date at the bottom of the page.
Specifications side by side
| Spec | .300 AAC Blackout | 7.62x39 |
|---|---|---|
| Ignition | Centerfire | Centerfire |
| Nominal size | 7.62 mm | 7.62 mm |
| C.I.P. designation | 300 AAC Blackout | 7,62 x 39 |
| Maximum pressure Pmax (C.I.P.) | 3,900 bar | 3,550 bar |
| Maximum case length (C.I.P., L3) | 34.75 mm | 38.7 mm |
| Maximum overall length (C.I.P., L6) | 57.4 mm | 56 mm |
| Bullet diameter (C.I.P., G1) | 7.85 mm | 7.92 mm |
| Maximum average pressure, MAP (SAAMI, transducer) | 55,000 psi | 45,000 psi |
| Factory loads in the catalog (manufacturers) | 54 (12) | 22 (8) |
| Bullet weight (manufacturer data) | 110–220.7 gr (7.13–14.3 g) | 111–255 gr (7.19–16.52 g) |
| Muzzle velocity V0 (manufacturer data) | 287–724 m/s | 320–750 m/s |
| Muzzle energy E0 (manufacturer data) | 572–2,016 J | 604–2,242 J |
| of which lead-free | 3 | 1 |
| Models in the gun catalog | 5 | 10 |
| Shooting disciplines in Germany (by name / by caliber range) | 8 / 159 | 14 / 159 |
The C.I.P. and SAAMI each measure chamber pressure by their own method, so their figures are shown side by side and not converted from one to the other.
Factory loads: range of manufacturer figures in the catalog
Only current products are counted. Bullet weight, velocity and energy appear only where the manufacturer states them; they apply to the manufacturer’s test barrel.
.300 AAC Blackout
- Bullet weight, lower end of range: 110 gr (7.13 g) (source: hornady.com)
- Bullet weight, upper end of range: 220.7 gr (14.3 g) (source: sako.global)
- Muzzle energy, lower end of range: 572 J (source: federalpremium.com)
- Muzzle energy, upper end of range: 2,016 J (source: prvipartizan.com)
7.62x39
- Bullet weight, lower end of range: 111 gr (7.19 g) (source: hornady.com)
- Bullet weight, upper end of range: 255 gr (16.52 g) (source: hornady.com)
- Muzzle energy, lower end of range: 604 J (source: prvipartizan.com)
- Muzzle energy, upper end of range: 2,242 J (source: prvipartizan.com)
Guns in the catalog
The catalog lists these models in both chamberings:
Shooting disciplines in Germany
Approved rulebooks of German shooting associations: .300 AAC Blackout 8 by name, 159 by caliber range; 7.62x39 14 by name, 159 by caliber range. In 167 disciplines, both cartridges are allowed.
A discipline for your gun type in an approved set of sport regulations does not yet mean you have a recognized need. An association your club belongs to must certify, under its sport regulations, that the gun is approved for a discipline and required for it; on top of that come twelve months of sport shooting in a club, the shooting activity record, acquisition spacing, the quota and the minimum age. The association certifies, the authority decides. The wording of the regulations governs.
What this comparison does not say
This comparison puts specifications side by side. Which cartridge may be fired in a particular gun is determined solely by the caliber marking on the barrel or by the gun manufacturer.
How a cartridge performs on target depends on bullet, load, barrel length and distance. This page does not rate which cartridge is “better”.
Sources and date
- C.I.P. data sheet 300 AAC Blackout, dated 10/17/2018
- ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4 — Centerfire Rifle Ammunition (Z299.4-2025), 300 AAC Blackout: Velocity & Pressure Data, p. 21 (PDF p. 34)
- C.I.P. data sheet 7,62 x 39, dated 05/22/2013
- ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4 — Centerfire Rifle Ammunition (Z299.4-2025), 7.62 x 39: Velocity & Pressure Data, p. 13 (PDF p. 26)
- Manufacturer data in the Waffenschrank ammunition catalog: federalpremium.com, hornady.com, prvipartizan.com, sako.global
Standards retrieved on . Our own presentation of individual figures, not an official reproduction; the original document prevails. Waffenschrank is not affiliated with the C.I.P. or SAAMI.
Specifications come from the source cited alongside them; counts are based on our catalog as of the date stated. Not legal advice: what follows from these figures in a given country is decided by that country’s law. Waffenschrank is not affiliated with the manufacturers named.
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