First Look: Nosler/Noveske .300 AAC Blackout Subsonic Hunting Ammo

by
posted on February 10, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
noveske.jpg

The .300 AAC Blackout cartridge continues to gain traction with hunters. Its primary appeal is its ability to offer ballistics on par with the .30-30 Winchester—from an AR-15. New ammunition offerings continue to extend this appeal. For example, Nosler just introduced a varmint-capable 110-grain Varmageddon load that reaches 2150 fps and a 125-grain Ballistic Tip load at 2250 fps that is intended for deer.

But, the most unique and appealing feature of the .300 Blackout is possibly its suitability as a subsonic hunting cartridge. Until now, subsonic hunting loads capable of providing much-needed expansion have been nonexistent. Noveske, long known for its precision ARs and components, has partnered with Nosler to correct this shortcoming. Here are five things you need to know about the new subsonic load.

1. Nosler loads this ammunition for Noveske using brass that has been precision sorted for consistency. 
Every case receives black nickel plating that improves feeding and extraction reliability. And, every cartridge is hand-inspected.

2. The newly designed .30-caliber bullet used for the load weighs 220 grains. 
Matched with a high-performance powder, it delivers a consistent subsonic muzzle velocity of around 1020 fps from a 16-inch barrel.

3. With a 100-yard impact velocity of slightly less than 1000 fps, this radically unique bullet expands to about twice its original diameter. 
Plus, it penetrates 18 inches in 10-percent ordnance gelatin.

4. The new bullet is called the Ballistic Glow Tip RN and has a greenish-colored tip that, when charged with a flashlight, glows in the dark. 
This makes the ammunition monumentally cool, instantly identifiable and easy to get your hands on in the dark when hunting feral hogs at night.

5. All Nosler and Nosler-loaded Noveske .300 Blackout ammunition is optimized for rifles with a 1:8-inch twist
The loads come in 20-round boxes. Suggested retail for a box of the 220-grain Ballistic Glow Tip RN load is $ 42.95.

Latest

Henned Up Try One Of These Tips
Henned Up Try One Of These Tips

Early Spring Turkey Tactics that Work

A hunter strokes the paddle on a box call emitting a loud yelp into the predawn air. The thunderous reply has blood boiling at both ends of this dance. What now? Read on for some early spring turkey tactics that work.

New for 2026: Imperial Whitetail Sorghum Select

Hunters and land managers looking to add additional feeding opportunities now have a new option: Imperial Whitetail brand Sorghum Select from the Whitetail Institute. This blend combines two premium hybrid sorghum varieties to deliver a high-yielding, palatable, nutritious grain crop.

Hunting Adventure: Pursuing the Prince of the Plains

A veteran of many safaris finally hunts the game atop his wish list. Follow along with Scott Haugen as he stalks sable through South Africa.

New for 2026: Armageddon Gear Turkey Chest Rig

Always scrambling to find the right call in one of a thousand pockets? The Armageddon Gear Turkey Chest Rig eliminates that problem by putting everything front and center, exactly where it should be.

First Look: Mossberg Special Edition 590 Bliksem

Mossberg has released its 590 Bliksem, a Special Edition pump-action firearm created in collaboration with Christian Craighead and his brand, Ministry of Defence (MOD). 

What Your Favorite Cartridge Says About You: Part III

Somehow, more than ten years has gone by since we had the second installment in this series. With a multitude of requests for another go-round, I am more than happy to oblige. We’ve had some interesting new developments in the cartridges world in the last decade, and there are some classic which are still being championed. So, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, I present Part III of What Your Favorite Cartridge Says About You.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.