The main difference between .300 Blackout and 5.56 NATO pricing comes down to production volume, raw material costs, and specialized bullet weights. On average, standard 5.56 NATO target ammunition costs between $0.45 and $0.58 per round, while standard supersonic .300 Blackout ranges from $0.70 to $0.85 per round. Subsonic .300 Blackout loads push prices further, typically running between $0.80 and $1.65 per round due to heavy 190gr to 220gr projectiles. Across all categories, including standard FMJ, hunting, match grade, and premium defensive rounds, .300 Blackout remains 35% to 60% more expensive than equivalent 5.56 NATO ammunition. While high-end hunting and match cartridges narrow the percentage gap, 5.56 NATO maintains a massive price advantage for high-volume range shooting.
300 Blackout vs 556 Price
| Ammo Type | .300 Blackout Price Per Round | 5.56 NATO Price Per Round | Price Difference |
| Budget/Practice | $0.65 – $0.75 | $0.40 – $0.46 | +$0.25 to +$0.29 (+60%) |
| Standard FMJ | $0.70 – $0.85 | $0.45 – $0.58 | +$0.25 to +$0.27 (+50%) |
| Premium | $1.35 – $1.65 | $0.90 – $1.40 | +$0.45 to +$0.25 (+32%) |
| Hunting | $1.35 – $2.45 | $1.10 – $1.90 | +$0.25 to +$0.55 (+25%) |
| Match | $1.40 – $1.85 | $0.85 – $1.45 | +$0.55 to +$0.40 (+40%) |
| Subsonic .300 BLK | $0.80 – $1.65 | N/A | N/A |
.300 Blackout Price Per Round
Entry-level steel-cased or volume brass .300 Blackout ammunition starts around $0.65 to $0.75 per round. Standard brass-cased Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) range ammunition from reputable brands like Sellier & Bellot, PMC, and Winchester generally costs between $0.70 and $0.85 per round. Once you transition to specialized loads, prices increase quickly: subsonic target ammo runs $0.80 to $0.95 per round, while premium hunting projectiles (such as Barnes TAC-TX or Hornady CX) command $1.35 to $2.45 per round.
5.56 Price Per Round
5.56 NATO remains one of the most affordable centerfire rifle cartridges in North America due to massive military manufacturing scale. Budget import steel or bulk brass loads run as low as $0.40 to $0.46 per round. Standard M193 55-grain and M855 62-grain Green Tip brass FMJ cartridges from major manufacturers (PMC X-Tac, Winchester USA White Box, Federal American Eagle) average $0.45 to $0.58 per round. Specialized match-grade (75gr to 77gr OTM) and hunting loads generally range between $0.85 and $1.45 per round.
Price Difference Between 300 Blackout And 5.56
Across standard practice ammunition, shooting .300 Blackout adds $0.25 to $0.30 per round over 5.56 NATO. Percentage-wise, .300 Blackout practice ammunition costs roughly 50% to 60% more than standard 5.56 NATO target rounds. In absolute dollar terms, a single 20-round box of standard 5.56 NATO FMJ costs roughly $9.50 to $11.50, whereas a 20-round box of standard .300 Blackout FMJ runs $14.00 to $17.00.
Why 300 Blackout Costs More
The price disparity stems from four primary economic and physical factors:
- Manufacturing Scale: 5.56 NATO benefits from military production runs producing hundreds of millions of rounds annually across multiple continents.
- Bullet Weight & Copper Content: Standard 5.56 bullets weigh 55 to 62 grains. .300 Blackout bullets weigh 110 to 220 grains, using significantly more copper and lead per projectile.
- Subsonic Projectile Complexity: Heavy 190gr to 220gr subsonic bullets require specialized jacket designs and precise powder charges to cycle AR-15 gas systems reliably at sub-1,125 fps velocities.
- Market Competition: Dozens of international factories produce M193 and M855 5.56 ammunition, whereas .300 Blackout production is concentrated among a smaller subset of commercial manufacturers.
How Much Does 300 Blackout Cost Compared With 5.56?
When comparing overall shooting expenses, .300 Blackout costs roughly 1.5 times to 2 times more than 5.56 NATO for standard range training.
To put this in perspective:
- A 200-round trip to the range with 5.56 NATO costs approximately $96 to $110.
- That same 200-round trip shooting supersonic .300 Blackout costs approximately $145 to $170.
- If shooting subsonic suppressed .300 Blackout, that trip costs $160 to $240.
For casual target shooters firing a few hundred rounds per year, the total price difference is under $100 annually. However, for high-volume shooters firing thousands of rounds per year, 5.56 NATO yields multi-hundred to multi-thousand-dollar savings.
300 Blackout Price Per Round
To establish actual pricing, online retail listings were recorded across major distributors including Target Sports USA, SGAmmo, Lucky Gunner, and Palmetto State Armory:
| Manufacturer | Load Name | Weight | Bullet Type | Box Qty | Box Price | Price / Rd | Retailer |
| Wolf | Polyformance | 145 gr | Steel FMJ | 20 | $12.99 | $0.65 | Target Sports USA |
| Sellier & Bellot | Standard FMJ | 124 gr | FMJ | 20 | $13.99 | $0.70 | Target Sports USA |
| PMC | Bronze | 150 gr | FMJ-BT | 20 | $14.99 | $0.75 | PSA |
| Winchester | USA Target | 147 gr | FMJ | 20 | $16.99 | $0.85 | Target Sports USA |
| Winchester | Super Suppressed | 200 gr | Open Tip (Sub) | 20 | $15.99 | $0.80 | PSA |
| Magtech | Subsonic | 200 gr | FMJ (Sub) | 50 | $44.99 | $0.90 | Lucky Gunner |
| Hornady | Black V-MAX | 110 gr | V-MAX | 20 | $27.99 | $1.40 | GunMag Warehouse |
| Hornady | Subsonic Sub-X | 190 gr | Sub-X | 20 | $31.99 | $1.60 | Lucky Gunner |
| Hornady | Black ELD Match | 208 gr | ELD-M | 20 | $31.99 | $1.60 | Ammo.com |
| Black Hills | Tipped MatchKing | 125 gr | Sierra TMK | 20 | $32.99 | $1.65 | Lucky Gunner |
| Barnes | VOR-TX | 110 gr | TAC-TX BT | 20 | $38.99 | $1.95 | Academy Sports |
5.56 Price Per Round
Below are current market prices for representative 5.56 NATO rounds recorded across major retailers:
| Manufacturer | Load Name | Weight | Bullet Type | Box Qty | Box Price | Price / Rd | Retailer |
| Igman | M193 Ball | 55 gr | FMJ | 20 | $8.80 | $0.44 | Target Sports USA |
| PMC | X-Tac M193 | 55 gr | FMJ-BT | 20 | $9.78 | $0.49 | Target Sports USA |
| PMC | X-Tac M855 | 62 gr | Green Tip FMJ | 20 | $10.10 | $0.51 | Target Sports USA |
| Winchester | USA M193 | 55 gr | FMJ | 20 | $11.20 | $0.56 | Target Sports USA |
| Federal | American Eagle | 55 gr | FMJ | 20 | $11.60 | $0.58 | SGAmmo |
| Hornady | Frontier Match | 68 gr | BTHP Match | 20 | $15.99 | $0.80 | Bass Pro Shops |
| Hornady | Frontier Match | 75 gr | BTHP Match | 20 | $17.99 | $0.90 | Bass Pro Shops |
| Hornady | Frontier Match | 77 gr | OTM Match | 20 | $18.99 | $0.95 | Bass Pro Shops |
| Hornady | Black FMJ | 62 gr | FMJ | 20 | $18.99 | $0.95 | Target Sports USA |
| Hornady | Superformance | 55 gr | CX Polymer Tip | 20 | $27.99 | $1.40 | Target Sports USA |
300 Blackout vs 556 Ammo Price By Load
Bullet weight heavily dictates raw material consumption and manufacturing effort. Below is a comparative price breakdown grouped by standard grain weights for both calibers.
.300 Blackout Load Pricing By Bullet Weight
- 110 Grain (Supersonic / Varmint / Defense):
- Example: AAC 110gr V-MAX (20 rounds, $17.99 = $0.90/rd).
- Example: Hornady Black 110gr V-MAX (20 rounds, $27.99 = $1.40/rd).
- Example: Barnes VOR-TX 110gr TAC-TX (20 rounds, $38.99 = $1.95/rd).
- 125 Grain (Standard Supersonic Range / Match):
- Example: Sellier & Bellot 124gr FMJ (20 rounds, $13.99 = $0.70/rd).
- Example: Hornady Frontier 125gr FMJ (200 round case, $164.99 = $0.825/rd).
- Example: Black Hills 125gr Sierra TMK (20 rounds, $32.99 = $1.65/rd).
- 150 Grain (Medium Velocity / Range / Deer Hunting):
- Example: PMC Bronze 150gr FMJ-BT (20 rounds, $14.99 = $0.75/rd).
- Example: Federal Power-Shok 150gr JSP (20 rounds, $27.50 = $1.38/rd).
- Example: Winchester Deer Season XP 150gr Extreme Point (20 rounds, $26.00 = $1.30/rd).
- 190 to 220 Grain (Subsonic Suppressed):
- Example: Winchester Super Suppressed 200gr Open Tip (20 rounds, $15.99 = $0.80/rd).
- Example: Magtech 200gr FMJ (50 rounds, $44.99 = $0.90/rd).
- Example: Hornady Subsonic 190gr Sub-X (20 rounds, $31.99 = $1.60/rd).
- Example: Hornady Black 208gr ELD Match (20 rounds, $31.99 = $1.60/rd).
5.56 NATO Load Pricing By Bullet Weight
- 55 Grain (Standard M193 / General Target):
- Example: Igman M193 55gr FMJ (20 rounds, $8.80 = $0.44/rd).
- Example: PMC X-Tac 55gr FMJ-BT (20 rounds, $9.78 = $0.49/rd).
- Example: Winchester USA 55gr FMJ (20 rounds, $11.20 = $0.56/rd).
- 62 Grain (M855 Green Tip / LAP):
- Example: PMC X-Tac M855 62gr (20 rounds, $10.10 = $0.51/rd).
- Example: Winchester M855 Green Tip (20 rounds, $11.99 = $0.60/rd).
- 68 to 69 Grain (Heavy Target / Precision):
- Example: Hornady Frontier 68gr BTHP (20 rounds, $15.99 = $0.80/rd).
- Example: True Velocity 69gr Sierra MatchKing (20 rounds, $39.99 = $2.00/rd).
- 75 to 77 Grain (Long Range Match / Heavy Defense):
- Example: Hornady Frontier 75gr BTHP (20 rounds, $17.99 = $0.90/rd).
- Example: Hornady Frontier 77gr OTM (20 rounds, $18.99 = $0.95/rd).
300 Blackout Supersonic vs 5.56 Price
Supersonic .300 Blackout rounds (typically 110gr to 150gr) travel above the speed of sound (approx. 1,900 to 2,450 fps). They serve as the direct ballistics equivalent to traditional carbine loads.
- Supersonic .300 BLK Range Price: $0.70 – $0.85 per round.
- Standard 5.56 NATO Range Price: $0.45 – $0.58 per round.
- Cost Difference: Supersonic .300 BLK is $0.20 to $0.27 per round more expensive (+45% to +50%).
While supersonic .300 BLK uses less powder than 5.56 NATO, the projectile weighs more than double (125gr vs 55gr), resulting in higher raw material costs per bullet.
300 Blackout Subsonic vs 5.56 Price
Subsonic .300 Blackout ammunition (190gr to 220gr) is engineered to stay below the speed of sound (~1,050 fps), delivering extreme sound suppression when paired with a silencer. 5.56 NATO does not have an effective commercial subsonic equivalent, as reducing 5.56 velocities below 1,100 fps eliminates its terminal energy and prevents AR-15 gas systems from cycling.
- Subsonic .300 BLK Budget FMJ / Open Tip: $0.80 – $0.95 per round (Winchester Super Suppressed, Magtech Subsonic).
- Subsonic .300 BLK Expansion / Match: $1.50 – $1.75 per round (Hornady Sub-X, Underwood HPBT, Discreet Ballistics).
- 5.56 NATO Equivalent: N/A
Subsonic .300 Blackout costs more than supersonic .300 Blackout because of the heavy mass of copper and lead required for a 220-grain bullet, combined with strict Quality Control standards needed to ensure reliable cycling without baffle strikes.
300 Blackout Hunting Ammo vs 5.56 Hunting Ammo
When stepping up to premium expanding hunting ammunition, the price gap between cartridges narrows significantly as bullet construction technology becomes the primary cost driver.
- .300 Blackout Hunting Ammo:$1.30 – $2.45 per round.
- Popular Loads: Barnes 110gr TAC-TX ($1.95/rd), Hornady 135gr FTX ($1.90/rd), Winchester Deer Season XP 150gr ($1.30/rd).
- 5.56 NATO Hunting / Varmint Ammo:$1.10 – $1.90 per round.
- Popular Loads: Hornady Superformance 55gr CX ($1.40–$1.90/rd), Federal Varmint Predator 53gr V-MAX ($1.45/rd).
- Price Difference: .300 Blackout hunting ammunition is roughly $0.20 to $0.55 per round more expensive (+15% to +30%).
300 Blackout Match Ammo vs 5.56 Match Ammo
Precision match-grade ammunition uses boat-tail hollow point (BTHP) or open-tip match (OTM) projectiles manufactured to strict tolerances.
- .300 Blackout Match Ammo:$1.40 – $1.85 per round.
- Popular Loads: Hornady Black 208gr ELD Match ($1.60/rd), Black Hills 125gr Sierra TMK ($1.65/rd).
- 5.56 NATO Match Ammo:$0.85 – $1.45 per round.
- Popular Loads: Hornady Frontier 68gr/75gr BTHP ($0.80–$0.90/rd), IMI 77gr Razorcore OTM ($1.05/rd), Black Hills MK262 77gr ($1.40/rd).
- Price Difference: .300 Blackout match ammo carries a $0.40 to $0.55 per round premium (+40% to +50%).
300 Blackout vs 556 Price By Box Size
A common question among shooters is whether buying in bulk reduces price per round. Research shows bulk buying reduces per-round costs by 3% to 10% for both calibers, but bulk 5.56 NATO remains significantly cheaper than bulk .300 Blackout.
| Cartridge | Box Size | Total Price | Effective Price Per Round | Retailer |
| .300 Blackout (Standard FMJ) | 20 Rounds | $14.99 | $0.750 | Target Sports USA |
| .300 Blackout (Standard FMJ) | 200 Rounds | $144.99 | $0.725 | Target Sports USA |
| .300 Blackout (Standard FMJ) | 500 Rounds | $349.99 | $0.700 | Target Sports USA |
| 5.56 NATO (PMC X-Tac 55gr) | 20 Rounds | $9.78 | $0.489 | Target Sports USA |
| 5.56 NATO (PMC X-Tac 55gr) | 500 Rounds | $239.95 | $0.480 | SGAmmo |
| 5.56 NATO (PMC X-Tac 55gr) | 1,000 Rounds | $469.50 | $0.469 | Target Sports USA / SGAmmo |
Note: Bulk packaging (500 to 1,000 round cases) lowers shipping friction and drops per-round costs slightly, but bulk 5.56 case prices ($469/1000) are roughly half the cost of bulk .300 BLK cases ($700/1000).
Is 300 Blackout More Expensive Than 5.56?
Yes, .300 Blackout is consistently more expensive than 5.56 NATO across all ammunition types.
On average, target shooters pay an extra $250 to $300 for every 1,000 rounds fired when choosing .300 Blackout over 5.56 NATO. The primary driver is not artificial retailer markups, but physical raw material volume (bullet mass) and global production capacity.
Ammo Type Comparison
| Ammunition Type | .300 Blackout | 5.56 NATO | More Expensive |
| Practice / Steel FMJ | $0.65 – $0.75 | $0.40 – $0.46 | .300 Blackout (+60%) |
| Standard Brass FMJ | $0.70 – $0.85 | $0.45 – $0.58 | .300 Blackout (+50%) |
| Premium / Defense | $1.35 – $1.65 | $0.90 – $1.40 | .300 Blackout (+30%) |
| Hunting | $1.35 – $2.45 | $1.10 – $1.90 | .300 Blackout (+25%) |
| Match Grade | $1.40 – $1.85 | $0.85 – $1.45 | .300 Blackout (+45%) |
| Subsonic | $0.80 – $1.65 | N/A | .300 Blackout (Exclusive) |
Availability and Market Factors
- Retail Availability: 5.56 NATO is stocked in virtually every gun shop, big-box retailer (Bass Pro, Cabela’s, Academy), and online store nationwide. .300 Blackout is widely available online and in dedicated gun shops, but selection at local big-box stores can be restricted to 2 to 3 specific SKUs.
- Impact of Availability on Price: High competition among retailers for 5.56 NATO keeps price margins razor-thin. .300 Blackout experiences slightly wider price variance between retailers (up to $0.15/round variance for identical SKUs).
- Ease of Finding Bulk Lots: 1,000-round surplus metal ammo cans of 5.56 NATO (M193/M855) are standard inventory items. Bulk .300 Blackout is more commonly sold in 200 to 500-round cases or 250-round loose packs.
Cost Over Time
To calculate real-world operating expenses, the following table models total ammo expenditure based on standard range training prices ($0.50/rd for 5.56 NATO vs. $0.75/rd for Supersonic .300 BLK vs. $0.90/rd for Subsonic .300 BLK):
| Round Count | 5.56 NATO Cost ($0.50/rd) | .300 BLK Supersonic ($0.75/rd) | .300 BLK Subsonic ($0.90/rd) | Difference (5.56 vs Supersonic BLK) |
| 100 Rounds | $50.00 | $75.00 | $90.00 | +$25.00 |
| 500 Rounds | $250.00 | $375.00 | $450.00 | +$125.00 |
| 1,000 Rounds | $500.00 | $750.00 | $900.00 | +$250.00 |
| 5,000 Rounds | $2,500.00 | $3,750.00 | $4,500.00 | +$1,250.00 |
Pros And Cons
300 Blackout Price Pros
- Subsonic options offer unrivaled suppressed performance without needing custom wildcat handloading.
- Bullet selection ranges from lightweight 110gr barrier blind rounds to massive 220gr heavy subsonics.
- Uses standard AR-15 magazines and bolt carrier groups, avoiding firearm conversion equipment costs.
300 Blackout Price Cons
- 50% to 60% higher per-round cost for basic range practice.
- Subsonic ammunition adds a further $0.10 to $0.75 per round price premium.
- Limited availability of military surplus or cheap steel-cased ammo options.
5.56 Price Pros
- Lowest cost per round of any centerfire rifle caliber in North America.
- Ubiquitous bulk availability in 500 to 1,000-round cases.
- Massive market competition keeps retailer markups low.
5.56 Price Cons
- No viable commercial subsonic suppressed ammunition options.
- Less effective terminal performance from short barrels (under 10 inches) compared to .300 Blackout.
Final Comparison
| Category | Cheaper Option | Explanation |
| Practice Ammo | 5.56 NATO | 5.56 costs ~$0.45-$0.50/rd vs $0.70-$0.75/rd for .300 BLK FMJ. |
| FMJ Range Ammo | 5.56 NATO | Global military surplus drives FMJ costs down to around $0.48/rd. |
| Premium Ammo | 5.56 NATO | 5.56 defensive loads average $0.95/rd vs $1.40/rd for .300 BLK. |
| Hunting Ammo | 5.56 NATO | 5.56 hunting loads start around $1.15/rd vs $1.35+/rd for .300 BLK. |
| Match Ammo | 5.56 NATO | 5.56 match (68-77gr) runs $0.85-$0.95/rd vs $1.45+/rd for .300 BLK match. |
| Price Per Round | 5.56 NATO | 5.56 NATO wins every direct cost-per-round category. |
| Availability | 5.56 NATO | High stock across almost all online and brick-and-mortar stores. |
| Cost For 1,000 Rounds | 5.56 NATO | 1,000 rounds of 5.56 costs ~$470-$500 vs ~$700-$750 for .300 BLK FMJ. |
300 Blackout vs 556 Price: Which Is Cheaper?
5.56 NATO is significantly cheaper than .300 Blackout in every head-to-head pricing comparison.
Here is the exact numerical breakdown:
- Typical 5.56 price per round: $0.48 (Standard 55gr M193 FMJ).
- Typical .300 Blackout price per round: $0.75 (Standard 125gr/147gr Supersonic FMJ).
- Approximate difference per round: $0.27 per round (5.56 is ~36% cheaper / .300 BLK is ~56% more expensive).
- Difference over 100 rounds: $27.00
- Difference over 500 rounds: $135.00
- Difference over 1,000 rounds: $270.00
While .300 Blackout offers capabilities 5.56 NATO cannot duplicate, specifically optimized performance in short barrels (8 to 10 inches) and whisper-quiet subsonic suppressed shooting, shooters on a budget or doing high-volume training will spend dramatically less firing 5.56 NATO. Exact pricing will vary over time based on retailer sales, shipping rates, and raw material markets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is 300 Blackout more expensive than 5.56?
Yes. On average, .300 Blackout practice ammunition costs $0.70 to $0.85 per round, whereas 5.56 NATO practice ammo costs $0.45 to $0.58 per round. This makes .300 Blackout roughly 50% to 60% more expensive for basic range shooting.
How much does 300 Blackout cost per round?
Standard supersonic FMJ .300 Blackout costs between $0.70 and $0.85 per round. Budget/steel loads start around $0.65 per round, while subsonic target loads cost $0.80 to $0.95 per round and premium hunting cartridges cost $1.35 to $2.45 per round.
How much does 5.56 cost per round?
Standard M193 55gr and M855 62gr 5.56 NATO ammunition costs between $0.45 and $0.58 per round. Steel-cased or budget import loads run as low as $0.40 to $0.44 per round, while specialized match and hunting rounds cost $0.85 to $1.45 per round.
Why is 300 Blackout ammo more expensive?
.300 Blackout costs more due to lower manufacturing volume compared to military-scaled 5.56 NATO, heavier bullet weights (which use more copper and lead), and specialized engineering required for subsonic projectiles to cycle semi-automatic gas systems reliably.
Is subsonic 300 Blackout more expensive than 5.56?
Yes. Subsonic .300 Blackout target ammunition costs between $0.80 and $0.95 per round, while expanded subsonic hunting/defense rounds cost $1.50 to $1.75 per round. Standard 5.56 target ammo costs ~$0.48 per round, and 5.56 does not have a functional subsonic equivalent.
Is 300 Blackout hunting ammo more expensive than 5.56?
Yes, though the gap is narrower. Premium .300 Blackout hunting loads (like Barnes TAC-TX or Winchester Deer Season XP) cost $1.30 to $2.45 per round, while 5.56 hunting loads (like Hornady CX or Federal Fusion) cost $1.10 to $1.90 per round.
Which is cheaper to shoot, 300 Blackout or 5.56?
5.56 NATO is substantially cheaper to shoot. For every 1,000 rounds fired, 5.56 NATO saves the shooter approximately $250 to $300 compared to supersonic .300 Blackout, and $400+ compared to subsonic .300 Blackout.
How much does it cost to shoot 500 rounds of 300 Blackout?
Firing 500 rounds of standard supersonic .300 Blackout FMJ costs approximately $350 to $400. Firing 500 rounds of subsonic .300 Blackout costs approximately $400 to $475.
How much does it cost to shoot 500 rounds of 5.56?
Firing 500 rounds of standard 5.56 NATO FMJ (M193 or M855) costs approximately $235 to $275.
How much does 1,000 rounds of 300 Blackout cost?
A 1,000-round bulk case of standard .300 Blackout FMJ costs between $680 and $750 depending on the retailer and brand.
How much does 1,000 rounds of 5.56 cost?
A 1,000-round bulk case of standard 5.56 NATO (M193 55gr or M855 62gr) costs between $460 and $520.
Is 300 Blackout worth the extra ammunition cost?
.300 Blackout is worth the extra cost if you plan to shoot suppressed (where subsonic rounds are unmatched), hunt medium game like deer or feral hogs out of short barrels (8 to 10 inches), or want maximum terminal energy in a compact home-defense setup. If your main goal is high-volume range target practice, 5.56 NATO is far more economical.