Hornady American Gunner, .300 AAC Blackout, HP Match, 125 Grain
Ammo Reports Team
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Competitive shooting, target practice, general-purpose supersonic use |
| Bullet Type | Hollow Point Match (HP Match) |
| Bullet Weight | 125 grain |
| Case Material | Brass |
| Primer Type | Boxer |
| Packaging | 50 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $60.79/box · $1.22/round |
| Closest Competitors | Hornady Black .300 BLK 125 gr FMJ, Federal American Eagle .300 BLK 150 gr FMJ, Sig Sauer Elite .300 BLK 125 gr OTM |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | — | Not published by manufacturer |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | — | Not published by manufacturer |
| Bullet Weight | 125 gr | Manufacturer |
| Bullet Type | HP Match (Hollow Point Match) | Manufacturer |
| BC G1 | — | Not published |
| BC G7 | — | Not published |
| Manufacturer SKU | 80873 | Manufacturer |
| UPC | — | Not published |
| Reloadable | Yes | Brass case, Boxer primer |
Note: Hornady does not publish muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, or ballistic coefficient data for this specific American Gunner .300 AAC Blackout load on their official product page. The ballistics table below uses community-reference estimates based on comparable 125 gr .300 BLK supersonic loads. All estimated values are labeled accordingly. Community-submitted chronograph results will be incorporated as data becomes available.
Ballistics Table
Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature,altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzlevelocity for comparison. Estimates based on a reference muzzle velocity of~2,175 fps, consistent with published data for comparable 125 gr supersonic.300 BLK loads from a 16-inch barrel. Sight height: 1.5″ above bore. Zero: 100 yards.
| Yards | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ~2,175 | ~1,313 | -1.5 |
| 100 | ~1,952 | ~1,058 | 0.0 ← zero |
| 200 | ~1,743 | ~844 | -7.2 |
| 300 | ~1,551 | ~668 | -25.4 |
| 400 | ~1,379 | ~528 | -58.6 |
| 500 | ~1,230 | ~420 | -112.4 |
Key takeaway: The 125 grain HP Match projectile in supersonic .300 BLK configuration delivers useful energy retention out to 300 yards for target and competition work, but the trajectory becomes increasingly steep beyond that distance due to the caliber’s moderate ballistic coefficient. For most practical applications — indoor ranges, 100-yard precision work, and short-to-medium AR-platform use — this load performs well within its design envelope. Shooters running shorter barrels (10.5″–12.5″) should expect meaningfully lower muzzle velocity, which will shift all trajectory and energy figures downward. A 16-inch barrel is the assumed reference condition for this table.
The HP Match Bullet in .300 BLK Context
The HP Match designation in this load refers to a hollow point bullet designed primarily for accuracy and consistent in-flight stability rather than terminal expansion engineered for hunting or defensive duty. In supersonic .300 AAC Blackout loads, open-tip match bullets are a common choice because the manufacturing process — seating the core from the tip — produces extremely consistent ogive geometry, which translates directly to tighter groups at distance.
It is worth clarifying a common point of confusion: HP Match bullets are not the same as defensive hollow points. The cavity geometry in a match HP is not optimized for reliable hydraulic expansion at handgun velocities or for meeting FBI protocol standards. This matters for buyers who may be drawn to the “hollow point” label expecting defensive terminal performance comparable to purpose-built expanding bullets like the Hornady Critical Defense or similar loads. For competition and range use, this distinction is irrelevant — the bullet does exactly what it is designed to do.
The American Gunner line was developed by Hornady to bring match-grade consistency to a more accessible price tier, making this load a practical choice for high-volume shooters who want tighter groups without paying for premium match-box pricing.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- 100-yard precision target shooting and group testing on an AR-15 platform chambered in .300 BLK
- Competitive shooting disciplines where supersonic .300 BLK is required or preferred
- Function testing and accuracy evaluation of .300 BLK builds
- High-volume range practice where consistent bullet geometry matters for feedback
- General-purpose supersonic plinking where brass recovery for reloading is desired
Not the right tool for:
- Suppressed subsonic applications — this is a supersonic load and will not cycle reliably in subsonic-tuned setups
- Hunting applications where controlled terminal expansion is legally required or ethically necessary
- Self-defense use where purpose-built defensive ammunition with tested expansion data is the appropriate choice
- Shooters who need published velocity and BC data for precise ballistic calculations — this load lacks manufacturer-published specs
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source user reports, the American Gunner line is described as using select brass cases and consistent propellant charges intended to deliver low standard deviation in velocity across a production lot. The Boxer-primed brass cases are noted as reloadable, which is relevant for cost-conscious shooters who recover and process brass. No reports of systemic feeding, extraction, or ignition failures specific to this load have been identified in publicly available sources at the time of publication. All reliability characterizations here come from manufacturer marketing materials and open community sources — not structured test data collected by this database.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Muzzle Velocity | Price/box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Black .300 BLK 110 gr V-MAX | 110 gr | V-MAX Polymer Tip | ~0.295 | 2,350 fps | ~$38–$48 | Same brand, optimized for varmint/terminal use; published specs available |
| Hornady Black .300 BLK 125 gr FMJ | 125 gr | Full Metal Jacket | ~0.280 | ~2,175 fps | ~$35–$45 | Budget-tier alternative; no match consistency claim; same weight class |
| Federal American Eagle .300 BLK 150 gr FMJ | 150 gr | Full Metal Jacket | ~0.270 | 1,900 fps | ~$30–$40 | Budget alternative; heavier, slower; published specs available |
| Sig Sauer Elite .300 BLK 125 gr OTM | 125 gr | Open Tip Match | ~0.280 | 2,014 fps | ~$45–$55 | Direct competitor; published velocity; similar match intent |
| Barnes Precision Match .300 BLK 125 gr OTM | 125 gr | Open Tip Match | 0.289 | 2,215 fps | ~$55–$65 | Premium alternative; published BC and velocity; lead-free option available in Barnes lineup |
| Remington UMC .300 BLK 120 gr OTFB | 120 gr | Open Tip Flat Base | ~0.270 | 2,250 fps | ~$28–$38 | Budget alternative; lightest in this comparison; minimal match claims |
Price Reality
- Current box price: $60.79 for 50 rounds — approximately $1.22 per round
- At the time of publication, this positions the American Gunner load in the mid-to-upper tier of the .300 BLK supersonic market
- Federal American Eagle 150 gr FMJ typically runs $0.60–$0.80/round — roughly half the per-round cost, though it carries no match-grade consistency claim
- Sig Sauer Elite 125 gr OTM typically runs $0.90–$1.10/round — slightly less expensive with published velocity data
- Barnes Precision Match 125 gr OTM runs $1.10–$1.30/round — comparable pricing with published ballistic coefficients and velocity specs
- Fair price benchmark: For this load, $1.00–$1.15/round represents reasonable market value. Prices above $1.30/round without a supply disruption explanation would be considered elevated for this product tier.
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Hornady American Gunner, .300 AAC Blackout, HP Match, 125 Grain, 50 Rounds
Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.
FAQ
Q: Is the Hornady American Gunner 125 gr HP Match suitable for self-defense in a .300 BLK pistol or SBR?
The HP Match designation refers to a bullet design optimized for accuracy consistency, not for reliable terminal expansion under defensive conditions. Unlike purpose-built defensive hollow points, this projectile’s cavity is not engineered to meet expansion benchmarks at the velocities produced by short barrels. For self-defense applications, Hornady’s own Black line in .300 BLK with purpose-designed expanding bullets would be a more appropriate choice. This load is best treated as a precision range and competition round.
Q: How does the American Gunner 125 gr compare to the Hornady Black 125 gr in the same caliber?
Both loads share the 125 grain weight class, but they serve different purposes within Hornady’s lineup. The American Gunner uses an HP Match projectile aimed at group consistency for competitive and accuracy-focused shooting. The Hornady Black line in .300 BLK is available in multiple configurations — including FMJ and expanding options — and is explicitly positioned for duty and hunting versatility. If published velocity data is important for your application, the Black line has more specification transparency on Hornady’s official product page.
Q: Will this load cycle reliably in a suppressed .300 BLK setup?
This is a supersonic load and is not designed for subsonic suppressor use. It will produce a supersonic crack even when fired through a suppressor, which defeats the primary noise-reduction goal of subsonic .300 BLK configurations. Whether it cycles a given suppressor-equipped host depends on the gas system tuning of that specific firearm. Guns adjusted specifically for subsonic cycling may not function reliably with supersonic ammunition without adjustment. Always confirm your platform’s gas system compatibility before mixing supersonic and subsonic loads.
Q: Why doesn’t Hornady publish muzzle velocity for this load?
Hornady does not publish muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, or ballistic coefficient data for the American Gunner .300 BLK 125 gr HP Match on their official product pages as of the date of this publication. This is an uncommon gap for a match-designated load and limits direct ballistic comparison with competitors who do publish full spec sheets. Shooters who require verified velocity data for precision ballistic planning should consider alternatives with published specifications, or plan to chronograph this load through their specific barrel length before relying on any estimated trajectory table.
Q: Is the brass from this load worth recovering for reloading?
The American Gunner line uses Boxer-primed brass cases, which are fully reloadable and generally considered good quality for handloading. This is a meaningful cost consideration for high-volume shooters, as .300 BLK brass can be formed from .223/5.56 cases but purpose-built Hornady brass is dimensionally consistent and saves processing time. Note that this page covers factory ammunition only — specific reloading data, charge weights, and handload recipes are outside the scope of this reference.
