Ammo Reports Team
At a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Suppressed shooting, precision subsonic applications, noise-sensitive environments |
| Bullet Type | Round Nose / Flat Base Subsonic (full construction unconfirmed — see Specs note) |
| Bullet Weight | 220 gr |
| Case Material | Brass (unconfirmed by manufacturer — see Specs note) |
| Primer Type | Boxer (unconfirmed by manufacturer — see Specs note) |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box (standard; confirm at point of sale) |
| Typical Price | $23.49/box · $1.17/round |
| Closest Competitors | Hornady 300 Blackout 208 gr A-MAX Subsonic, Remington 300 Blackout 220 gr OTM Subsonic, Sig Sauer 300 Blackout 220 gr Elite OTM Subsonic |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | 1,060 | Manufacturer (product description) |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | 549 | Manufacturer (product description) |
| Bullet Weight | 220 gr | Manufacturer |
| Bullet Type | Subsonic (full construction not specified) | Manufacturer |
| BC G1 | — | Not published |
| BC G7 | — | Not published |
| Manufacturer SKU | — | Not published |
| UPC | — | Not published |
| Reloadable | Likely Yes (brass case assumed) | Not confirmed by manufacturer |
Note — BC: Scorpion Ammo does not publish ballistic coefficient data for this load. No G1 or G7 values are available from any confirmed secondary source. The trajectory table below is calculated using an estimated BC typical for 220 gr .30-caliber subsonic projectiles; treat those values as approximations only.
Note — Energy cross-check: At 1,060 fps with a 220 gr projectile, the calculated muzzle energy is approximately 549 ft-lbs (formula: mv²/450,437). The manufacturer-stated 549 ft-lbs is internally consistent with the stated velocity. No discrepancy flag required.
Note — Case material / primer type: Scorpion Ammo does not publish case material or primer type in available product documentation. Brass/Boxer construction is common for this caliber and price tier but cannot be confirmed without manufacturer specification sheets.
Note — SKU / UPC: Neither a manufacturer SKU nor a UPC was available in the product data provided. Check the retailer listing for barcode information before ordering.
Ballistics Table
Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature,altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzlevelocity for comparison.
Inputs: 220 gr projectile · MV 1,060 fps · BC G1 ≈ 0.295 (estimated typical for 220 gr .30-cal subsonic) · Sight height 1.5" above bore · Zero 100 yd
| Yards | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1,060 | 549 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 992 | 481 | 0.0 ← zero |
| 200 | 927 | 420 | -7.2 |
| 300 | 865 | 366 | -22.8 |
| 400 | 807 | 318 | -49.1 |
| 500 | 751 | 276 | -89.4 |
Key takeaway: The 300 Blackout 220 gr subsonic load maintains a relatively stable trajectory out to 100 yards, making it well-suited for suppressed close-to-medium range work where precision matters more than flat shooting. Beyond 200 yards, the steep drop — roughly 7 inches at 200 yd and over 22 inches at 300 yd — demands precise holdover knowledge or a dialed scope. For most practical suppressed carbine applications, engagements inside 150 yards are where this load performs most predictably. Shooters should confirm these numbers against chronograph data from their specific barrel length, as subsonic performance is particularly sensitive to barrel length variation.
Why This Load Exists
Subsonic 300 Blackout ammunition occupies a purpose-built niche that no other mainstream cartridge fills as efficiently. The 300 BLK cartridge was engineered from the ground up to cycle reliably in AR-15 platforms with both supersonic and subsonic loads using the same bolt and magazine, requiring only a barrel swap from 5.56 NATO. The 220 gr subsonic variant specifically targets the suppressor market: by keeping the projectile below approximately 1,125 fps (the speed of sound at sea level, standard conditions), the supersonic crack — the ballistic shockwave that accounts for a significant portion of unsuppressed gunshot noise — is eliminated entirely.
The 220 gr bullet weight is not arbitrary. Heavier projectiles in the subsonic window carry more momentum and energy than lighter subsonic bullets, partially compensating for the velocity reduction. At 549 ft-lbs, this load delivers meaningful terminal energy within practical ranges while staying comfortably below the sound barrier. Scorpion Ammo’s entry into this segment reflects sustained market demand from suppressor owners, tactical operators, and precision shooters who prioritize hearing protection and noise discipline without transitioning to a dedicated pistol-caliber carbine.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Suppressed AR-15 or AR-pistol platforms chambered in 300 Blackout where hearing protection and noise minimization are priorities
- Indoor or noise-sensitive range environments where supersonic crack would be disruptive or prohibited
- Short-range precision work inside 150 yards where the subsonic trajectory is manageable
- Hunting applications in jurisdictions that permit suppressed hunting, particularly for medium-sized game at close range where terminal performance at subsonic velocity is adequate
- Training and practice with a suppressor-equipped host where extended sessions benefit from reduced noise exposure
Not the right tool for:
- Long-range shooting beyond 200 yards, where the steep subsonic trajectory drop makes precise engagement significantly more difficult
- Unsuppressed use where the velocity reduction compared to supersonic 300 BLK loads offers no practical benefit
- Hunting large or dangerous game where higher terminal energy and deeper penetration from faster loads are more appropriate
- Semi-automatic cycling reliability in all gas systems — short-barreled or improperly tuned gas systems may not cycle reliably with subsonic loads; always verify function in your specific platform
- Applications where supersonic terminal performance is required, such as longer-range varmint or predator hunting
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on the manufacturer product description and general open-source information about this load category: Scorpion Ammo claims this load delivers reliable subsonic performance at 1,060 fps with consistent cycling in 300 Blackout-chambered AR platforms. No independent, structured reliability testing data is currently available for this specific load from this manufacturer.
It is worth noting — from open sources and general 300 Blackout subsonic knowledge — that subsonic loads in semi-automatic platforms are more sensitive to gas system tuning than supersonic loads. Shooters using pistol-length or carbine-length gas systems, or adjustable gas blocks, should verify reliable cycling before field use. This is a platform-specific consideration, not necessarily a reflection of this ammunition’s quality. All notes here reflect manufacturer claims or open-source category knowledge, not structured test data.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Muzzle Velocity | Price/box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady 300 BLK 208 gr A-MAX Subsonic | 208 gr | A-MAX (polymer tip) | 0.648 | 1,050 fps | ~$28–$32 | Premium option; high BC for subsonic; widely available |
| Sig Sauer 300 BLK 220 gr Elite OTM Subsonic | 220 gr | Open Tip Match | ~0.280 | 1,000 fps | ~$25–$30 | Same weight class; match-grade OTM construction |
| Remington 300 BLK 220 gr OTM Subsonic | 220 gr | Open Tip Match | ~0.280 | 1,010 fps | ~$22–$27 | Budget-friendly alternative; widely stocked |
| Winchester 300 BLK 200 gr Open Tip Subsonic | 200 gr | Open Tip | ~0.265 | 1,060 fps | ~$24–$28 | Slightly lighter; same velocity window |
| Barnes 300 BLK 190 gr TAC-TX Subsonic | 190 gr | TAC-TX (lead-free) | ~0.340 | 1,050 fps | ~$35–$42 | Lead-free construction; premium price tier; hunting-optimized |
| Fiocchi 300 BLK 220 gr FMJBT Subsonic | 220 gr | FMJBT | ~0.270 | 1,040 fps | ~$19–$23 | Budget alternative; FMJ construction; range/training use |
BC and velocity values for competitor loads sourced from respective manufacturer published data where available; approximate values noted accordingly. No competitor recall notices identified at time of publication.
Price Reality
- Typical retail price: $23.49 per box of 20 rounds
- Per-round cost: approximately $1.17/round
- Case pricing: not confirmed from available data; check current retailer listings for case break discounts
- Remington 300 BLK 220 gr OTM Subsonic runs approximately $22–$27/box — placing the Scorpion load at the lower-to-mid range of that competitor
- Sig Sauer Elite OTM Subsonic typically runs $25–$30/box, making Scorpion modestly less expensive for comparable bullet weight
- Barnes TAC-TX Subsonic at $35–$42/box represents the premium tier; buyers prioritizing lead-free or hunting-specific terminal performance pay a meaningful premium
- Fair price benchmark: For a 220 gr subsonic 300 Blackout load without published match-grade specs, $1.00–$1.25/round is a reasonable market expectation. At $1.17/round, the Scorpion load sits within fair value range. Pricing above $1.40/round for this construction tier would represent an overpriced position relative to the competitive set.
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Scorpion Ammo 300 Blackout 220 Gr Subsonic (Box)
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FAQ
Does this load actually stay subsonic in all barrel lengths?The manufacturer states a muzzle velocity of 1,060 fps, which is comfortably below the standard speed of sound (~1,125 fps at sea level, 59°F). However, barrel length affects velocity: longer barrels generally produce slightly higher velocities, and in rare cases a load advertised as subsonic from a 16-inch barrel could approach or breach the sound barrier from a longer barrel. For most practical 300 Blackout barrel lengths — typically 8 to 16 inches — this load should remain subsonic. Shooters using barrels longer than 16 inches should chronograph the load to confirm it remains below the supersonic threshold in their specific setup.
Will this load cycle reliably in a standard AR-15 gas system?Subsonic 300 Blackout loads generate less gas pressure than supersonic loads, which can cause cycling issues in semi-automatic platforms, particularly those with carbine or mid-length gas systems not tuned for subsonic use. Many 300 Blackout owners use an adjustable gas block to ensure reliable cycling with both subsonic and supersonic loads. Scorpion Ammo claims reliable cycling, but this is platform-dependent. Shooters should always test function in their specific rifle before relying on the load for any critical application, and consult their gas system configuration if failures to cycle occur.
How does this load compare to Hornady’s 208 gr A-MAX Subsonic?The Hornady 208 gr A-MAX Subsonic is one of the most referenced benchmarks in the 300 BLK subsonic category, primarily because the A-MAX bullet has a significantly higher published BC (G1 ≈ 0.648) than most competing subsonic projectiles. In practical terms inside 200 yards, the BC difference between these loads is minimal — both will exhibit steep drop beyond that range. The Hornady load carries slightly less bullet weight (208 gr vs. 220 gr), which means marginally less momentum at equivalent velocity. The Scorpion 220 gr load offers a slight momentum advantage at a potentially lower price point, while the Hornady A-MAX offers better-documented ballistic data and wider third-party testing records.
Is this ammunition appropriate for hunting with a suppressor?This depends heavily on jurisdiction, target species, and range. In states and countries where suppressed hunting is legal, 300 Blackout subsonic loads are used for medium-sized game — particularly deer — at close range, typically inside 100 yards. At 549 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, this load meets minimum energy thresholds commonly cited for deer-sized game at close range, though terminal bullet performance at subsonic velocities varies significantly by bullet construction. The Scorpion load’s bullet type is not fully specified in published data, making it difficult to confirm expansion characteristics. Hunters should verify their jurisdiction’s regulations and consider loads with explicitly documented terminal performance data for hunting applications.
What does "eliminating the supersonic crack" actually mean in practice?The supersonic crack is the audible shockwave produced when a projectile travels faster than the speed of sound — it is distinct from the muzzle blast and cannot be suppressed by a silencer. By keeping the bullet below approximately 1,125 fps, this load eliminates that shockwave entirely, meaning a properly configured suppressor addresses the primary remaining noise source: muzzle blast. The result is a significantly quieter report compared to supersonic ammunition through the same suppressor. It is important to understand that even subsonic suppressed fire is not silent — it produces a mechanical action noise and a reduced but present muzzle report. The practical benefit is a level of sound reduction that meaningfully protects hearing and reduces noise signature in noise-sensitive environments.
