Hornady Custom 300 Blackout 110 Grain CX
Hornady Custom 300 Blackout 110 Grain CX
At a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Hunting (medium to large game), general-purpose centerfire |
| Bullet Type | CX (Copper Alloy Expanding) — monolithic copper alloy with polymer tip |
| Bullet Weight | 110 grain |
| Case Material | Brass |
| Primer Type | Boxer (assumed standard; not explicitly published) |
| Packaging | 25 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $38.99/box · ~$1.56/round |
| Closest Competitors | Barnes Vor-TX 300 Blackout 110 gr TAC-TX, Federal Premium 300 Blackout 150 gr Trophy Bonded Tip, Sig Sauer Elite Hunter 300 Blackout 120 gr HT |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | — | Not published |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | — | Not published |
| Bullet Weight | 110 gr | Manufacturer |
| Bullet Type | CX (Copper Alloy Expanding) | Manufacturer |
| BC G1 | — | Not published |
| BC G7 | — | Not published |
| Manufacturer SKU | — | Not published |
| UPC | — | Not published |
| Reloadable | Yes | Brass case, Boxer-primed |
Note: Hornady has not published muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, or ballistic coefficient data for this specific load in their publicly available product documentation at the time of writing. This is not uncommon for newer CX-based loads in the 300 Blackout chambering. The ballistics table below uses a community-standard estimated muzzle velocity of 2,300 fps from a 16-inch barrel, which is consistent with comparable 110-grain supersonic 300 Blackout factory loads. All table values are calculated estimates and should be treated accordingly. Measured data submissions are welcomed.
Ballistics Table
Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature,altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzlevelocity for comparison.
Assumed inputs: 110 gr, estimated MV ~2,300 fps (16" barrel), estimated BC G1 ~0.295 (typical for 110 gr CX in 300 BLK), sight height 1.5", 100-yard zero.
| Yards | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ~2,300 | ~1,292 | -1.5 |
| 100 | ~2,082 | ~1,059 | 0.0 ← zero |
| 200 | ~1,876 | ~860 | -7.2 |
| 300 | ~1,684 | ~692 | -23.1 |
| 400 | ~1,507 | ~555 | -51.8 |
| 500 | ~1,349 | ~444 | -97.4 |
All values preceded by ~ are calculated estimates based on assumed muzzle velocity and BC. No manufacturer-published ballistic data was available for this load. Values will shift meaningfully with barrel length — shorter carbines (9–10") will see significantly reduced velocities and energies.
Key takeaway: At supersonic velocities out to roughly 300–350 yards, this load retains enough energy to be an effective hunting round on medium game such as whitetail deer or feral hogs. Beyond 300 yards, wind drift and energy drop become meaningful factors, and the 300 Blackout cartridge itself is generally considered a sub-400-yard hunting round regardless of bullet choice. The 110-grain CX bullet is optimized to expand reliably at the velocities this cartridge generates, which makes mid-range shots — 50 to 200 yards — its practical sweet spot.
The Hornady CX Bullet in 300 Blackout
The CX (Copper alloy eXpanding) bullet is Hornady’s lead-free monolithic design, introduced as a successor to the GMX. It features a polymer tip that initiates expansion on impact, a grooved shank that reduces bearing surface and copper fouling, and a construction that retains nearly all of its weight through the target. This makes it a meaningful choice for hunters in states with lead-free hunting regulations, where conventional cup-and-core bullets are not permitted on public or state-managed lands.
In the context of the 300 Blackout, the 110-grain weight is a supersonic load — distinct from the subsonic 190–220 grain loads used with suppressors. Supersonic 300 Blackout is designed to function in standard AR-15 platforms with a 1:8 or 1:7 twist barrel, and the CX bullet’s monolithic construction provides consistent terminal performance even at the moderate velocities this cartridge produces compared to larger centerfire rifle rounds. Hunters choosing this load should confirm their barrel twist is sufficient to stabilize the CX projectile at 110 grains.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Whitetail deer hunting at ranges inside 200 yards from an AR-15 or bolt-action platform chambered in 300 Blackout
- Feral hog control where reliable penetration and weight retention matter
- Hunting in jurisdictions with lead-free ammunition requirements (California, certain federal lands)
- Hunters who want a single expanding load that works in a suppressed host without switching to subsonic ammunition
- General-purpose range use where hunting-grade brass reloadability is valued
Not the right tool for:
- Subsonic or suppressed applications — this is a supersonic load and will not cycle reliably in subsonic-tuned systems
- Long-range shooting beyond 400 yards, where 300 Blackout ballistics drop off substantially
- Varmint or predator hunting where rapid fragmentation is preferred over deep penetration and weight retention
- Budget-conscious shooters doing high-volume practice — at ~$1.56/round, this is a hunting-grade load priced accordingly
- Jurisdictions where copper monolithic bullets are restricted (rare, but verify local regulations)
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source information: Hornady describes the CX bullet as designed for consistent expansion across a range of impact velocities, which is particularly relevant in the 300 Blackout where velocity varies significantly by barrel length. The grooved shank design is intended to reduce pressure spikes and copper fouling compared to earlier monolithic designs. Hornady’s Custom line uses select brass cases and is loaded to consistent tolerances, which has historically resulted in reliable cycling in AR-platform rifles. No feed or extraction issues specific to this load have been reported in open sources at time of writing. All notes here come from manufacturer claims or open sources, not structured user data.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Adv. Velocity | Price/box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes Vor-TX 300 BLK 110 gr TAC-TX | 110 gr | TAC-TX (monolithic copper) | ~0.289 | ~2,350 fps | ~$42–$46 | Lead-free; same weight class; premium alternative |
| Federal Premium 300 BLK 150 gr Trophy Bonded Tip | 150 gr | Trophy Bonded Tip | ~0.390 | ~1,900 fps | ~$40–$45 | Heavier subsonic-adjacent; better BC but lower velocity |
| Sig Sauer Elite Hunter 300 BLK 120 gr HT | 120 gr | Hunting Tipped (monolithic) | ~0.310 | ~2,175 fps | ~$35–$40 | Slightly heavier; competitive pricing; lead-free |
| Remington Premier 300 BLK 125 gr AccuTip | 125 gr | AccuTip (polymer tip, lead core) | ~0.330 | ~2,215 fps | ~$28–$34 | Budget-friendlier; lead core; not lead-free |
| Winchester Deer Season XP 300 BLK 150 gr | 150 gr | Extreme Point (polymer tip, lead core) | ~0.360 | ~1,900 fps | ~$26–$32 | Budget alternative; lead core; optimized for deer |
| Hornady BLACK 300 BLK 110 gr V-MAX | 110 gr | V-MAX (varmint/fragmenting) | ~0.295 | ~2,350 fps | ~$30–$36 | Same platform, same weight — but fragmenting, not for big game |
The Hornady BLACK 110 gr V-MAX is worth flagging specifically: it is the same caliber and weight but uses a fragmenting bullet intended for varmints, not a bonded or monolithic expanding bullet for deer-class game. Buyers should not treat these as interchangeable for hunting purposes.
Price Reality
- Typical retail range: $36–$42 per box of 25 rounds; case pricing (10 boxes/250 rounds) typically falls in the $360–$400 range when available
- Per-round cost at $38.99: ~$1.56/round
- Compared to Barnes Vor-TX 110 gr TAC-TX (~$42–$46/box): the Hornady Custom CX comes in slightly cheaper while offering comparable lead-free monolithic performance
- Compared to Winchester Deer Season XP 300 BLK (~$26–$32/box): the CX load carries a ~$8–$12 premium, largely attributable to the monolithic copper bullet construction and lead-free compliance
- Compared to Remington Premier 125 gr AccuTip (~$28–$34/box): similar premium gap; the CX offers lead-free construction and weight retention advantages
- Fair price benchmark: $38–$44 per box is consistent with market pricing for lead-free monolithic hunting loads in 300 Blackout. Prices above $48/box for a standard 25-round box should be considered above market unless supply is constrained.
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Hornady Custom 300 Blackout 110 Grain CX (Box)
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FAQ
Is the Hornady CX bullet lead-free, and does that matter for 300 Blackout hunters?Yes — the CX bullet is a monolithic copper alloy projectile with no lead core, making it compliant with lead-free hunting regulations in states like California and on certain federally managed lands. For 300 Blackout hunters, this is increasingly relevant as lead restrictions expand. The CX design retains nearly all of its weight through the target, which compensates for the moderate velocity of the cartridge by ensuring deep, consistent penetration rather than relying on high-velocity fragmentation.
How does the 110 gr CX compare to the Hornady BLACK 110 gr V-MAX in the same caliber?These two loads share caliber and bullet weight but are designed for entirely different purposes. The V-MAX is a fragmenting varmint bullet optimized for rapid energy transfer on small targets — it is not appropriate for deer or hog hunting. The CX is a controlled-expansion monolithic bullet designed to penetrate, expand, and retain mass through larger animals. Using a V-MAX load on deer-class game risks insufficient penetration and poor terminal performance. Always match bullet construction to the intended game.
What barrel length is this load optimized for, and does it affect performance significantly?Hornady does not publish barrel-length-specific velocity data for this load, but 300 Blackout velocity is highly sensitive to barrel length. A 16-inch barrel will produce meaningfully higher velocities than a 9-inch or 10-inch pistol-length barrel. The CX bullet is designed to expand across a range of impact velocities, which provides some tolerance for this variation, but hunters using very short barrels should be aware that terminal performance may differ from what longer-barreled rifles produce. This is a general characteristic of the 300 Blackout cartridge, not specific to this load.
Is this load suitable for use in a suppressed 300 Blackout rifle?This is a supersonic load and will function correctly in a suppressed rifle — it will reduce noise but will not be hearing-safe without a suppressor due to the supersonic crack of the projectile. It is not a subsonic load. If your suppressed 300 Blackout system is tuned specifically for heavy subsonic ammunition (190–220 gr), you may need to verify that the gas system and buffer weight are compatible with supersonic 110-grain loads before relying on this ammunition.
What game animals is the 110 gr CX realistically appropriate for in 300 Blackout?The 110 gr CX in 300 Blackout is well-matched to whitetail deer, mule deer, and feral hogs at ranges inside 200 yards. At these distances and against these animals, the combination of controlled expansion and high weight retention makes for reliable terminal performance. It is less appropriate for elk or larger ungulates, where the energy levels of the 300 Blackout cartridge are generally considered marginal regardless of bullet construction. For small varmints, the CX is over-engineered and will not produce the rapid fragmentation that varmint hunters typically prefer.


