H&R 300 AAC Blackout Handi-Rifle Review
 Part 1 - Introduction, Specifications and Summary
May 4, 2013

H&R 300 AAC Blackout Handi-Rifle Review

Over the past couple of years, I have seen both the firearms industry and consumers take great interest in the relatively new 300 AAC Blackout cartridge.  It seems more and more firearms manufacturers are making rifles chambered in 300 AAC Blackout and more and more ammunition manufacturers are now offering factory ammunition to meet the growing demand.  As with nearly any new cartridge (or even long standing cartridges), you find people who will debate in favor of or against a cartridge and debate on what may be it's best shooting application. With the 300 AAC Blackout, the debates get even more interesting because I see this cartridge as catering to two different shooting situations (traditional supersonic and suppressed subsonic). The situation you select to use more often may be a result of the type of rifle you choose (semi-automatic or bolt or break open).  My preference for suppressed subsonic shooting situations would be towards a break open or bolt rifle to achieve the maximum noise reduction.  Conversely, if I were planning to use semi-auto platform, I would bias toward the supersonic ammo to achieve performance slightly better that the 7.62x39 cartridge.  These are just my preferences and yours may be completely opposite. In either case, whatever rifle you select, the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge can be effectively used shooting both supersonic and subsonic ammunition.

Recently I acquired a 300 AAC Blackout suppressor and started looking for a rifle platform for me to begin my education into the world of shooting suppressed firearms.  After a little study, it was clear that the platform I selected would have a direct impact on the potential quietness of shooting a suppressed firearm.  When shooting a semi-automatic rifle, the noise comes from six distinct sources.  The first is the drop of the hammer or firing pin.  The second is the pressure release or blast out of the muzzle of the rifle.  The third is the sonic crack you get when the bullet breaks the sound barrier.  The fourth is the action of the rifle cycling and chambering another round.  The fifth source of noise you get is some of the blast noise will come back through the chamber as the bolt cycles.  The last source comes from your bullet impacting an object.  Keep in mind that the first five sources of noise occur within a fraction of a second to produce your gun shot sound.  With a "brake over" (i.e. Handi-Rifle) or bolt action rifle, you immediately remove two sources of noise (action and blow back noise).  By adding a suppressor and shooting subsonic ammunition, you greatly reduce the muzzle blast and eliminate the sonic crack.  So in my opinion, I think a break over or bolt rifle would be a great platform to for shooting 300 AAC Blackout with a suppressor.

I was really excited last year when I discovered that Advanced Armament Corp was having H&R manufacture a Handi-Rifle to AAC's specifications.  I already owned a Handi-Rifle chambered in .223 that my children used as their first deer hunting rifle and the meat put in the freezer by that rifle is a testament to its simplicity and accuracy.  My immediate thoughts on the 300 AAC Blackout Handi-Rifle were this would be a great value entry level rifle into 300 Blackout world and would make a great suppressed rifle platform.  It took me a while, but this year I finally got my hand on a 300 AAC Blackout Handi-Rifle for review.  At the AAC website you can see that MSRP on this rifle is about $360.  In today's market, street prices seem to be very near the MSRP.

 

During my reviews I like to compare my results to the manufacturer's claims where possible so the following text in colored italics was taken directly from the Advanced Armament Corp  website on 4/27/13 and gives the Key Features and Specifications for the 300 AAC Blackout Handi-Rifle.  The , and are my way to keep up with details that I have covered in this review with either photos, commentary or both.  I may also add commentary after these marks as necessary to explain some items if needed.

Key Features

  • The H&R Handi-Rifle, made to AAC specifications and chambered in 300 AAC BLACKOUT, is a 30 caliber rifle in a very compact and lightweight package with such minimal recoil that anyone can comfortably shoot it.
  • This durable, optics ready break action single shot rifle is ideal for the beginner and great fun for the experienced shooter.
  • The barrel is a low profile lightweight 16.1” barrel threaded 5/8-24TPI with a 5R 1:7" twist.
  • The rifle accurately sends rounds down range whether feeding it heavy subsonic or high performance hunting ammunition.
  • The phosphate steel action and barrel are complimented by the compact, lightweight super tough glass polymer filled black stock.
  • All models are equipped with the H&R transfer bar system that makes the Handi-Rifle one the safest single shot platforms available today.

Specifications

  • Caliber: 300 AAC BLACKOUT
  • Weight: 5 lbs.
  • Barrel Length: 16.1” Low Profile Barrel Box states barrel length of 16.25" and actual measured barrel length was 16.31".
  • Overall Length: 29.7"
  • Muzzle Device Mount: 5/8-24TPI
  • MSRP: $359.95

This review is broken down into multiple parts with this page providing links to each part along with an overall summary of the specifications, pros and cons, and my final "bottom line" comments.  Make sure you take time to checkout the other parts of the review because they contain many photos and lots of commentary.  Also, there is an extreme amount of detail in those parts which is not covered on this page.

As you read these Pros and Cons below, keep in mind that it is hard to keep my particular preferences from creeping into the equation.  Therefore, it is important that you take the time to look at the other parts of this review so you can decide for yourself on items which may be more of a personal preference.

Pros:

  • My first impression was amazement on the shortness of the rifle.  The combination of short barrel, break open action and youth stock gives this rifle a 29.7" overall length.  I viewed shortness as a good thing considering I plan to add a suppressor.  My next impressions were the rifle felt light weight and the trigger pull seemed firm but OK (nothing great, but nothing bad).
  • The rifle seemed to have a good fit and finish and there was no looseness between the barrel and receiver with the action closed.
  • It doesn't get much simpler than disassembly on a break action rifle and this was true for the Handi-Rifle.
  • Total group average of 2.20" based on 12 different groups of different types of ammunition (both subsonic and supersonic)

Pro/Con/Comment (you decide)?:

  • I feel that a little TLC is always needed to ensure your optic mounts have the best integrity possible and that was the case on this rifle, which is typical for most rifles.  I bedded the mount to produce the best foundation possible and would recommend this on most rifles.
  • The optic mount rail extends over the barrel and gives an odd (not continuous or not supported) looking appearance.  I doubt this has any significant structural implications for the recoil level of the 300 AAC Blackout caliber, but it is something that catches my attention.
  • I found the short length of pull something that I needed to get used to shooting.  I'm 6' 2" and another inch would have been welcomed.  On the other hand, I agree completely that this would be a great platform for younger shooters to learn shooting skills and start out as a hunting rifle.

Cons:

  • The release lever rattles in the receiver.  It is not really noticeable, but if you flick it with your thumb, it will rattle.

 

Bottom Line:

I really like the H&R 300 AAC Blackout Handi-Rifle and really enjoyed shooting this rifle with a suppressor and subsonic ammunition and am already looking forward to my next time at my range.  I'm still amazed by the short compact form of the rifle.  It appears to be a simple, yet quality product which can deliver good accuracy.  The shortness of the rifle and threaded barrel, along with the quietness of shooting a break over action makes this platform prefect for using a suppressor.  The dual aspects (subsonic and supersonic) of the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge makes it a viable choice as a hunting rifle when shooting supersonic ammunition.  Recoil is very mild which increased the shooting experience for many shooters.  If I were faced with the choice years ago to either purchase a Handi-Rifle in .223 or 300 AAC Blackout, the 300 AAC Blackout would have easily won the battle.

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