SAAMI Accepts .300 HAM'R Cartridge

by
posted on February 11, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
300-hamr-gains-saami-acceptance-f.jpg
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI)—the organization that creates industry standards to ensure the safety, reliability and interchangeability of firearms, ammunition and components—has officially accepted the .300 HAM’R rifle cartridge and published [PDF] its specifications. The cartridge, developed by SIG Sauer, was introduced with a maximum average pressure (MAP) of 57,500 psi with a 125-grain bullet at a velocity 2,450 fps or 130-grain load at 2,425 fps.

Wilson Combat first introduced the cartridge to enthusiasts in 2018, releasing a variety complete ARs and barrels along with ammunition. The company issued a press release last week, thanking, “…Starline Brass of Sedalia, MO, Western Powers of Miles City, MT, and SIG Sauer Ammunition of Jacksonville, AR, for their assistance during development and extra thanks to SIG Sauer Ammunition for submitting the cartridge to SAAMI.”

The .30-caliber cartridge is designed to optimize the performance of 95- to 150-grain bullets and function in the AR-15 platform. Muzzle velocities range from 2,280 fps to 2,770 fps out of a 16-inch barrel, depending bullet weight, while still adhering to the maximum average pressure specification of 57,500 psi.
SAAMI specification drawing showing the dimensions of the 300 HAM'R cartridge.

It is tailored for self-defense, law enforcement and hunting applications and features terminal performance comparable to the .30-30 Win. It has, however, a flatter trajectory than the legendary cartridge, due to the bullet’s higher ballistic coefficient.

Changing an existing AR-15 to digest .300 HAM’R requires only a barrel change and the use of 300 BLK magazines. Starline Brass produces casings for enthusiasts who prefer to reload, although more common .223 Rem. and 5.56 mm NATO casings can also be resized.

A line of factory ammunition is available from Wilson Combat for a variety of purposes. It recently added two new loads to the lineup; one with a 110-grain solid copper Barnes Tipped Triple-Shock X bullet, with the other featuring a Wilson Combat/Speer 150-grain HAM’R bonded bullet.

Latest

Gotw Savage Arms 110 Core Tactical 1
Gotw Savage Arms 110 Core Tactical 1

Gun of the Week: Savage Arms 110 Core Tactical

Recently, Savage Arms has embarked on an ambitious project to update and modernize its extensive line of bolt-action rifles, and one of the latest enhanced models available is the company's 110 Core Tactical bolt-action.

Political Report | NRA Responds to ATF’s Regulatory Overhaul

Administrative rules are not the most glamorous aspect of national governance. But they are fundamental to bureaucracy’s inner workings and how they affect, for better or for worse, the daily lives of ordinary Americans.

U.S. Troops Using Captured Small Arms in World War II

American troops took a healthy interest in Axis small arms during World War II. Sometimes they were simply looking to collect a war trophy. On other occasions, GIs and Marines looked to use those firearms against their former owners.

Standing Guard | The Midterms and Freedom

Politics is something most of us only step into because we must. We’d rather smile in the warm autumn sun as we help a son or daughter, or grandson or granddaughter, break their first clay or plink steel with their first .22 rifle.

America’s Retaliation for the Lives Taken by Iraqi Sniper “Juba”

The killing of the Iraqi insurgent sniper known as "Juba" was a collective effort by thousands of Marines, culminating in one single shot.

Why This DOJ Opinion on Handgun Ownership Matters

The DOJ Office of Legal Counsel recently released an opinion concluding that the federal ban on licensed firearms dealers selling handguns to 18-20-year-old U.S. citizens is unconstitutional.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.