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 Marlin 1894 Trapper 10Mm 1
Gotw Marlin 1894 Trapper 10Mm 1

Gun of the Week: Marlin Firearms Model 1894 Trapper 10 mm

One of the latest Marlin lever-action rifles on the market is the Model 1894 Trapper, and the company now offers the platform in a 10 mm Auto chambering.

Scout Rifle World Shoot Recap

There’s lot to learn about the Scout Rifle, and we tested one at the inaugural Scout Rifle World Shoot.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 6, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

The Six-Hour Gun: Saving a Family Heirloom

Simple math would have told anyone it wasn't worth fixing a $150 revolver. But to one family, this simple, common revolver meant everything.

Idaho Voters Choose the Winchester Model 1873 for their Official State Firearm

On November 3, Idaho voters picked the Winchester Model 1873 rifle (nicknamed the “Gun that Won the West,” in .44-40 cal.) as the leading candidate to be their state firearm.

PROOF Research Opens New Montana Facility

PROOF Research held a grand opening of its new manufacturing facility in Columbia Falls, Mont. at the end of October.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.