{"id":123344,"date":"2020-06-01T17:25:58","date_gmt":"2020-06-01T21:25:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=123344"},"modified":"2025-11-07T04:11:25","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T10:11:25","slug":"hunt365-wilson-combat-ultralight-hunter-300-hamr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/hunt365-wilson-combat-ultralight-hunter-300-hamr\/","title":{"rendered":"Wilson Combat’s 300 HAM’R Ultralight Hunter: A Welterweight with a Big Punch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Wilson
Chambered in 300 HAM\u2019R, the Wilson Combat Ultralight Hunter delivers more power than a standard AR-15 in a package weighing only seven pounds. Part of the weight reduction comes from a composite carbon fiber buttstock. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Weight and power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those have always been the primary factors limiting the utility of AR-platform guns for sporting use. Yes, you can shoot some potent cartridges from an AR-10<\/a> platform, but there\u2019s generally a hefty weight penalty as the guns are considerably heavier than many of today\u2019s lightweight bolt-action guns. An AR-15<\/a> can be made significantly lighter, of course, but just as the US military has found the 223\/5.56 NATO cartridge to be lacking in some tactical situations, many people view the cartridge as marginal for deer-sized game — and it\u2019s not even legal to hunt deer with in many states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bill Wilson, the respected lifelong competitive shooter, hunter, and owner of Wilson Combat firearms, set out to address that challenge a couple of years ago by developing a lightweight AR-15 that could do it all \u2013 from defending the castle to hunting medium-sized game \u2013 and do so with authority. The result was not only a new rifle weighing a bit less than seven pounds but a new cartridge that Wilson named the 300 HAM\u2019R.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wilson
The rifle proved to be quite accurate with its 16.25-inch button-rifled, match-grade barrel made in-house by Wilson Combat. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wilson\u2019s goal with the 300 HAM\u2019R was to develop a round that could equal the terminal ballistics of the 30-30 Win., but have a much flatter trajectory by virtue of using high-ballistic-coefficient bullets. The design he came up with — a modification of his own 7.62x40WT cartridge — is based on a 223 Rem. case necked up to accept 30 caliber bullets, but with a 30-degree neck angle and a decreased case taper to maximize powder capacity. Out of a 16.25-inch barrel, the round launches a 125-grain bullet at a little more than 2,500 fps, compared to 2,175 fps for a 125-gr. 300 Blackout round and 2,365 fps for a 125-gr. 7.62×39 round. By virtually every standard of measurement, the 300 HAM\u2019R dramatically outperforms comparable factory loads in either of those cartridges, particularly downrange. At 200 yards, the 300 HAM\u2019R has 18 percent more retained velocity, 40 percent more energy and a 56 percent flatter trajectory than the 300 Blackout. Comparisons to the 30-30 Win. are equally instructive. Even out of a shorter barrel, the 300 HAM\u2019R easily outruns and outpunches the 30-30 when you get much past 100 yards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter how you slice the numbers, with same-weight bullets out of same-length barrels, the 300 HAM\u2019R has greater velocity, less bullet drop and greater retained energy than comparable cartridges. In hunting, that translates into a cartridge you can have confidence in at 300 yards or less. In law enforcement and home-defense applications, it provides the ability to address threats with considerably more power and terminal effectiveness than a .223, but out of a platform that won\u2019t weigh you down. In fact, all that\u2019s required to convert an existing AR-15 to 300 HAM\u2019R is a change of barrel.<\/strong> Wilson Combat sells barrels, complete uppers and complete rifles in several configurations for the 300 HAM\u2019R.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wilson
Bill Wilson\u2019s 300 HAM\u2019R cartridge is designed to deliver 30-30 Win. terminal ballistics \u2013 but with a much flatter trajectory and greater range \u2013 out of an AR-15 platform. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re worried\nabout factory ammo availability, you shouldn\u2019t be. Wilson Combat currently\noffers more than 20 different loads, in bullet weights ranging from 95 gr. to\n150 gr. As this is written, a major ammo maker is expected to introduce a\ncouple of loads in the near future, and another is taking a hard look at the\ncartridge. Wilson Combat also makes reloading data readily available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beauty of the cartridge\ndesign is that it is a perfect match to a handy, lightweight AR-15 platform,\nand Wilson Combat has put it all together in the Ultralight Hunter rifle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even at a glance,\nyou\u2019ll immediately notice that there\u2019s no excess baggage aboard the rifle\u2019s\nlightweight machined billet receivers. The upper is of the flattop variety,\nproviding ample room for mounting optics. Like the receivers and other critical\ncomponents, barrels are made in-house by Wilson Combat to exacting\nspecifications to maximize accuracy and durability. The Ultralight Hunter has a\nfluted, button-rifled 16.25-inch match-grade barrel with a precision muzzle crown and a chamber and gas\nport optimized for reliability. It has a 1:15 twist for maximum accuracy\nwith 110-gr. to 135-gr. bullets. The barrel on the basic rifle is not threaded,\nbut you can order the gun with one that is. Both the receiver and barrel are\nprotected with an Armor-Tuff finish. Green and black color schemes are\nstandard, as is a non-threaded barrel, but other options are available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wilson
The Ultralight Hunter is equipped with a Wilson Combat 12.6 inch M-LOK rail and an intermediate length gas system with SLR Rifleworks adjustable gas block. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Weight is further reduced with the use of a carbon fiber closed-shoulder-plate buttstock from Smoke Composites. The closed-shoulder-plate design helps prevent snags and even has a couple of M-LOK slots built in. Reliability is enhanced by the use of a standard buffer with a decidedly non-mil-spec 43-coil chrome silicon flat wire buffer spring, which is designed to undergo a very high number of compressions without progressively losing power like standard springs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rifle uses an intermediate-length gas system with an SLR Rifleworks adjustable gas block<\/a>. It also has a low-mass, nickel boron bolt carrier group. This advanced finish provides the advantages of increased resistance to wear and corrosion and has a very low coefficient of friction, which translates into smooth cycling without the need to constantly add lubrication. In fact, during a prolonged shooting session at Bill Wilson\u2019s ranch, where several writers burned through a lot of ammo while putting several rifles through their paces, I never saw a single malfunction and never saw anyone stop to lube the rifles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other components are\nof equally high quality. These include a small-latch BCM charging handle, a\nMission First tactical pistol grip and a Wilson Combat 12.6 inch M-LOK rail\nwith three three-section Magpul Type 1 rail covers to provide an enhanced gripping\nsurface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wilson
Quality components include a small-latch BCM charging handle. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the things you\u2019ll quickly notice about the rifle is the fact that it is equipped with an excellent trigger compared to those found on most other factory AR rifles. Wilson Combat calls it their M2 Tactical Trigger Unit and says it should have a pull weight of around 4 lbs. I was pleased to discover that the trigger on our test rifle broke consistently at a pull weight of 3 lbs. 5 oz. The two-stage trigger has a small amount of take-up before it stacks firmly, and then breaks crisply with a bit more pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rifle is guaranteed to shoot sub-MOA three-shot groups at 100 yards, and that\u2019s what my test rifle did, but I kept shooting to see how the rifle performed with five-shot groups. I was not disappointed. Even though I generally prefer to use a higher-magnification scope than the Trijicon 3-9X40 scope provided for range testing, all three loads tested turned in average five-shot groups of just slightly over an inch, with two printing one-inch or less best groups. I consider that to be an excellent performance for such a light rifle with a relatively thin-contour barrel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wilson
The Wilson Combat two-stage M2 Tactical Trigger Unit provided a clean and crisp trigger break at a consistent pull weight of 3 lbs. 5 oz. in testing. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I wanted to further test the gun and cartridge in the field on a hog hunt near home in Texas with my pal Bryan Wilson of Frio County Hunts, but the hogs didn\u2019t want to play the morning I had available to hunt. I did, however, harvest a whitetail deer for the freezer with a shot of just under 100 yards. Terminal performance was, as expected, impressive \u2013 and on par with anything I\u2019ve ever shot with a 308 Win<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the rifle proved to be at home in the field, I wouldn\u2019t hesitate to use it in a home defense role, particularly when loaded with the right ammo. It\u2019s worth noting that I didn\u2019t see a lot of shift in point of impact with any of the three loads tested (including two 125-gr loads and one 130-gr. load), so keeping a spare magazine or two of your selected home defense ammo available may not handicap you in terms of switching from, say, a pure hunting round to a more desirable round for home defense if the bullets are close in weight. For the home-defense role, Bill Wilson recommends his load using a Speer 125gr TNT bullet. \u201cIt’s extremely accurate, creates a devastating wound channel and doesn’t over-penetrate,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wilson
The Ultralight Hunter employs a low-mass, nickel boron bolt carrier group, which has great resistance to wear and corrosion and a very low coefficient of friction. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you want a rifle\nwith the level of quality and performance this one provides, you\u2019ll pay for it,\nas the Ultralight Hunter has a price tag of $3,295. But Wilson Combat isn\u2019t\nknown for doing things on the cheap. They\u2019re known for doing things right and\nmaking guns that are superbly reliable and accurate. They\u2019re known for making\nguns that you can bet your life on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wilson Combat Ultralight\nHunter breaks new ground while continuing this tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wilson
The Ultralight Hunter was designed for hunting, but the author believes the rifle would be equally adept in a home-defense role loaded with the right 300 HAM\u2019R ammunition. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wilson\nCombat Ultralight Hunter 300 HAM\u2019R <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n Load\n <\/td>\n Avg. Velocity (feet\n per second\n <\/td>\n Avg. Group 100\n yards\n <\/td>\n Best Group 100\n yards\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Wilson Combat 125\n gr. PH\n <\/td>\n 2,502\n <\/td>\n 1.02\n <\/td>\n 1.00\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Wilson Combat 125\n gr. TNT\n <\/td>\n 2,506\n <\/td>\n 1.11\n <\/td>\n 0.97\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Wilson Combat 130\n gr. HP\n <\/td>\n 2,385\n <\/td>\n 1.23\n <\/td>\n 1.11\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Note: Velocity was an\naverage of 3 shots, measured with a Competitive Edge Dynamics M2 chronograph.\nAccuracy is taken from three 5-shot groups at 100 yards in wind varying 5-10\nmph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SPECIFICATIONS: <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caliber: 300 HAM\u2019R,\n1:15 twist<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Action Type: Direct-impingement\nsemi-auto<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trigger: Wilson Combat M2 two-stage<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barrel: 16.25-inch button-rifled\nmatch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finish: Green\/black Armor-Tuff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stock: Smoke composite carbon fiber\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall Length: 35.5 inches<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight: 7 pounds<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MSRP: $3,295<\/p>\n\n\n\n

URL: www.wilsoncombnat.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONTACTS:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Competitive Edge Dynamics<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frio County Hunts<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nagel\u2019s Gun Shop<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trijicon Optics<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wilson Combat<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

EXTRA PHOTOS:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Wilson
Attention to detail, such as the beveled edges of the bottom of the magazine well, is evident in every part of the rifle. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Wilson
Whether you\u2019re hunting or defending your home, the Ultralight Hunter in 300 HAM\u2019R can do it all while dramatically outperforming rounds like the 300 Blackout and 7.62×39. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Wilson
The author was impressed with the terminal effects of the 300 HAM\u2019R when he harvested a whitetail deer in Texas for the freezer. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Wilson
The receiver and barrel have a protective Armor-Tuff finish. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Wilson
The Ultralight Hunter delivered excellent accuracy topped with a 3-9X40 Trijicon scope. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n