338 ARC

PappyM3

PappyM3

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So, looks like Hornady put out a new cartridge again.

Honestly, this surprised me and is great.

8.6 BLK always seemed odd to me. It’s main marketing highlights its subsonic capability, but we have been able to run big 338 subs in small frame ARs for a long time with a few cartridges like the 338 Spectre.

But that has been a wildcat. Now, we have an option that is not a wildcat.

www.hornady.com

338 ARC - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

338 ARC delivers 1.5 times more energy than the 300 Blackout Subsonic. Engineered for consistent pressure, the 338 ARC provides reliable cycling with both supersonic and subsonic loads.
www.hornady.com www.hornady.com

For our free northeasterners who can get silencers, this seems like a win.

Especially maybe a load with these: 8.6BLK 280gr Selous Machined Expander Projectiles | Discreet Ballistics
 
gerrycaruso said:
I don't think the 8.6 fits in an AR15. I believe it requires an AR10.
Click to expand...

You’re right. But this 338 ARC can fit in an AR-15.

Essentially, if you want a subsonic 338, this gives you identical performance as the 8.6, but in a small frame AR-15.

The only benefit of 8.6 over this 338 ARC is in supersonic velocity. But 8.6 BLK is mostly marketed for its subsonic capability, which 338 ARC duplicates.

Broc Tuah said:
Tree Fiddy Legend for the win. [smile]
Click to expand...

Only in straight wall states 😉
 
I like it- nice option for subsonic. I'll probably resist the temptation and stick with 458 socom, but I'll assume that the 338 has better mid range ballistics.
 
So Rugged says their Obsidian can hasn’t been tested for 338 Arc. But the pressures as between 300 Blk and 338 arc subs seem similar (30k) though I haven’t been able to pin down the 338’s pressure precisely. Silencer Central seems to think it’s around 30K which I think is same as 300 Blk. Rugged of course wants to sell you their Alaskan, which is rated for high pressures. But I would think any can that can handle 300 Blk subs should be able to handle 338 arc subs if the pressures are in fact the same.
 
But does it really bring much more than 300 Blackout? You’ll probably need to build your own upper and reload as well.

Hornady also brought out 6mm GT. I think this is a great idea since there aren’t any good cartridges in 6mm. After all, why would you want to use 6mm ARC, 6mm PRS, 6mm Creedmore, 6mm PPC, etc. Clearly there aren’t enough 6mm choices. :rolleyes:
 
M1911 said:
But does it really bring much more than 300 Blackout? You’ll probably need to build your own upper and reload as well.

Hornady also brought out 6mm GT. I think this is a great idea since there aren’t any good cartridges in 6mm. After all, why would you want to use 6mm ARC, 6mm PRS, 6mm Creedmore, 6mm PPC, etc. Clearly there aren’t enough 6mm choices. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

338 Spectre has been around for those wanting to reload. I’m hoping this one will be common enough to not need reloading (though understanding it will always be niche and less available than most commercial cartridges).

Based on 8.6BLK (for subsonic it would be the same bullets going the same speed as 338 ARC) gel testing, 338 ARC will be a better option than 300BLK for those wanting to do subsonic hunting. We have some phenomenal expanding solid bullet options for 300BLK that expand very nicely down to 700 fps. But what the 338 gets you is an additional 100gr of mass for more momentum and penetration while also expanding be nicely like a broad head.


6 GT has been around the competition realm for a hot minute. Hornady is just providing a factory offering.
 
M1911 said:
I find the number of 6mm choices to be overwhelming.
Click to expand...

Oh man, yeah.

6 ARC, 6 BR, 6 PPC, 6 Dasher, 6 XC, 6x47, 6 GT, 6 CM, and some are even doing 6 PRC now.

Nevermind 243 Win.

I just ignore most of them.
 
M1911 said:
But does it really bring much more than 300 Blackout? You’ll probably need to build your own upper and reload as well.

Hornady also brought out 6mm GT. I think this is a great idea since there aren’t any good cartridges in 6mm. After all, why would you want to use 6mm ARC, 6mm PRS, 6mm Creedmore, 6mm PPC, etc. Clearly there aren’t enough 6mm choices. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Sure, there are a ton of choices for 6mm. The two you mention are actually very well differentiated. 6 GT is the top or near top PRS caliber. Won't work in an AR15 and is almost exclusively a bolt gun round. Will fit in an AR308, but it's not really a gas gun round. 6 ARC provides the best PRS performance you can get out of the AR15 platform and makes a sold performing mini action bolt caliber that won't quickly burn out barrels.

I'll stick with 300 BLK rather than add 338 because I don't need another caliber to load and I already have a couple 458 SOCOM uppers. No need to split the difference between the ball peen hammer and the sledge hammer.
 
M1911 said:
The question is, how do you pick one that won’t turn into an orphan caliber?
Click to expand...

Pic one that has a clear advantage over the rest and is supported by a good company.

I think Hornady does a pretty good job of supporting what they release. Unlike Winchester. For example, if you Google for 350 Legend bullets, Hornady has better availability than Winchester. The Winchester 180 PP bullets are all out of stock and seem to have been out of stock for a while. Winchester introduced the 350.

I picked 350 because it is one I recently decided to reload. I am sure there are plenty of examples.
 
Mountain said:
Sure, there are a ton of choices for 6mm. The two you mention are actually very well differentiated. 6 GT is the top or near top PRS caliber. Won't work in an AR15 and is almost exclusively a bolt gun round. Will fit in an AR308, but it's not really a gas gun round. 6 ARC provides the best PRS performance you can get out of the AR15 platform and makes a sold performing mini action bolt caliber that won't quickly burn out barrels.

I'll stick with 300 BLK rather than add 338 because I don't need another caliber to load and I already have a couple 458 SOCOM uppers. No need to split the difference between the ball peen hammer and the sledge hammer.
Click to expand...

"Burn out" barrels shouldn't be in the conversation.

Those that shoot enough to burn out a barrel either have thousands of dollars to spend on factory ammo, or spend the time and money to reload. Having to spend $400-600 or whatever on a new barrel won't be an issue for either of those 2 groups of people.

Which is why the only people that usually care about barrel burn out tend to be those that don't shoot enough to burn out a barrel.

Competitive shooters also care, but not becuase of cost. This is what I have noticed.
 
M1911 said:
The question is, how do you pick one that won’t turn into an orphan caliber?
Click to expand...

The way I see it:
Gas gun: 6 ARC
PRS: 6 GT, but ARC or CM work
Hunting (coyote/deer): 6 CM, but ARC or GT loaded with hunting bullets would work.

All three seem stable enough. ARC I wasn’t sure, but seems to be doing well enough. GT is very strong in PRS and Hornady’s factory loading is a promising sign. 6 CM has a very strong fan base with hunters now.

The rest seem very niche, relegated to very specific sectors of competition.


Oh, there is also 6 MAX now, but. I don’t see that taking much of a share from 6 ARC.
 
Broc Tuah said:
"Burn out" barrels shouldn't be in the conversation.

Those that shoot enough to burn out a barrel either have thousands of dollars to spend on factory ammo, or spend the time and money to reload. Having to spend $400-600 or whatever on a new barrel won't be an issue for either of those 2 groups of people.

Which is why the only people that usually care about barrel burn out tend to be those that don't shoot enough to burn out a barrel.

Competitive shooters also care, but not becuase of cost. This is what I have noticed.
Click to expand...

I care (for precision barrels) because of load development on new barrels as well as having enough life to last a match season.

But I imagine a subsonic 338 ARC gun would have a LOOOONG barrel life.
 
PappyM3 said:
I care (for precision barrels) because of load development on new barrels as well as having enough life to last a match season.

But I imagine a subsonic 338 ARC gun would have a LOOOONG barrel life.
Click to expand...

I don't shoot any of those calibers with very short barrel life.

How hard is laod development for those?
Is it as easy as soemthing like 6.5cm?

6.5cm was easy AF.
 
Broc Tuah said:
I don't shoot any of those calibers with very short barrel life.

How hard is laod development for those?
Is it as easy as soemthing like 6.5cm?

6.5cm was easy AF.
Click to expand...

I don’t load for those calibers, just 5.56 and 6.5. Just saying I care about barrel life for precision builds because of load development. It’s not hard, it just feels wasteful to use up components for cartridges that have no purpose aside from groups, zeroing, and velocity checks.
 
ChevyGuy91 said:

View: https://youtu.be/67xbJvOuQiU?si=qAqqCrF8qDM1RCsL


[pot]
Click to expand...

well.

as i did follow a bit. i would say the only word i care from his 12min clickbait is the 8.6blk.
that is, from what i know so far, it is an ar10 barrel. different platform. i have all i want in ar10s.

338 thing is an ar15 platform. with a $200 range barrel. what is wrong with that? i can do it in a 20min swap.
cost of mags does not bother me and most others, i bet. so what else?
 
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i cannot find a resource online - is there a link with the load data for it? i think it should be either varget or reloader15 for that bullet?
a 175gr bullet should be able to run from varget, but he 300gr i think may want something slower?
 

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