6mm arc

[bearcatrp]

I see savage is offering this caliber. Anyone have one that can comment on it? Won’t even consider until I get bullets and brass. Seems like a great caliber from what I have read so far. Appreciate any comments.

[KMW1954]

A couple different guys have 6 ARC at our range, one is using it with an IR scope to hunt coyote at night. He likes is. Doesn't reload so he save the brass for me. I am thinking of rebarreling a Model 11 to it. Just to be different from all the 6 CM, 6 Dasher and 6BR out there.

[Dave Hoback]

Was never a fan of the 6.5 Grendel and I’m equally not a fan of the 6mm “GRENDEL”! There are better options of cartridges to drive 6mm, namely...almost any of them! BTW.... It has already existed for years as the 6mm Dasher! And the Dasher is far superior! But then, so are the 6x47, 6mm GT, 6mm Creedmoor, and IMO, the 243 Win.

It’s another “Redux”....very similar to the 300 Whisper, brought back as the 300 Blackout, by AAC. And it’s unfortunately, USUALLY the AR market that does these things. As much as I love the AR(although, I’ve been an PURIST since 2005! Not a bandagon’eer!), this market is full of more nonsense, & made up gimmicks for the ignorant, than just about any other.

The 6mm AR is part of the AR15 “Flavor of the month” cartridge club. If you are are doing a bolt gun, there are far better 6mm options.

[8mm RUM]

I don't know...
We have an AR in the Grendel and liked it so much we got two Howa's in it.
So far an out standing deer round with a 123. Is there better deer calibers of course.
Depends on what your looking for.

[stomp442]

Personally if it were me I would do the 6BR if you wanted a small 6mm. There is only about a grain or so difference in capacity and about 50fps difference in performance with the edge going to the BR. Also, the other nice things about the 6BR is the fact that there is multiple quality brass options out there and it fits a standard bolt face. The 6ARC is Hornady re-inventing the wheel...again and putting a cartridge that already existed in a shiny red package to sell to the shovel headed masses just like they did with the 6/6.5 Creedmoor, and 6.5PRC.

[Dave Hoback]

So very true.

[bearcatrp]

Was looking more at a AR setup than a bolt action. But like to have both in same caliber if possible. Ballistics look good from what I have read. AR15 setup is what I am preferring at the moment. Tried the Grendel with issues so won’t even go back. But lack of components at this time makes it a dream at this time. As usual, Hornady introduced a caliber with no backbone to supply. Seems they signed a military contract with this caliber. Be awhile before components become available.

[charlie b]

Has anyone seen an update on the DoD contracts for this cartridge and rifle? The only one I have seen is the original contract with Barrett which seemed to be a low volume order (less than 10,000) and does not even mention a service, only that it is DoD.

[deadduck357]

Personally I like it, I don't have one but been thinking about one. It's what the 6.5 Grendal should have been from the get-go. I think it neat and should be low decoiling. Savage should have offered the 110 Tactical with at least a 20" bbl. I've already got a couple 6mm Creeds that in very pleased with so it's a slim chance I'll switch.

[Dave Hoback]

Was looking more at a AR setup than a bolt action. But like to have both in same caliber if possible. Ballistics look good from what I have read. AR15 setup is what I am preferring at the moment. Tried the Grendel with issues so won’t even go back. But lack of components at this time makes it a dream at this time. As usual, Hornady introduced a caliber with no backbone to supply. Seems they signed a military contract with this caliber. Be awhile before components become available.


If you had problems with the Grendel, why do you want to try this?? The Parent case for the 6mmAR IS the 6.5 Grendel!! That’s wyy GT I call it a 6mm Grendel. I started with AR’s in the BEGINNING of the “boom”....2005, right after the Clinton AWB expired. I’ve NEVER purchased a complete AR. I’ve only assembled/built them. Now I machine receivers & produce my own when I want one. I’ve done more than most people. And I never went after the flavor of of the month calibers. The AR should be 223.... 7.62 is ok here & there, but 223 is best. Anything else should be a bolt gun, or if you want bigger, do an AR10.

[mikebritton]

Why not step back and use the .244/6mm Remington?
57mm case makes the cartridge fit well in most of the 110 actions, and rim size works well for .30-06/.308 bolts.
Fairly long neck makes reloading easier.

[kingdombuilder]

The 6 Arc is a low pressure cartridge 52,000 I believe . This is due to its Grendel parent case design . The ar bolt is milled out and had problems with higher pressures . The answer was to lower pressure . That being said you are building a bolt gun . I see no advantage to the ar platform limitations for a bolt gun . Also the mag length restricts the oal with longer projectiles eating up powder column . I own a 6.5 Grendel in a psa ar And i love it . Great cartridge in that platform . To Max an arc potential in a bolt is to go way over pressure . In that case why not use a cartridge designed for the platform like the 6br family if cartridges . Unless you just like being different that's up to you .

[Adrianm1972]

The 6 Arc is a low pressure cartridge 52,000 I believe . This is due to its Grendel parent case design . The ar bolt is milled out and had problems with higher pressures . The answer was to lower pressure . That being said you are building a bolt gun . I see no advantage to the ar platform limitations for a bolt gun . Also the mag length restricts the oal with longer projectiles eating up powder column . I own a 6.5 Grendel in a psa ar And i love it . Great cartridge in that platform . To Max an arc potential in a bolt is to go way over pressure . In that case why not use a cartridge designed for the platform like the 6br family if cartridges . Unless you just like being different that's up to you .

Hornady say to limit the AR loads to 52,000 but says its safe in bolt guns to 62,000 (see link to bolt loads below). The reason for the AR limit is how thin the perimeter of the bolt face gets with .440" case diameter cartridges.

https://www.hornady.com/assets/site/hornady/files/load-data/6mm-arc-bolt.pdf

[Adrianm1972]

Also, a lot of 243/6mm carts burn a lot of power for not a lot more velocity. For example the 6mm Creedmoor uses 27% more powder to go 7% faster than the 6mm ARC.

Hornady sells some really nice factory loads for 6mm ARC at some great prices. In a bolt gun with handloads using CFE223 or LeverEvolution and 95-109gr modern high BC bullets its pretty easy to match the performace of most of the rounds mentioned. Again, except for 6mm CM which is a barrel burning powder hog.

[KMW1954]

Interesting discussion though it is not helping me to decide which to rebarrel to.

Latest discussion I have been participating in is the use of the 250 Savage as a 100 to 300yd target chambering. Then with the new bullet offerings I am giving it serious consideration. Yes just to be different!

[Dave Hoback]

Also, a lot of 243/6mm carts burn a lot of power for not a lot more velocity. For example the 6mm Creedmoor uses 27% more powder to go 7% faster than the 6mm ARC.

Hornady sells some really nice factory loads for 6mm ARC at some great prices. In a bolt gun with handloads using CFE223 or LeverEvolution and 95-109gr modern high BC bullets its pretty easy to match the performace of most of the rounds mentioned. Again, except for 6mm CM which is a barrel burning powder hog.


HUH?? Hornady’s 108gr 6mmARC load is 2750....the 108gr 6mm CM loaf is 2960.... 210fps. That’s a HUGE increase. The Creedmoor can drive the heaviest 6mm bullets at MAX velocity. The ARC can NOT! It’s a JOKE of a cartridge. And I feel bad for the people who were fooled into it. It accomplishes NOTHING the 6BR or Dasher will, and is not even close to Creedmoor/243 velocity.

[Dave Hoback]

Was looking more at a AR setup than a bolt action. But like to have both in same caliber if possible. Ballistics look good from what I have read. AR15 setup is what I am preferring at the moment. Tried the Grendel with issues so won’t even go back. But lack of components at this time makes it a dream at this time. As usual, Hornady introduced a caliber with no backbone to supply. Seems they signed a military contract with this caliber. Be awhile before components become available.

If you are looking to do an AR, stick with 223.

[kingdombuilder]

According to Hornady , 108 eldm in 6 arc with a BOLT GUN can get 2850 with 31.2 gr leverevolution and yes 62000 psi . That's a small powder charge for the velocity . In todays economy approx 10 grain of powder is alot . That's a free powder charge every 3 rounds . With that info and the accuracy to me that puts it in better competition than br and dashers . It's also a lot less br,ss work than some of those br wild cats

[Dave Hoback]

Odd...I was commenting this evening in a different thread about the use “anecdotal evidence”.

Hey, for those who think the 6mm GRENDEL is the best cartridge since sliced bread, KUDOS! But I’m gonna use what I already know. The 6.5 Grendel was a failure! It is unable to drive anything more than the 123gr pills with any efficiency. And it fails even with that! But some how, we are to believe that the SAME CASE is necked down to 6mm & it can now “miraculously” drive the HEAVIEST 6mm pills, at CLOSE TO speeds as the the larger cases.... and ALL while using MUCH less powder & less pressure to boot! So it’s learned to defy the laws of physics?? OK. Have fun with that. Interesting how most videos of reloaders are getting between 2500-<2750 with the 6mm Gren..., I mean. ARC.

[Adrianm1972]

HUH?? Hornady’s 108gr 6mmARC load is 2750....the 108gr 6mm CM loaf is 2960.... 210fps. That’s a HUGE increase. The Creedmoor can drive the heaviest 6mm bullets at MAX velocity. The ARC can NOT! It’s a JOKE of a cartridge. And I feel bad for the people who were fooled into it. It accomplishes NOTHING the 6BR or Dasher will, and is not even close to Creedmoor/243 velocity.

The numbers you posted exactly support what I posted. I double checked the loading data and to push the same 108gr projectile the 6mm CM uses 25% more powder to get a 7% velocity increase. That is not very efficient. If velocity is always the most important metric to gauge the value of a cartridge may I interest you in my new wildcat the 6mm-50BMG?

6mm PPC, 6BR and Dasher are almost identical performace wise as the 6ARC. The latter 3 are all specialist rounds, not a lot of production rifles are chambered in those rounds, factory ammo is hard to come by at the best of times and VERY expensive. The 6mm ARC came about from a DoD/SOCOM request so there is a military application and quite a few manufacturers have signed on with Hornady to support the round and ammo prices for really nice loads are very low so right now the future look pretty bright.

It's clear you don't like it and that's fine. 6mm ARC is just getting started, time will tell.