6mm ARC or 338 ARC for Hunting Under 200 Yards

[bacb]

The reason to consider going with an 11" 338 ARC would be suppressed/subsonic. However if you want maximally effective subsonic round, bullet diameter is king unless relying on exotic copper bullets.

For subsonic, you would have to upload the 338 ARC and 307 Subx to reach the ideal 1050 fps velocity. However I am not sure the 307 Subx is available as a component bullet yet. 338 cal 300 gr Makers are potentially hard to come by.

If you went supersonic, there are very minimal bullet options in the 160-185 gr range, with Barnes making the 160's. An 11" 338 ARC is not going to push a Barnes 160 or a Nosler 185 fast enough to get very good expansion.

No doubt a 11" 338 ARC is interesting but you are a bit hamstrung.

My friend's 6 ARC 12" SBR has been a surprisingly good killer with factory 103 ELDx ammo. That would be my vote.

Thanks for this info. I really want the gun that I’m looking at buying, but I don’t know if it’s best to go with either of these calibers being that I would want to hunt with it. If it came in the Grendel, that would’ve been my top choice for sure.

 

[Oso]

AR15’s are modular… they are Lego guns. You can buy a factory complete rifle and upgrade or swap out any component you like or you can build entire rifle from whatever components you like. You only need basic tools and minimal mechanical skills with aid of YouTube videos that walk you through the entire process. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself then a local gunsmith will do it for minimal charge.

If there is a specific rifle you want, but they don’t offer it chambered in either the cartridge or the barrel length you want then it’s an easy fix. Order the barrel you want and swap it out. Based on what cartridge you want, the only other changes that you might need to make are (1) replace the bolt/BCG and (2) magazines that match your desired cartridge. It is really easy to do.

 

[bacb]

AR15’s are modular… they are Lego guns. You can buy a factory complete rifle and upgrade or swap out any component you like or you can build entire rifle from whatever components you like. You only need basic tools and minimal mechanical skills with aid of YouTube videos that walk you through the entire process. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself then a local gunsmith will do it for minimal charge.

If there is a specific rifle you want, but they don’t offer it chambered in either the cartridge or the barrel length you want then it’s an easy fix. Order the barrel you want and swap it out. Based on what cartridge you want, the only other changes that you might need to make are (1) replace the bolt/BCG and (2) magazines that match your desired cartridge. It is really easy to do.

Yeah that was my original idea. I was just trying to avoid spending thr extra money on a barrel when this rifle is already very expensive.

 

[Olderthan dirt]

Definitely 338 in 10” using 300gr makers.
Can’t argue with proof.
1088 (subsonic here) subx on left, 300 makers on right.

 

[Oso]

In case you are still looking for a rifle, if you have the ability to select the barrel for 338 ARC then a 1:6 or 1:5 twist rate would serve you better for subsonic expansion. Hornady is recommending/pushing a 1:8 twist for the 338ARC because all of their bullets, including their premier subsonic SubX ammo, may not hold up to increased centrifugal force. If you are planning to use solid copper bullets, such as Maker, then faster twist is no problem.

 

[Olderthan dirt]

I am using 1-8 and buy makers based on that. Friend’s 8.6 is 1-3 and he has to buy makers based on that. I’m sure Paul@makerammo.com can build the bullet based on whatever twist you use.

 

[Oso]

.. and yet the gel test results from numerous sources say 1:5 makes a difference in expansion and wound channel. The only downside to going to a faster twist is that the slower 1:8 twist does better for supersonic bullets and cast lead bullets. Honestly, if you’re selecting 338 ARC then the primary focus is on subsonic. However, if you really want both supersonic and subsonic capability then the 8.6BO with its greater case capacity (more room for powder to propel bullets supersonic) would be better choice.

Minute 4:45 addresses the question of Hornady’s selection of 1:8 twist…