6MM ARC vs 5.56 (.223 Rem) out to1022 yards

[David Milisock]

The video reviewer said he liked the 6mm ARC out past 800 yards, though it had a bit more recoil. He felt follow-up shots were faster with the smaller caliber. Skip forward to the end (30:45 time-mark) to see his conclusions.

Keep in mind that BOTH the tested cartridges were shot in ARs.

 

[SKWERLZ]

Still not converting my AR to 6 arc, seen too many .440 boltface /grendle bolts fail.
My AR’s are mostly serious situations oriented and good ole 223/5.56 is where I’m staying.
Plus my 6 BRA smokes 6 ARC.

 

[David Milisock]

I posted this as an example of the best comparisons that I've seen.

If you're seeing bolt failures then you're seeing examples of improper loading, poor assembly or poor metallurgy. Some companies just make bad parts, some hand loaders and those assembling AR's are not up to the task.

I think watching the entire video has advantages, in some case first target acquisition is done with the 5.56, other times with the 6 ARC. Lots of good information there. Also hit ratios as well as obvious energy on target differences as seen by plate reaction.

My only comparison is with my Colt 20" A2 in a Delta configuration with 69 grain Hornady match hand loads, against my Aero Precision M4E, 16" and Hornady Black 105 grain. My Colt is an above average rifle in terms of accuracy, in Delta configuration 2" at 300 yards average and my Aero averages 1/2" with ten 5 shot 100 yard groups.

I found that acquisition, drop and drift of my Colt to not be as much of a disadvantage compared to my 6 ARC at longer ranges. That is as expected since the A2 has 4" more barrel.

However the 6 ARC delivers significantly more energy on target than the 5.56 at all ranges especially where needed out past the 400 yard mark. Unfortunately that lack of penetration is the Achilles heal of the 5.56 cartridge.

 

[Rob01]

I shoot both in bolt guns. While just getting into the 6mm ARC, I have shot my .223 a lot with 75 elds to 1150 yards in matches. Both are fun but you obviously get some better ballistics with the 6mm. Especially when handloaded.

Here’s a pic of both of my handloads. Both are longer than SAAMI but good to have the option in the bolt gun. The .223 is in a Wylde chamber and loaded to 2.470” and .020” off lands. The 6mm is 2.367” at .020” off with the 110 ATip.

 

[David Milisock]

I shoot both in bolt guns. While just getting into the 6mm ARC, I have shot my .223 a lot with 75 elds to 1150 yards in matches. Both are fun but you obviously get some better ballistics with the 6mm. Especially when handloaded.

Here’s a pic of both of my handloads. Both are longer than SAAMI but good to have the option in the bolt gun. The .223 is in a Wylde chamber and loaded to 2.470” and .020” off lands. The 6mm is 2.367” at .020” off with the 110 ATip.

View attachment 1468230

I build working rifles so 6MM ARC in bolt is not on my radar but the AR version is a great working combination.

 

[Rob01]

I build working rifles so 6MM ARC in bolt is not on my radar but the AR version is a great working combination.

“Working rifles” as in ARs? Bolt guns can do some work too.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Working rifles?
Try a 10 or 20 round mag dump with a bolt gun
I (not an expert) view the 6 Arc in a bolt gun more capable (at reasonable bolt gun pressures) with respect to energy on target, drop and drift at range (with high B.C. projectiles) than the .223 (even an AI), 224V, or it's big brother the 22 Nosler
For paper only, and in a gas gun, at gas gun pressures, it might depend on bullet selection and mag length or long loaded rounds.
Heavy (80 to 90 grains) in a 224 (Valk or Nosler) loaded long, slow fire, energy on paper doesn't matter much.
Maybe I depend on calculators too much but at safe pressures drop/drift of the 6 Arc gas gun doesn't seem to have a great advantage.
In a bolt gun it does.

There are probably people that get exceptional groups, at range, with any of them.

 

[David Milisock]

“Working rifles” as in ARs? Bolt guns can do some work too.

I did not intend to say that they could not however I was looking for a working AR.

 

[David Milisock]

Working rifles?
Try a 10 or 20 round mag dump with a bolt gun
I (not an expert) view the 6 Arc in a bolt gun more capable (at reasonable bolt gun pressures) with respect to energy on target, drop and drift at range (with high B.C. projectiles) than the .223 (even an AI), 224V, or it's big brother the 22 Nosler
For paper only, and in a gas gun, at gas gun pressures, it might depend on bullet selection and mag length or long loaded rounds.
Heavy (80 to 90 grains) in a 224 (Valk or Nosler) loaded long, slow fire, energy on paper doesn't matter much.
Maybe I depend on calculators too much but at safe pressures drop/drift of the 6 Arc gas gun doesn't seem to have a great advantage.
In a bolt gun it does.

There are probably people that get exceptional groups, at range, with any of them.

If you load to 60,000+ PSI getting a 105 to 108 to 2900+ FPS with a longer tube the 6MM ARC will separate itself from the 5.56 by even more. Especially down range energy.

You are correct about the 6MM ARC (in an AR) it does not have any significant advantage over the 5.56 except energy on target and a bit better range. It was designed to handle like an M1 Carbine and M4 in 5.56 in close with a significant energy increase over both, especially at the 600+ yard range. Unfortunately the 5.56 just falls very short on energy out past 400 yards. Fortunately the 6M ARC not only handles those needs well it makes a decent deer hunting cartridge.

I have no interest in a 6MM ARC bolt rifle as I have a 6MM Remington.

 

[Rob01]

DMR

<p>The Dedicated Marksman Rifle (DMR) is Seekins' do-it-all hammer. Designed for the rigorous and rough lifestyle of competition and duty use, this rifle Just. Won’t. Quit. This lower receiver offers ambidextrous controls maximizing efficient manipu

seekinsprecision.com

 

[David Milisock]

DMR

<p>The Dedicated Marksman Rifle (DMR) is Seekins' do-it-all hammer. Designed for the rigorous and rough lifestyle of competition and duty use, this rifle Just. Won’t. Quit. This lower receiver offers ambidextrous controls maximizing efficient manipu

seekinsprecision.com

Looks interesting, a bit more than my Aero, about 300 or 400 but that was a year or more that I got it.

 

[Rob01]

Seekins makes some awesome rifles. I have had my Seekins SP3G for about 10 years now and it never lets me down.

 

[David Milisock]

Seekins makes some awesome rifles. I have had my Seekins SP3G for about 10 years now and it never lets me down.

There are so many clowns building AR's. That was my biggest concern when I bought my last AR, I got lucky and got a rifle that shoots really well and will (with my level of use) last well into the next generation.

My Colt A2 is 40 and still shoots well, I hope my Aero Precision M4E does the same.

Most civilian working rifles get alot of carry and a little shooting so longevity and accuracy are expected.

 

[Rob01]

Yeah it’s pretty easy to swap out the barrels on ARs with a few simple tools so as long as all the other parts are quality then you are good.

 

[Rocketvapor]

A better comparison might be the 6mm ARC and the 224 Valkyrie, in an AR, at gas gun pressures.
Same length barrel, limited to paper punching as the 6mm has a lot more down range energy
(not fair )
Pretty much anything is going to be ballistically superior to the .223/5.56 (even the 22 Nosler ).
I don't have a 6 ARC or a 224 Valk but I'm sure someone has both and a range to shoot at some distance (1000+ yards?).
110 A-Tip in 6mm (or other equivalent high B.C. bullet) and 80 to 90 grain .224 (maybe the 90 A-Tip?)

Looking at loading data
6ARC, 110 A-Tip, 24", LVR, 28.2C gr, 2660fps, 51,200 PSI
1000yds, 35.3 MOA, 10mph wind 7.8 MOA, 1347fps @ 1000yds (energy is 468 ft-lbs)

224V, 90gr Sierra, 24", LVR, 24.5gr, 2600fps, 53,400 PSI
1000yds, 39.4 MOA, 10MPH wind 9.8 MOA, 1147fps @ 1000yds (energy is only 262 ft-lbs).
Using the same 2600fps and the 0.295 G7 of the 90 A-Tip
a calculator gets:
35.7 MOA @ 1000, 8.0 MOA, 1299fps @ 1000yds (energy is only 337 ft-lbs)

Of course the 22 Nosler, 90gr Seirra, 24" using 32.3 gr Staball 6.5, 2889fps, 53,500 PSI,
1000yds, 30.5 MOA, 10mph 8.2 MOA, 1337fps @ 1000 yds. is close (energy is only 357 ft-lbs)

Don't have published data on the .224" 88ELD, 95gr Sierra, or 90gr A-Tip, maybe in a 4DOF calculator,
But all are better than the 90 Sierra at distance, I think.

I know some will come in and say 'but I get this with mine'.
You know like 2990fps with a 90 A-Tip, 0.295 G7, SB 6.5 (22 N, 28" AR).
25.6MOA @ 1000, 6.4 MOA, 1577fps @ 1000 (energy is 497 ft-lbs)
Knocking off 100fps (2890) for a 24" barrel,
27.8 MOA @ 1000, 6.7 MOA, 1505fps @ 1000, (energy is 453 ft-lbs)

Looks like the .224 90 A-tip starting off @2890fps has close to the same thump @ 1000yds as a 6mm 110 A-Tip starting off @ 2660 .
With all those numbers I'm sure I got some of them wrong.