I have begun my search for components for a new 8.6 Blackout build and am looking for recommendations for a barrel blank, 1 in 3 twist, 16" MTU, M24, heavy Palma contour etc. (weight of this barrel will not be a concern.) Can you recommend a barrel mfgr that makes blanks for these rough parameters? I'm also in search of a reputable gunsmith with history of machining bolt action builds in this caliber. I will be shooting this rifle suppressed (have a TBAC 338 Ultra I expect to get out of jail soon.) I will also be reloading for this caliber. Primary use will be shooting off a bipod w/rear bag with a high degree of accuracy in mind. Suggestions?
The biggest reason he should use 1:3 is because that's what the testing is being done with.
You can shoot 1:5, but you're a black sheep. Most people are using these for hunting, not punching holes in paper, or at least that's their intention.
There's a Megafix now...Brittingham shot an elephant with one.
Well, most people want to shoot it and assure themselves that it works before taking it out. I'm sure there are people who will only take them to the range, but that is in the minority, IMO.
8.6 blackout is certainly not a BR cartridge.
Are they on to something? I don't know, but the projectiles slam steel at 200 like there's no tomorrow.
I'm still getting my stuff ready, so don't have a favorite round yet, but rest assured it's going out hunting in A zone. 8.6 blackout is not the end all cartridge, and why I have a few different calibers for hunting. That doesn't mean it's a bad caliber.
8.6 blackout is certainly not a BR cartridge.
Are they on to something? I don't know, but the projectiles slam steel at 200 like there's no tomorrow.
I'm still getting my stuff ready, so don't have a favorite round yet, but rest assured it's going out hunting in A zone. 8.6 blackout is not the end all cartridge, and why I have a few different calibers for hunting. That doesn't mean it's a bad caliber.
Certainly agree it's not a benchrest cartridge, but I still want this build to be as accurate as possible. I will be going with a Zermatt Arms Original action and believe I have a line on a nice barrel. So far I have no clue as to who I will be sending this off to for the build though.
I think it's a very interesting cartridge, but I was using 300 blackout close to 15 years ago, 10 years easily. They are similar concepts, and Brittingham drew off that 300 AAC knowledge so is said. The new cartridge is based on a Ruger 375, so even bigger yet. For my use, they are different, as I use 300 blackout as my home defense round, although I do have 45ACP, I consider the 300 blackout pistol with a red dot to be easier to use in a house. In this case, I'm looking at it as a standoff type defense, where I have a clear view of all the other 2 bedrooms my kids are living in. Once in the hall I also have a clear view to the kitchen/family-room. Once I can make sure there are no threats in my living room, I will be listening from my position.
No reason to not want an accurate gun, and this is a cartridge not without issues. It is also taking them a long time to work through the issues, more than seems normal.
@LVLAaron you seem to have gotten apprehensive on 8.6 blackout. What was your expectation? What were you planning to use it for? Must be to shoot a quiet round? There seem to be 2 types that are driving to 8.6 blackout...those that want quiet and the other is those that are looking for high impact at close range.
The reason I don't consider 8.6 blackout to be ideal for home defense is that it's a big round. I want to shoot it at supersonic velocities, since I can't use a suppressor in CA. If I could use a suppressor, subsonic would make more sense. I have a number of different subsonic projectiles ranging from 280 grains up to 300, most are Gorilla 285 grain fracturing projectiles. Gorilla also sells ammo with this projectile for 8.6 blackout. For shooting subsonic these would be XLNT, but for me it's moot with not having the ability to use a suppressor.
My post is getting long, but just to say, suppressors are something that could really benefit BR shooters, IMO. Why should BR shooters be subjected to hearing damage?
That might be so, I do have a blank from MOS-Tek that I haven't chambered, and have exchanged email with Hornady about the twist rate. As I said, I see some contention between Hornady based on numbers and Q LLC based on actual use in the field. Seems Hornady feels the rotational force is too much when the petals are shedding from the projectile. Even the Barnes 210 does that...but they are devastating, IMO.
I'm using a Faxon 12" and a Faxon 16" barrel, so I can't form any opinions on the MOS-Tek *yet*. I have seen people using them though with good success. Nito at AP2020 has one that seems to shoot fine. He does post on this forum occasionally. There are a number of vendors popping up to support 8.6 blackout. Alabama Arsenal had a Terminal Zeus action built into 8.6 blackout recently, he is on YT, so discount it if you like...the new Megafix from Q LLC is yet another cartridge based on this concept, he used a Mauser as the parent. That probably makes sense for Europe. Considering 8.6 blackout is merely a barrel swap on 308, there are bound to be more and more experimenting with it in America, where 308 Win is like candy. Maybe I'm wrong...
Preferred barrels is supposed to make a 1 in 3 twist blank
Aaron,
Been thinking about this last night and this morning. One thing that sticks out about this round is that it's using 338 LM projectiles for the most part. To really optimize the round would require specialized projectiles possibly.
I mentioned above that it appears that Hornady doesn't advocate the twist rate as the copper monolithics were shedding petals...but at least it's not lead. The fact that there's 40+ grain petals destroying game is not a bad thing...the wound channel is enormous. I'd like to see a 160 grain projectile that is optimized for the 8.6 blackout in supersonic. Barnes does make a 160 grain TTSX. I have some loads I developed but haven't gotten to the range to use them yet. The 160 grain TTSX is a flat back, where the 185 grain TTSX is a boat tail, I prefer reloading the later.
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