Ep. 360 | The 6mm ARC - Is it Really a Big Game Cartridge?
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- Testing complete, Mark Boardman, Ryan Muckenhirn and special guest Reuben Aleckson break down their 6mm ARC terminal test. One factory offering is contrasted with handloads intended to maximize the performance of this petite cartridge in the bolt rifle platform. Listen as they dissect the project, the gel blocks, and Reuben’s field experience shooting deer with it. In certain cases, could a lower impact velocity be advantageous for this cartridge? Tune in to hear it all.
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6ARC is going to be my son’s first center fire rifle. Hard to beat for the size, weight and recoil
6.5 grendel is still cheaper, and there is far more brass available if you reload. I have a mini action chambered in it, I probably would have gotten an arc if it was available at the time. But I won't be upgrading too similar performance wise, and I don't have to resize brass. Maybe in usa you can easily get brass.
I can confirm the 6mm ARC is plenty for whitetails. 2/2 so far with the 103gr ELD-X from an 18" gasser. I plan to add to the statistics this season.
I took a pretty good size mule deer last season with the 103 grain ELDX out of my 18-in gas gun as well. The great thing about the factory ELDX loading is that it had an identical point of impact out to 300 yards as the 105 grain BTHP. That means I didn't need the sight in a different round for hunting season! All I had to do was switch my ammo and go into the field! The 103 grain ELDX was textbook perfect at 150 yards. The deer ran about 20 yards, flopped over and expired.
Good to know!
The hardest part of every week is listening to Mark announce that I am not the comment of the week. #iwillearnoneofthosehoodies
I went with a 300 blackout bolt gun for my kids to start hunting with. It's worked great with Barnes 110 TAC-TX. If the 6 arc had been out at that point I might have opted for this. Great middle of the road, versatile, low recoil round. I plan to have one at some point.
For anyone interested, Ally munitions sells very high quality loads and they differentiate there semi auto ammo from their hotter bolt gun only loads. TPH podcast is their show
It is sad that 6 arc is nearly not available in Germany it Sounds like so much fun and i am curios how it would performe
Missed a good opportunity to do the 360 buckhammer on episode 360
My 12 year old son got a large doe in Virginia for youth day. It was the first deer ever for any member of our family. 6 arc Ruger American gen 2 Ranch, 103 ELD-X. The deer appears to have hit the ground dead where she stood. He got at least both lungs and one shoulder. We are very satisfied with the performance but have no experience with other cartridges on game.
I think people are missing the point of this cartridge. It does a lot, with a little. It fits into a really nice niche of deer sized game capabilities, 300yds and in. Perhaps 400 under the right conditions. Which really that’s more than adequate, since most game is taken inside of those ranges, and most people have no business shooting at much beyond that. There isn’t much a 100gr bullet moving 2,900fps can’t kill at reasonable ranges. Especially using a strong bullet. It also makes for a very light rifle, with marginal recoil, that anyone can utilize.
It’s also versatile across platform. Since it can be used effectively in AR’s and Bolt actions. Ryan has shown that the 6ARC turns into another cartridge inside of a bolt gun. Right now the Achilles heel of it, is it’s kind of a Reloader’s cartridge, with only one factory option as of now. Other than that, it’s kind of a perfect little thing.
The need for mono bullets to be moving relatively fast is why I opted for the ELDX in my 6ARC. Being that I’m not planning to use this cartridge for big critters like elk and black bear, and that whitetails and antelope aren’t especially hard to take down, I like having a bullet that can expand at longer distances than the mono bullets will
I'm not a big fan of the eldx in most cartridges, I'm using a Barnes TTSX instead of the eldx in my 6 Creedmoor for hunting whitetails. But with the slightly lower velocity of the 6arc, I think you're totally correct. All about matching velocity, bullet construction, and knowing the animal you're after.
@@robinsok absolutely. I use the TTSX in most of my hunting rifles, love that bullet. Just not sure it would preform as well in a smaller cartridge like this, but next time I load some rounds I may play around with it.
@@josiahwise6160 I'd bet a barnes would be fine inside of 200 yards or so. But if the 6arc velocity isn't high enough to cause some of the eldx issues that I'm assuming we're both wanting to avoid at high velocity, then it's nearly ideal for this use case. It's honestly a pretty big gap in velocity between the arc and creed for hornady to be selling hunting cartridges with identical bullet/weight.
The bolt gun market will grow as the versatility of the cartridge and the realization of two SAMMI pressure limits become more widely known. I anticipate factory loadings will be made available because of that.
CMMG Upper 6 ARC shoots Hornady 80CX, 90CX, 95SST, 90ELDX all at 0.75" groups at 100 using LeveEvolution.
Which version? The resolute or the other one? Cant remember the name. Im looking at that resolute upper.
@@theblishknovk the 16" barrel model, do not remember where from
@@jjgriffin3275 piston or di?
it would be the Resolute upper model
@@jjgriffin3275 awesome! Thats the one im lookin at!
I went with the 6.5 grendel for two reasons. I wanted the heavier projectiles, and i wanted to have more factory ammo options. Im not pushing it to the distance limits so the trajectory didnt matter for me.
Incredibly impressed with this cartridge. Seeing the chronograph numbers with 80 grain Barnes is pretty incredible
It or the 90 TGK would be my choice in upstate ny where a 30 to 125 shot is common in the woods. My question would be how effective would it be against a black bear inside 100 yards?
@@chadperry4021 people use 6xc’s and 6 creedmoors all the time and think there amazing so maybe not the same distance I bet inside 300yds a bear wouldn’t know the difference
109 berger ht long range works very well in the 6 arc
6mm ARC or 6.5 Grendel?
None
I built a 6.5 Grendel AR so I'm not running out to get a 6mm ARC.
i have both and love them
ammo manufacturers support 6.5 grendel over 6mm arc by a large margin.
if you can't get the ammo ... it's worthless.
@@grayman7208My local shop has 103gr eld-x for $45/box and 105gr BTHP for $40/box in 6arc
Plus if you're shooting 6arc, I doubt you're buying factory loads.
reloading with 80 gr be a good choice for coyotes
Now we need a 6 Arc AR review with all factory loads
Another good job, fellas. Thanks!
Been drooling over a 6arc setup for about a year now since finding out it existed. I’ve questioned why the Army didn’t recaliber the M4s instead of totally changing platform was unaware of the conception of the 6arc so it seems they’ve explored that idea already…also SIG needed another contract
check out 6 Max. Uses a 223/556 bolt face.
I've wanted to try 6 ARC but now that 6MAX will make the gas gun transition easier. Using the 6max in a bolt gun just means a barrel swap. ...once the 6Max becomes more popular anyway
Great content and discussion, as usual!
The only thing i wish yall would do (and everyone would do, frankly) is _either_ only talk about off-the-shelf ammo AND rifles, or consider custom ammo and rifles.
If i have to consider the 6ARC from a handloaders perspective surely we can consider a .243 with a custom barrel. Id even be more than willing to argue that handloading is more of leap in expense and personal liability than a custom barrel. Handloading requires one to not only purchase equipment but also costs a lot of time, a barrel in a tighter twist can be had for the swipe of a credit card and a shipping label.
26:47 actually first time hunting I panicked pulled my first shot completely missed the easy broadside shot, it was when the buck turned and charged that I was suddenly calm, right through the heart dropped instantly.
.243win NEF Handi Rifle, I'm a little biased against any of these new 6mm challengers.
Just not worth the switch to me.
Can’t wait for 22 arc podcast over Christmas! Will Mr.243 (Aka Ryan) and myself (22-250 enthusiast) finally find common ground?
But doesn't 6 ARC have a problem with bolt failures, due to the very thin area of the bolt surrounding the case head?
any chance for a dive into the 6.5-300 Weatherby ? i know there are a ton of long range rnds out there, but seems like a show about the "ludicrous" omg facepalm headshaking rounds would be entertaining at the least, as more than a few of the insane rounds exist. most are somewhat based on the 300 in some way shape or form. how long would the block of gel need to be to stop the crazy 300 case based rounds be.
Hold Mark to this one!
The Question is - Do you get the 6 ARC in the new Ruger Gen 2 or a how mini action in a chassi?
I bought both ❤
Need more factory loads
6.5x55 is that for me I can shoot it all day long fantastic cartridge great accuracy! Have competed with it in Sweden trust it all day long!
When I discovered 6.5 Grendel I was like, that’s the one. Then a little while later I found the 6 Arc and again was like, no this is the one. For real now I know what is the one, it’s the 6mm MAX. If you’re a hand loader this is the one you want.
Sorry fellas, I ain’t seeing in a bolt. 243 or even better 6 Creedmoor. As far as a gas gun. I’d like to see a comparison in equal length gas guns with the 6ARC and the 6.5 Grendel.
They should come up with a 6mm B-arc chambering for bolt rifles
Since vortex nation is doing videos on 6 mm arc, can the next lead balloon be on 243 wssm?
Shoot a cavity back bullet you should be able to double the expansion than the Barnes bullet.
YYYEEESSS!!!!!
Need more gel testing of cartridges and bullets
15:10 it's trigonometry isn't it
Its alittle bit behind the 243 which has been used effectively for alot of game. So it should do good on small to medium size game. But not my first choice when the grendel exists
I think it depends what you want to do. If you’re looking to shoot a little further then the ARC has an advantage.
@@josiahwise6160 farther than the grendel? Yeah it may be flatter but that generally doesnt matter if scope has enough turret to adjust. For hunting neither i would consider 4-500 yard medium game rounds although you could.
@@orr89rocz I agree with you, it’s not a cartridge I’d depend on to take a deer at 500yd. But even at 200yd- comparing the ELDM factory loads that Hornady makes for the 6ARC and 6.5Gdl- the 6ARC already has a velocity and energy advantage over the Grendel, and it maintains that lead
Any cartridge capable of 20”+ penetration is a big game cartridge given a CNS shot. Just ask the many ghosts of the elephants killed with a 6.5x55 SE.
Now, for anything but a CNS shot this little thing is just adding risk to the game for enduring a longer suffering and for the hunter risk of a longer tracking job or a complete failure to track it down. Physics is real so more energy on target and a larger frontal diameter will translate to more damage and blood loss when all other things are equal
What a lot of people don't understand also is that a 6mm, through the shoulder of a deer, will knock it down bc that bullet can and will penetrate a deer's shoulder.
But for Elk, you want to aim for behind the shoulder and for the lungs. Not the shoulder. Unless you get an opposite side shoulder shot but missing the front side shoulder.
Plus, with less recoil, a follow-up shot is way more manageable.
Lol where are you getting that information? I have killed a little over 150 whitetails, from cartidges using the 6.5 Grendel, .243 Winchester, .308 Winchester, .270 Winchester, etc. The 6mm ARC does just fine for deer size game on non CNS hits.
@@brandonurbaniak1890 if your success rate and tracking distances on a 6.5 Grendel and a 308 win are really the same, all power to you. I talk about risk not certainty on individual level, so you might be the smoker that got a hundred years old.
@nikos6220 actually the 6.5 Grendel using the 123 grain ELDMs have resulted in the shortest tracking jobs. The longest tracking jobs I have had have been with the 30-06 using bonded or monolithic bullets, such as the Barnes TTSX. Deer size animals are not hard to kill. In fact it's pretty easy with a rifle. More time than not, hunters over gun themselves, develop bad shooting habits, then make piss poor shots. Which lead to unrecovered animals.
@@brandonurbaniak1890 interesting stuff on the ELD-M. At slow speeds like out of the Grendel I can imagine it working at the right distance. To bridge medium to large game I shoot a slower 200 grain ELD-X 30-06 at about 2600. Btw agreed on the TTSX, the only thing they are really good at is breaking shoulders and creating an exit for easier tracking
Not really, medium game, maybe.
Is a .243 a Big Game cartridge?
If not, no way in hell this guy is.
That being said-
Whole Lotta large game been taken by guys w/ .22lr while working their trap lines up North
NO!!! It is not!!!!
Stupid round
Is it useable? Yes. Is it ideal? Absolutely not.
It may be ideal. That is what this podcast is about. If your 300 yards and in and are recoil sensitive….this is ideal
So how much is Hornady paying to push this thing?
Probably a lot, but this is a really good cartridge meeting a middle ground the market was seeking. I cant say the same for 6.5 Gren (why?) and 22 ARC (22 Valkyrie but more newer?)
😂 It's nearly October in a couple days.
Deer season is here buddy. It's what we are talking about. And the 6arc is great if you have kids or hunt with the elderly.
@@Honkers716or just like shooting mild recoiling rifle. Have one in an AR and is really fun to shoot
6.5 PRC isn't enough so 6 ARC definitely isn't enough.
Dumb comment
No
For elk at 400, no. For a whitetail at 100, yes
@@adamwiggins5777most ppl can't shoot 400 yards anyways
Eric Cortina is proving that with his 500 yard deer challenge.
Jim from Backfire is also proving it with his 100-500yd water jug challenge.
So I say 6arc is a yes for Elk bc 95% of shooter miss at over 300 yards anyways
@@Honkers716 wrong
@@DinoNucciyou're so right, I should trust you and your "trust me bro" over Eric Cortina, who shoots f-class and Jim from Backfire, who has millions of views on his channel. 😂
Especially since you're the one that like your own comments on here to make it seem like someone actually agrees with you bc your ego needs to be inflated
Anything else?
@@Honkers716 WronG
I see lots of injured deer running away from moronic "hunters" in your future
What kind of energy does .357 or other pistol hunters’ cartridges have?
Don't project your lack of skill on to other people. There are plenty of people that say the 6.5 creedmoor sucks for deer hunting. Just stop.