The Build List: eaglerun23.com/blog/f/338-spectre-project Thanks for watching the longer version of this project/process. Moving forward, reloads will have the longer deeper dive and eaglerun23 main channel shorter and more concise projects. Or versions of the SAME project.
I just recently came upon the 338 Spectre... and I gotta say, I'm stoked... and bummed. I'm stoked, because it's a near-perfect for me and my skill range. I'm not a great shot beyond 500m. I don't ever expect to develop the skill set, nor do I intend to purchase the equipment. I'm also a huge fan of carbines. I wish SBR would submit this for SAAMI approval. I'd really like to see some industry developments for it... and that's never going to happen without the SAAMI stamp. When I saw this, I immediately pictured a compact, 1/6 or 1/9 twist thumper... maybe even a bullpup.... with a thumb-over design like Kel-Tec's RDB Survival, with wood furniture, with just enough stock behind the action for a stubby buffer and an extra ~15/20 round triple stack short mag. Would make a great pack-side rifle, truck gun, ranch rifle, etc.. The carry and function of a P90, the friendliness of wood furniture and a thumb-over stock, and the effectiveness and broad projectile selection of .338. 150/180gr rapid expansion hollow points for supersonic loads, and 225/250gr polymer tips for quiet work.
Have hunted with subsonic Blackout with disappointing results. As much as it's cool and quiet all animals needed a follow-up shot to humanely dispatch. When you think about it, 220gn subsonics in both Spectre and Blackout are really just an accurate 45 handgun. Handguns pencil through with only crush trail and no temporary wound cavity. A few more grams in a new calibre is not going to encourage consumers who can do the same with their existing 223 bolts and mags by going Blackout. 308 bullets are also a lot cheaper, even the heavy ones. Unlike Blackout, Spectre cases based on the parent 10mm Magnum are almost unobtainium. Plus you need a 6.8SPC bolt and mags. Same with the 6.8arc needing Grendel bolts and mags. Unless you are shooting way more than 220gn then there is no benefit over Blackout on the specs. One benefit to all these new AR15 6.8 subsonic calibres is to use the platform's full power-factor potential. A 220 Blackout uses only 2/3 of the peak pressure potential. If you can up that by using more bullet weight to a peak pressure round then I suppose that would be something - but it still sucks for hunting without a reliable subsonic hunting projectile. All the 308 hunting projectiles act like monoliths when subsonic. They are designed to open up at much higher velocities. And the green tip 220 Nosler RN specifically designed for Blackout was pulled because it was inherently unstable; you couldn't get it to group tightly. LeHigh exotic projies are not heavy enough and earlier there was talk of them coming apart in suppressors (RPM for subsonic calibres too high with 1:7 twist). Best you can do is use a match bullet and hope it tumbles on hitting flesh (e.g. the 220SMK). Without dedicated 6.8 expanding bullets at subsonic velocities this cartridge won't hold a candle to Blackout. And Blackout is still waiting for a viable subsonic bullet. While 6.5Grendel and 6.8SPC represent clear improvements over the venerable .223, these two subsonic calibres are still the poor cousins. But... subsonic/suppressed is still cool to shoot.
The 338 specter has the same issue as the 8.6 blackout. They went with a 338 projectile instead of 9mm. I already own multiple 9mm suppressors and i don't want to start all over with another bullet diameter. I tried one of my cans on a buddy's 8.6 and it helped, but it was significantly louder than it was with a proper .338 suppressor. Q went with 338 because it was one of the most uncommon calibers for suppresors so they had a monopoly for a short time after it was released. And the fanboys line up and said "take my money" for guns with mediocre build quality.
The reason they chose the 338 had very little to do with Q's market share of compatible suppressors. The reason they chose 338, is due to the broad pre-existing market. You'd be hard pressed to find another rifle round with such a broad selection of profiles, composition, weights, and design features. You simply can't find a range that broad in 9mm for the North America market. You can find a 338 bullet to align with damned near any load you could ever dream of. You want a 130 grain hollow point that will expand on small varmints? Got it. You want a polymer tip for whitetail, mule deer, or hogs? Got it. You want a 300+ grain boat tail Spitzer tip thumper with great subsonic consistency? Got that too... and everything between. As for cans... I mean, if you're going to play with a wildcat round, you're already committed to a money pit. Might as well buy the appropriate suppressor. If you're nickel-and-diming over accessories, wildcat cartridges probably aren't for you.
@@JamesCopeland-i1j that argument can be made, but fact is, I have only seen a couple bullet weights used in the 8.6 loadings. And the VAST majority of shooters are gonna buy off the shelf ammo. And if I am wildcatting that is even less reason to do it in an off the wall size that has 2 suppressors on the market. The custom built rifle is expensive enough, if I can use the suppressors that I already own, it would be a bonus. But then Q can't sell their proprietary crap
@@jacktheaviator4938 - sounds like a lot of butthurt, to me. Whatever suits you, guy 👍 Much like women... just because they're not for you, doesn't mean the rest of us have to do without.
I disagree. I honestly think 338 Spectre deserves submission to SAAMI. 300BLK, even subsonic, still has a lot of gas with a can, and still runs dirty in a gas-operated platform. 338 Spectre runs cleaner. It also carries it's energy far longer than 300 BLK at subsonic. Sure, 8.6 BLK can do the same thing, 'cause you're pushing the same projectile... but it runs comparably dirty, because it's also over-gassed. For bolt action, this isn't an issue... but it's still over-gassed. Just to give you an idea... 8.6 has enough powder/pressure to push it way past 800 yards with authority. Plenty of energy to put most anything down... but in a high twist barrel, the feasible accuracy, even on a bench, runs out at about the 600 mark. 300 BLK and 8.6 BLK definitely "cover the range"... but as a non-operator who just wants the flexibility of single cartridge to function well, both supersonic AND suppressed, out to 400 yards or so... I'd rather have 338 Spectre. -it runs cleaner -you still get the versatility of .338 projectiles -it would be significantly less expensive -it's easier on the firearm -packages better -would be better optimized for the growing SBR market -probably the best carbine cartridge to-date... and would bridge the gap PERFECTLY between standard PCCs and current intermediate cartridge offerings
@@JamesCopeland-i1j depends on what powder you use and how you load it. Depends on barrel length and if you use piston or adjustable gas block for any of it to matter.
@Wade-1 #1- powder changes can't increase bullet mass #2- 8.6 Blackout won't fit standard AR15 action stroke/chamber #3- 338 Spectre fits AR15 action, carries more energy at subsonic than 300 BO, with a broader selection of bullet profiles.
sorry matt, this is a new caliber for me and my viewers, so lots of info to cover, there are more videos coming, I am awaiting my gas block to finish my build, we will shoot halworx ammo for now and learn to reaload this caliber over the winter. hang out man, were having fun!
![YoungBoy Never Broke Again - Catch Me [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/KxwEXXFQMTY/mqdefault.jpg)
The Build List: eaglerun23.com/blog/f/338-spectre-project
Thanks for watching the longer version of this project/process. Moving forward, reloads will have the longer deeper dive and eaglerun23 main channel shorter and more concise projects. Or versions of the SAME project.
Wow, that Anderson billet receiver set looks great
Love the. Channel and hope for more . Keep doing what your doing
Callaway Ballistics 9mm subsonic ammo got me hooked, movie quiet
Reach out to AP2020 and FullLeadTaco, both have done work with this round. FLT even built a bolt action in 338Spectre.
I have reached out to FLT, we spoke some, maybe do some more and maybe do a live? Nito and I have talked too but mostly about 8.6 blackout.
My first shots stove piped, not blowing the bolt back far enough. Using standard ar buffer and spring
I have standard ar in mine too. And my gas block is all the way open.
I just recently came upon the 338 Spectre... and I gotta say, I'm stoked... and bummed.
I'm stoked, because it's a near-perfect for me and my skill range. I'm not a great shot beyond 500m. I don't ever expect to develop the skill set, nor do I intend to purchase the equipment. I'm also a huge fan of carbines.
I wish SBR would submit this for SAAMI approval. I'd really like to see some industry developments for it... and that's never going to happen without the SAAMI stamp.
When I saw this, I immediately pictured a compact, 1/6 or 1/9 twist thumper... maybe even a bullpup.... with a thumb-over design like Kel-Tec's RDB Survival, with wood furniture, with just enough stock behind the action for a stubby buffer and an extra ~15/20 round triple stack short mag.
Would make a great pack-side rifle, truck gun, ranch rifle, etc.. The carry and function of a P90, the friendliness of wood furniture and a thumb-over stock, and the effectiveness and broad projectile selection of .338.
150/180gr rapid expansion hollow points for supersonic loads, and 225/250gr polymer tips for quiet work.
We are gonna run with it and try to bring it alive again!
Im sorry but that logo on the hat really needs a redesign Halworx
They are a pretty small outfit, they make REALLY good ammo, regardless, haha
Nothing about the twist rate?
most all spectre is 1-5. my mostek is 1-5
This is great because I started on the spc build now I can do a Spector build just an upper swap I'm guessing
Yup!
What buffer spring and buffer did you use
i am currently running the standard ar15 one
Have hunted with subsonic Blackout with disappointing results. As much as it's cool and quiet all animals needed a follow-up shot to humanely dispatch. When you think about it, 220gn subsonics in both Spectre and Blackout are really just an accurate 45 handgun. Handguns pencil through with only crush trail and no temporary wound cavity. A few more grams in a new calibre is not going to encourage consumers who can do the same with their existing 223 bolts and mags by going Blackout. 308 bullets are also a lot cheaper, even the heavy ones.
Unlike Blackout, Spectre cases based on the parent 10mm Magnum are almost unobtainium. Plus you need a 6.8SPC bolt and mags. Same with the 6.8arc needing Grendel bolts and mags. Unless you are shooting way more than 220gn then there is no benefit over Blackout on the specs. One benefit to all these new AR15 6.8 subsonic calibres is to use the platform's full power-factor potential. A 220 Blackout uses only 2/3 of the peak pressure potential. If you can up that by using more bullet weight to a peak pressure round then I suppose that would be something - but it still sucks for hunting without a reliable subsonic hunting projectile. All the 308 hunting projectiles act like monoliths when subsonic. They are designed to open up at much higher velocities. And the green tip 220 Nosler RN specifically designed for Blackout was pulled because it was inherently unstable; you couldn't get it to group tightly. LeHigh exotic projies are not heavy enough and earlier there was talk of them coming apart in suppressors (RPM for subsonic calibres too high with 1:7 twist). Best you can do is use a match bullet and hope it tumbles on hitting flesh (e.g. the 220SMK).
Without dedicated 6.8 expanding bullets at subsonic velocities this cartridge won't hold a candle to Blackout. And Blackout is still waiting for a viable subsonic bullet. While 6.5Grendel and 6.8SPC represent clear improvements over the venerable .223, these two subsonic calibres are still the poor cousins. But... subsonic/suppressed is still cool to shoot.
16 in barrel
The 338 specter has the same issue as the 8.6 blackout. They went with a 338 projectile instead of 9mm. I already own multiple 9mm suppressors and i don't want to start all over with another bullet diameter. I tried one of my cans on a buddy's 8.6 and it helped, but it was significantly louder than it was with a proper .338 suppressor.
Q went with 338 because it was one of the most uncommon calibers for suppresors so they had a monopoly for a short time after it was released. And the fanboys line up and said "take my money" for guns with mediocre build quality.
The reason they chose the 338 had very little to do with Q's market share of compatible suppressors.
The reason they chose 338, is due to the broad pre-existing market. You'd be hard pressed to find another rifle round with such a broad selection of profiles, composition, weights, and design features. You simply can't find a range that broad in 9mm for the North America market.
You can find a 338 bullet to align with damned near any load you could ever dream of. You want a 130 grain hollow point that will expand on small varmints? Got it. You want a polymer tip for whitetail, mule deer, or hogs? Got it. You want a 300+ grain boat tail Spitzer tip thumper with great subsonic consistency? Got that too... and everything between.
As for cans... I mean, if you're going to play with a wildcat round, you're already committed to a money pit. Might as well buy the appropriate suppressor. If you're nickel-and-diming over accessories, wildcat cartridges probably aren't for you.
@@JamesCopeland-i1j that argument can be made, but fact is, I have only seen a couple bullet weights used in the 8.6 loadings. And the VAST majority of shooters are gonna buy off the shelf ammo. And if I am wildcatting that is even less reason to do it in an off the wall size that has 2 suppressors on the market. The custom built rifle is expensive enough, if I can use the suppressors that I already own, it would be a bonus. But then Q can't sell their proprietary crap
@@jacktheaviator4938 - sounds like a lot of butthurt, to me. Whatever suits you, guy 👍
Much like women... just because they're not for you, doesn't mean the rest of us have to do without.
Hey now, Demolition Ranch has shown me I can shoot a 223 in a 40 caliber Glock.
well...... hahaha
Can you give a link to howards please
Halworx ballistics :)
I'm sorry but 338 spectre is silly imo. 300 blk out and 8.6 cover the range imo.
I am beginning to feel the same. Seems the juice aint worth the squeeze.
I disagree. I honestly think 338 Spectre deserves submission to SAAMI.
300BLK, even subsonic, still has a lot of gas with a can, and still runs dirty in a gas-operated platform.
338 Spectre runs cleaner. It also carries it's energy far longer than 300 BLK at subsonic.
Sure, 8.6 BLK can do the same thing, 'cause you're pushing the same projectile... but it runs comparably dirty, because it's also over-gassed. For bolt action, this isn't an issue... but it's still over-gassed. Just to give you an idea... 8.6 has enough powder/pressure to push it way past 800 yards with authority. Plenty of energy to put most anything down... but in a high twist barrel, the feasible accuracy, even on a bench, runs out at about the 600 mark.
300 BLK and 8.6 BLK definitely "cover the range"... but as a non-operator who just wants the flexibility of single cartridge to function well, both supersonic AND suppressed, out to 400 yards or so... I'd rather have 338 Spectre.
-it runs cleaner
-you still get the versatility of .338 projectiles
-it would be significantly less expensive
-it's easier on the firearm
-packages better
-would be better optimized for the growing SBR market
-probably the best carbine cartridge to-date... and would bridge the gap PERFECTLY between standard PCCs and current intermediate cartridge offerings
spectre is good! like mine a lot!
@@JamesCopeland-i1j depends on what powder you use and how you load it. Depends on barrel length and if you use piston or adjustable gas block for any of it to matter.
@Wade-1
#1- powder changes can't increase bullet mass
#2- 8.6 Blackout won't fit standard AR15 action stroke/chamber
#3- 338 Spectre fits AR15 action, carries more energy at subsonic than 300 BO, with a broader selection of bullet profiles.
I made it 2/3rds through your video waiting for you to get down to brass tacks about 338 Spectre.
Decided it wasn't worth waiting any longer.
sorry matt, this is a new caliber for me and my viewers, so lots of info to cover, there are more videos coming, I am awaiting my gas block to finish my build, we will shoot halworx ammo for now and learn to reaload this caliber over the winter. hang out man, were having fun!
you know, I listed to 1-2 hour podcasts all the time, I just checked this is an 11min video, do I make that bad of a video? sheesh
@@EagleReloads yes.
@@EagleReloads but I will continue to watch as things progress.
Callaway Ballistics 9mm subsonic ammo got me hooked, movie quiet