Ep. 360 | The 6mm ARC - Is it Really a Big Game Cartridge?

[@jankegerreis7748]

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.

[@Mk16-bx3vi]

Doesn’t get any better congratulations ! Proud Pop

[@VortexNation]

@jankegerreis7748 We selected your comment as our comment of the week. Congrats on your families great deer hunting success! Reach out to us at [e-mail] and we'll work to get a couple sweatshirts headed your way! All the best! Mark B.

[@zacharyfelkel7924]

For deer I don’t think I’ve seen any other caliber drop deer faster than a 6mm/.243 cartridge. Never go wrong with that caliber with a good solid bullet these days. My wife’s buck a couple years back took 10 steps and was dead. Bullet went in through the front shoulder and busted his leg on the way out to the point it was flopping his couple of steps. (Creedmoor with 103 eldx). Building a 6 ARC right now to try out myself and once my kids get older it’s going to be their first rifle for deer. No recoil with my 22 arc barrel now so I’m assuming 6 arc should be even less.

[@chadillac95]

I'm a simple man. I see vortex has a new podcast, I listen. I see a podcast about 6mm arc, I listen. You guys sure know how to reel me in. Thanks for doing the testing that I can't afford and don't have time to do. Loved it! Love my 6mm ARC

[@NTEXHUNTER]

OMG!! The level of commitment and budget y’all spend for your viewers is amazing! Thanks Vortex for educating us and providing technical guidance.

[@adamwiggins5777]

6ARC is going to be my son’s first center fire rifle. Hard to beat for the size, weight and recoil

[@dudewekowski744]

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.

[@longstar550]

I built a howa stainless mini action in a B&C stock as a gun. Anyone big or small could pick up and shoot a 1 inch group at 250 yards or a deer. It does this easily.

[@disparity12]

My son took his first deer with this cartridge at 320. 5 1/2+ yr old mule doe ( teeth were so broken that it couldn’t be aged beyond that point) anchored her hard to the deck using a 103 factory loaded ELDX.

[@benjohnson3041]

My daughter shot my 22” gas gun ARC when she was 7!

[@jacobbaumgardner3406]

@@dudewekowski744if you have Grendel then stick to it, but 6 ARC is going to see an explosive rise in popularity now that Tier 1 operators are using it. I imagine it’ll see a lot of development and adoption, and will become more available as time goes on.

[@jordanreid29]

I think it’s time, you’ve got to give credit where credit is due. 7.62x39, it’s spawned some very interesting cartridges in the past few years. You really should do a full length episode on it.

[@jjgriffin3275]

MORE 6 ARC TESTING MORE BOOOOLITS!!!!!!!! THIS ROUND IS GETTING VERY POPULAR

[@josiahwise6160]

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

[@robinsok]

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.

[@josiahwise6160]

@@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.

[@robinsok]

@@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.

[@WayStedYou]

Seems like the 80 grain would be fine out to 400 plus based on how much the 95 grain opened up at 300 yards

[@lugnut93]

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.

[@andrewtisdale4186]

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.

[@theblishknovk]

Good to know!

[@CallSign_Aaron]

Out to what distances?

[@andrewtisdale4186]

@@CallSign_Aaron about 300 yards. Maybe you could stretch it out a little farther depending on skill level.

[@patrickgarner3623]

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.

[@longstar550]

​@userJohnSmith it not really a hunter cartridge in a gas gun unless your shots are close and dear are the biggest game you plan to shoot. However if you want to shoot deer, do PRS and have a a bolt and or gas gun it's a great choice. You could have one or three rifles capable of filling one or all roles with one cartridge making reloading or keeping an ammo supply easy. It's a versatile efficient cartridge that ends up being a lot like a mini 308 in many ways. I built my 6 arc so anyone big or small could easily shoot sub moa out to 300 yards and use the rifle for hunting.

[@longstar550]

@userJohnSmith I agree to small for elk

[@joearledge]

@userJohnSmith for perspective, 6 ARC's 52,000 PSI max, allows a 105gr, to do 2500 fps out of an 18". At 1,000 yrds, it's still doing 1225 fps with 350 ft/lbs of energy.... identical to a 115gr 9mm doing 1170 fps at the muzzle A 5.56 20" with 85gr doing 2725 fps(likely over 62K PSI) is doing 1031 fps at 1,000 yrds with 200 ft/lbs... That's about the best you will ever get out of any 5.56 gas gun, without a significantly longer barrel. The average 5.56 ammo and gun is closer to 100 ft/lbs at 1,000..... the average 22LR is 100 to 200 ft/lbs at the muzzle 308 with a 168gr doing 2650 fps from a 20", at 1,000 is still doing 1168 fps with 500 ft/lbs.... identical to a 185gr 45 ACP doing 1110 fps at the muzzle I'm not a new cartridge fan boy, but the 6 ARC fills that gap dead nuts in the middle.... I hope it becomes extremely common. I haven't run the numbers but in a 22" or 24" bolt gun and a 62K PSI max, 6 ARC probably tickles the taint of the 308.

[@E-swaggzzz4]

@userJohnSmithI’ve heard 6mm arc is good for mule deer

[@reillyberg7761]

Missed a good opportunity to do the 360 buckhammer on episode 360

[@jmjones7897]

@@reillyberg7761 It's the old .35/30-30 marginally attenuated and arbitrarily mandated @ 1.8" C.O.A.L Nothing it'll do that the original re-bore Wildcat( or .38-55 parent case/ cartridge) won't do when properly loaded in a post 1900ish rifle or carbine. The .30 WCF and .32 Win Special were made w/ Ordnance Steel from the jump Corrosive primers were definitely a thing, as well as folks reloaded the .32 w/ Black Powder 100+ years ago Whole Lotta shot out barrels re-bored to .35 in the last 130 years Pretty damn efficient little cartridge

[@reillyberg7761]

@jmjones7897 Or, hear me out, you can buy a factory gun, and factory ammo that performs slightly better than 35rem at less than $3/rd and not have to track down everything you said. Not everyone has the time, money, or want to do that.

[@FMDad-dm5qo]

@@reillyberg7761 lol exactly - one of the most (negative, stereotypical) gun forum boomer comments ever

[@Helfirearms]

Probably because the 360 buckhammer is already a lead balloon

[@jmjones7897]

Not a Boomer, pal. It's a. 35/30-30 Short, period. There's literally a good 10 million 30-30's out there and it's a $2-300 Dollar conversion to have someone else do the fucking work. It's the same case, same taper rimmed cartridge. You can shoot either one out of the same chamber; Your factory shit will comply w/ the hunting regs if you live in such a State. If and when you cant find this Next Big Thing at your local Big Box there will still be 30-30 brass and ammo everywhere you can buy either one. Not my fault y'all know jack shit about smithing or rolling your own ​@FMDad-dm5qo

[@drmann15]

The hardest part of every week is listening to Mark announce that I am not the comment of the week. #iwillearnoneofthosehoodies

[@mikebrown9997]

One of the best shows I have ever seen. Y'all are the best.

[@blakebell6720]

Incredibly impressed with this cartridge. Seeing the chronograph numbers with 80 grain Barnes is pretty incredible

[@chadperry4021]

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?

[@blakebell6720]

@@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

[@lakeloveday3964]

It would be great! I got a 20.5 inch bear with the 6.5 grendel at about 30ft and it did just dandy! ​@chadperry4021

[@philiplemar3821]

Ryan Muckenhirn throwing shade, "I'll see you on Spaghetti Shoot Out" LOL! Love this podcast. Always entertaining AND informative!

[@kountzer0]

Wish I could like this twice! That's nearly the exact comment I was going to add! I will add "It's nice to get a win" 😂

[@zr1vetteman09]

I’ve had a couple 6ARC’s now, and i reload extensively. It just flat shoots. I won’t buy another .243 Winchester at this point, and that cartridge has been a staple in my home since i was a child, in fact it was my first true deer rifle and thus my first deer rifle kill. Now enter the ARC, with less recoil, significantly reduced components usage, with 93-95% of the total performance of its bigger cousin the .243 win, all while adding options to its resume of being able to shoot a broader range of projectiles. I’ve loaded everything from 80 grain PSPs to 105Grain Barnes Match Burners and it eats all of it without complaint and in many cases it is faster than the youth .243 Winchester with the same bullet weights (Remington 770 Youth .243 Winchester shoots my Hornady Whitetail 100Gr SP rounds at 2550FPS), which is just mind boggling when you consider the difference in powder capacity. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the 243 win, but it has been all but put to pasture for me.

[@chadperry4021]

I just dusted my 243 off after 3 years to have some fun with my kids. I bought a few boxes of 75 grain vmax at 3500 fps and boy was it getting smiles. We hit soda a soup can, jar of peanut butter and a few cans of shaving cream. I still want a mini action in 6 arc, but the 243 was my first center fire and still one of my favorites.

[@zr1vetteman09]

@@chadperry4021​​⁠I dunno how you can afford to shoot .243, round my parts in Missouri it’s hard to find and $40-50 a box of 20

[@zr1vetteman09]

@@chadperry4021definitely still love the .243 but I’m shifting gears to the 6ARC.

[@pogeegitz]

I love the 130gr TGK in my 6.5 Grendel. Definitely underrated, especially for the price.

[@tylerphelps4868]

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

[@GummeeH3]

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

[@tylerphelps4868]

@@GummeeH3 there’s just a larger market for the 6arc at this time. Not a reloader, I just buy factory ammo and really only care about predator stuff

[@jacobbaumgardner3406]

It’s mainly because the program was already deep into development by the time 6 ARC was even a thing. I do wish they had gone a different route, and 6 ARC is now being used by tier 1 operators, so maybe something will change down the line.

[@stetsonspurs4680]

Because the Army gets a set budget and be damned if it won’t spend every last cent of it lol. Even it means spending the money and throwing the shit in the trash shortly after. The American tax dollar at work.

[@tylerphelps4868]

@@stetsonspurs4680 E6 here, plenty familiar with mil budgets lol

[@DarthDropkick]

After hearing about the 6mm ARC, I'm buying bolts guns for myself and my young daughter, who is turning into a real hunter. It's great to have an efficient cartridge that we can both shoot for 90% of our hunts

[@JimYeats]

I've got a 6ARC gas in with a Mos-Tek custom 12.5" barrel and it really does shoot just lights out. Velocity is 2,520 fps with the 103gr Hornady loading. I always find it interesting what we view as marginal, and what we don't view as marginal when it comes to hunting. We get hung up on "caliber", when all we should be looking at in this day and age is the bullet and velocity. For example, I just loaded up some 110gr Barnes TTSX in 308 Win for a light recoil sub 400 yard deer gun. Bunch of guys told me that is "way too light for caliber". Yet they're absolutely fine with taking large muley's with an 80gr-100gr bullet from a 243 Win that is going roughly the same velocity. Or using a 6mm ARC, or 6.5 Grendel, or 7.62x39, or 300 BO, etc etc. It's just interesting what we get hung up on. Heck, I'd much rather have a 6mm ARC at 100 yards on an Elk than I would a broadhead at 40 yards on an Elk, shot placement and all other things being equal (just to use as an example of what we view as marginal, and what we view as not marginal).

[@jonenlow8490]

Now we need a 6 Arc AR review with all factory loads

[@longridgearchery]

One thing to note as well. Looking at a 243 Winchester in common youth/compact configurations you will be stepping down to likely a 20”barrel. You could be looking at similar velocities with less recoil and noise.

[@lenzadlberger]

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

[@DaveL9170]

Move to a non Nazi country sir

[@lenzadlberger]

@@DaveL9170 you never been outside the US i think .... should have helped you to See other Countrys

[@DaveL9170]

@@lenzadlberger been to 54 countries while in military

[@lenzadlberger]

@@DaveL9170 then you should know better ... The Problem with 6 Arc is only Hornady Produce it no other Ammo Manufacturer that is the Real Problem and that 6 Arc is not legal for everything else then Roe Deer in Germany, 6.5 minimum Caliber 2000 Joule at 100m is Minimum for Red Deer, Wild Boar, Fellow .... P.s. in whole Europe 6 Arc never took of cause poor Supply of Hornady

[@cristianespinal9917]

​@@lenzadlberger yoy guys have some very high energy requirements. My .300 Blackout doesn't make that much at the muzzle and still did just as well on 2 big Whitetail does as my .270 Winchester. Hell, I took a buck with a .44 Magnum revolver last year, and it only had 850 FPE (~1150 Joules) at the muzzle. That was plenty for the deer, and I wouldn't hesitate to use that load against boar. What are the most popular hunting cartridges in Germany? Do hunters usually take long shots or is hunting more typically in the woods at closer ranges?

[@TimBinns68]

Please do the 6mm ARC vs 6.5 Grendel, factory loads

[@robinsok]

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.

[@phild9813]

300 with those 110s is a killer and a great and much cheaper alternative to the 6/6.5/6.8 choices. Super underrated option in my opinion.

[@robinsok]

@@phild9813 agreed. They do the job very well.

[@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz]

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.

[@joshrunion5594]

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.

[@joshrunion5594]

@userJohnSmith I was just glancing at the energy numbers on the hornady website and theyre almost identical between the 103 eldx and the 123 sst. The trajectory is better with the 6arc but only marginally at best

[@InfamousTactical]

I would love to see the vortex staff have more of a presence at the Wisconsin prs matches. Vortex has been an awesome sponsor for us for sure. But would love to see the boys come out and play !

[@headcarter4656]

Had my 6arc since July 2024 and have now taken a 8 point at 50yrd and two does at 190yrds. The buck was 190lbs and the 108gr eld-m gave complete pass thru breaking 1 rib entering 2 ribs on exit, ran about 45y. The does dropped in there tracks with the high shoulder shot, with the 108gr eld-m. Very satisfied!

[@johnkellmer5133]

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.

[@Skyhawks1979]

I purchased an AR in 6mm ARC about a year ago. If I could only own one rifle ( i own many) that had to do everything for me it would be a 6mm ARC in an AR-15 platform. So versatile.

[@jjgriffin3275]

The Question is - Do you get the 6 ARC in the new Ruger Gen 2 or a how mini action in a chassi?

[@michaelcervantez3570]

I bought both ❤

[@Mk16-bx3vi]

Bought Ruger gen2 ,I’m impressed

[@leskrug9266]

So are you going to do a podcast with Greg Ritz with Thompson center now that they are coming back in 2025?

[@spencertruman2004]

Yes! I hope they do. I've been wanting a new icon and venture 2 for a while now I can't wait

[@phild9813]

They are definitely pumping up the return of TC. I’m interested to see where they end up with quality and consistent ability for most new rifles to shoot great groups.

[@jjgriffin3275]

CMMG Upper 6 ARC shoots Hornady 80CX, 90CX, 95SST, 90ELDX all at 0.75" groups at 100 using LeveEvolution.

[@theblishknovk]

Which version? The resolute or the other one? Cant remember the name. Im looking at that resolute upper.

[@jjgriffin3275]

@@theblishknovk the 16" barrel model, do not remember where from

[@theblishknovk]

@@jjgriffin3275 piston or di?

[@jjgriffin3275]

it would be the Resolute upper model

[@theblishknovk]

@@jjgriffin3275 awesome! Thats the one im lookin at!

[@918Mitchell]

6mm ARC has a great future ahead of it.

[@paulc8109]

I'm curious to know why you didn't test the Hornady CX 90 grain. I'll test a hand load of the Hornady CX 90 grain from the Horandy 11th manual next week for ya.

[@VortexNation]

@paulc8109 No reason outside of not being able to do them all lol:) Hornady makes great ammo/projectiles!...Let us know how it does. Mark B.

[@FightinWinchukian-i1x]

I shot a spike blacktail buck a few weeks back with my 22" Howa mini. Nosler Partition 85 gr @ 3050 fps at 200 yards. pass thru shoulder shot. it ran for a bit but was dead on it's feet as I concernedly racked another 85gr into the pipe. I love my 6mm arc.ultimate Columbian Blacktail rifle! I was inspired to build mine from your carbon fiber stalker I saw on your super cool channel. thanks Vortex dudes!

[@JohnHabbinga]

Thanks for covering 6mm ARC especially using bolt-action rifles for hunting. I have taken a whitetail with a 100 gr InterLock and a conservative load of Ramshot TAC. The results were ideal for the situation. Next, do 6mm Creedmoor!

[@realreviews2003]

I've got everything I need to finalize a bolt action build with the 6arc for antelope hunting in the west. Built with MDT LSS-XL Chassis, Zermatt TL3-SA action, PPC bolt, Triggertech Diamond 2-Stage trigger, all I need now is the prefit barrel. I think this convinced me that yes, the 6arc would be an excellent choice for this hunting application, with the right bullet and out to about 400yds max. If I'm off here, please chime in, but I'm close to closing the deal and getting barrel on the way. Then a call to Coppercreek to assist with the loads. Thoughts?

[@Eye_Guard]

Another good job, fellas. Thanks!

[@warrenruppart8567]

Great content and discussion, as usual!

[@bandit848]

@20:34 Can y'all explain how a loading that will work properly in a gas gun can be anemic for a bolt gun? I get that you can get more out of it, but I would imagine that if this was a great issue, it would work the other way. Going towards the idea of "gallery loads," the weaker load will fail in a gas gun long before it fails in a bolt gun.

[@CarsonSchell-l3b]

Can’t wait for 22 arc podcast over Christmas! Will Mr.243 (Aka Ryan) and myself (22-250 enthusiast) finally find common ground?

[@luckylager26]

Thanks for all the great content, guys! I really enjoy the cartridge/projectile podcasts. I recently set up a Ruger M77 in .257 Roberts (topped with a Viper HS 2.5-10x44) for my son. Living in CA, I had to get into hand loading to have a non-lead option. Your reloading episodes helped a lot. I’ve selected the Hornady 90gr CX and it has been shooting great, but after watching this episode I’m curious about the Barnes 101gr LRX. Any chance of a .257 Roberts VS 25-06 episode featuring the CX and LRX??? Selfishly asking for a friend. Thanks!!

[@skippygus73]

I've been waiting for these 2 videos since the first cartridge talk. The green tips are really good shooting and fast. LVR powder behind it is awesome from an 18" barrel getting 2900 fps. I'm shooting it at 2875. All hunting has been with the TTSX and CX. Did get 2 100 lbs pigs with 1 shot with the CX. Ear hole on the front and bread basket on the second. Both tipped over next to each other. Next pig will be with the ELD X.

[@skippygus73]

Would have liked to see the sst and interlock as well

[@mikebrown9997]

I have an AR7.62x39 . What would I have to replace to be able to chamber the 6arc or the 6.8spc?

[@ChrisLegg-i6s]

Nice 2 part bullets and cartridge review bang on seeing the performance of some of the top 6mm bullets worth watching even if your not interested in the 6 arc

[@tylerthorson7798]

Do you guys have a ballistics gel test of the federal terminal ascent, or trophy bonded tip bullet? I'd love to know their performance

[@tomforeman4976]

My question is why did hornady sacrifice the 224 Valkyrie for the 6 arc? The Valkyrie was great out of a 24 inch barrel that they released with and I got mine in a 7 twist and wish I had done a 6.5 twist. But is great and out shoots the 6 arc I have.

[@timbjork2098]

I got a 6 arc for my ar and I just got it because it was going to be my yote gun. And if it had to pull double duty with antelope and close deer it can do it.

[@Skyhawks1979]

Perfect usage.

[@stetsonspurs4680]

Out side rolling your own ammo, do you guys think Federal, Remington, or Winchester is ever gonna load factory ammo for it? It’s been out a few years now with not much ammo support other then Hornady of course.

[@alexclayton9475]

Since vortex nation is doing videos on 6 mm arc, can the next lead balloon be on 243 wssm?

[@warnniklz]

Was thinking of going ARC... but decided to go GT because... can't really get a hunting rifle off the shelf. Sure browning has some target rifles, but went ultralight 6GT to pack around the breaks for mule deer. Been trying to baptize it on a black bear, but shot placement, shot placement and size of bear

[@brandonurbaniak1890]

The lack of expansion on that 2600 and 2200 fps impact for the Barnes and the small permanent wound cavity is the reason why I do not use traditional monolithics. If I am going to use a mono in something like a 6mm ARC it will either be a Cavityback or a Maker. I also wonder if the ELDx penetrated further than the Accubond due to the higher sectional density.

[@benbreakfast4314]

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

[@chadillac95]

I wish they'd load the LRX, but they don't subscribe to the same hunting theory as I do and load bullets that are made to enter the animal and stay in the animal

[@jfess1911]

The SAAMI spec max pressure was designed to give good bolt life with a standard AR15 ARC/Grendel bolt. A lot of these bolts get broken when pressure is pushed up. Hornady has two sets of loading info, with the "gas gun" at 52,000 psi at "bolt gun" at 62,000psi.

[@sthompson5254]

I built a 6arc last year and smoked a doe 2 weeks later. 18" Wilson combat stainless barrel and it has to be sub MOA. The doe ran 20 yards. The Hornady ELDX put a pin hole entry wound and had a half dollar size exit while removing a nice chunk of lung. It was a 70 yard shot and it worked great. I've gotten into neck shooting deer, but I wanted to try a traditional shot with this round out of pure curiosity. I live in SC and our deer aren't huge, but I can't imagine that with good shot placement, this wouldn't drop a big buck.

[@jeremyvogtmann2660]

I have a 22” Rainer barreled gas gun. It is so fun To shoot, POI barely moves from 80 gr VT to 105 black to 108 match. For me, it is a varmint round that could work on Antelope. Med size deer with the right bullet. Not my 5th choice but it is so fun to shoot and economical at the bench. And I love that factory ammo shoots so well. My Cooper in 6mm rem is way more effective on target but has to be hand-loaded for really good performance and 9 twist still struggles with the high BC stuff. Great topic and interesting results. Shoot the TGK at 40 yards with a rack of ribs in front of it!

[@KimDavis-n5t]

I started shooting Sierra game Kings when I was 14. I'm 63. Now if velocities are under 2,900 ft. Per second they work great above. They are a little too fragile. They'll come apart but I do love my ttsx's

[@DWShooting]

What do you guys think of the 224 valkyrie? I would love to see an episode talking about it

[@chadlowery5672]

In regard to the Sierra TMK ( Game Changer ) I haven’t ran the 6mm variety but have been running a bunch of the 6.5mm 130 & 140’s for several years in 260 REM, 6.5 CM & 6.5 PRC’s, they shoot fantastically well in every rifle I have ran them in producing very consistently small groups, have shot them to 1100 yds…the BC gets tricky to true up past 75-800 yards in my experience, at hunting distances 500 and in they perform fantastic…I have taken 3 pronghorn antelope and 4-5 whitetail deer with the 6.5mm Game changers…ranges from 100-525 yards…all critters very dead in short order, I have yet to recover a bullet they have all been complete pass throughs with devastating damage internally…great hunting bullet with match bullet accuracy!

[@joegonzalez5602]

Has anyone used hornady black in 6mm arc on deer? I know it's not recommended for hunting, but I have taken deer and hogs with hornady black using 223. Would love to hear your feedback.

[@MitchellAshton-s3v]

What made Ryan go with the Howa Carbon Stalker 6ARC @ 4lbs 10oz over the Howa Superlite .243 @ 4lbs 3oz?

[@y2rhf]

Higher bc bullets and lighter recoil.

[@brian770]

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.

[@SpudOutdoors]

Shoot a cavity back bullet you should be able to double the expansion than the Barnes bullet.

[@gerardcorreale7760]

how about the barn burner????. the 6.5/300 wby magnum pretty hard too beat

[@JAKesler]

Would love to see the post hunt after action report with the 6 arc !

[@boltactoinbarney]

109 berger ht long range works very well in the 6 arc

[@JKForty7]

This or 6.5 creedmoor in leu of a polymer framed striker fire pistol for one of my top 5 non-shtf firearms?

[@briansexton1759]

I'm shooting 6.5 grendel out of gas gun 120gr gold dot at 2600 fps. Deadly on whitetail

[@jP-nw7nm]

LOVE THIS CHANNEL!

[@patrioticguy1791]

I run Nosler 95 gr BT in my 6mm ARC with Hornady brass, CCI 41 primer and AA2520 at 2835 FPS. That is more than effective for deer size game.

[@aaronquickle4575]

Hold Mark to this one!

[@LeakyJoosbox]

In relation to this and the last video "top non-shtf guns", i would really like to see a video on the 6.5 prc since the guys were so behind it

[@newscoulomb3705]

The LRX are still supposed to be within their expansion threshold at 1600 fps, so that expansion at 2200-2300 fps at 300 yards was a little disappointing. It's hard to imagine it would behave that different from an FMJ at 1600 fps.

[@angelosantora6625]

I bought a 6.5 Grendel over the 6 arc in a howa mini action do to a lil heavier bullet and factory ammo for plinking with it. My goal is to get into hand loading to spice up my hunting bullets. Mainly northeast whitetail and predators.

[@headcarter4656]

You never have to shoot until you have the shot that you desire!

[@DakotaMaxfield]

Im a bit behind on my guns and ammo, but I had never heard of a 6mm arc... guess what I'm looking to buy now! Please don't tell my wife😅

[@DustinSwanson-c1r]

There's lots of trendy rounds out now,its definitely an awesome round for an ar platform vs a 5.56 but big game, it's definitely debatable. Hence this podcast lol

[@john-draftanimal]

For sure the Horneday offerings Black BTHP, ELD-M, ELD-x (hunting) is made for gas guns but not necessarily SBR. They are spec'd with 18" barrel. Yes on max length for AR mags, and lower pressure for max gas gun SAAMI spec.

[@HansRoarWolstad-zp5uk]

How does the 6mm max compere?

[@jonenlow8490]

Need more factory loads

[@joearledge]

The problem with Sierra is availability. Multiple companies have less than zero interest in even trying to meet market demand, while they simultaneously double their prices, so people are starting to not use those companies anymore. Even if it's the best bullet to ever be invented, if you can only find 1 box per decade, or you can't afford the price, then it's useless.

[@eskimoreloader]

I have 6mm ARC inside 500. I have 6mm creedmoor further than 500 on target. I personally don't long range hunt

[@trg3761]

reloading with 80 gr be a good choice for coyotes

[@anthonymeyer183]

Whats your knowledge on the 204

[@M1911jln]

But doesn't 6 ARC have a problem with bolt failures, due to the very thin area of the bolt surrounding the case head?

[@hulley5223]

Yes, and feeding issues. You don't have these problems with 6mm Max.

[@GreyGooser-uh5ez]

If you get a good quality bolt like JP enterprises, you don’t have that issue.

[@jjgriffin3275]

old news that problem was solved a while back

[@orr89rocz]

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

[@josiahwise6160]

I think it depends what you want to do. If you’re looking to shoot a little further then the ARC has an advantage.

[@orr89rocz]

@@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.

[@josiahwise6160]

@@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

[@lakeloveday3964]

Had good luck with the 6 arc on late cow hunts last winter using the 103 eldx, killed one at 495 and one right at 700. Both were one shot and got a pass through on the 495 cow. I'm sold on it for deer and antelope for the kids and wife!!

[@natenotabot1234]

For those interested in a Gas Gun Loading with the 90Gr STGK (since nobody has it listed) Gas Gun Loading not published with any Reloading company. >400 rounds tested. 18” Barrel 82F° 2630 FPS 16” Barrel 92°F 2615 FPS 90gr Sierra Game Changer 26.5gr Hogdon Benchmark Federal GM205 SRP Starline Brass We tested a 26.8gr loading, and gained 40 FPS, but it showed ejector swiping and you could feel the difference. So we’re running 26.5 because it’s a safe bet. I will likely try to work it up by another 0.2 gr down the road. Other powders I tried: 27.8 varget came in at 2568 FPS

[@rogerj77]

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!

[@anthonymeyer183]

Great knowledge thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@TopherKolkman]

who remembers when Mark (I really like you Mark, but i have to) in Ep. 268 | The Best Cartridge for Whitetails? named 6.5 Creedmore as the best cartridge for whitetails?

[@LowSpeedHighDrag5]

Y’all shoulda had Wade Chandler on for this episode!! He’s the ARC Daddy!!

[@ericford8556]

When are you guys going to test Hammer bullets??????

[@redleg84]

Need more gel testing of cartridges and bullets

[@amn1308]

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.

[@williamjarman7466]

I have a six millimeter arc, seventy five grain hotnady vt, as well as 90 some grain black.

[@williamjarman7466]

I also have a 6.5 p r c shooting hornedy eldx at az couse deer and never had an exit but my brother's 6.5 creedmore in the same bullet he got exit wounds and less fragmentation in the meat.

[@DustinSwanson-c1r]

Barley, I've seen moose taken with a 243 but would i consider it a big game cartridge, maybe but not a real dedicated one . With excellent shot placement almost anything could take out big game.

[@jjgriffin3275]

RYAN - we are now in NOv, how did you fare in Oct w this rifle hunting????????????

[@jakeeames725]

Use a proof barrel and a jp enhanced bolt and load to max. I have over 1000 rounds no problem. Have a extra bolt in case it breaks. Worth the extra performance vs wear and they are being very cautious on the gas gun data.