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Hornady 6mm ARC: Right Balance Between The 5.56 and the 7.62?

The new Hornady 6mm ARC (Advanced Rifle Cartridge) is the latest cartridge to try to bridge the gap between the 5.56×45 and the 7.62×51 (.308) NATO standards.

The 5.56, of course, is a fit for smaller, lighter weapon platforms and allows soldiers to carry lots of ammo. The .308 provides greater effectiveness, especially at greater distances.

The Purpose Of The Hornady 6mm ARC

The Hornady 6mm ARC also fits into the short-action 5.56 platform. This new cartridge was recently tested, selected and fielded by a specialized group within the U.S. Department of Defense for its multipurpose combat rifle program.

The 6mm ARC is a truly versatile cartridge that maximizes the potential of the AR-15 platform. A good selection of bolt-action rifles are sure to be offered for this cartridge too.

While military applications are obvious, loads for civilian consumers will feature bullets selected to deliver ideal performance for hunting, match shooting and personal protection applications.

Initially, Hornady will offer the 6mm ARC in a 105-grain BTHP Hornady Black load and a 108-grain ELD Match load. This fall Hornady will add a 103-grain ELD-X Precision Hunter load. Hornady is also offering the components and dies necessary to reload the 6mm ARC.

“The 6mm ARC began with a simple question: What can we do with today’s technology to maximize the performance of the AR-15 platform?” Hornady Ballistician Jayden Quinlan said. “We subsequently modeled and tested a variety of designs in different calibers until we were able to produce the most flexible cartridge possible within the limits of the AR-15 system.”

This new cartridge delivers less felt recoil than larger short-action-based cartridges, yet takes full advantage of modern, heavy for caliber 6mm bullets that provide excellent accuracy and ballistic performance at extended range.

“The 6mm ARC does much of what larger cartridges can and everything that smaller cartridges can’t,” Quinlan said.

How Does The Hornady 6mm ARC Compare?

The 6mm ARC has better velocity and a flatter trajectory out to 1,000 yards and more than both the 5.56 and the .308. It has 54 percent less recoil than the .308. That means shooters have a better chance of spotting their own shots. And when you consider the entire platform – rifle and ammo – the 6mm ARC is 30 to 35 percent lighter than the .308.

At 400 yards, the .308 still has more energy (1,556 foot-pounds). However, the 6mm ARC has 1,062 ft-lbs., compared to 604 for the 5.56.

It has less wind deflection than the 5.56. The 6mm ARC is right in the middle when it comes to magazine capacity. A typical mag of 6mm ARC will hold 25 rounds, compared to 30 for the 5.56 and 20 for the .308.

What About Other Cartridges?

Compared to the .224 Valkyrie, the 6mm ARC is a better cartridge for deer-sized game. And it has a better splash signature, for shooters to spot their shots. The 6.5 Grendel has comparable performance, but the wider selection of 6mm bullets makes the 6mm ARC, which is based on the 6.5 Grendel case,  more versatile. And the 6mm ARC is a better long-range performer than the 6.8 SPC.

Gun Makers Quick To Offer Rifles In 6mm ARC

There’s already a long list of manufacturers turning out rifles chambered in 6mm ARC along with parts, such as bolt carrier groups and barrels. CMMG, for instance, just announced it’s adding the Hornady 6mm ARC to its RESOLUTE™ and ENDEAVOR™ families of rifles.

Those CMMG RESOLUTE™ and ENDEAVOR™ 100, 200 and 300 Series rifles come with a rifle-length gas system on both the 16-inch RESOLUTE barrel and 20-inch ENDEAVOR barrel. This allows for the rifles to have less felt recoil and lower extraction force, reducing wear and tear.

San Tan Tactical will be offering 6mm ARC rifles with Proof Research premium carbon fiber barrels.

CMC Triggers is offering an enhanced bolt carrier group with nitride finish for the 6mm ARC. It’s optimized for use with a suppressor. The rear of this bolt carrier is flared to reduce carrier tilt during recoil. With fewer points of contact, it provides less friction area and those bearing surfaces have been strategically relocated.

This bolt carrier group’s increased mass increases dwell time, ensures proper gas pressures and improves extraction reliability when shooting suppressed or short-barreled rifles.

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