Is .338 ARC The 8.6 Blackout KILLER?

Published on April 13, 2025
Duration: 36:05

The .338 ARC is a new caliber designed for the AR-15 platform, aiming to bridge the gap between 300 Blackout and 8.6 Blackout. While technically compatible with AR-15 lowers and 6.5 Grendel/6 ARC bolts, it faces significant challenges with magazine reliability. Ballistic gel tests show 8.6 Blackout offers superior lethality due to its twist rate, and 300 Blackout is more practical, leaving the .338 ARC in a difficult position despite its potential.

Quick Summary

The .338 ARC is a new AR-15 caliber designed to bridge the gap between 300 Blackout and 8.6 Blackout. While technically compatible, it suffers from significant magazine reliability issues. Ballistic tests show 8.6 Blackout is more lethal due to its twist rate, and 300 Blackout is more practical, making the .338 ARC a niche option.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: .338 ARC vs 8.6 Blackout
  2. 01:27Brand Relationships & Disclosures
  3. 02:30Testing Methodology Explained
  4. 03:21Ammunition Comparison: .338 ARC, 8.6 BLK, 300 BLK
  5. 05:36.338 ARC AR-15 Compatibility
  6. 07:03Magazine Reliability Issues for .338 ARC
  7. 11:09Ballistics Gel Testing: Wound Cavities
  8. 15:29Gel Results: 8.6 BLK Twist Rate Advantage
  9. 20:04Chronograph & Long Range Ballistics
  10. 23:37Final Conclusion: Lethality vs Practicality

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the .338 ARC and how does it compare to 8.6 Blackout?

The .338 ARC is a new caliber designed for the AR-15 platform, aiming to offer more power than 300 Blackout while remaining compatible with AR-15 components. It is compared against the 8.6 Blackout, a larger caliber typically found in AR-10 or short-action platforms, which exhibits superior lethality due to its faster twist rate.

What are the main challenges with the .338 ARC caliber?

The primary challenge identified for the .338 ARC is magazine reliability. Testing revealed frequent feeding failures, indicating a significant hurdle in developing dependable delivery systems for this cartridge within the AR-15 platform.

How does the .338 ARC perform in ballistic gel tests compared to 8.6 Blackout?

In ballistic gel tests, the 8.6 Blackout showed a more pronounced wound cavity due to its 1:3 twist rate, creating a 'death spiral' effect. The .338 ARC did expand, but its cavity was smaller, and it was generally considered less lethal than the 8.6 Blackout in this specific test.

Is the .338 ARC a viable alternative to 300 Blackout or 8.6 Blackout?

The .338 ARC is a capable round ballistically, but its practicality is hindered by magazine reliability issues. The speaker suggests 8.6 Blackout is more lethal and 300 Blackout is more practical, placing the .338 ARC in a niche position due to its delivery system challenges.

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