Is the .338 ARC going to survive?

Published on October 3, 2025
Duration: 22:04

This video provides an in-depth accuracy test of the .338 ARC cartridge fired from a CMMG Descent SBR with a 10.5-inch barrel and 1:8 twist rate. The instructor compares the performance of Hornady's 175-grain supersonic hollow points and 307-grain subsonic sub-x ammunition. While the supersonic rounds demonstrated good accuracy, the heavier subsonic bullets showed signs of poor stabilization, leading to larger groups and elongated bullet holes.

Quick Summary

The .338 ARC cartridge, tested in a CMMG Descent SBR, shows promise with supersonic ammunition, achieving approximately 1 MOA accuracy. However, heavy 307-grain subsonic rounds exhibited poor stabilization due to the 1:8 twist rate, resulting in larger groups and elongated bullet holes, suggesting potential issues with bullet flight stability.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to .338 ARC Accuracy Test
  2. 00:42CMMG Descent Rifle Setup and Specs
  3. 01:01Ammunition: Hornady Supersonic vs. Subsonic
  4. 02:39Why the .338 ARC is Interesting
  5. 03:25.300 Blackout vs. .338 ARC vs. 8.6 Blackout Comparison
  6. 05:14CMMG Descent Firearm Quality
  7. 06:35Detailed Look at .338 ARC Cartridges
  8. 08:36Supersonic .338 ARC Accuracy Test (100 Yards)
  9. 10:51Impact of Shooting Hold on Supersonic Accuracy
  10. 11:25Subsonic .338 ARC Accuracy Test (100 Yards)
  11. 12:43Subsonic Accuracy with Light Hold
  12. 13:00Subsonic Accuracy with Heavy Hold
  13. 14:32Analysis of .338 ARC Supersonic and Subsonic Results
  14. 15:14Supersonic .338 ARC Group Analysis (Heavy Hold)
  15. 16:14Supersonic .338 ARC Group Analysis (Light Hold)
  16. 16:39Subsonic .338 ARC Group Analysis (Light Hold)
  17. 17:49Subsonic .338 ARC Group Analysis (Heavy Hold)
  18. 18:22Bullet Stabilization Issues with Subsonic .338 ARC
  19. 19:03Twist Rate Comparison: .338 ARC vs. 8.6 Blackout
  20. 19:58Overall Thoughts on the .338 ARC Cartridge
  21. 20:13Why Has .338 ARC Discussion Faded?
  22. 21:08Call to Action: Share Your .338 ARC Experience

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences between .300 Blackout, .338 ARC, and 8.6 Blackout cartridges?

The .300 Blackout is a common cartridge for AR-15s, using standard .308 bullets. The .338 ARC offers heavier bullets (e.g., 307 grains vs. 220 grains) for more downrange energy, fitting in similar firearms. The 8.6 Blackout is a larger cartridge, typically for AR-10 platforms, capable of even heavier bullets and greater versatility.

What accuracy did the .338 ARC achieve with supersonic and subsonic ammunition?

In a CMMG Descent SBR with a 10.5-inch barrel, the 175-grain supersonic .338 ARC achieved about 1 MOA (1.1 inches) with a light hold. The 307-grain subsonic .338 ARC showed significant stabilization issues, resulting in larger groups of 2.4-2.5 inches at 100 yards.

What causes bullet stabilization issues with the .338 ARC subsonic ammunition?

The heavy 307-grain subsonic .338 ARC bullets appear to be poorly stabilized by the 1:8 twist rate in the 10.5-inch barrel. This leads to 'footballing' or yawing in flight, evidenced by elongated bullet holes and skid marks on the target, which opens up the group size.

How does shooting hold affect accuracy with the .338 ARC?

For supersonic .338 ARC rounds, a light hold improved accuracy from 1.7 inches to 1.1 inches. For subsonic .338 ARC rounds, a heavy hold tightened the group slightly compared to a light hold, though stabilization issues persisted. This highlights how different firearms and ammunition respond to shooting technique.

More Reviews Videos You Might Like

More from Military Arms Channel

View all →