Hornady Shares All: New .338 ARC - Everything you should know!

Published on November 1, 2024
Duration: 64:30

This video details the development and technical specifications of Hornady's new .338 ARC cartridge. It highlights the cartridge's advantages over .300 Blackout, including increased terminal energy, cleaner operation, and consistent performance across suppressed and unsuppressed use. The discussion covers its design for the AR-15 platform, optimal twist rates, ammunition pricing, and broad industry adoption.

Quick Summary

Hornady's .338 ARC cartridge offers significant advantages over .300 Blackout, including higher subsonic energy (approx. 650 ft-lbs vs. 380 ft-lbs), cleaner operation with less fouling, and consistent performance across suppressed and unsuppressed use due to similar chamber pressures for both subsonic and supersonic loads.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the .338 ARC
  2. 01:05History and Development of .338 ARC
  3. 02:02Early .338 ARC Iterations and Sub-X Bullet
  4. 03:40Energy Comparison: .338 ARC vs. .300 Blackout
  5. 04:31Why the .338 ARC Was Shelved and Revived
  6. 05:04Refined .338 ARC Bullet Weight and Goals
  7. 05:35.338 ARC vs. 8.6 Blackout: Platform Differences
  8. 06:04Impact Difference: .338 vs. .300 Blackout
  9. 06:51Subsonic Velocity Cap and Consistency Issues
  10. 07:12Inconsistent Burn in 8.6 Blackout Subsonics
  11. 08:01Positional Sensitivity and Case Volume Issues
  12. 09:07Subsonic Propellant Limitations
  13. 09:31.338 ARC vs. 8.6 Blackout: Ergonomics and Platform
  14. 10:03Consistency as a Key Advantage of .338 ARC
  15. 11:02Twist Rate Differences: 8.6 Blackout vs. .338 ARC
  16. 11:35Optimal Twist Rate for .338 ARC and Bullet Integrity
  17. 12:30Bullet Integrity Issues with Fast Twist Rates
  18. 14:16Consequences of Excessive Twist Rates
  19. 15:26Benefits of a Modest Twist Rate in .338 ARC
  20. 15:32Understanding Twist Rate: Calibers per Revolution
  21. 17:14Bullet Integrity Issues with 300 Blackout and Fast Twists
  22. 19:01Initial Concerns with 8.6 Blackout and Solid Copper Bullets
  23. 20:04Terminal Performance vs. Accuracy: 68x51mm Example
  24. 20:29Bullet Jacket Separation and Barrel Fouling Concerns
  25. 21:31Likelihood of Copper Fouling with Fast Twist Rates
  26. 22:39Impact of Switching Between Supersonic and Subsonic Loads
  27. 24:55.338 ARC Designed for Subsonic Use and Suppressors
  28. 25:15Suppressor Compatibility for .338 ARC
  29. 26:02.338 ARC Chamber Pressures
  30. 27:02.338 ARC Thread Pitch and Suppressor Mounts
  31. 28:21Launch Availability of .338 ARC Suppressors
  32. 28:40.338 ARC vs. .300 Blackout: The Elevator Pitch
  33. 29:57Pressure Differences: .300 Blackout vs. .338 ARC
  34. 31:06Consistent Ignition and Cleaner Operation of .338 ARC
  35. 32:03.338 ARC Advantages: Energy, Performance, Consistency
  36. 32:20Hunting Effectiveness: .300 Blackout vs. .338 ARC
  37. 33:01Media Event: .338 ARC Performance Under Stress
  38. 34:22Excitement Over Consistent Pressure and Operation
  39. 34:44Target Price and Ammunition Cost
  40. 36:19.338 ARC Ammunition Pricing and Availability
  41. 37:49.338 ARC vs. 8.6 Blackout: Cost and Performance
  42. 39:29Optimal Barrel Length for .338 ARC
  43. 41:33Factors Affecting Subsonic Velocity
  44. 42:18Economy of Scale and Ammunition Cost
  45. 42:36Industry Adoption and Expected Availability
  46. 43:47Gun Manufacturer Buy-In for .338 ARC
  47. 45:26Big Box Store Brand Adoption Timeline
  48. 46:31Military Interest and Commercial Launch of .338 ARC
  49. 47:39List of Companies Supporting .338 ARC
  50. 48:03.338 ARC Launch Date and Initial Availability
  51. 49:10Hornady's Marketing and Manufacturing Approach
  52. 49:41.338 ARC vs. 6.5 Grendel: Feeding Issues and Solutions
  53. 51:01.338 ARC Magazine Compatibility
  54. 53:59Gas System Length for .338 ARC
  55. 55:34Low Powder Charge Weight of .338 ARC
  56. 55:36Final Thoughts on .338 ARC Advantages
  57. 55:50.338 ARC vs. .338 Lapua Magnum and .338 Federal
  58. 56:33Comparison to 8.6 Blackout and Bullet Types
  59. 57:16Excitement for .338 ARC and Hunting Potential
  60. 58:02Final Q&A and Missed Points
  61. 58:10Comparison to 8.6 Blackout and Design Criteria
  62. 59:50.338 ARC vs. 17 HMR: The 'Wow' Factor
  63. 61:47Subsonic Projectile Impact on Game
  64. 62:14Building a Bolt Gun for .338 ARC Testing
  65. 62:48Laughably Quiet Performance in Bolt Guns
  66. 63:01Anticipation for SHOT Show and Updates
  67. 63:30The Fun Factor of Suppressed Rifle Cartridges
  68. 64:36Conclusion and Thanks

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main advantages of the .338 ARC over the .300 Blackout?

The .338 ARC offers significantly more terminal energy (approx. 650 ft-lbs vs. 380 ft-lbs subsonic), cleaner operation with less unburnt powder residue, and more consistent ignition and velocity spreads. It also maintains similar chamber pressures for both subsonic and supersonic loads, ensuring reliable function with suppressors.

What is the optimal twist rate for the .338 ARC, and why?

The .338 ARC utilizes a 1:8" twist rate, which is optimized for stabilizing the 307-grain Sub-X bullet. This rate balances bullet stabilization with reduced rotational velocity, preventing bullet integrity issues like jacket separation that can occur with faster twists at high velocities.

Can I use standard AR-15 magazines with the .338 ARC?

Yes, the .338 ARC is designed to fit within the AR-15 platform's overall cartridge length. Standard 6.5 Grendel and 6mm ARC magazines are compatible and function reliably with both subsonic and supersonic .338 ARC ammunition.

What is the expected price range for .338 ARC ammunition?

Initial .338 ARC ammunition is considered premium and is expected to cost around $37 per 20-round box. As more manufacturers adopt the cartridge and production volumes increase, more affordable options are anticipated.

How does the .338 ARC perform in terms of barrel length and velocity?

For subsonic loads, the .338 ARC shows minimal velocity change per inch of barrel (3-5 fps/inch). This means barrel length from 8 to 18 inches has little impact on subsonic velocity, offering flexibility in rifle builds.

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