6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game

[HighUintas]

Don’t the OTM match type bullets damage by tumbling? I didn’t think it was a hollow point opening up issue…

I think it helps to get them to fragment and also destabilize so they tumble. Yes it is a hollow point opening up issue for most of them not being consistent in damage.

 

[nm.otter]

It's a javelina.

Highly adapted little buggers. They're everywhere here.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

@mtnwrunner

Form,

Do you know about what velocity the ELDM stops performing at? I believe the ELDX is supposed to perform down to 1600 FPS.

I am building out a 16 inch 6mm ARC in an AR and will likely use the factory hornady match. Expecting a MV around 2500 to 2550 fps.

 

[Formidilosus]

Form,

Do you know about what velocity the ELDM stops performing at? I believe the ELDX is supposed to perform down to 1600 FPS.

I am building out a 16 inch 6mm ARC in an AR and will likely use the factory hornady match. Expecting a MV around 2500 to 2550 fps.

The ELD-M and X start being inconsistent below 1,800’ish fps impact.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

The ELD-M and X start being inconsistent below 1,800’ish fps impact.

Thank you! That helps me out a ton!

 

[The Guide]

Form,

Do you know about what velocity the ELDM stops performing at? I believe the ELDX is supposed to perform down to 1600 FPS.

I am building out a 16 inch 6mm ARC in an AR and will likely use the factory hornady match. Expecting a MV around 2500 to 2550 fps.

Those are optimistic velocity numbers for factory ammo in a 16" AR for the 6 ARC. I'm only getting a touch over 2600 from a bolt action 22" barrel. I'm going to say you'll be 2450 with current factory ammo in a 16". Hopefully you get better but be ready for it to be slower than anticipated.

Jay

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

Those are optimistic velocity numbers for factory ammo in a 16" AR for the 6 ARC. I'm only getting a touch over 2600 from a bolt action 22" barrel. I'm going to say you'll be 2450 with current factory ammo in a 16". Hopefully you get better but be ready for it to be slower than anticipated.

Jay

I can't tell if it is ammo lot specific or just barrel to barrel but there does seem to be some variation in what different folks get. I believe one youtuber was getting 2600 out of a 18 inch gas gun, although that may have been the 105 hornady black. Still, I may just get a 18 inch or 20 inch to give me a little breathing room. I'll be installing a folding stock so the extra few inches won't hurt much.

 

[The Guide]

I can't tell if it is ammo lot specific or just barrel to barrel but there does seem to be some variation in what different folks get. I believe one youtuber was getting 2600 out of a 18 inch gas gun, although that may have been the 105 hornady black. Still, I may just get a 18 inch or 20 inch to give me a little breathing room. I'll be installing a folding stock so the extra few inches won't hurt much.

On the 103 ELDX ammo I've seen as much as 115 fps variation between lots. Frustrating when you buy a case and it is the slower lot...

Jay

 

[BLJ]

Any info on the 105 Match Burners? I know people have had success with the 112’s.
Curious as to if the 105’s are the same.

Also, what seems to be the threshold for terminal velocity for these? Thanks.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

On the 103 ELDX ammo I've seen as much as 115 fps variation between lots. Frustrating when you buy a case and it is the slower lot...

Jay

Yet another reason to push me closer to getting into reloading. Once I get done with the rifle and picking up a few more pieces of gear to hunt, I'll move on to reloading and won't have to worry about it anymore.

 

[Taudisio]

Yet another reason to push me closer to getting into reloading. Once I get done with the rifle and picking up a few more pieces of gear to hunt, I'll move on to reloading and won't have to worry about it anymore.

I had an 18” gas rifle and I was only able to get 103’s up to 2510 before I started blowing primer pockets. I’m sure a change in components and I could have pushed harder. Just want to make sure you don’t overestimate what you’re expecting.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

I had an 18” gas rifle and I was only able to get 103’s up to 2510 before I started blowing primer pockets. I’m sure a change in components and I could have pushed harder. Just want to make sure you don’t overestimate what you’re expecting.

That is very disheartening to hear. I may have to re-evaluate and look at a .243 win or 6.5 creedmoor. I wanted to use the gas gun I already had and have low recoil + ambi controls & modularity. But, if I cannot run the AR, idk that I want the bolt action options available for the 6mm ARC or 6mm Creedmoor. Guess I may be back to the drawing boards yet again.

 

[CTXhunter]

That is very disheartening to hear. I may have to re-evaluate and look at a .243 win or 6.5 creedmoor. I wanted to use the gas gun I already had and have low recoil + ambi controls & modularity. But, if I cannot run the AR, idk that I want the bolt action options available for the 6mm ARC or 6mm Creedmoor. Guess I may be back to the drawing boards yet again.

I have a proof 16” 6 ARC barrel and I get 108 factory Hornady 2520 FPS verified over a garmin chrono and at range. I have a friend with a proof barrel that gets the same as well. Your mileage may vary but that my results. Have killed a handful of deer with this gun and inside of 500 it’s almost too easy.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

I have a proof 16” 6 ARC barrel and I get 108 factory Hornady 2520 FPS verified over a garmin chrono and at range. I have a friend with a proof barrel that gets the same as well. Your mileage may vary but that my results. Have killed a handful of deer with this gun and inside of 500 it’s almost too easy.

It is odd how much variation everyone is getting on the ARC. And I have never been the lucky one so odds are my mileage would vary and not in my favor. Still, even if I do move to .243 win or a 6.5 creed, I will be saving a lot of recoil from what I used to have.

 

[CTXhunter]

It is odd how much variation everyone is getting on the ARC. And I have never been the lucky one so odds are my mileage would vary and not in my favor. Still, even if I do move to .243 win or a 6.5 creed, I will be saving a lot of recoil from what I used to have.

How far are you trying to shoot? I’m getting 1800 FPS w/ 108’s at 500 at sea level. 16-18” barrel should get you to 500 with factory ammo.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

How far are you trying to shoot? I’m getting 1800 FPS w/ 108’s at 500 at sea level. 16-18” barrel should get you to 500 with factory ammo.

500 would be a max although I would honestly try my hardest to keep under 400. Just using some guess work on the vortex LR ballistic calculator, it looks like I would be hitting 1800 fps around 440 yards if MV winds up being around 2450 instead of 2550. Per that app I would need 2550 at the muzzle to have 1800 fps at 500 yards. Although, I guess it would likely increase as I increased elevation so maybe it would not be to big of a deal.

I am mostly wanting a good honest 400 yard general purpose hunting rifle that will primarily hunt white-tails but will probably take a once per year trip for spring bear and every so often take a pronghorn or mulie as I can get a tag. Would like the option to grow into a 500 yard shooter. I love the ergonomics of an AR, and I have a left-handed wife and 2 boys who look like they may turn out LH as well so the AR lends itself well to that along with the fact that a 6 arc gas gun will not beat them (or me) up with felt recoil. I'll just have to keep thinking on it. May take the gamble on the 6mm ARC and just take whatever it gives me. Trying to avoid going up to a 20 since I do want a suppressor at some point, but I am adding a folding adapter to my AR so the extra length may not matter too much.

 

[CTXhunter]

500 would be a max although I would honestly try my hardest to keep under 400. Just using some guess work on the vortex LR ballistic calculator, it looks like I would be hitting 1800 fps around 440 yards if MV winds up being around 2450 instead of 2550. Per that app I would need 2550 at the muzzle to have 1800 fps at 500 yards. Although, I guess it would likely increase as I increased elevation so maybe it would not be to big of a deal.

I am mostly wanting a good honest 400 yard general purpose hunting rifle that will primarily hunt white-tails but will probably take a once per year trip for spring bear and every so often take a pronghorn or mulie as I can get a tag. Would like the option to grow into a 500 yard shooter. I love the ergonomics of an AR, and I have a left-handed wife and 2 boys who look like they may turn out LH as well so the AR lends itself well to that along with the fact that a 6 arc gas gun will not beat them (or me) up with felt recoil. I'll just have to keep thinking on it. May take the gamble on the 6mm ARC and just take whatever it gives me. Trying to avoid going up to a 20 since I do want a suppressor at some point, but I am adding a folding adapter to my AR so the extra length may not matter too much.

What you’re describing is very similar to what I build my gun for. Sounds like 6 arc is right up your alley. Very little recoil and $1.15-1.20 to shoot factory ammo. You can double that if you go 6 creed. Don’t get me wrong, I’m probably building a 6 creed this year, but to shoot cheaply and effectively to 500 it’s hard to beat 6 arc.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

What you’re describing is very similar to what I build my gun for. Sounds like 6 arc is right up your alley. Very little recoil and $1.15-1.20 to shoot factory ammo. You can double that if you go 6 creed. Don’t get me wrong, I’m probably building a 6 creed this year, but to shoot cheaply and effectively to 500 it’s hard to beat 6 arc.

I’ll probably go back and forth for a while until I just give in and buy the barrel and gas system. Easy to overthink everything since there are lots of options. I may bump up to an 18 inch just to hopefully gain an additional 50-70 fps extra. I am sure I will be happy once I get it built.