6mm ARC Lightweight Backpacking Rifle Build

[Dane G Russ]

I'm really digging your adjustable butt pad. Did you ever install it? Can you please share some details on what you used for parts?

I’m bout to cut 2.5” off the LOP and instal a DIY LOP adjustable but pad. I’ll make a post about that when I’m done. It’s for the kids. ….and dad.




Adjustable but pad:

 

[Camo out]

tag

 

[The Guide]

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Just an FYI for you, if you click the "watch" button at the top of the page below the first post on the page, you will get notifications without having to clutter up the thread.

Jay

 

[WyoWild]

Put the mini to work on a whitetail rut hunt last week. Perfect rifle for this hunt as there is a long & steep hike in. If you punch your tag you have a lot of elevation gain to get back to the vehicle so having a lightweight rig is great. Most of the shot opportunities are 100-400 yd which is where the 6 ARC shines.

Just after first light I encountered this buck chasing a doe. He was in and out of the brush and things happened fast. I knew he was somewhere between 100-200 yards so no need to fiddle with the range finder. I used my trekking poles as shooting sticks. He stepped into an open pocket and I settled the crosshairs on his vitals and sent a 105 VLD. I watched him kick and then stumble into a thicket. I recovered the buck 30 yards from where he was first hit. Bullet entered the left shoulder breaking the lower part of the scapula and then severed the aorta before exiting leaving a great blood trail. Very happy with the performance of both the rifle and bullet.

 

[The Guide]

Put the mini to work on a whitetail rut hunt last week. Perfect rifle for this hunt as there is a long & steep hike in. If you punch your tag you have a lot of elevation gain to get back to the vehicle so having a lightweight rig is great. Most of the shot opportunities are 100-400 yd which is where the 6 ARC shines.

Just after first light I encountered this buck chasing a doe. He was in and out of the brush and things happened fast. I knew he was somewhere between 100-200 yards so no need to fiddle with the range finder. I used my trekking poles as shooting sticks. He stepped into an open pocket and I settled the crosshairs on his vitals and sent a 105 VLD. I watched him kick and then stumble into a thicket. I recovered the buck 30 yards from where he was first hit. Bullet entered the left shoulder breaking the lower part of the scapula and then severed the aorta before exiting leaving a great blood trail. Very happy with the performance of both the rifle and bullet.

While I didn't get to fire my 6 ARC Mini this weekend, there isn't a rifle I wish I would have been carrying. On Friday I climbed from 5600' to 8400' and then back to the truck over 9 miles. Saturday I tried a different spot that was steep little piece of BLM surrounded by private. To get to the mining road you climb 450' in the first 550 yards. In that 2 mile round trip hike, I gained 800' from the river to the end of the public. On Sunday I did another long hike from the bottom and meet my brother-in-law at a park they hunt. Started at 5400' and worked up to 7800' and then back down to 6600'. I didn't see a bull, my knees, feet, and back are some, but my heart is happy and ready to go back next week and hunt until the end of the season.

Jay

 

[General RE LEE]

6 ARC range session with the Howa Mini. 108 ELDM 27.5 grains Varget 2650 FPS

100 yards

 

[bigbuckdj]

After a long hiatus @jamesmc8 ’s barreled action from the first post lives on slinging 108 ELDMs. I cut the tupperware stock down to child size and @djsam ’s little girl shot her first deer with it.

It seems to be shooting pretty well but the Tupperware has to go. It will increase the weight but I think I’ll end up putting it in a mdt lss chassis at some point. The adjustable length of pull is calling me because this is a part time kid gun.

 

[WyoWild]

After a long hiatus @jamesmc8 ’s barreled action from the first post lives on slinging 108 ELDMs. I cut the tupperware stock down to child size and @djsam ’s little girl shot her first deer with it.

It seems to be shooting pretty well but the Tupperware has to go. It will increase the weight but I think I’ll end up putting it in a mdt lss chassis at some point. The adjustable length of pull is calling me because this is a part time kid gun.

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Awesome to see! The MDT LSS with an adjustable Magpul PR Carbine stock comes in around 2.5 pounds. It is the best adjustable and modular option I found that both myself and my daughter can shoot comfortably. The AR pistol grips also makes for a much shorter trigger reach.

 

[Strider]

@BearGuy

 

[BART74]

Thought others might be interested in this build. I have had an interested in adding a lightweight deer and goat rifle to the quiver for some time. As I have two other rifles that cover most of my Elk/Deer hunting I wanted to take a budget friendly approach as this rifle would only be used on certain hunts. I was intrigued by the new calibers being added to Howa Mini Action, especially that the barreled actions could be bought for around $450 on Brownell's. After researching the various options I found the 6mm ARC to be a good fit for my criteria as a lightweight cartridge capable to 300-400yards with a simple optic. The 6.5 Grendel was also a viable option.

Now for the stock, I looked briefly at Bell and Carlson as they have proven reliable for me with other builds, however weight was right around two pounds which in the era of carbon fiber is a bit on the heavy side for a ultralight rifle. Stocky's had two very appealing options the VG (Vertical Grip) Mini (21 oz) and the Carbon Hunter Mini (17 oz.) I have a strong preference for a vertical or pistol style grip and decided the 4 oz was worth the ergonomics. The stock came as advertised right at 21 oz.

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It is a very lightweight stock, the fit was excellent and the finish was just OK, not quite what I expected for $550. It does not have as much internal structure as other stocks and I noticed that there was significant flex in the stock when tightening the action screws.... no bueno. The barrel channel was also a little off and contacting the barrel. I otherwise loved the fit of the stock and the limbsaver pad so elected to epoxy bed the action. Some sanding remedied the barrel fit. Bedding resolved the stock flex and improved accuracy. I was also considering a Stocky's for my Savage 280 AI but after the fitting issues with this stock I am going to go with a Mesa Precision for that build.

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Next up rings... it was down to a DNZ game reaper or Talley Lightweights. As the DNZ is only 1oz heavier and is a one piece mount I went that route. I have used DNZ before and found they provide a solid platform for a lightweight set up. I am sure the Talley's would have worked as well. Trigger was good to go IMO, the two stage took a bit of getting used to but it breaks nice and clean with no creep at 2.5 lbs. Aftermarket options are available if someone was so inclined.

I agonized over scope options for some time. I looked at the SWFA 2.5-10x32 (9oz and on backorder), Leupold VX-3HD 2.5-10x40 ~13oz, Maven RS.2 ~ 12oz, and Trijicon 3-9x40 ~ 13oz. I liked the reticle on the SWFA so placed a back order but knowing it could be many months and being inpatient I also ordered the Trijicon. The battery free illumination on the Trijicon is awesome and the scope is robust with excellent glass. When the SWFA arrives I can do a side by side and decide which one wins. I have had one prior Leupold with CDS which had issues with RTZ. I liked the Maven but felt the Trijicon had better glass, field of view and low light performance.

The finished rifle weighs in at 6lbs 4oz. I have upgraded aluminum bottom metal on order to replaced the factory plastic.

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All assembled it was time to get some rounds down range. Recoil is pretty mild in the 6mm ARC even in a lightweight platform. I was getting 2700 FPS with the Hornady Precision Hunter 103gr rounds. When I can get my hands on some small rifle primers I will be handloading this with some 88gn Hammer Hunters and hope to be able to get around 2900 FPS. For now the Hornady Precision Hunter shoots right around 1-1.25 MOA. I have definitely noticed that it is more challenging to steady the crosshairs on a lightweight rifle. Further practice on my part should also yield accuracy improvements. That being said 1 MOA is more than adequate in this hunting set-up that is limited to 400 yards. Will sight in for 200 yards, 6" holdover at 300 yards, 12" at 350 yards. The bottom post of the Trijicon Duplex is 4.3 MOA which is perfect for a 400 yard hold. If I end up keeping the Trijicon long term I will get a Kenton Turret to give me the option to dial if needed.

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That looks awesome

 

[WyoWild]

That looks awesome

Thanks! It has evolved some since then but fun and functional build. Here is the current 6 ARC.

 

[270quest]

Thanks! It has evolved some since then but fun and functional build. Here is the current 6 ARC.

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Exact build I’m doing now, except I got the desert sagebrush stock and a 3-9x42 SS. Also a banish suppressor

 

[IDVortex]

Exact build I’m doing now, except I got the desert sagebrush stock and a 3-9x42 SS. Also a banish suppressor

I keep looking at the swfa, my worry is eye relief and clarity out around 800 yards or more for shooting. I love the price point and weight.

 

[270quest]

Playing with it in my backyard - the optics and reticle seem very clear and easy to use…we will see on the eye relief but on a 6arc, not really worried.

 

[BART74]

I went with the Q Jumbo Shrimp, has a 6.5mm bore, 9.2 ounces, 5.7" long, 1.75" OD. I think its one of the best out there for this application. This rifle has a 19" Carbon6 barrel on it now. With the new barrel and can it weighs exactly 7 pounds, and is the same OAL as it was before with the old can and 16" barrel. I'm just dialing in an 87 grain Absolute Hammer load that is 3010fps with the little bit more barrel.

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Nice looking rifle

 

[Unckebob]

Thanks! It has evolved some since then but fun and functional build. Here is the current 6 ARC.

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What model Trijicon did you go with?

Do you still want the SWFA?

 

[Unckebob]

After a long hiatus @jamesmc8 ’s barreled action from the first post lives on slinging 108 ELDMs. I cut the tupperware stock down to child size and @djsam ’s little girl shot her first deer with it.

It seems to be shooting pretty well but the Tupperware has to go. It will increase the weight but I think I’ll end up putting it in a mdt lss chassis at some point. The adjustable length of pull is calling me because this is a part time kid gun.

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In terms of stiffness, how is the Howa stock?

For example, I love the stock on my 223 T3X stock for what I use it for. It is light and I never plan to mount a bipod on it. The Tikka stock does not flex enough to impact accuracy when used off a front rest.

 

[WyoWild]

What model Trijicon did you go with?

Do you still want the SWFA?

I have been running the Trijicon Credo 3-9x40 which is a great scope. Nice and clear with a Mil based reticle for hold overs. Given I built this as a ultralight rifle I am still interested to try an SWFA UL if they ever come back in stock as that would save me 8 oz but I know I would give up some optical performance and illumination.

 

[passinggas33]

I have been running the Trijicon Credo 3-9x40 which is a great scope. Nice and clear with a Mil based reticle for hold overs. Given I built this as a ultralight rifle I am still interested to try an SWFA UL if they ever come back in stock as that would save me 8 oz but I know I would give up some optical performance and illumination.

I will be posting my final build with some weights. I did end up going with the SWFA UL for my scope. You are correct that it gives up some optical performance and illumination, but it does save a lot. My idea was that light guns are extremely difficult to shoot long distance. I’ve put a personal limit on this gun out to 400 yards. I think the 6ARC shines out to that distance and the SWFA UL is more than enough out to that distance. Just my thoughts though and hope to show off my UL build here soon. Just waiting on some final touches from the gunsmith…