NEW 338ARC, what say ye?

[Formidilosus]

What’s the case fill on that load?

Not much. Trailboss is the way, but hasn’t been available in years.

 

[ShootOkHuntWorse]

Not much. Trailboss is the way, but hasn’t been available in years.

I have half a pound of Trailboss that I should use. Fudds and their cowboy loads hoarding it and not using it.

 

[Formidilosus]

I have half a pound of Trailboss that I should use. Fudds and their cowboy loads hoarding it and not using it.

Ahh. Trailboss and subs are a great combo.

 

[ARK_Ginger]

I’d bet decent money if they did a gel test of both sub-x offerings you couldn’t tell the difference.

I know you're probably right, but in the video it seemed to tumble and they claimed its an improved sub-x bullet. They both suck in the grand scheme of things

 

[RockAndSage]

There might be something to be said about it filling out the ARC "ecosystem", in that it might make sense for bolt and magazine commonality if you're running a different ARC or a grendel and want to keep things a little uniform, while also getting into something specialized for subs. It's an option, but not any kind of game-changer.

 

[4090Sharps]

I celebrate the arrival of every new AR15-length cartridge for two reasons:

- It helps normalize and sell more ARs
- It keeps my hopes alive that a manufacturer will bring a truly excellent micro bolt action to market

 

[ShadowAviator]

It seems to fit into their ARC line pretty well. The 358 Gremlin is a similar idea. Grendel case, 358 bullet.

If you are going "AR10" size, the 375 Raptor made more sense to me. Good subsonic performance, and beats the 8.6BLK supersonic.

 

[left hunter]

I’m all for these new tiny little cartridges and sure am hoping it pushes someone to start offering an appropriate tiny left hand action!

 

[rharbaugh]

if I want to shoot subs, it’s a 308 so I at least have a real cartridge when I want.

Form are you shooting subs for fun or purpose? What bullet do you use?

 

[Ozarkansas]

There are specific powders and loads that work, but not too bad.

100 yards, 1.5” dots.
View attachment 777902

I’ve had good luck using similarly tiny amounts of Unique and cast bullets- I guess it never occurred to me that I could use jacketed bullets too (since I learned about it from guys who only shoot cast bullets).

To those of you who haven’t tried it, some of these super fast burning flake powders ignite so easily that “case fill” really isn’t a concern

 

[eLightfoot]

I celebrate the arrival of every new AR15-length cartridge for two reasons:

- It helps normalize and sell more ARs
- It keeps my hopes alive that a manufacturer will bring a truly excellent micro bolt action to market

Cheers to a truly excellent micro bolt. If I were hornady I’d be teaming up with TC to build a micro series of Icon rifles. I’d also get Ruger on board to make marlin 336’s that shoot the ARC. Gummy tipped 22 and 6mm bullets

 

[Bluefish]

When was the last time a cartridge over 30 really took off?

350 legend?

 

[2five7]

350 legend?

Yea probably, although that one is popular not really on its own merits, but because of state hunting regs.

 

[Unckebob]

The biggest thing it has going for it is that it is just an upper swap on an AR15 platform but runs off the Grendel mag for better reliability. People that hunt that platform and sub 300yards (Hornadys range not mine) may find it attractive in a short platform and suppressed.

Plus the ability to us 9mm pistol cans. I think Texas pig hunters are going to love it.

For people with Savage 6ARCs or a 6ARC gas gun, it is a cheap switchover.

I switch though. I love the 6ARC in my Savage.

 

[Unckebob]

Been fighting the urge for a 300 bo for a while. Probably still lean that way over this.

The 300BO will always be cheaper to shoot because it uses 223 brass and 30 cal bullets will never go away.

 

[Bluefish]

Yea probably, although that one is popular not really on its own merits, but because of state hunting regs.

As someone who has 7 35 cal + rifles there is no reason ballistically for big calibers other than regulations. Form has shown that 223/6mm can take anything in North America. 30+ cal just offer more recoil and worse bc. Part of the reason the regulations make you use it. Unless really heavy ie 300g+ g1 bc is mid .3’s. About half of the good 6.5’s.

 

[doc holiday13]

Why not stick with 458 socom if the goal is to shoot heavy subs? My socom is shooting 500gr subs and 300gr supers.

supression. bigger the bore the harder it is to suppress

 

[TxLite]

supression. bigger the bore the harder it is to suppress

Maybe so, but my 458 and 45acp are pretty quiet. Not sure I see enough benefit to switch but maybe if I was starting over?

I saw PWS is already chambering rifles for it

 

[doc holiday13]

Maybe so, but my 458 and 45acp are pretty quiet. Not sure I see enough benefit to switch but maybe if I was starting over?

I saw PWS is already chambering rifles for it

Not gonna lie, there is a guy on YT that has a bolt action 458 socom and that thing packs a wallop. Awful tempting in my mind

 

[TxLite]

Not gonna lie, there is a guy on YT that has a bolt action 458 socom and that thing packs a wallop. Awful tempting in my mind

Not sure if it’s the same guy I’m thinking of but there’s a guy smoking deer with 570gr subs in a bolt gun at like 500 yards. It’s wild