Real world 6 arc speeds

[Jake Leibke]

Looking at getting a 6 arc bolt gun 18” barrel. I’ll be reloading for it. Looking for some real world speed numbers. Specifically with 95 tmk’s but welcome all data points.

Sierra lists 3000 fps with a 24” barrel. My experience with the 22 arc and Hornady data shooting the 75 eldm at max listed load I’m getting very close to the speed shown but out of an 18” barrel. Can I expect the same type of results with the 6 arc?


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[General RE LEE]

Thread '6mm ARC Velocities'

Oct 24, 2024

Didn’t see a threads specifically for 6 ARC, so figured I’d get this going for people to share velocities and barrel lengths on their 6 ARC. This should help folks get a baseline of what to expect when they are considering building one.

16” Proof stainless AR barrel, suppressor, factory ammo. Accuracy was about equal between the factory 108 eldm and factory 103 eldx. These are the first shots down the barrel so I am expecting them to speed up and settle in a little.

• TxLite
• Replies: 141
• Forum: Firearms

• 

 

[Jake Leibke]

Thread '6mm ARC Velocities'

Oct 24, 2024

Didn’t see a threads specifically for 6 ARC, so figured I’d get this going for people to share velocities and barrel lengths on their 6 ARC. This should help folks get a baseline of what to expect when they are considering building one.

16” Proof stainless AR barrel, suppressor, factory ammo. Accuracy was about equal between the factory 108 eldm and factory 103 eldx. These are the first shots down the barrel so I am expecting them to speed up and settle in a little.

• TxLite
• Replies: 141
• Forum: Firearms

• 

Thanks! That didn’t pop up in the search


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[WyoWild]

I have a Howa Mini 6 ARC with a 20" barrel. In my load testing with the 95 TMK I was right around 2750 fps with both TAC and 8208 XBR. With an 18" barrel I bet you would be just shy of 2700.

 

[UnckleBob]

20" Howa with Hornady Precision Hunter and Match Ammo are in the 2650 range.

90g Accubond Handloads - 2,950 TAC powder, bolt gun data.

 

[braydencase7]

20 inch barrel howa mini im shooting 2660 with 95tmks over 27 grains of 8208.

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[jimmy33]

20” Ruger American is right at 2700 with hornady precision hunter ammo


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[YaakRiver]

Tikka with a 20” Ace barrel. 108 ELD-M over 30gr of StaBall Match and GM205M primers in new Starline brass

 

[MEdude]

I have a Howa Mini 6 ARC with a 20" barrel. In my load testing with the 95 TMK I was right around 2750 fps with both TAC and 8208 XBR. With an 18" barrel I bet you would be just shy of 2700.

If you don’t mind sharing… What was your load, and what did your groups look like?

 

[WyoWild]

If you don’t mind sharing… What was your load, and what did your groups look like?

20" Howa Carbon barrel 6 ARC.

28.5 of TAC and 28.0 of XBR velocity was about 2765 with TAC and just a touch lower around 2750 with XBR. My barrel did not like the 95 TMK with accuracy around 1.3 to 1.5 inches for 5 rounds. It has always preferred bullets in the 105gr range. 103 ELDX, Berger 105 VLD and Sierra MK 107 all shoot 10 rounds groups under 1.1"

 

[KyleR1985]

My 16” 6ARC gas gun has the 95tmk’s at 2700 over lever in Hornady once fired brass.

As a reference for bolt gun - 95’s seem to run happy in my Howa mini 16” dasher barrel at 2800.

 

[Brandon_SPC]

Here is my honest opinion, take it or leave it. This is from a Howa Mini 16.5" with a 1:7 twist.... First with velocities:
These are factory:
Hornady 108s: 2515-2561 depending on the lot
Druid Hill 92 MKZ: 2665 fps
Hornady 106 TAP: 2634 fps
103 Precision Hunter 2575 fps

I've tried Staball Match and RL15.5 with Alpha Brass and 107 SMKs.
Staball match: With both 29.6-29.8 and 30.4-30.6 grains I was averaging around 2615 for the first node and 2605 for the second node
RL15.5 I never got above 2570 with 28.2 grains. I couldn't stuff anymore powder in the case and around that 30.5 grains of staball match is where I am maxing out too with powder.

Granted I love this little rifle but if I could do it all over again, especially on a bolt rifle platform, I personally would get me an 18" 6mm GT in a 1:7 twist. Plenty of case capacity to shoot the 107-109 in the 2700-2800 fps velocity range without maxing out load data and I am sure you could get the 115 DTAC, 115 VLDs, and 116TMKS in the 2600 fps range. That's just me but I don't see any advantage to the 6mm ARC in a bolt rifle unless you just want a trainer. Even with something like the Howa Mini because the factory support is severely lacking.

 

[WyoWild]

I get this. I think the Howa options in 6 or 22 ARC are a good fit for some. For me its a good option if you want a lightweight rifle for hunting out to 400-500yds. My set up is 6lbs 12oz with my suppressor/scope ready to hunt. Total cost for me was just over $1000 for the carbon barreled action in Stocky's carbon.

However I totally agree that a Tikka in 6 or 22 GT is going to give you additional distance at a weight penalty of 10-12 oz.

I have a Tikka 16" 6 Creed as my go to hunting rifle and reserve the 6 ARC for backpack hunts on long day hunts where my shots are typically closer range.