Huge bullets from AR platform; 338 ARC

General Firearms
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Due to the success of the 300blk, now the focus seems to see how far they can push the biggest possible bullet able to use an AR but for a barrel change, with emphasis on sub sonic performance and suppressed. Enter the 338 ARC.

First have to mention the 338 spectre, one of the weirded rnds I have seen. It’s a necked down 10mm pistol rnd with a huge 300gr + bullet. A classic wildcat rnd. Far as I can tell, ammo manufactures, seeing the 300blk success, renamed the spectre the 338 ARC. What ever differences there are, they seem very minimal from my non expert POV. They are pushing it hard as better than 300blk or 8.6blk sub sonic and suppressed especially. I will say the 338 ARC leaves one huge a$$ wound track, minimal to no temp/stretch cavity as expected. They do offer supersonic ARC with lighter bullet, but the focus is on the big bullet going sub sonic. Another solution in search of a problem rnd?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUhvCd6j-Wc

2 Likes
.338 arc
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That’s a ponderable notion. We still do occasionally shoot with guys who are enamored with this round.

I suppose it’s commercially more successful than it should be. It’s niche is much smaller than its common use. I mean I’ve seen guys with 16" barrels and no suppressor shooting supersonic ammo.

That’s dumb to me. 5.56 is cheaper and has much more reach. 300’s only upside in my opinion is Subs and suppressed.

I guess it could be said that it’s reliable in the AR platform which is a successful characteristic.

I guess 300’s usage/consumption exceeds its niche application. So in that regard it is a success.

Back to the original question… YES! Another goofball formulation in search of goofballs to buy it.

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Agreed, value of 300blk is very niche, but you know how it goes. People don’t care, or know. I supposed that “new” 338 ARC fits that niche a tad better, which is to say better ballistics from that niche: AR gun SBR, sub sonic, suppressed. If it’s not gonna kill via velocity, then make it the size of an ashtray I guess. :disguised_face:

I frankly think the right 5.56 load from SBR suppressed, while not optimal as to terminal ballistics, will more than suffice for any my needs as to HD/SD. Hornady seems to be taking the lead on it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWvUd5S-pbU

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I seem to hear hog hunters (or at least people who are going to go on hog hunts) trending towards these setups. Being able to shoot the biggest bullet possible while staying quiet allows them to up their numbers.

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Makes some sense. Suppressed and SBR length and making a big hole in the hog a good set up I’d think.

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I’ve never quite understood why folks think this is superior to, say, .45 ACP. The 300 sub is a 200 grain round at subsonic velocity , which is close to my .45 acp 230 grain round. I’d rather shoot the larger bore, expanding and cheaper round. What am I missing?

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Flight characteristics and bullet construction would be my guess. To be fair, these newer calibers weren’t designed specifically for what they’re being used for, they just happen to work well at it.

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I’m going to give an unpopular opinion:

Modern rifles chambered for pistol rounds, or subsonic rounds are stupid. They represent a downgrade in performance for 99.99999999999999999999999999% of users who buy the dumb things.

For that tiny, tiny subset of guys who need a subsonic round with limited range for a very specific task involving very low sound and flash signature I guess they have a place.

For everyone else they’re a complete waste of time and money.

Whoop-de-dooo they’re quiet with a suppressor.

So is a supersonic round if your suppressor doesn’t suck, at least hearing safe or damn close, and you still have a real honest to God high powered rifle.

.338 ARC is stupid.

8.6mm Blackout is stupid.

.300 Blackout is stupid.

1 Like
9

They may be stupid and a downgrade in performance as you say, but no animal or human is ok with being shot by .300 BO, 8.6 BO or .338 ARC versus not being ok with being shot by .223 or .308.

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I know a guy building a 1-6 twist 308 to shoot Hornady A-Tips subsonic. He’s an extremely accomplished shooter, and it’s certainly a purpose driven setup. It’s surprising how well that’ll fly when it’s all said and done.

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What’s focus of the set up? 308 SS seems an odd choice, especially with all the recent SS specific loads these days like 300blk.

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Not sure what spurred the idea, but he’s rebarrelling a rifle and he’s done a bunch of testing. He professionally manufactures custom ammo for LE, precision, etc. I feel like it has to do with getting rid of deer (legally) without bothering livestock or neighbors, but I’m unsure. I’ll have to ask when I see him next.

1 Like
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Hornady’s taking the lead because it’s their baby. But, yeah, in your earlier post you mentioned the Specter, and they’re very similar. It is to the Specter what the BLK is to the whisper…taking a wildcat meant to be exclusively subsonic, and SAAMIing it with a supersonic co-loading.

With BLK, one is meant to use the same gun with supers unsuppressed, and subs suppressed. The idea being that it can be an AK SBR or a MP5SD with a mag change and a can.

The .338ARC otoh is meant to have similar pressures either way, so I’m guessing they want you to just leave the can on all the time as you decide whether you want a MP5SD or a STG44.

Your guess is as good as mine how to best zero.

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Friend of mine kills pigs with the Specter. Says it rolls the shit out of them.

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Narrower bullet of the same weight and same starting velocity arrives at the target with more velocity. Does it matter? Maybe. Maybe not.

Choosing a subsonic cartridge implies, to me, the desire for maximum quietness. With any given powder charge and uncorking pressure, that happens with the narrowest hole down the middle of the can. Of course, those things are never equal, because a smaller bore with an equal barrel length and charge weight will have a higher uncorking pressure. Once again, if it matters is up for debate.

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I recall it’s ballistics of the 44mag which is a good thumper of game at short distances, with better bullet coefficient.

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Just trying to recall how many “big bore” AR rounds have been developed over the years.

The only ones that have managed to gain much traction are the straight walled variants that meet some wierd Midwestern hunting regs. 350 Legend and 450BM for example.

Lots of others basking in relative obscurity. Myself, I had some mild interest in 458 and 375 SOCOM from Tromix. Mostly because if I ever get serious about reloading they will match up with my 45-70 and 375H&H so maybe I’d have some common bullets. Never actually built out either one though.

Maybe this will be “the one”. A suppressed Thumper might be cool, but at least for me 338ARC is on the “meh” list.

1 Like
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I think part of it is related to people who have never shot/seen shot anything deer sized with a .223(or at least not with a halfway sturdy bullet) while placing undeserved faith on hunting caliber laws as being based on performance facts.

Just thought of a good example, Minnesota where .22 centerfire wasn’t cool and….

30 carbine hits harder than a .32/20, but .30 carbine was verboten while .32/20 was fine.

.30 carbine was verboten despite being the ballistic equivalent at 100 yards to the allowed .357 magnum at the muzzle.

Fairly surprised they allowed 10mm.

https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/staging/sara/access/2002_hunting.htm

LEGAL FIREARMS FOR BIG GAME

A rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, or handgun is legal for taking deer if:

• it is at least .23 caliber;

• it is loaded only with single projectile ammunition;

• the projectile used has a soft point or is an expanding bullet type;

• the ammunition has a case length of at least 1.285 inches, with the exception of a 10 mm cartridge that is at least .95 inches long, a

☞ .45 Winchester magnum, or a .50 A.E. (Action Express) handgun cartridge;

…….

• A person may not take big game with a .30 caliber M-1 carbine cartridge.

…………

• Big game may be taken statewide with handguns that meet the definition of legal firearms.

• The most common calibers of handguns legal for big game are .357, .41, .44 magnum, and .45 Winchester magnum.