It seems like everyone has something to say about 338ARC although few have seen it. I have not seen it either, but I did get hit with many questions on the subject.
My opinion on it is likely to be less than popular and won’t make me any new friends.
It is what it is.
3:28 – "The success of 8.6 Blackout is probably what enabled 338 ARC."
To my ?knowledge?, the R&D program that birthed 338 Spectre, 338 ARC, and a couple others, was BEFORE 8.6 Blackout.
As for associating/comparing the two… their similarities begin with .338 bore, and end with a focus on subsonic performance. That is the beginning and end… there is no middle.
8.6 Blackout is a cool round. Inside its envelope, it's downright devastating. There in lies the problem… it's finicky. I'm not going to get into the hows and whys of it… but it's finicky, and it's expensive. If you do not plan on staying in it's safe space… you better own another gun, buy something different, or change your plans.
.338 ARC takes the bore size and focus on sub-sonic effectiveness, in a COMPLETELY different direction… efficiency. Not only was this round developed for a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PLATFORM (2.26" cartridge limit)… it does so with dexterity, flexibility, and efficiency. 8.6 CAN'T compete with 338 ARC. It's in the wrong platform, and it's far too focused. Are they going to exchange some market share? Sure. How much? That depends.
Existing 8.6 Blackout guys, are well… 8.6 Blackout guys…. but they're also gun guys. I doubt more than an irrelevant portion of 8.6 players, will sell their 8.6 to play with 338 ARC. The amount of money involved makes them just too invested. Also, a huge portion of them are Q/Blackout fanboys, for which nothing else exists. Most of those think not buying a 338 ARC will be somehow a "sticking it to the man" middle finger to Hornady for not adopting 8.6.
Yes, there are obvious associations that will cause some market share between them. Obviously there will be a small fallout from 8.6… but that will be largely to the hype wearing off, and 338 ARC being a more practical/flexible round, in a more practical platform.
Regardless of what anyone may think… 338 ARC simply has a broader range of practicality, greater efficiency, and is available in a more popular platform.
I am excited for it. Niche but idc. Supposedly much more accurate than 300blk. We have 125gr 338 supers from maker now. And if the rumored 400gr sub for 8.6 could be downscaled for ARC then we could potentially get a 125-350gr weight range to play with.
Plenty to get excited about, ill probably use a custom 1:5-1:6.5" twist rate
338 ARC is optimized for subsonic. It’s been around since 2009, but was called the 338 Spectre.
I just want a lightweight 8.6 blk barrel with 1/5 twist. Not married to monos, sub super performance, and no weird bolt face or mag. lol Q will be pissed if Ruger chambers the SFAR in 8.6
338 ARC is Hornady riding coattails. The boombox from Q weighs 5 pounds 8 oz with a 12 inch barrel. The geissele 10.3 AR15 weighs 6 lbs 3 oz. Their argument is garbage that it weighs less. Also factor in that you get a trash bolt because of case size and lack of performance and the choice is easy. 8.6 Cosby for the win.
As your optical and ballistic doctor, I recommend more scotch. Rx 150ml Spiritus Frumenti P.O. T.I.D.
I personally don't see the value of 338arc as a subsonic cartridge. I can get more magazine capacity (per inch) with 350L or larger bullets with 9×39. Makers make HPs for 350L and said they will for 338arc, so it just doesn't make sense for me to get a smaller wound channel. As for 8.6 twist rate, people are dabbling in using 1:5 and faster for other cartridges, so we won't be restricted to just 8.6blk for that rotational performance.
If Hornady releases a 9arc or 9.3arc, then I'd be more interested, but 8.6mm just isn't large enough for me.
I just view 8.6blk like 6.5cm and 338arc like 6.5g. AR15 vs AR10. Similar performances, but you gain more in exchange for a larger/heavier footprint.