{"id":1865,"date":"2025-10-18T11:35:03","date_gmt":"2025-10-18T11:35:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/?p=1865"},"modified":"2025-10-18T11:35:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T11:35:04","slug":"338-arc-ar-build-hollywood-quiet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/?p=1865","title":{"rendered":".338 ARC AR Build: Hollywood Quiet"},"content":{"rendered":"
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I show how to build a Hollywood-quiet AR that takes full advantage of the .338 ARC cartridge.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hornady <\/a>has been on a roll the past few years with its line of ARC cartridges. The 6mm ARC, .22 ARC and now .338 ARC are all impressive new cartridges that don\u2019t disappoint. But there\u2019s a burning question most of us have: Do they work as advertised?<\/p>\n

The .338 ARC intrigues me, and I want to know a lot more about it. What can it do? What can it not do? Why does it matter?<\/p>\n

For that to happen, I built what I\u2019m calling \u201cThe Tester.\u201d This \u201cpistol\u201d isn\u2019t optimized for anything special, but rather it\u2019s a jack-of-all-trades I\u2019ll use to play around with .338 ARC to find its limits.<\/p>\n

\"338<\/figure>\n

.338 ARC AR Build<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Faxon Firearms .338 ARC 12.5-inch \u201cGunner\u201d Profile Barrel
<\/strong>Midwest Industries Night Fighter 10.5-inch handguard
<\/strong>TiON Dragoon 8.6 Suppressor
<\/strong>Cryptic Coating .338 ARC \/ 6 ARC \/ 6.5 Grendel BCG
<\/strong>Faxon Firearms adjustable gas block
<\/strong>Bobro 30mm LPVO mount
<\/strong>Sig Sauer MSR 1-6x LPVO
<\/strong>Riton 3 Tactix EED
<\/strong>Radian Weapons safety and charging handle
<\/strong>Palmetto State Armory SABRE lower
<\/strong>UTG Pro upper receiver
<\/strong>SBA3 Brace<\/p>\n

.338 ARC vs. .300 BLK vs. 8.6 BLK<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Before we get in deep, it might help to clear up exactly what the .338 ARC is. Some people think it\u2019s an 8.6 Blackout replacement, while others claim it will be a .300 Blackout killer.<\/p>\n

The answer is both \u2026 kind of.<\/p>\n

If you want a nitty-gritty deep-dive, take a look at Hornady\u2019s New .338 ARC vs. .300 Blackout vs. 8.6 Blackout.<\/a><\/p>\n

The .338 ARC takes many of the strengths from .300 BLK and 8.6 BLK and rolls them into a single cartridge that\u2019s arguably better than either Blackout.<\/p>\n

\"338\"338<\/figure>\n

Energy Extras<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re looking at subsonic loads, everything has a max muzzle velocity of about 1,050 feet per second (fps); the .338 ARC has a lot more energy than .300 BLK due to the larger, heavier bullets. Most .300 BLK subs are normally loaded with 200-grain bullets, while .338 ARC are around 300 grains. This translates to .338 ARC having about 200 foot-pounds (ft-lb) more energy at the muzzle and around 110 ft-lb at 300 yards while having effectively the same bullet drop. That equates to 35 percent more energy, which is significant.<\/p>\n

Typical 8.6 BLK subs generally boast 300- or 342-grain bullets, putting them on par\u2014or slightly more powerful\u2014than .338 ARC subs, but with some major downsides.<\/p>\n

First, 8.6 BLK requires an AR-10 size rifle, making it larger and heavier right out of the gate. Second, ammo selection is more limited due to the 8.6 BLK’s extremely high twist rate.<\/p>\n