Hornady Expands AR-Compatible Lineup with New .338 ARC
Author: Nick Miles | Publish Date: Oct 25, 2024
Hornady's Advanced Rifle Cartridge (ARC) family welcomes its latest addition - the .338 ARC, joining existing offerings like the 6mm and .22 ARC. While its siblings focus on extended range capabilities, the .338 ARC takes a different approach, presenting itself as a more robust alternative in the realm of .300 Blackout-style cartridges.
The initial .338 ARC ammunition release features two distinct loadings. First is the BLACK series - Hornady 338ARC 175gr Hollow Point featuring a 175-grain BTHP match round, delivering 2,075 FPS muzzle velocity from a 16-inch barrel. The second is a Subsonic variant - Hornady 338ARC 307gr Sub X loaded with a 307-grain Sub-X polymer-tipped hollow point, achieving 1,050 FPS. For handloaders, Hornady provides reloading dies and associated equipment.
The .338 ARC carves its own niche in the market, particularly when compared to the 8.6 Blackout. Both cartridges share the .338 caliber and are engineered for AR-platform rifles (with the 8.6 Blackout specifically requiring an AR10). However, a key technical distinction lies in their twist rates. The .338 ARC employs a more moderate 1:8 twist rate, enabling the use of conventional bullets, whereas the 8.6 Blackout requires aggressive 1:5 or 1:3 twist rates, limiting it to monolithic projectiles.
Examining the ammunition specifics, the 307-grain Sub-X loading features a lead-core bullet with copper jacketing. Its design incorporates lengthy jacket grooves, a flat tip, and a plastic Flex Tip insert, ensuring reliable expansion even at subsonic velocities. The cartridge achieves 1,050 fps (320 metres per second) with 1,022 joules of energy. Special attention to propellant selection minimizes suppressor fouling.
The BLACK line offering, topped with a 175-grain hollow-point bullet, generates 2,075 fps (632 meters per second) and 2,273 joules of energy. This load maintains the optimal 1:8 twist rate requirement and utilizes carefully selected components for maximum reliability in semi-automatic platforms. Both variants come in 20-round packages.
Industry support for the .338 ARC is robust, with fifteen manufacturers already developing compatible products:
Aero Precision | Ballistic Advantage | Brownell's |
Carbon Six | CMMG | Faxon |
KAK Industry | ODIN Works | Palmetto State Armory |
Preferred Barrels | Primary Weapon Systems | PROOF Research |
Seekins Precision | Stag Arms | Uintah Precision |