6mm arc bolt action opinions

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000shock

Member
Im lookin at getting a new coyote and target rifle in the sub $600 or so range. Been kind if fixated on a ruger am gen2 (std or ranch) in 6 arc, but would like to hear about others experience w this cartridge in a bolt gun before i buy. Ive heard the horror stories about the ar’s, but plenty of success there also. Is the bad feeding just out of tune gassers or a cartridge issue? Thanks all!
 
My hunting buddy is an Arc maniac, multiple rifles in 6mm and 22, including a new Ruger ranch in 22 arc. I don't think he's shot it yet, it is a pretty nice rifle for sure. I guess I haven't heard any horror stories? I used to run the wildcat version of the 6 arc and it will function just fine. I did break a cheap bolt so I know that can be an issue but you just replace it and carry on. No issues after I started using a good bolt.
 
I just put together a 6mm ARC, Howa Mini, Athlon 2-12x40ish. I've worked up a load for 75gr Speer HP's. Tomorrow I'll do the final sight in and take it out to 300 yards

I find the little ARC to be a great round actually a better for a bolt-action than an AR. With the appropriate action, Howa Mini, CZ 527, Mini Mauser you can build an amazing little carry rifle. Right now the Howa Mini is the least expensive and easiest to find so I'm building on them. I have a 6.5 Grendel and a 6mm ARC, waiting for the 22 ARC to be chamber in it. I

My thought is if your going to use a standard short action you might as well go with a standard case and throttle it back if you like mild. Plus you can go full bore and leave the ARC in the dust.

I'm going to start the season with my trusty 222 Rem 788 1.5-4x24, 6mm ARC Mini Howa 2-12x40ish and my combo gun 16ga/16ga/6.5x58R 1-4x20mm.

No matter what action it is in it will kill predators just fine.

Good hunting

Imagine a Mini Mauser in 6mm ARC, MPI synthetic mannlicher stock and Leupold VX-3 1.5-5x20mm scope. What a classy little calling rifle that could take a beating much like a Sako Vixen full stock but tuffer.
 
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Thanks for the replies guys. Ill try and cover everything in one shot!

The horror stories ive heard have been primarily feeding/cycling with ar platforms, which i suspect is a gas issue. Iirc i read one guy with probs feeding a bolt gun, but after some more homework i would chalk that up to a mag issue.

I do have a howa 1500 (standard act) in 204 and its awesome! Main prairie dog rifle and sometimes coyote stands, but with the wind here in nodak id like something with better ballistics. After the bbl action and stock for the mini ill be a bit more $ into it that i wanted to be, hence the ~$500 rar gen 2. I will do some more digging on the mini tho.

Far as the cartridge goes, the 6 arc just seems to fill a gap pretty well in my locker. If wind isnt bad and i want fast and flat ive got the 204, and ive always felt 243 and 6cm both were so close to 6.5cm there wasnt much point in one of each. Seems like everyone and their dog has a 6.5cm today, me included! Just looking for something with high bc bullets thats budget friendly near the middle of what i have now.
 
DeereGreen said:
I’ll take a 243 in a bolt gun every day and twice on Sunday over the 6 arc .
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Yes, but check this out. I run 70 ballistic tips with a maxed out load of varget in the 243. 20in. Getting 3300fps. The 6 ARC in a savage 110 tactical 18in barrel is hitting 3200fps with 70 blitzking. Aa2230. Primers just starting to show stress. That same load the AR can't handle. Stuck cases, blown primers etc. Without a doubt the heavier you go the more 243 will separate from the arc. But the 6 arc is sn efficient little power house.
 
My ARC bolt guns runs real close to my 243 in velocity running the same bullet weight (70gr), maxing both cartridges. Different powders. I cannot run that same 6 arc load in an AR, it can't handle the pressure. Stuck cases, blown primers. Bolt handles it no problem. Though was designed for AR, you can't reach its potential in an AR. The same can be said for most cartridges. It's quite, and burns a lot less powder than my 243 yet is within 150fps same weight bullet.
 
Aws, how did your build shoot?

204 ar, has your buddy shOt (edited to keep bark eaters happy!) his ranch yet?

I suppose another consideration is bbl length. Im not suppressed yet, but thats prob my next major purchase. The ranch is 16+” and the standard is 20”. Most of my calling is in wide open country. Any major reason to choose one over the other?
 
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I have two bolt 6 ARC's. A Savage Axis with the 18'' heavy barrel and a Howa mini with the 20'' barrel heavy barrel. Both are in their factory stocks. The Savage is heavy, very heavy. Both shoot great with factory loads. Overall, I like the Howa better. Both are super quite suppressed.

I bought the Savage fist and if it wasn't so heavy I probably wouldn't have bought the Howa. I will eventually put the Howa in a MDT.
 
000shock said:
Aws, how did your build shoot?

204 ar, has your buddy shOt (edited to keep bark eaters happy!) his ranch yet?

I suppose another consideration is bbl length. Im not suppressed yet, but thats prob my next major purchase. The ranch is 16+” and the standard is 20”. Most of my calling is in wide open country. Any major reason to choose one over the other?
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If it were me and I was calling in wide open spaces like some of these guys have I would go with the 20'' or even the 22'' to milk as much velocity as I could. Ruger has the American Predator that's 22'' and Howa has a 22'' barreled action.

Savage has the Axis in 22''. They also have the 110 Switchback in 22'', it's sold through Sportsman Warehouse.
 
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It shot well, looks like a winner. The trigger needs a little tweekking. I'm going to start the season with it. Hopefully taking a road trip coyote Hunt my in two weeks, my take alongs will be a 222 Rem, 6mm ARC and my drilling in 16ga/16ga/6.5x58R as I do not know what the terrain will be.
 
Tjkiller said:
Yes, but check this out. I run 70 ballistic tips with a maxed out load of varget in the 243. 20in. Getting 3300fps. The 6 ARC in a savage 110 tactical 18in barrel is hitting 3200fps with 70 blitzking. Aa2230. Primers just starting to show stress. That same load the AR can't handle. Stuck cases, blown primers etc. Without a doubt the heavier you go the more 243 will separate from the arc. But the 6 arc is sn efficient little power house.
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You are handicapping the 243 with that 20” barrel
 
Ugh…you guys gettin good accuracy with your howa minis huh. Glad yours shot well aws! Ive been lookin at them more and considering a build that direction instead now.

Anyone know if the 22” or 20” bbl mini action is heavier? I know they are different contours.

This would be a gradual build if i go that route. Cheap factory mini 6arc to get shooting right away, then stockys stock when they get blems available. Maybe smaller things like true bottom metal in between.
 
I'm following the same path. I've got the 20" heavy contour. There are a couple threads on rokslide of people posting theirs. Here's the weights from someone over there.

M1500 Mini 6mm ARC BL STD 22" T/C 1/2X28 3PS

Brownells #430102217

Weights 3.85lbs.

M1500 Mini 6mm ARC BL HB 20" T/C 5/8x24 3PS

Brownells #430102218

Weights 4.3lbs.
 
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