6mm ARC testing

A

AWS

Retired PM Staff
I worked up a load for the 75gr Speer FB HP Varmint bullets, dead on at 200, first dot on the BDC at 300.

I took it out this morning to see if it would be a decent coyote round and how distructive it might be. I've never used that heavy a 6mm bullet for coyotes.

Wouldn't you know it a big boy comes in working his way closer but getting down wind. He stopped a couple of times but with a mesquite bush between us . Finally he stopped about 200 yards out facing me. Well I didn't think I'd get another clear shot. Boom, whack and he was gone from the scope. That was one of the loudest whacks I've heard on a coyote. I was expecting a mess. I ended up shooting him in the mouth, the bullet went in and into the body. A pristine pelt not even a entrance wound only a couple broken teeth. I quit for the day and headed home to skin him out.

Howa Mini 6mm ARC, Athlon 2-12 w/BDC scope 75ge Speer.

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Mesquite flats, he came from n on the ridge top

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I thought the same thing about the 75gr vmax. So far the only times I have gotten a lot of pelt damage is if I hit a solid bone like the shoulder or spine.

I have the exact same rifle. I really like mine. One of the most impressive things to me about the 6 arc is how quite it is whenever suppressed.

What kinda speed are you getting?
 
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My 16" AR shoots 75 grain Vmax at about 3k and .5 MOA with 27 grains of IMR3031. It could go faster, but it has great case life.
 
I wouldn't want to go any shorter than 20" but I don't run suppressors. The 20" HB on this is perfect, light enough to carry well, heavy enough to hold well.
 
AWS said:
I wouldn't want to go any shorter than 20" but I don't run suppressors. The 20" HB on this is perfect, light enough to carry well, heavy enough to hold well.
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Is this the factory mag well or an aftermarket?
Considering buying a Mini in 6.5Grendel or 6Arc
 
That's a great set-up and I'm glad it shoots well. I used to shoot it's wildcat cousins and those were great rounds too. I too am thinking of a Mini in 6 arc in a chassis for night calling.
 
That is the factory bottom metal/plastic with a bobbed factory mag. I have DIP.bottom metal on my Mini Grendel. They have changed the Bottom mag well over the years and this one is much better than the early one with the long mag release. I just need to see how action bolt recesses hold up or put a metal sleeve in them.
 
AWS said:
That is the factory bottom metal/plastic with a bobbed factory mag. I have DIP.bottom metal on my Mini Grendel. They have changed the Bottom mag well over the years and this one is much better than the early one with the long mag release. I just need to see how action bolt recesses hold up or put a metal sleeve in them.
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I thought the mag looked too short to be factory. The plastic bottom “metal” is my only hang up. I know there’s a company that makes a hinged floor plate as an option. Idk why Howa doesn’t just do that factory.
How tight are you torquing the action screws with the plastic vs the DIP?
 
Great stuff AWS. Thanks for the fur report on you 6 ARC. I've got the same rifle and love it. I used it in November to take a mature white tail doe. With a clean broadside double lung shot she went down after 60 yards. This was using factory 108 ELDM's and got a clean pass through. I'm really looking forward to using mine on coyotes.

Can you please update us when you get a chance to take one broadside.

greengt88 said:
How tight are you torquing the action screws with the plastic vs the DIP?
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35 in/lb is what howa concluded works best for plastic bottom metal. See attached pdf from howa. I'm going to stick with the factory bottom metal i mean plastic until i see signs of failure.
 

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greengt88 said:
Just ordered a heavy barreled 6.5

I assume it comes with scope bases?
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Mine did not come with bases either.

6.5 grendal or 6.5 creed?

If grendal, MDT makes a nice 20 MOA 1 piece base, mini-action specific, that has an integrated recoil lug. That's what i put on my 6 ARC and i'm happy with it.
 
Wasn’t any info if it did or didn’t…I think I have a set, if not I’m sure my shop has some.
Debating a picatinny rail, as I may put my thermal on it.
 
Most ne didn't come with bases, it will if you ordered the scoped package. I ordered a barreled action as I have a couple stocks laying around.
 
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