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Rifle · SAAMI

6mm ARC

6mm Advanced Rifle Cartridge

Modern long-range AR-15 cartridge.

Caliber
0.2433″ · 6.18 mm
Introduced
2020
Case
Rebated
Parent
6.5 Grendel
Primary use
Competition, Hunting, Target
Status
Active
Velocity2,750–2,950 fps
Energy1,700–1,950 ft·lb
Typical grains90 · 105 · 108 gr
Identity
Introduced
2020
Type
Rifle
Origin
United States
Inventor
Hornady
Manufacturer
Hornady Manufacturing
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
34.5 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:7.5
Primer
Small Rifle
Case type
Rebated
Pressure & range
Max pressure
52,000 psi
Eff. range
1000 yd
Recoil
6–9 ft·lb

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Hornady Black 105 gr, 2,750 fps, BC 0.277 G7 · 100 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd27491762-1.5″—
100 yd25881561-0.1″-0.1
200 yd24301376-3.9″-1.9
300 yd22781210-13.6″-4.3
400 yd21321059-30.0″-7.2
500 yd1990923-54.0″-10.3
600 yd1852800-86.9″-13.8
700 yd1719689-129.9″-17.7
800 yd1590589-184.8″-22.1

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingHornady Precision Hunter 103gr ELD-X103 gr · ELD-X · 2,800 fps · BC 0.263 G7Buy now →
Best for TargetHornady Black105 gr · ELD-M · 2,750 fps · BC 0.277 G7Buy now →

Buy links open 6mm ARC ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

SAAMI · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀6.180.243✓
Neck ⌀6.960.274✓
Shoulder ⌀10.920.430✓
Shoulder angle30°—✓
Base ⌀11.200.441✓
Rim ⌀11.200.441✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.500.059✓
Neck length5.950.234≈
Case length37.851.490✓
Overall length57.402.260✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 6mm ARC is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 82 active loads across 21 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 82 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
BarnesMatch Burner85OTM BT3,0001,6980.224 G7
BarnesVOR-TX TTSX BT85TTSX BT2,9501,6420.135 G7
BarnesVOR-TX85TSX2,9501,6420.135 G7
NoslerMatch Grade105OTM2,8001,8280.272 G7
FederalGold Medal Match Sierra105Sierra MatchKing OTM2,8001,8280.527 G1
HornadyPrecision Hunter 103gr ELD-X103ELD-X2,8001,7930.263 G7
NoslerMatch Grade OTM105RDF HPBT2,8001,8280.527 G1
HornadyELD-X103ELD-X2,8001,7930.263 G7
HornadyPrecision Hunter ELD-X103ELD-X2,8001,7930.263 G7
FederalGold Medal Berger Hybrid105Berger OTM2,8001,8280.272 G7
LapuaScenar-L105OTM2,8001,8280.272 G7
NormaGolden Target105HPBT2,7901,8150.527 G1
BergerTarget105Hybrid OTM2,7901,8150.272 G7
LapuaScenar-L105HPBT2,7901,8150.527 G1
HornadyBLACK 105gr BTHP105BTHP2,7501,7630.257 G7

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

3 reloading powders listed for 6mm ARC, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

H3352015N135
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in 6mm ARC

12 models in the database chamber 6mm ARC. Browse all →

Aero Precision M4E1 6mm ARC 20-inchCMMG Resolve Mk4 6mm ARC 16-inchChristensen Arms CA-10 6mm ARC 20-inchCMMG Dissent Mk4 6mm ARC 16-inchSavage Arms MSR 10 Hunter 6mm ARC 20-inchPrimary Weapons Systems MK116 6mm ARC 16-inchPrimary Weapons Systems MK118 6mm ARC 18-inchSavage Arms MSR 15 6mm ARC 18-inchRuger Precision Rifle 6mm ARC 26-inchBravo Company Manufacturing RECCE-18 6mm ARC 18-inchAero Precision M4E1 Enhanced 6mm ARC 16-inchSavage Arms Axis II 6mm ARC 22-inch

Lineage

Immediate parent
6.5 Grendel
Direct descendants (2)
.338 ARC
Family TreeOpen 6mm ARC in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads82 factory loads for 6mm ARC↗Reloading3 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in 6mm ARC↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Introduced by Hornady in 2020, developed with military input for long-range precision in AR-15 platforms. Based on the 6.5 Grendel case necked to 6mm, providing greater case capacity than the 6.8 SPC-derived .224 Valkyrie despite a similar mission. Rapidly adopted by precision rifle competitors and special operations forces.

FAQs

What twist rate does 6mm ARC use?
6mm ARC typically uses a 1:7.5 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is 6mm ARC?
6mm ARC uses a 0.2433″ (6.18 mm) diameter bullet.
Is 6mm ARC still in production?
6mm ARC is active; typical availability is common.
What is 6mm ARC used for?
6mm ARC is primarily used for competition, hunting, target.
What is 6mm ARC based on?
6mm ARC is derived from the 6.5 Grendel case.
What are the best powders for 6mm ARC?
Reloading powders commonly listed for 6mm ARC include H335, 2015, N135.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 82 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →