.223 AND 6mm ARC advice

[Watch_this71]

My grandfather always said it’s better to need and not have…

But in this case, do I need a 20 inch .223 AND and 18 inch 6 ARC? I know that 223 is common and that there’s a lot of ammo out there for it. but from what I’ve read 6 mm arc pretty much does it all.

Thoughts?

 

[db2000]

Is this for an AR? If so, definitely you need a 6ARC upper in addition!
Seriously though. Don’t get rid of a .223. The 6ARC is awesome and fun to shoot. If you can add it, do it.

 

[oldrifleman]

I think you asking the wrong group, we are not know for our restraint

 

[Watch_this71]

Is this for an AR? If so, definitely you need a 6ARC upper in addition!
Seriously though. Don’t get rid of a .223. The 6ARC is awesome and fun to shoot. If you can add it, do it.

Yup. Both are ARs

 

[WeR0206]

I think you asking the wrong group, we are not know for our restraint

You nailed it with this post. I just said to myself the other day no more upper builds for a while. One day later I come across a criterion 416R nitrided hybrid 223 wylde on sale (blem) and couldn’t resist buying it. Of course getting a new upper receiver, bcg, handguard, gas block, etc also happened

 

[Dogtown]

All I can say is that today I shoot 6ARC more often than .223, for some anecdotal info.

 

[padom]

I would never recommend getting rid of a 223 to get a 6arc or getting a 6arc instead of a 223..

But I will absolutely say get a 6arc either upper to slap on your 223 or a complete 6 arc.

Everyone should have a 223 AR. But after that, 6arc is stupid accurate and effective at longer distances with heavier bullets.

 

[alamo5000]

6 ARC and 223 are a perfect AR combo.

223 does 223 stuff and is very common and available. Plus it's cheaper to shoot.

6 ARC fills the '308' role but in a small platform. It can easily reach out so there is no real gap in performance (distance wise).

Plus almost everything is interchangeable between the two. Just buy a few extra bolts for the ARC and you can pretty much cannibalize parts if ever needed.

In the context of prepping or SHTF planning I don't know if you have any better options in my opinion.

 

[WeR0206]

I would never recommend getting rid of a 223 to get a 6arc or getting a 6arc instead of a 223..

But I will absolutely say get a 6arc either upper to slap on your 223 or a complete 6 arc.

Everyone should have a 223 AR. But after that, 6arc is stupid accurate and effective at longer distances with heavier bullets.

This is pretty much my approach as well. Volume wise I shoot 223 more b/c components for reloading are cheaper but I enjoy shooting 6 ARC more. Most folks probably have a nitrided or chrome lined 223/556 barrel so you can shoot the hell out of those before they start to go down hill vs 6 ARC a lot of barrels are raw SS and wouldn't last nearly as long (plus you are burning a little more powder in the ARC cases than 223). There are a few nitrided 416 6 ARC barrels out there but they are few and far between.

There's probably a 2x difference in barrel life between 223 chrome lined vs 6 arc raw SS (10-15K vs. 5-8K) so I would factor this in re: how often you shoot one vs. the other.

You can of course shoot 6 ARC up close but in general they have different use cases as @alamo5000 pointed out. I'd say 500 and in shoot the 223 and when you need to go out further bust out the ARC or if the wind is crazy I'd lean on the ARC more.

 

[db2000]

I tend to just shoot whatever I’m doing load development for at the time. This never gets old if you just keep building more guns and/or trying new bullets!

 

[Watch_this71]

Honestly, I have a 16 inch and an 11 inch SBR already. I found a 20 inch barrel in the back of my closet and I heard "build me" in the back of my mind.

Far be it for me to not listen to the little voice in my head...

 

[oldrifleman]

Honestly, I have a 16 inch and an 11 inch SBR already. I found a 20 inch barrel in the back of my closet and I heard "build me" in the back of my mind.

Far be it for me to not listen to the little voice in my head...

Now that is what we like to hear in the Hide! Give the man Cigar and a single malt.

 

[mkollman74]

What is this "need" of which you speak...

 

[oldrifleman]

What is this "need" of which you speak...

It is the word you use when your spouse asks about this charge on the Visa bill I think.