Best 6mm ARC Ammo
Compare loads for defense, target, competition & more
The 6mm ARC (Advanced Rifle Cartridge) represents Hornady's 2020 answer to the military and civilian demand for a long-range precision cartridge that fits within the AR-15 platform. Developed in collaboration with the Department of Defense, the 6mm ARC was engineered from the ground up to optimize the performance of high-BC 6mm bullets in the 103-108 grain range, delivering match-grade accuracy and supersonic flight past 1,000 yards—a remarkable achievement for such a compact cartridge.
The cartridge's design philosophy centers on efficiency. By utilizing a case derived from the 6.5 Grendel (itself based on the 7.62x39), the 6mm ARC achieves exceptional ballistic performance while maintaining compatibility with standard AR-15 magazines and bolt carrier groups. This makes it an attractive option for precision rifle competitors, military units seeking enhanced capabilities, and hunters who want a versatile, low-recoil option for medium game.
Shooters choose the 6mm ARC for its unique combination of attributes: long-range precision in a lightweight, modular platform. Whether building a precision gas gun for competition, a lightweight hunting rifle for mountain terrain, or evaluating options for military applications, the 6mm ARC delivers ballistics that rival much larger cartridges while generating significantly less recoil. Its rapid adoption by both civilian shooters and military evaluators speaks to its genuine performance advantages in the crowded intermediate cartridge market.
All 6mm ARC Loads
Compare ballistics and prices across 4 products
| PRODUCT ↕ | GRAIN ↕ | VELOCITY ↕ | ENERGY ↕ | BC ↕ | USE CASE ↕ | BEST PRICE ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hornady BLACK 6mm ARC 105gr BTHP Ammo
105gr
• 2750 fps
|
105gr | 2750 | 1763 | .53 | — | $2.37/rd |
|
Hornady Match 6mm ARC 108gr ELD Match Ammo
108gr
• 2750 fps
|
108gr | 2750 | 1813 | .536 | — | $2.42/rd |
|
Hornady Precision Hunter 6mm ARC 103gr ELD-X Ammo
103gr
• 2800 fps
|
103gr | 2800 | 1793 | .512 | — | $2.62/rd |
|
Hornady V-Match 6mm ARC 80gr ELD-VT Ammo
80gr
• 3000 fps
|
80gr | 3000 | 1599 | .41 | — | $2.42/rd |
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- Exceptional long-range performance with supersonic capability past 1,000 yards
- Fits standard AR-15 platform with minimal modifications (barrel and bolt)
- Outstanding ballistic coefficients from 103-108gr 6mm bullets
- Significantly less recoil than comparable long-range cartridges
- Military-backed development ensures quality ammunition availability
- Excellent accuracy potential for precision rifle competition
- Versatile for both target shooting and medium game hunting
Cons
- Reduced magazine capacity compared to 5.56 NATO (24-26 rounds vs 30)
- Barrel life is moderate, typically 3,000-5,000 rounds
- Ammunition costs more than common calibers like .223 Remington
- Requires specific bolt face (6.5 Grendel/6mm ARC pattern)
- Limited terminal performance on larger game compared to bigger calibers
- Still relatively new with developing ammunition selection