Hello all,
After 12 months of using nothing but the 6ARC for hunting, I thought I might report back with results.
Rifle,
Howa mini action, 16” swan 1:7.5 barrel. MDT chassis.
First big mistake. Forming 6ARC brass from 7.62x39 is a bad idea. It did not go well and I would advise against it. Firstly they are hard to form and then getting them to fire form was a nightmare. I threw them out.
Loads,
Everything I shot was hand loads. I test with multiple 3 shot groups, rather than large strings of fire. I used Hornady brass for all loads.
103 ELDX Loaded over 2208 became my go to load. It got about 2550fps and I used it on, dogs, cats, Roos , foxes, deer and pigs. The performance of this load was awesome with 3 shot groups being .3/.5 Moa. Everything shot with it dropped or took a couple of steps. Most medium sized animals didn’t have an exist wound and dropped on the spot.
95gr LRX. I got these going 2730fps over 2206h. I didn’t find these to be as consistent as the ELDX, but all (again 3 shot) groups <=.5 Moa. I used the LRX on a red and some pigs. This was my first time shooting monos and I have to say I am not a huge fan. Yes they kill, yes they work, but I don’t like the fact they penetrate as extremely as they do. I would rather all the energy is dumped into the animal.
80gr M-Bomb. Australian made HP projectile. With 2206h I got 2770fps. Used it on Roos and pigs. Very good round and did the job. Again, 3 shot groups <.5 Moa.
In all the ARC has taken roughly 45-55 animals with nil issues. Most hunts I have hunted with people with 270s/30-06s etc and never did I feel under gunned. I did find that I was far more accurate with the ARC than the others with the larger calibres. Will I continue to take the ARC? Yes, this will continue to be my main hunting rifle. Given the experience I have had with the 6ARC I would be very comfortable hunting almost anything with the ARC from a red deer down with the ELDXs. I would have a crack at an elk with the LRXs, given the amount of penetration I experienced on large deer and pigs.