Would you like to hit targets accurately over 500 yards away with your AR-15? Extend your current AR-15’s range by switching to 6mm ARC ammo – an intermediate rifle cartridge from Hornady that gets top scores for high accuracy and long-range in AR-15 platforms.
Despite its impressive velocity, the round is low recoil, meaning you can do long-range shooting without worrying about blowing out your shoulder. However, you can only use 6mm ARC ammo in your AR-15 if you have a compatible barrel. Fortunately, switching out your AR-15 barrel to shoot 6mm ARC rounds is easy. Keep reading to discover the best barrel length for 6mm ARC.
The Best 6mm ARC Barrel Length Varies Based on Your Needs
A 6mm ARC barrel will be wide enough to let the round pass through. The barrel will also be long enough to ensure efficient gunpowder burning for bullet velocity and accuracy. Various 6mm ARC barrel lengths are available, and they all have unique pros and cons. Before picking a barrel length for your gun, you should consider your shooting goals and needs.
For instance, long-range shooters and hunters need maximum accuracy and range. Longer barrels (over 20 inches) deliver superior muzzle velocity. A higher velocity leads to improved accuracy and range because the bullet can travel further before gravity can pull it off course.
Shorter 6mm ARC barrels offer less range and velocity, but the gun will be lighter and easier to wield. The maneuverability makes short to medium-length barrels better for combat, home defense, and other situations that require speed and unhindered mobility.
The Most Popular Lengths for 6mm ARC Barrels
The most popular 6mm ARC barrel lengths are:
- 16 inches: Among the shortest 6mm ARC barrel lengths you can get without overly compromising bullet velocity.
- 18 inches: It is suitable for mid-range combat and delivers sufficient velocity for hunting.
- 20 inches: The length delivers impressive velocity, making it ideal for prey or target shooting.
- 22 inches: The velocity from a 22-inch barrel is a bit more than that of a 20-inch 6mm ARC barrel.
- 24 inches: It delivers maximum bullet velocity for accurately hitting targets over 500 yards away.
Regardless of the barrel length you choose, the high ballistic coefficient of 6mm ARC rounds allows the ammo to retain velocity over long distances. The velocity retention ensures the bullet can hit targets over 500 yards with significant force.
The Ideal Length for Long Range Shooting
If you are a long-range shooter, the best barrel length for 6mm ARC is 24 inches. A 24-inch 6mm ARC barrel is long enough to ensure the bullet propellant completely burns and generates maximum force to eject the bullet from the muzzle. The high velocity allows the bullet to travel faster and farther before it drops due to gravity.
What if I use a longer barrel?
As seen in the below table, a 28-inch barrel can deliver more velocity, but a 28-inch barrel may make your gun too heavy and clumsy to enjoy. If you do not mind the extra weight, you can get a 28-inch 6mm ARC barrel for that extra velocity. However, 24 inches is enough to hit targets at 500 yards.
Image Source: Hornady
The Best 6mm ARC Barrel Length for Hunting
A good hunting gun is accurate and easy to wield, so you can quickly aim or take follow-up shots. The 6mm ARC barrel length that fits these requirements is 20 to 22 inches. Since a 20 or 22-inch 6mm ARC barrel won’t make a hunting gun overly heavy or long, you can comfortably carry the weapon while stalking or aiming at prey.
Also, a 20 or 22-inch barrel offers enough velocity (2460 to 2520 feet per second) to easily hit targets at 200 to 300 yards and take down prey without damaging the meat. While you can hit targets at a thousand yards away, 20 or 22-inch barrels offer the most accuracy at 200 yards because there will be no bullet drop at that range.
The Most Versatile Lengths for 6mm ARC Barrels
Based on our experience and feedback from other shooters, 16 to 18 inches is the ideal 6mm ARC barrel length if you want a gun that does it all. In fact, according to Hornady, 18 inches is the optimal barrel length for military applications.
Versatility is crucial for a military gun because the weapon needs to be easy to carry during close to mid-range combat and when traversing various terrains. A 16 or 18-inch 6mm ARC barrel checks these boxes without compromising muzzle velocity.
Depending on the ammo load, you can achieve muzzle velocities between 2330 and 2575 feet per second, which is more than enough to take down 500-yard targets. The range and mobility of the barrel make it suitable for home or self-defense and anyone dabbling in hunting or target practice.
Common 6mm ARC Questions
Here are answers to common questions about the best barrel length for 6mm ARC:
What is the best twist rate for 6mm ARC?
The twist rate is the rate of spin within your gun's barrel. The spin comes from spiraling grooves within the barrel that helps stabilize the bullet, enabling it to travel in a straight line to ensure accuracy. The ideal twist rate in a 6mm ARC barrel is 1:7 inches. Barrel length does not affect twist rate.
How far can the 6mm ARC shoot?
A 6mm ARC bullet can stay supersonic beyond 1,000 yards in standard weather conditions. Data from Gun University also shows that a 6mm ARC round can travel up to 1,200 yards, but it will drop about 60 inches over that distance.
Is 6mm ARC AR-15 or AR-10?
Hornady developed the 6mm ARC specifically for the AR-15 platform. However, the ammo will only work in an AR-15 fitted with a 6.5 Grendel bolt carrier group and a 6mm ARC barrel. You will also need magazines compatible with 6.5 Grendel.
Need a 6mm ARC Barrel?
Now that you know the best barrel length for 6mm ARC and the great things you can achieve with the ammo, you can modify your AR-15 to match your unique shooting needs. Fortunately, modifying your AR-15 to shoot 6mm ARC rounds is affordable and something you can do yourself. All you need is a 6.5 Grendel bolt and magazine and your preferred 6mm ARC barrel length.
Visit the Ballistics Advantage store today to shop for these components and anything else you need to turn your AR-15 into your dream gun.