Quick Tip: The Scoop on the 8.6 Blackout Cartridge

@CalebSavant has been thinking about alternate cartridges for the AR-308, and today he tells us about the 8.6 Blackout round. Introduced in 2022 by silencer and firearm maker Q, the 8.6 Blackout has a 6.5 Creedmoor case necked up to accept a .338 bullet. Think of it as the .300 Blackout's big brother for the larger .308 AR platform. Like the 300 BLK, the 8.6 BLK is an excellent cartridge to shoot subsonic out of shorter barrels. You can easily convert an existing AR-308 to the new cartridge simply by changing the barrel and the muzzle device.

Caleb shows us a rifle he built from the ground up for 8.6 Blackout on Aero Precision upper and lower receivers. The M-LOK® handguard is from Midwest Industries. Caution: two receiver rail heights are commonly used in AR-308 World. Make sure the height of the rail on your handguard matches that of your receiver. Aero Precision puts HIGH rails on their uppers, so Caleb chose a Midwest handguard that also has a high rail. The barrel and muzzle device are by Faxon Firearms. There's a Magpul PRS stock and a Brownells Match Precision Optic firmly clamped to that receiver rail.

Would you like to see Caleb demonstrate the conversion of an AR-308 rifle to 8.6 Blackout? Let us know in the comments.

[cfranco]

This is my vote for an 8.6 Blackout build video. I have faith this one will actually be counted. :)

[schizosaint]

For those complaining that this is just another niche cartridge that will come and go, this is not another variation of “lol small bullet go big fast” this is literally .300 blackout but for the AR-10 platform, which is a really big deal for hunters and preppers alike. Pushing hearing safe .338 pills is a really big deal.

[SigmaSheepdog]

A cartridge / platform that definitely interests me. Keep the content coming!

[josephreisinger]

Yes Caleb, I would like to see more about this new caliber. Great video. Take care and Happy new year 🎉

[jacobhines]

Nice build! I treated myself to some components to build an 8.6 Blkout this Christmas. Can't wait! Here's a vote for a video to make brass for it. Keep up the great vids! Thanks!!

[Gambitt]

I remember when 300 Blackout came out. It took Brownell's forever to get behind it and start offering products. I kept emailing asking about it and they would always say, it was coming. I think they were waiting to see what was going to happen, but they kind of got left behind there for a few years while all the others companies were offering it.

[andrewstoll]

The new hotness.
A new cartridge that we won't have brass for in a year or 2.

[strapassassin]

Yes on conversion, and yes converting brass.

[jeramiahshastid]

Really interested in converting 6.5 brass to 8.6.

[AZ_Beanman]

Really interested in seeing the conversions!

[dominik]

I definitely do want to see you convert the AR into a AR 308 with the blackout in the 8.6 blackout and that is a really nice rifle by the way I really like it a lot and I really would love to have one

[lb]

Can't wait for the conversion video

[Roy-dkot]

I vote for any videos you can produce on the AR-308 and the 8.6 Blackout

[robdavidson]

I would like to see both the .308 to 8.6 build and the cartridge sizing.

[nhwhitetail]

Caleb, nice video. I have a SIG 716 Patrolman and would like to see a video on converting to 8.6. The only negative with the SIG is the weight.

[jakehandy]

I'd love to see a video on converting brass.

[ronhaefner]

Yes, watching a build/conversion would be of interest.

[bloodybones]

Thanks for the video. Please do some videos on conversions and the loading of this round.

[watermann]

With a 1 - 3 twist rate the 8.6 is designed for long heavy bullets and of course suppressed. A niche round for the man who has everything and doesn't mind shelling out for the build before ammo is even available.

[DOCTUSCUMSCIENTIA]

The .375 Raptor is basically the same concept.