{"id":512,"date":"2022-12-03T12:37:04","date_gmt":"2022-12-03T12:37:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/?p=512"},"modified":"2022-12-03T12:37:04","modified_gmt":"2022-12-03T12:37:04","slug":"8-6-blackout-overview-outdoor-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/?p=512","title":{"rendered":"8.6 Blackout Overview | Outdoor Life"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">What if you could have a 6-pound gun with a 16-inch barrel to hunt everything from whitetails to Cape buffalo? And imagine it could shoot supersonic or quiet-subsonic hunting ammo. That\u2019s the Q founder, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.recoilweb.com\/kevin-brittingham-the-original-honey-badger-96947.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kevin Brittingham\u2019s<\/a>, vision for the 8.6 Blackout cartridge. And even though it has started as a wildcat, the new cartridge has already taken big game and factory ammo is becoming available.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>So is this another wonder cartridge that won\u2019t take off? Or is it the .300 Blackout we always wanted? Only time will tell. Until then, here\u2019s more info from Brittingham, who developed the 8.6 Blackout with his team at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/liveqordie.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Q<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>8.6 Blackout Basics<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p><div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"bdwoZM4TpqQ\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Gorilla Ammunition 8.6 Blackout Supersonic Barnes TSX\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bdwoZM4TpqQ?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/store-fwcq7xdl4a.mybigcommerce.com\/content\/8.6BLK%20CARTRIDGE.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">8.6 Blackout<\/a> uses a .338-inch-diameter bullet in a shortened 6.5 Creedmoor case. It can be shot at super and subsonic velocities. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe settled on shortening up the 6.5 Creedmoor case because it\u2019s a little more efficient than the .308 case,\u201d says Brittingham. The length of the case centered around fitting in an SR25 magazine.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Bullet weights for 8.6 Blackout range from 155 to 350 grains, and velocities range from around 2,400 fps to around 1,000 fps. Brittingham says the subsonic loads are just as quiet as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/guns\/bt-usa-spr300-pro-rifle\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">.300 Blackout<\/a> with better terminal performance. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think it\u2019s the best utility cartridge ever developed,\u201d Brittingham says. \u201cWe wanted a cartridge that could work in a compact, lightweight gun with a short barrel and could shoot supersonic or subsonic out of bolt guns or gas guns.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe idea with the supersonic loads is to get magnum cartridge capabilities from a standard pressure cartridge in a lightweight gun,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd have a subsonic that\u2019s very lethal. Basically every lesson that we learned from .300 Blackout whether its barrel twist or bullet design, we put into this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt started as a joint project with a foreign military, and some of our special operations groups are now involved with it,\u201d Brittingham says. \u201cThat\u2019s always exciting to us, but we really wanted to do something for the commercial market for hunting. To give you the ability to shoot big animals with short barrels and lightweight guns.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>Hunting Applications<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><figcaption>8.6 Blackout (left) and .300 Blackout (right).  <i>Q, LLC<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The 8.6 Blackout was designed to be used for hunting with both subsonic or supersonic ammunition.\u00a0Utilizing heavier bullets and faster rifling twist rates (more on this later) it was also designed to outperform .300 Blackout.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith some subsonic loads we\u2019re getting 1 MOA at 300 meters, which is where we think the max is for subsonic hunting,\u201d Brittingham says. \u201cThat extends the .300 Blackout\u2019s range by three times. It kind of makes .300 Blackout obsolete for hunting honestly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brittingham\u2019s first animal with subsonic 8.6 BLK was a zebra, which he shot at 30 yards. Zebras are surprisingly large, tough critters, but that animal only went 30 yards after a broadside shot. \u201cI shot one at 207 yards and he went 30 or 40 yards,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The supersonic ammo is best for big game and shooting to 500 yards, however Brittingham says he plans to test the subsonic on big, dangerous game, too.\u00a0He\u2019s already put several Cape buffalo down with supersonic loads. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p><div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"JYX-JkDIArg\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Q  |  Mozambique Trials  |  8.6 vs Cape Buffalo\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JYX-JkDIArg?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve killed four Cape buffalo with supersonic,\u201d Brittingham says. \u201cI\u2019ve shot them from 9 to 40 yards.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Of course, we won\u2019t know the true accuracy potential of the load until we (and others) get to range test it. But at least for now, Brittingham\u2019s claims are impressive.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>Twist Rate and Barrel Length\u00a0<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\" data-dimension=\"square\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1313\" height=\"1313\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/12\/02\/275620262_3251989391702859_2696730172489204250_n.jpeg\" alt=\"8.6 Blackout: Could It Be Your Next Whitetail Cartridge (or Cape Buffalo Load)?\" class=\"wp-image-222579\"\/><figcaption>Fast twist rates are one of the keys to the 8.6 Blackout\u2019s lethality.  <i>Q, LLC<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A typical .308 hunting rifle has a 22-inch barrel with a 1:10 twist rate. An 8.6 BLK rifle will have a 12- to 16-inch barrel with a 1:3 twist rate (much faster twist rate than a typical rifle).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>According to Brittingham, increasing the rotational velocity increased muzzle velocity and helped subsonic bullets expand. The Q engineers began testing with a 1:10 twist and then went to a 1:7 twist. With that change they found in their gel tests the initial wound cavity increased by two times. When they went to 1:3 the wound cavity tripled.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe settled on 1:3 twist, although probably 1:2 is optimal, but with 1:3 all the commercial copper solid bullets and bonded bullets we tested stayed together and with the 1:2 some of them came apart out of the barrel,\u201d Brittingham says.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\" data-dimension=\"portrait\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/12\/02\/271605031_3208330919402040_5351232606151942338_n.jpeg\" alt=\"8.6 Blackout: Could It Be Your Next Whitetail Cartridge (or Cape Buffalo Load)?\" class=\"wp-image-222581\"\/><figcaption>A Cape buffalo killed with the Fix rifle and 8.6 Blackout.  <i>Q, LLC<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Experienced shooters are probably wondering about spin drift. \u201cIt\u2019s a 500-meter cartridge,\u201d Brittingham says. \u201cWith a supersonic load and a 16-inch barrel, after 400 yards you\u2019ll have to consider spin drift.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Another area of concern with new cartridges is barrel life, which Brittingham says will be excellent.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJust like .308, you\u2019re probably not going to burn one out,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The 12-inch barrel is Brittingham\u2019s preferred length. But he recommends a 16-inch barrel if you want to shoot farther distances, especially with supersonic ammo.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read Next:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/guns\/best-350-legend-rifles\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Best .350 Legend Rifles<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Ammo Options<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1153\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/12\/02\/210graintsx.jpeg\" alt=\"210 grain tsx bullets recovered from 8.6 blackout\" class=\"wp-image-222578\"\/><figcaption>210-grain Barnes TSX bullets recovered while testing the 8.6 Blackout.  <i>Q, LLC<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Brittingham\u2019s favorite supersonic bullet is the 210-grain Barnes TSX. With that bullet, he gets 1950 fps out of a 12-inch barrel. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo me, it\u2019s like shooting somewhere between a .308 Win. and a .300 Win. Mag,\u201d he says. \u201cBut it\u2019s a 5-pound gun with a 12-inch barrel.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brittingham has tested bullets from 155 to 225 grains for supersonic loads. He\u2019s shot up to 350-grain bullets in subsonic. \u201cI\u2019ve shot 30 animals in Africa with subsonic 8.6 with Hornady 315-grain Sub-X bullet,\u201d Brittingham said. That 315-grain Sub-X isn\u2019t available yet, but it\u2019s expected to be part of Hornady\u2019s .338 Sub-X line.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Maximizing subsonic ammo performance is a challenge due to the lower velocity and keeping the ammo from going supersonic in longer barrels.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHere\u2019s the problem with subsonic ammo: You need to load for barrel length to get the best performance,\u201d Brittingham says. To solve for this, he says there will be barrel-length specific ammo available.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-the-upshot\">The Upshot<\/h2>\n<p>New cartridges pop up all the time, and lately, they\u2019ve trended toward flat shooting and long-range performance. The 8.6 Blackout is different. It\u2019s meant for medium-range applications and light, short rifles. It has promising results from Brittingham\u2019s testing, but only time will tell if it can gain enough traction to truly take on the .300 Blackout.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v3.2\" id=\"facebook-js-js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/guns\/8-6-blackout-cartridge\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What if you could have a 6-pound gun with a 16-inch barrel to hunt everything from whitetails to Cape buffalo? And imagine it could shoot supersonic or quiet-subsonic hunting ammo. That\u2019s the Q founder, Kevin Brittingham\u2019s, vision for the 8.6 Blackout cartridge. And even though it has started as a wildcat, the new cartridge has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":513,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-512","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-gun-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/512","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=512"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/512\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/513"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=512"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=512"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}