8.6mm Blackout
8.6mm Blackout (8.6×43 mm), also sometimes referred to as 8.6 BLK,[1] is a centerfire rifle cartridge developed by the firearms manufacturer Q, LLC.[3] It utilizes a shortened case from the 6.5mm Creedmoor necked up to an 8.6 mm caliber (8.585 mm or 0.338 in diameter) projectile. 8.6 Blackout is designed for use in bolt-action rifles or as a caliber conversion for AR-10 style rifles. The 8.6 Blackout is designed for barrels using a 76 mm or 102 mm (1:3 in or 1:4 in) twist rate and bullet weights between 10.4–14.6 g (160–225 gr) for supersonic loads and 18.5–22.7 g (285–350 gr) for subsonic loads.[4]
8.6mm Blackout | ||||||||
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Type | Centerfire rifle | |||||||
Place of origin | United States | |||||||
Production history | ||||||||
Designer | Q, LLC | |||||||
Produced | 2022–present | |||||||
Specifications | ||||||||
Parent case | 6.5mm Creedmoor[1] | |||||||
Case type | Rimless, bottleneck | |||||||
Bullet diameter | 8.58 mm (0.338 in) | |||||||
Neck diameter | 9.40 mm (0.370 in)[1] | |||||||
Shoulder diameter | 11.531 mm (0.4540 in)[1] | |||||||
Base diameter | 11.946 mm (0.4703 in)[1] | |||||||
Rim diameter | 12.01–0.25 mm (0.4728–0.0098 in)[1] | |||||||
Rim thickness | 1.37–0.25 mm (0.0539–0.0098 in)[1] | |||||||
Case length | 42.80 mm (1.685 in)[1] | |||||||
Overall length | 63.25–71.75 mm (2.490–2.825 in)[1] | |||||||
Rifling twist | 76–102 mm (1:3–1:4") | |||||||
Primer type | Small rifle or large rifle (depending on casing) | |||||||
Ballistic performance | ||||||||
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Test barrel length: 406 mm (16.0 in) Source(s): [2] |
The only required modification to convert an existing .308 Winchester-chambered rifle to 8.6mm Blackout is the replacement of the barrel.[5] All other components of a standard AR-10 rifle are interchangeable. Modifications to the operating system such as the buffer, buffer spring and gas system may be made in order to optimize functionality of the firearm. 8.6 Blackout fits in standard, unmodified .308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor magazines with no effect on capacity.
References
- "8.6 Creedmoor or 8.6 BLK or 8.6 Blackout?". LoadDevelopment.om. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
- Gorilla Silverback, 8.6 Blackout, 288gr Fracturing Subsonic Ammunition
- Burton, James. "8.6 Blackout Approaches – A 2022 Update with Q's Kevin Brittingham - AR Build Junkie". Retrieved 2022-05-06.
- "8.6 Blackout: Your Questions Answered". Faxon Firearms. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
- Hoober, Sam (2022-12-21). "8.6 Blackout: Is Q's New Cartridge All Hype And No Substance?". Gun Digest. Retrieved 2023-06-28.