A new rifle and a new cartridge in a new outstanding caliber: the STT-15-6ARC in 6mm ARC

From a partnership between San Tan Tactical, Hornady and Proof Research, a new AR15 rifle chambered in the innovative 6mm ARC (Advanced Rifle Cartridge) round.

Hornady new 6ARC cartridge
Hornady’s new 6mm ARC cartridge was originally developed for a specialized group within the US DoD for its multi-purpose combat rifle program. Here the 108-gr ELD-Match load.

The new caliber: the 6mm ARC from Hornady

Let's start from the latter: Hornady’s new 6mm ARC cartridge was originally developed for a specialized group within the US DoD for its multi-purpose combat rifle program. According to the Hornady Ballistician Jayden Quinlan, it's an extremely versatile cartridge that does everything much larger cartridges can, and everything that smaller cartridges can’t”. Loaded with high BC, efficient 6mm bullets, it provides “unprecedented levels of performance from such a compact platform” also thanks to an excellent cartridge-to-chamber relationship.

The idea behind this is to find a place in the middle between the .308 and .223 Rem/5.56mm cartridges, both in power and overall size. In comparison to larger short action-based .308 Win family cartridges, the new round promises less felt recoil. And with an excellent terminal and long-range performance from an assortment of bullets for a variety of applications, the Hornady 6mm ARC cartridge is well-suited for personal defense, match shooting, hunting as well as military and law enforcement use.

At present the 6mm ARC is commercially available in the following loads: 108-gr ELD-Match, 105-gr BTHP Black, and 103gr ELD-X Precision Hunter. The ELD-Match round boasts a G1.536BC.

Here you can find more info about the innovative 6mm ARC cartridge exclusively developed by Hornady.

105-gr BTHP Black load ammunition
The 105-gr BTHP Black load. The 6mm ARC offers long-range performance in AR-15 or micro action platforms.
103gr ELD-X Precision Hunter load
The 103gr ELD-X Precision Hunter load. The handloader has a multitude of 6mm bullets to choose from for specialized applications from varmint and deer hunting to match shooting needs.

The rifle: the STT-15-6ARC

More than this, the 6ARC can be chambered  in AR-15 platforms and short or micro action bolt guns – and here come the San Tan Tactical STT-15-6ARC rifles. Available in two versions, the STT-15-6ARC and the STT-15-6ARC-Lite with lightened receiver, both are configured with 18” Proof Research Carbon fiber barrels featuring ultra-lightweight characteristics, and superior accuracy. 

San Tan Tactical STT-15-6ARC rifle 
The San Tan Tactical STT-15-6ARC rifle features MagPul MOE plus Grip and CTR Stock.  The upper is cut from a single solid 7075T6 certified aerospace aluminum billet.

The upper is cut from a single solid 7075T6 certified aerospace aluminum billet, while the propriety special burnished bore gives a compacted internal surface, resulting in a much smoother surface finish. Bore, receiver extension face, barrel nut threads, and barrel extension surfaces are all machined in one operation ensuring that they are perfectly concentric and perpendicular to the barrel assembly. The lower features a 1.38” integrally machined magazine well flare, ambidextrous QD swivel points, ambidextrous bolt release and magazine release, oversized winter trigger guard and ultra-grip texture on all control surfaces.

Both upper and lower are machined to Mil-Spec Standards.

San Tan Tactical STT-15-6ARC rifle in video


San Tan Tactical STT-15-6ARC rifle features

STT-15-6ARC and cartridges
 In comparison to larger short action-based .308 Win family cartridges, the new round is smaller and with less felt recoil..
  • STT Suppressor Optimized Enhanced Bolt carrier group
  • STT 6 ARC HPT MPI Bolt, Crane O-ring Upgrade
  • Proof Research 18” Carbon Fiber 6ARC Barrel
  • CMC Triggers 3.5lb Single Stage Match Trigger
  • MagPul MOE plus Grip
  • MagPul CTR Stock
  • MagPul MBUS Pro
  • STT 15 16” MLOK Rail
  • Propriety special burnished bore that gives a compacted internal surface, resulting in a much smoother surface finish
  • Type 3, class 2, deep black, hardcoat anodized black
  • Extended M4 feed ramps
  • Ambidextrous Mag and Bolt release controls (ambi version only not Lite)
  • Cerakote options are available for additional cost

The new rifle/ammo combo claims to be “a significant increase in capability above and beyond what is currently available in the AR15 platform”. For sure, with the STT-15-6ARC rifles the former wildcat 6mm ARC round comes of age.

Here you can find more info about the innovative 6mm ARC cartridge exclusively developed by Hornady.

This article is also available in this language: