8.6 Blackout Ballistics

We look at 8.6 blackout ballistic data for the most commonly available loads for civilians in the United States.

There’s a new “Blackout” gaining massive interest from the firearms community. Everyone, it seems, is curious about the 8.6 Blackout. Made for short barrels and subsonic shooting, could this new option revolutionize the shooting industry? Or is it another mediocre round in a saturated market?

A lot will depend on the 8.6 Blackout ballistics, especially energy and trajectory performance. Before we explore the round’s ballistic profile, let’s examine the history and purpose behind this intriguing round…

So is this rifle cartridge worth your investment? Possibly, especially if you appreciate subsonic shooting. But before you purchase a new upper for your AR-10, let’s examine the 8.6 Blackout ballistic chart.

		Velocity (Feet per Second)			Energy (Ft. Pounds)			Bullet Drop (inches)
Ammo Name	Barrel Length	Muzzle	100 Yards	200 Yards	Muzzle	100 Yards	200 Yards	200 Yards
Callaway 285-Gr. ELD-M	16	992	969	948	623	594	568	35.5
Dirty Bird 300-Gr. SMK	16	1,007	980	956	675	640	609	34.7
Fort Scott 235 Solid Copper TUI	12	1600	-	-	1336	-	-	-
Fort Scott 285-Gr. TUI	16	1,050	1,018	990	698	656	620	32
Gorilla 210-Gr. TSX	16	1,970	1,788	1,619	1,810	1,491	1,222	9.4
Gorilla 300-Gr. SMK	16	1,050	1,018	990	734	690	653	32
Gorilla 285-Gr. Facturing	16	1,050	1,016	986	698	653	616	32.1
Gorilla - 342-Gr. Pork Shredder CHP	16	1,000	975	953	759	722	690	35

Velocity

For rifle rounds, the 8.6 Blackout is slow. The “typical” rifle round (if there is such a thing) leaves the rifle at around 2,000 feet per second or more. The .308 Winchester, for instance, typically starts at about 2,500 to 3,000 fps.

When lightened to 210 grains, which is still a heavy bullet, the 8.6 can reach speeds of about 1,900 fps. However, this eliminates the subsonic capability of the round. Most products, which are intended for subsonic performance, range around 1,000 fps for muzzle velocity.

At 1,000 fps of muzzle speed, the 8.6 Blackout is slower than most 9mm Luger rounds. It’s actually closer to a .380 ACP handgun cartridge than a typical rifle cartridge. But, it should be remembered, ballistic speed was never the goal for this round. In fact, the goal was effective performance without a high speed.

Barrel Length / Velocity Testing

Aiming to get some independent data with different barrel lengths, our team set out to test several different 8.6 Blackout loads. Using a Faxon FF-10XRS rifle with 8″, 12″, and 16″ barrels, we gathered the velocity data for three different Gorilla Ammo loads.

Our hope is the independently gathered figures provide a helpful data point for shooters considering adopting the rifle or considering their ammo options.

8.6 BLK	Barrel Length	SHOT 1	SHOT 2	SHOT 3	AVERAGE
Gorilla 190 Grain HP	16"	2,201 FPS	2,209 FPS	2,197 FPS	2,202 FPS
Gorilla 190 Grain HP	12"	2,095 FPS	2,096 FPS	2,091 FPS	2,094 FPS
Gorilla 190 Grain HP	8"	1,895 FPS	1,893 FPS	1,897 FPS	1,895 FPS
Gorilla 285 Grain HP	16"	1,060 FPS	1,054 FPS	1,049 FPS	1,054 FPS
Gorilla 285 Grain HP	12"	997 FPS	1,032 FPS	1,034 FPS	1,021 FPS
Gorilla 285 Grain HP	8"	966 FPS	971 FPS	964 FPS	967 FPS
Gorilla 342 Grain HP	16"	1,091 FPS	1,098 FPS	1,087 FPS	1,092 FPS
Gorilla 342 Grain HP	12"	1,081 FPS	1,071 FPS	1,061 FPS	1,071 FPS
Gorilla 342 Grain HP	8"	1,042 FPS	1,035 FPS	1,024 FPS	1,034 FPS

Energy

Although terminal performance depends on many factors, including the bullet design and shot placement, from a strict energy standpoint the 8.6 Blackout appears to be light but capable. With such heavy, wide bullets, it’s reasonable to assume this round can create significant damage within 100 yards.

Again, there is one product that stands out. The 210-grain cartridge from Gorilla, which is much faster than the rest, has energy stats that compare with common deer-hunting rounds. At 1,810 ft-lbs, the muzzle energy is directly in the range of a typical .30-30 Winchester.

If we just look at raw data, the 8.6 Blackout may seem underwhelming. But it’s still more powerful than many trusted handgun and rifle rounds. There is little doubt that a well-placed 8.6 Blackout to a deer or hog’s vitals, especially within 100 yards, will create a fast-acting wound channel.

Trajectory

As we’ve already seen, the 8.6 is (relatively) slow and heavy. It should come as no surprise that this round is not considered a long-range hunting or shooting tool. Made for subsonic shooting, the 8.6 Blackout has trajectories that drop, in some cases, nearly three feet between 100 yards and 200 yards.

But there is potential for moderate range. The 210-grain Gorilla product shows the cartridge’s promise, as it only drops about 9.4 inches between 100 and 200 yards. Not the flattest trajectory on the market, but not bad.

Getting to Know the 8.6 Blackout

The 8.6 Blackout was created by Kevin Brittingham and his group of firearms experts at Q LLC. It’s often referred to as the big brother (although it’s the younger brother) of the .300 AAC Blackout.

Names aside, it’s easy to see why this comparison is made. The .300 Blackout, released in 2009, was developed in part for short-barrel suppressed shooting in the AR-15 platform. The 8.6 Blackout, first made available in 2022, serves the same purpose for the larger AR-10.

Essentially, the 8.6 Blackout was designed to shoot heavy 0.338-inch bullets, which are available from numerous manufacturers, with a modest supersonic speed or a whisper-quiet subsonic speed. Intended for hunting, it also serves as a reliable tactical and home-defense tool. Frankly, it can also be loads of fun to shoot at the range.

Perhaps most interesting, especially to gun enthusiasts interested in the technical details of shooting, is the twist rate of 8.6 Blackout barrels. A common twist rate for .223 Remington barrels, for example, is 1:9, meaning there is a single twist rotation (360-degree turn) in nine inches. However, 8.6 Blackout barrels carry a twist rate of 1:3, an uncommonly tight twist.

Because the bullet moves slower, relatively speaking, this fast spin gives it better flight stability, a necessary factor when dealing with slow-moving bullets weighing over 300 grains.

The 8.6 Blackout is an interesting cartridge, one that seems to buck the trend of maximum possible speed. This is not a light-bullet/high-velocity round. It’s the opposite.

It packs heavy bullets and, as we’ll show, launches them at slow speeds. And yet it appears to be highly effective. There is a popular image of the cartridge’s creator, Kevin Brittingham, standing over a Cape buffalo with his 8.6 Blackout rifle equipped with a 12-inch barrel.

8.6 Blackout Ballistics: What’s the Point?

After reviewing the 8.6 Blackout ballistics, you may wonder: what’s the point? You can find faster, more powerful, and flatter-shooting rounds. Why adopt the 8.6? There seem to be three good reasons…

First, it gives reliable power and versatility within 100 yards, and it does so in a compact firearm. If you need a reliable cartridge for hunting in heavy brush, the 8.6 is a fine candidate.

Next, it’s compatible with existing platforms, which makes adoption easier and more affordable. If you have an AR-10, you just need an 8.6 upper and you go.

Finally, you can have enhanced performance with suppressed firing. This caliber is optimized for suppressors, giving you reduced noise and light recoil while delivering reliable stopping power.

For these reasons, the 8.6 Blackout could be the next big advancement in hunting.

Find the Ammo You Need Right Here

When you need affordable ammunition for your next hunt or afternoon at the range, visit the 8.6 blackout ammo page at ammotogo.com.

$51.95

20rds – 8.6 Blackout Fort Scott Munitions 235gr. TUI Ammo

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