What is 8.6 blackout?

Here's information about the 8.6 Blackout cartridge, formatted in Markdown with internal links:

The 8.6 Blackout is a relatively new rifle cartridge designed for short-barreled rifles and sound-suppressed use. Its primary focus is on delivering significant terminal ballistics while remaining effective in subsonic applications.

• Design and Purpose: The 8.6 Blackout was developed by Kevin Brittingham of Q, LLC. The main goal was to create a cartridge that could effectively and reliably deliver energy on target with subsonic ammunition, especially when used with suppressors, improving on the performance of the .300 Blackout in terms of downrange energy and terminal effects. To learn more about the design, see design%20and%20purpose.

• Cartridge Specifications: The 8.6 Blackout uses an 8.6mm (.338 inch) bullet. It is designed to be compatible with AR-15-pattern rifles with modifications to the barrel, bolt, and magazine. Cases are typically formed from .300 Win Mag brass. To learn more about the cartridge specifics, see cartridge%20specifications.

• Subsonic Performance: A key feature of the 8.6 Blackout is its excellent subsonic performance. The heavy .338 caliber bullets retain energy better at subsonic velocities than lighter bullets typically used in .300 Blackout, which is important for terminal ballistics at longer ranges. For more about its usage in subsonic performance, see subsonic%20performance.

• Supersonic Performance: While optimized for subsonic loads, the 8.6 Blackout can also be loaded with supersonic ammunition, providing a flatter trajectory and greater range than its subsonic counterparts. For more about its usage in supersonic performance, see supersonic%20performance.

• Firearms: The 8.6 Blackout requires a barrel with a faster twist rate, typically 1:3 to 1:5, to stabilize the long, heavy bullets. This necessitates the use of custom-built rifles or barrel swaps in existing platforms. To learn more about which firearms can be used, see firearms.

• Suppressor Use: The 8.6 Blackout is often used in conjunction with suppressors. The subsonic loads are quieter than supersonic loads, and the larger diameter bullet provides better sound suppression due to greater gas volume and lower pressure. To learn more about its usage in suppressor usage, see suppressor%20use.