8.6 Blackout

**8.6 Blackout** is a .338-diameter cartridge introduced by Q, LLC in 2020 for the AR-10 platform. Like its little brother .300 BLK, it's engineered from the start to run both subsonic and supersonic, cycle short barrels, and shine with a suppressor attached. Where .300 BLK is a personal-defense and close-range suppressed round, 8.6 BLK is unapologetically a hunting cartridge. The heavier bullet carries real terminal energy at subsonic speeds and gives hunters a suppressor-friendly option that doesn't compromise on knockdown. The cartridge is new enough that ammunition selection is still thin and brass is expensive, but the platform is growing quickly. Worth watching for anyone who hunts suppressed or is building a quiet .338 for medium game.