SanTan Tactical Unveils Two Rifles in 6ARC
Eve Flanigan 06.11.20
SanTan Tactical, of Arizona, announced the June 2020 release of a new rifle, in a new chambering.
The STT15-6ARC is an AR-platform rifle featuring a carbon fiber barrel by Proof Research. Ammunition maker Hornady Manufacturing has joined the marketing effort, displaying its three current 6ARC cartridge variants.
The new cartridge called 6ARC (Advanced Rifle Cartridge) was developed in response to a call a specialized set of operational needs within the US Department of Defense. They sought a new round that would consistently stretch past the reliable range of 5.56 NATO while still delivering knockdown power. The resulting cartridge is capable of high ballistic coefficients and good energy delivery downrange, and bullet variants can make it appropriate for smaller targets and closer ranges.
Flexibility of the 6ARC cartridge is touted as a selling point for hunters, property defenders, and match shooters, as bullet types and weights can serve numerous domestic purposes. Its parent cartridge is 308 Winchester and the cartridge is handloader-friendly.
Low recoil is another attractive feature of 6ARC. With SanTan Tactical devising a Stoner-style rifle for it, efficient operation for both military and civilian users is achieved.
Proof Research, renowned for their precision rifle barrels, contributes an 18-inch carbon fiber one to the STT15-6ARC, with a 1:7.5 twist.
Hornady’s contribution includes three new products. The new loads are, respectively, 108 grain ELD-“Match,” 105 grain boat tail hollow point “Black,” and 103 grain ELD-X “Precision Hunter.” Factory tests with a 24-inch barrel yielded ballistic coefficients of .512 to .536. Muzzle velocities are similarly close; 2,750 to 2,800 feet per second.
SanTan Tactical (STT) designed the upper and lower, cut from single-billet 7075-T6 aluminum. Uppers and lowers are cut from matched pillars. In the company’s words, “The 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.”
Ambidextrous mag, sling, and bolt interfaces are an unusual feature of this rifle. That’s nothing new to SanTan, though, as they have long produced an ambi lower for M4/AR15 rifles. No word on if the safety follows suit.
There is a “Lite” variant of the STT15-6ARC, which lacks the texturing treatment and “signature lightning cuts.” The company doesn’t provide weight specs on its website. The Lite does not have ambi features.
Magpul furniture finishes out the STT15. The long M-LOK forend provides massive room for accessories.
San Tan Tactical STT-15-6ARC Rifle Features:
• 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
• Precision CNC machined from billet 7075-T6 certified aluminum
• Proprietary 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
• Features extended feed ramps
• Ambidextrous Mag and Bolt release controls (ambi version only not Lite)
• CERAKOTE options are available for an additional cost
Both versions of the STT15-6ARC are priced at $2,895. This appears to be the first complete rifle offering by the company, a well-known producer of AR components. Appearance would indicate STT was prepared and decided to go big with a wildcat chambering, exclusive parts, and high-quality machining.
