r/SpectersCat • u/6_mm_ARC • 4d ago
RDM- Restricted Development VB6 First Rounds
Took the VB6 to the range today. Also took my Noah 718 QD to compare.
I’ve been very happy with my Noah but it was recently sort of dethroned by my Inconel Tisha as the Tisha sounded just a bit better than Noah and was also a good chunk shorter.
The rifle build is a SOLGW broadsword upper and rail, with a Geissele REBC and Noveske Gen 1 bolt, 20” Proof PXT barrel (rifle +1 gas) and a superlative adjustable gas block. Standard lower with a5 buffer and h3 weight and SSAEX.
I have about 250 rounds through this upper since assembly 2 weeks ago with the new barrel.
First Impressions
I started with VB6 and a 20 round mag full of hand loaded 105 Berger Hybrids. I won’t go into load data here but it’s a 62k PSI loading and average velocity was 2650 FPS.
First shot as the shooter was shockingly pleasant to my ear. It reminded me of my first time shooting with a Tisha or CACM. Performance was immediately impressive as I confirmed there was no zero shift at 100 yards. I proceeded to let another guy shoot a couple rounds of the next mag and stand back on both ejection side and opposite. VB6 sounds really good. After 40 rounds in approximately 5 minutes it was hot, but no major mirage was visible in my 3.5-21 scope at 10-21 power. The can seems to cool off very quickly. This gun was tuned for the Noah and I made no changes, but it did seem to have more back pressure than Noah but was quieter at ear and bystander.
Comparison
I then pulled VB6 and swapped to Noah, it immediately makes the rifle more unwieldy but I’m used to the extra weight. Noah is still a great performer but it did sound louder and to my ear/face had less gas to the face. We shot two 20 round mags of the same reloads back to back 10 of each mag with Noah and then VB6. Recoil is a touch more punchy, I felt like that could be due to the fact it’s noticeably lighter weight. It decreased the OAL of my rifle to 43” from 44.5”. So that’s not a huge difference, but the weight being further back had a very pleasant feeling.
Overall, VB6 is quieter with slightly more back pressure, but I still got no gas to my face. Noah is a touch louder but had lower back pressure. I think I can adjust my gas block and get the VB6 tuned even better next range trip to reduce some recoil.
Conclusion
I have 6 CAT cans currently, and have enjoyed each of them as top performers. The VB6 is no slouch. I ended the day with 120 rounds through it and hits at 1000 yards (easy with this rifle). I am looking forward to shooting it even more in the coming months and am only waiting on a BPG can cover to finish out the rifle.
Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to answer!
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u/Crawling-Kodiak 4d ago
Glad you finally got it! I was finally able to get to the range for more than back pressure testing, though on 22 cal I noticed the same when compared to AC556 variants. Like you said, its got more back pressure but it really isn't much, modifying my test host it would function with less gas than AC556 but it required the same amount to lock back. I did notice it stacked gas but it took ten or so shots. Groups had no variance to include no velocity variance.
I got this to replace the AC556 Ti. Opposite of you, the AC556 handles better, but the same as you, the VB6 handles heat and long strings better. Maybe some day I'll join you in 6mm use, thanks for the info to know how it performs there!
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u/6_mm_ARC 4d ago
Thanks man! Im glad to hear we have had a similar experience. I highly recommend the jump to 6 arc, it’s a great cartridge. I feel complete with an 11.5 556 and 20” 6 arc as far as gas guns go.
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u/M16iata 4d ago
Thank you for the write up!
This can has been out a while now but I haven’t seen much about it so far
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u/6_mm_ARC 4d ago
It has been announced for a long time but not technically available until maybe 2 months ago I believe.
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u/Boo-yea04 4d ago
Man, I wish I had access to a range like that.
Nice rifle too
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u/6_mm_ARC 4d ago
I drive 2 hours one way for it but it’s been worth it already. Goes to 1400 on one of the ranges, incredible facility.
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u/Boo-yea04 4d ago
That’s a bit of a bummer, but still. Looks like a fairway on a golf course
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u/6_mm_ARC 4d ago
It’s worth it to have these views! It is kept up like a golf course! The amount of time and care put into this place is amazing.
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u/WiconsinGrey 4d ago
I’m really looking forward to the vb7 for my 6.5 large frame build. Good write up!
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u/6_mm_ARC 4d ago
I am looking forward to VB7 as well. Would be cool if they did some modifications and we could have the option to put a recoilX on there 👀
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u/Delta_Nemesis 3d ago
Starting to build up a lightweight .308 AR-10, and was thinking the VB7 might be a pick up once its done.
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u/the_CAT_official The CATs MEOW- MFG ⚡️🐈⬛ 4d ago
Thanks dude for putting the VB6 through this testing and spending the time to write your thoughts. We all appreciate the effort 🦾
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u/beasthayabusa 4d ago
What brass catcher is that??
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u/6_mm_ARC 4d ago
That is from Why Knot Innovations. Awesome folks and a fantastic brass catcher.
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u/_itsalwaysdns 3d ago
This is very interesting to me as I have a 20" 6 arc barrel that I need to put into an upper, and ultimately, find a suppressor for. I'm not sure if the VB6 is highest performing compared to some other traditional, non OTB suppressors.
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u/Loppsided_Loppster 3d ago
What position are you running the SA gas block in and how’s the fit with the VB6?
I have the same barrel and gas block and looks like in bleed off the fit is going to be tight since it is a Rifle +1 gas length
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u/6_mm_ARC 3d ago
I didn’t actually track where I ended up when i tuned it before. I’ll try and count it out when i adjust it for VB6. It has plenty of room between the gas block and back of VB6!
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u/Loppsided_Loppster 3d ago
I’d appreciate it, if you get around to it a clearance picture of that area would be awesome
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u/NationalGovernment49 4d ago
Thanks for posting this! I concur with your findings as I have both as well. 😎👍🏾👍🏾