View Full Version : 6.5 or 6.8?
OneGuy67
05-25-2012, 10:58
I have an extra complete lower looking for a new upper partner. I've been considering something more/different than the standard .223/5.56 and have been doing some reading on the 6.5 and the 6.8.
Which is better in terms of using my existing lower, commercial ammo availability, ballistics, and any other factors I've not mentioned?
Help me make a decision! Thanks!
Rucker61
05-25-2012, 11:03
Do you want long range accuracy at 600 yards or deer killing power up to 300 yards?
military is switching to 6.8
OneGuy67
05-25-2012, 11:07
Do you want long range accuracy at 600 yards or deer killing power up to 300 yards?
I'm thinking long range accuracy, I believe. Not necessarily looking at it as a hunting platform, although a friend in GJ insists his 6.5 is outstanding for coyote banging.
quondom fremd
05-25-2012, 11:15
6.8 > 6.5 , but I would seriously consider 300BLK
DD977GM2
05-25-2012, 11:16
6.8 is easier to find commercially and have more options from manufacturers for
configuring your rifle. You want to get a Spec II chamber so you can shoot the "combat" or "tactical" loads.
300BLK is the new hot round.....mtn man i dont see the .gov switching cartridges in the near future
airborneranger
05-25-2012, 11:56
military is switching to 6.8
Says who?
ruthabagah
05-25-2012, 13:11
450 bushmaster. Go big or go home.
Seriously: 6.8 or 300blk have more potentials/parts available right now.
airborneranger
05-25-2012, 14:02
450 bushmaster. Go big or go home.
Seriously: 6.8 or 300blk have more potentials/parts available right now.
I am thinking of adding a 300 blk
[Beer]
Do the 300 blackout and let me know how it goes...then I can get one for the piggies!
I vote 300 blk. That's what I'm building.
airborneranger
05-25-2012, 14:22
Do the 300 blackout and let me know how it goes...then I can get one for the piggies!
My bud just built one but he lives in KS so I can't test his.....boo!
spqrzilla
05-25-2012, 14:42
The military is not switching to 6.8mm.
I'd say that 6.5mm looks to have more support than 6.8 in the market, but I think I'd wait a bit longer to see which of the .30 sort out on top.
450 bushmaster. Go big or go home.
Seriously: 6.8 or 300blk have more potentials/parts available right now.
Says one of my boys in the Rangers. we have recieved a butt load of 5.56 stuff as they are discontinuing it.
The military is not switching to 6.8mm.
I'd say that 6.5mm looks to have more support than 6.8 in the market, but I think I'd wait a bit longer to see which of the .30 sort out on top.
Yeah uh huh.
I dont get the whole 6.8 thing either.............
............was developed by Remington Arms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_Arms) with collaboration from individual members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, United States Special Operations Command (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Special_Operations_Command).[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6.8_mm_Remington_SPC#cite_note-2) to possibly replace the 5.56 NATO (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.56_NATO) cartridge in a Short Barreled Rifle(SBR)/Carbine.Yet years later SOCOM orders the SCAR 16 & 17 in 7.62 NATO and 5.56 NATO..............................
I doubt the military will full scale adopt a new cartridge with the current leaders in washington and the future of our money...........
I think the .300 BLK would be a better upgrade anyway, cheaper to switch out barrels............. wishful dreaming.
I was leaning on making a 6.8 at first, not a big hunter, which 6.5 or 6.8 appears to lean to community wise, which is why I was so intrigued with the .300 BLK and ended up going that way.
A nice little 10" barreled pistol for now and turning in to an SBR in the future. perfect! ...........and cheaper.
The US army is changing over, we have 2 family members in there. we have recieved a buttload of 5.56 mags etc as they are converting to the 6.8
And our boys get first shot at the discontinued New items pertainging to the old 5.56
Even an Old retired Marine specialist I know has said he knew they were switching.
The US army is changing over, we have 2 family members in there. we have recieved a buttload of 5.56 mags etc as they are converting to the 6.8
And our boys get first shot at the discontinued New items pertainging to the old 5.56
Even an Old retired Marine specialist I know has said he knew they were switching.
First I have heard of a full scale switch over, I heard it never went anywhere??????
..............anyone else still in, enlighten us? Would be cool to know which branches, units are switching?
spqrzilla
05-25-2012, 17:17
The US army is changing over, we have 2 family members in there. we have recieved a buttload of 5.56 mags etc as they are converting to the 6.8
And our boys get first shot at the discontinued New items pertainging to the old 5.56
Even an Old retired Marine specialist I know has said he knew they were switching.
No. Not happening. No Army units are converting to 6.8 SPC currently. No procurement of the 6.8 SPC has been made, or even put out for bid. Without even an open RFP, such a conversion could not start for years if the RFP went out today.
SOCOM got spanked years ago for their efforts with the 6.8 SPC by Army brass.
And there is no budget for converting to a new rifle caliber, with the need for new parts, new ammunition, new magazines.
It is not happening.
airborneranger
05-25-2012, 17:28
The US army is changing over, we have 2 family members in there. we have recieved a buttload of 5.56 mags etc as they are converting to the 6.8
And our boys get first shot at the discontinued New items pertainging to the old 5.56
Even an Old retired Marine specialist I know has said he knew they were switching.
It is not happening. The Army is sticking with 5.56. For Afghanistan, they developed a new 5.56 round which resulted in surplus green tip.
It is not happening. The Army is sticking with 5.56. For Afghanistan, they developed a new 5.56 round which resulted in surplus green tip.
The SOST round????
truth about guns post (http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2010/02/robert-farago/marines-punt-nato-ammo-for-special-operations-science-and-technology-sost-rounds/)
airborneranger
05-25-2012, 17:48
The SOST round????
I can't remember the name but that sounds correct.
I can't remember the name but that sounds correct.
There was a Navy Times article (http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/02/marine_SOST_ammo_021510w/) about it I read and various other sites had something on it.
Suppose to be more deadly..........they have a round in .300 BLK that is available from GUNN manufacturing I was interested in.
spqrzilla
05-25-2012, 19:09
No, the new Army round is the M855A1 "EPR" round. Supposedly more "green", there was a recent Guns & Ammo piece that highlighted a claim of reduced accuracy of the new bullet.
..............anyone else still in, enlighten us? Would be cool to know which branches, units are switching?
Aint happening.
New ammo is being used, but not a new caliber.
SOF guys use different stuff, but Big Army/Marine isnt making any changes.
spqrzilla
05-25-2012, 19:31
The only recent change to Army rifle procurement is the switch of the manufacturer of the M4 this spring. Remington starts delivering new M4A1 carbines late in 2013. Everyone of them will be 5.56mm.
The Marines started issuing a new sort of LMG at the squad level but its in 5.56mm.
Awhile back SOCOM announced that they would not buy anymore SCAR in 5.56mm, but that was because they decided that it was not so much "better" than the M4 that it was worth the cost to them. They might still be buying SCAR in 7.62mm.
There will be no new small arms caliber anytime soon. I'm betting that 2020 will not see a new small arms caliber.
Aint happening.
New ammo is being used, but not a new caliber.
SOF guys use different stuff, but Big Army/Marine isnt making any changes.
I thought that is what I had read up on, although maybe Army Rangers or other special units in some special areas/situations can play with other things????
It is odd that Mtn Man was told they have something new??????
Oh well..........
We wont have a new caliber will be using a Pulse plasma rifle in the 40 watt range...........
Who is geek enough to remember where that came from? :D
whiskeyjack
05-25-2012, 21:52
no one is switching to anything. IF anything there is a move back towards more 7.62x51 but 5.56 will remain.
airborneranger
05-25-2012, 22:45
no one is switching to anything. IF anything there is a move back towards more 7.62x51 but 5.56 will remain.
Exactly and that happened years ago during the first few years in the Stan. The 5.56 couldn't reach guys on distant mountain tops, so the Army pulled out the old M-14s from inventory. They started as the standard wood stocks but have evolved to the full railed systems.
Both the Marines and Army developed their own bullet specifically for Afghanistan. I don't think these are the "green" bullets but I may be mistaken.
OneGuy67
05-26-2012, 11:24
Just to put this thread back on course...
The general consensus is, the 6.8 SPC over the 6.5 Grendal.
How about barrel length? 16, 18 or 20" length, or does it really matter? How about twist? The ones I'm seeing have a 1-9.5 twist rate? Is there a optimum bullet weight for that twist rate or does the 6.8 even come in different bullet weights?
Just to put this thread back on course...
The general consensus is, the 6.8 SPC over the 6.5 Grendal.
How about barrel length? 16, 18 or 20" length, or does it really matter? How about twist? The ones I'm seeing have a 1-9.5 twist rate? Is there a optimum bullet weight for that twist rate or does the 6.8 even come in different bullet weights?
Inevitable, but I tried... http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=50890
I hear less and less from the 6.5 community and WAY more from the .300 community now... Hell, I hope to own both someday as both are just fine options.
6.5 vs. 6.8 is beaten to death; personally, I chose 6.8 and it's WAY far from nearing death and one of the more popular "alternate" options/flying off the shelves. "Cheap" ammo and different mags are an issue but it's well-proven death on hogs/mid-size game from the TX-gang and one hell of an upgrade to even the best reloads of 5.56/.223... The Barnes 95 TTSX projectile is near perfection but there are plenty of options.
Can't we all just get along? (Don't make me bust out the 458 SOCOM...)
B2 ;)
spqrzilla
05-27-2012, 12:44
Another way to decide might be to count how many different ammo manufacturers are producing the cartridge. I just jumped on MidwayUSA and counted different manufacturers listed for each caliber. By that measure, 6.8 SPC is way ahead of 6.5 Grendel.
Of the other AR calibers, .300 BLACKOUT is ahead of .30 AR by quite a bit but still a bit behind 6.8 SPC.
Oddly Wolf Gold line has 6.5 Grendel in several loadings including two in the Wolf Gold line (probably an inexpensive source of brass) but none of the others.
OneGuy67
05-28-2012, 10:07
Inevitable, but I tried... http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=50890
I hear less and less from the 6.5 community and WAY more from the .300 community now... Hell, I hope to own both someday as both are just fine options.
6.5 vs. 6.8 is beaten to death; personally, I chose 6.8 and it's WAY far from nearing death and one of the more popular "alternate" options/flying off the shelves. "Cheap" ammo and different mags are an issue but it's well-proven death on hogs/mid-size game from the TX-gang and one hell of an upgrade to even the best reloads of 5.56/.223... The Barnes 95 TTSX projectile is near perfection but there are plenty of options.
Can't we all just get along? (Don't make me bust out the 458 SOCOM...)
B2 ;)
It may have been beaten to death for you, but I'm trying to learn here in order to make a good decision on what to spend my limited dollars on. There are people here with personal information and accounts that can aid me in that decision. Hence, the reason I started this post.
It may have been beaten to death for you, but I'm trying to learn here in order to make a good decision on what to spend my limited dollars on. There are people here with personal information and accounts that can aid me in that decision. Hence, the reason I started this post.
I am going back to thinking of doing my 6.8 upper again as well. Might as well have one of everything right? :D
I think SPC II is 1/11 twist and there is some differences in the chamber from SPC I
I am not a hunter, so I am looking at all around rifle I can use in case I needed to, so a 16" barrel 1/11 with a mid length gas system.
The 6.8 would be a good choice, if brass was not stupidly expensive.
The 6.8 would be a good choice, if brass was not stupidly expensive.
Luckily I haven't gotten addicted to reloading yet.
Commercial bulk ammo is cheaper than I thought and there is a lot of custom stuff out there.
I already have a .300 BLK in a 10" barrel. Am I silly for wanting to do a 6.8 SPC to have another caliber? I guess I have to think about my limited $$$ to feed the beasts. I think the .300 is great for all around, but the 6.8 SPC II has a slightly more punch. I would like to have an AR I can slap in the back of the JEEP when I go wheeling / camping that I can use to defend against 2 & 4 legged critters and just all around.
We wont have a new caliber will be using a phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range...........
Who is geek enough to remember where that came from? :D
I am.
http://www.goingfaster.com/term2029/miscte4.jpg
I've got an extra lower as well that I want to turn into a deer gun. Was originally thinking 6.8 but the 300 is looking really nice. And ammo seems to be a lot cheaper.
I've got an extra lower as well that I want to turn into a deer gun. Was originally thinking 6.8 but the 300 is looking really nice. And ammo seems to be a lot cheaper.
This is my current dilemma. I want to use it on Turbo goats and deer. Not sure if I should go the 6.8 or the 300 blog route. I don't reload yet so that kinda has me leaning towards the 6.8. What say the knowledgeable elders of this site?
This is my current dilemma. I want to use it on Turbo goats and deer. Not sure if I should go the 6.8 or the 300 blog route. I don't reload yet so that kinda has me leaning towards the 6.8. What say the knowledgeable elders of this site?
You don't have to be a handloader for .300 blackout there is cheap and expensive stuff commercially.
.300 BLK doesn't require much to run on an AR. 6.8 SPC II has a little better ballistics long range.
Do both....... :D
A good case for going 300 BLK relative to e.g., 6.8 is made here...
http://300aacblackout.com/resources/300-BLK.pdf
Lots of other info is also available on that site.
A good case for going 300 BLK relative to e.g., 6.8 is made here...
http://300aacblackout.com/resources/300-BLK.pdf
Lots of other info is also available on that site.
I read on a couple places, 6.8 specific forums the specs they used for 6.8 for those comparisons were the original 6.8 not SPC II so they were wanking about it.
6.8 SPC still comes out on top for #'s but as what has already been said the .300 BLK is very adaptable, super simple to convert and to run.
If Noveske made a 6.5grwndal barrel I would have a 6.5!
I read on a couple places, 6.8 specific forums the specs they used for 6.8 for those comparisons were the original 6.8 not SPC II so they were wanking about it.
6.8 SPC still comes out on top for #'s but as what has already been said the .300 BLK is very adaptable, super simple to convert and to run.
I'm just pondering the 300 versus 6.8 right now. I'll probably get one or the other in the next couple months. The seemingly greater availability of 300 ammo and lower price may give it the edge for me over 6.8. But either caliber will be good for what I want, another plinker and deer/hog gun.
I'm just pondering the 300 versus 6.8 right now. I'll probably get one or the other in the next couple months. The seemingly greater availability of 300 ammo and lower price may give it the edge for me over 6.8. But either caliber will be good for what I want, another plinker and deer/hog gun.
I see more ammo for 6.8 than I do .300 BLK. I think .300 BLK has cheaper commercial loads than 6.8 but in reloading the .300 BLK is the clear winner. What got me over the "black" side was the versatility of the .300 BLK in ballistics, and the cost of converting an existing AR. Can't forget to mention the magazine issue. The 6.8 mags are pricey for the good ones.
From what I can formulate .300 BLK has a LARGE industry monster supporting it (the freedom group) plus a LOT of the other industry jumping on the bandwagon. It must be selling well as just barrels for the .300 are hard as hell to find in stock and the ammo commercially is always sold out. Where as 6.8 Remington is treated like the bastard child now from Remington, even though they helped make it, my take at least, from their efforts in supporting it is they could care less for it now. So others have made better ammo for it.
mikeh1911
06-07-2012, 21:00
I am always looking for different AR uppers. Especially short barreled ones. The 6.5 Grendel looks better on paper than the 6.8 so I bought a couple of 6.5 uppers to try. I tried the 6.5 Grendel and really liked it because of the variety of the 264 bullets.
The 300 Blackout also look really good on paper. I have a couple of 12.5 inch 300 Blackout barrels heading my way. I want a short barreled AR for suppressed close in hog, coyote and deer work and think the 300 will fit the bill. Can't wait to build some rounds especially the subsonic 220-265 grain bullets.
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