2012 6.8 SPC Discussion Thread... Can we please start over?

FIRST OFF: Sorry, tried to head this off... Didn't get through to the mods. (Please NOTE: I don't have a .300 or 6.5 YET! :) )

(MODS: PLEASE EDIT at will! HOPE we can keep current/reality-based 6.8 discussions limited to here vs. old nonsense while recovering the site?)

6.8 is alive and well; getting better and better. Wilson Combat adopted it as a favorite... Beyond that, rifles, barrels, parts and ammo are flying off the shelves/not in-stock most places and was a growth industry before the current panic.

Yep, NEED cheaper ammo, mags, etc. but it's a significant "other" round at this point as are the 6.5 Grendal and .300 BLK/Whisper.

MANY 6.8 shooters in CO; many 10,000's of shooters nationwide, gaining in popularity, and it's not disappearing anytime soon.

Starting a 458 SOCOM thread too...

THX,
B2




6.8 Forums/recently acquired/owned Wilson link: http://68forums.com/forums/forum.php

What exactly is wrong with the old thread?

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Originally Posted by Hoser

What exactly is wrong with the old thread?

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Some plain wrong info, relevant discussion lost and the 6.8 SPC II isn't going away; particularly in the AR platform.

Mainly, was hoping to keep this limited to "real" and current 6.8 discussions and prevent a 6.5 vs. 6.8 vs. .300 bitch fest.

They're all great rounds and awesome AR variants but, as with all things, each also have their +/-'s... I was hoping we could have post-05/12 discussion for each as we have access to many other resources where the purse swingers get after each other. I weighed-in w/ 6.8 and 458S because I know more personally about them but still have evil plans to add/personally know a bit more about the 6.5 and .300. ;)

B2

Hmm, maybe a dumb idea? Anyhow, thought it might be a way to keep things clean/concise for our great group.

As said, no pride of authorship so hope the mods will modify/delete at will...

Nearly 20K members following the "hack attack" -- 6.8 SPC is a viable round/not dead by any means.

http://68forums.com/forums/forum.php

As said, no pissing contest involved and WANT a 6.5 and .300 also/not quite there... Regardless, 6.8 is "alive" and kicking butt.

Trying to sort through the nonsense... Wow.

B2

Must use PRI mags but SSA is good to go and provides a solution to a perceived problem for downrange vs. hunting: http://www.ssarmory.com/6.8_spc_ammo...LD_Berger.aspx

• 6.8mm SPC 140gr VLD Berger Ammunition, 20 rounds/box, Boat Tail.
• Heaviest 6.8mm SPC round on the market.
• Energy down-range exceeds 500 foot pounds at 800 yards.
• Still supersonic past 1,000 yards.
• Loaded with 450 Magnum primers.
  
  Special Requirements:
  
• Must use a PRI Magazine for this round. Magazine must accept a cartridge with overall length (OAL) of 2.300". Magazines sold on this site
• Spec 2 or SAAMI 2 chamber required.
• This load will not function properly in Barret rifles.

I have recently started a 6.8 project (the lower is fully assembled) and I am trying to find the cheapest of the 6.8 ammunition out there, can anyone who shoots 6.8 help me out with this one? I am just looking for some of the cheaper stuff to put a few rounds down range when it is complete, however, it will be more of a hunting AR, so I will also be investing in some of the more expensive stuff too.

Not bashing on 6.8 here, but I really don't see how it is going to flourish in the future with the SAMMI adoption of .300 BLK. Classically products with similar performance and cheaper costs tend to win markets.

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Originally Posted by osok-308

I have recently started a 6.8 project (the lower is fully assembled) and I am trying to find the cheapest of the 6.8 ammunition out there, can anyone who shoots 6.8 help me out with this one?

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You wont find any cheap 6.8 ammo. As far as the cheapest, you are going to have to buy in bulk (1,000 or more) to get any type of price break.

I had a co-worker buy a 6.8 and he thought it was the end all of ARs. Then he started feeding it. He sold it and bought a 300.

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Not bashing on 6.8 here, but I really don't see how it is going to flourish in the future with the SAMMI adoption of .300 BLK. Classically products with similar performance and cheaper costs tend to win markets.

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That may be, however the one piece you are forgetting is that the 6.8 has a few years on the .300 black. More people own it currently so it will not die. For me, the 6.8 over the 300 blackout has to do with performance at some of the farther distances. The 300 aac requires some serious adjustments when shooting past 300 yards. I'm positive that it does very well out to that distance, but unlikely but possible event that I need to take a farther shot, I would like to know that my bullet is not going to drop that much. I will eventually purchase a .300 blackout if i get the money. Both are fine cartridges.

Silver State Armory has the best stuff. I have a variety of Barnes 85gr TTSX, Speer 90gr HPBT, 110gr Sierra Pro hunters, and 115gr Pro Hunters, all of it SSA ammo. The cheapest was the 110gr Pro hunters for ~$0.79 per round. Look on their website for clearance deals or bulk packs of 100 or 250 rounds for the best savings. A while back, Sportsman's guide had a deal where with a coupon, you could take $5 off a box of 20 and the coupons were published all over the internet, I bought 20 boxes like this, but it was a lot of work because they all had to be ordered separately. I think the end price was $0.76 /rd.

Do you have a Spec I or Spec II chamber?

Good luck [Beer]

I hoped to keep this a separate thread for current "6.8 SPC info" and NOT turn this into the typical pissing contest/re-posting of ridiculous nonsense. [ROFL2]

As always, for current 6.8 Forum/ "The Wilson 6.8 Project" Info you're way better off here: http://68forums.com/forums/forum.php

I'll reiterate, the 6.8 SPC is FAR FROM DEAD!

B2

OK, I luv y'all so here are some thoughts:

The 6.8 SPC, .300 BLK, and 6.5 Grendel are all superb AR alternative/intermediate rounds but have significant differences... I was hoping to start a tacked thread for each; appears to have worked w/ 458 SOCOM.

(FWIW asmotao the 6.8 SPC has a SAAMI date of 06-23-2004... http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC...0-%20Rifle.pdf)

One part of the fight/confusion is REM jumped the gun on 6.8 SAAMI before it was optimized because it was a significant change/tried to get an edge commercially while working w/ some of the pioneers/against their advice... Needless to say the approved SAAMI load is a bit anemic and I suspect you'd have a hard time finding a non-spec II chamber out there given the small community at that time/shared reamer.

All of the 1000's/10,000's of "non-optimal" 1-10 twist rifles sold 07-09 are just fine w/ even "hot" SSA TAC ammo; the improved versions are better and flying off the shelves/out-of-stock.

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I for one have used a non-optimal 6.8... DRT!



My understanding is relatively "cheap ammo" is on the way shortly/"cheap" mags are due again shortly.

More later if anybody cares. [Bang] [Beer]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by osok-308

I have recently started a 6.8 project (the lower is fully assembled) and I am trying to find the cheapest of the 6.8 ammunition out there, can anyone who shoots 6.8 help me out with this one? I am just looking for some of the cheaper stuff to put a few rounds down range when it is complete, however, it will be more of a hunting AR, so I will also be investing in some of the more expensive stuff too.

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The least expensive factory load is probably the Remington UMC 115gr cartridges. When available, they are about $15 for a box of 20. The primary drawback for many people (reloaders) is that Remington brass uses large rifle primers whereas Hornady and SSA (Silver State Armory) use small rifle primers - same as the 5.56 cartridge. Next least expensive would be SSA 115gr OTM at about $17/box of 20.

It seems Federal Cartridge is about to offer ammo in 6.8, also with a small primer, but those are not yet available.

I hope this helps.

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Originally Posted by DHC

It seems Federal Cartridge is about to offer ammo in 6.8, also with a small primer, but those are not yet available.

I hope this helps.

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Thanks for the info, I hope that federal does put 6.8 out soon. Having a company like that making (possibly) cheaper ammunition should encourage other people to go the 6.8 route.

As said before it will be a hunting rifle, but that doesn't mean I don't want to blow a few rounds down the pipe before next hunting season.

I still have several rounds of 6.8 REM Sellier & Bellot 110gr Plastic Tip Ammo (~VMAX/death on varmints) that came out several years ago from Cabelas or REM when they jumped the gun on ammo. It's definitely not "hot" but it's 100%... Definitely NOT suitable for anything other than sighting in, playing or obliterating varmints due to the projectile IMHO.

Never done business w/ them, but here's a quick search: http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/produc...p-special-ammo (I'm sure there are better deals...)

I know we're all conditioned to buying/shooting thousands of rounds at a time and all indications are some "cheaper" 6.8 ammo is coming soon... HOWEVER, as with all variants they come w/ a price and always will (* err, .22LR possibly excepted).

For reference, go to Walmart and see what an average white box or two of .270 or .30-30 costs your average shooter every range session/hunting season...

B2

(*.22LR is super-cheap/not all the same... Can't make the cheap-ass REM "Golden Bullet" reliably work in any of my dedicated ARs or even a GSG-5/semi-runs in a 10-22. Spent a few more $ on good rimfire ammo and they're flawless...)

FWIW, In spite of the hate/confusion, the 6.8 SPC II variant isn't going away!

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Originally Posted by babirl

FWIW, In spite of the hate/confusion, the 6.8 SPC II variant isn't going away!

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It might not be going away, but it sure isnt taking over...

Kind of like most non mainstream calibers. Lots of press at first, then it just kinda lingers. Kinda like the 45 GAP or 220 Swift.

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Originally Posted by Hoser

It might not be going away, but it sure isnt taking over...

Kind of like most non mainstream calibers. Lots of press at first, then it just kinda lingers. Kinda like the 45 GAP or 220 Swift.

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Seems like some REALLY mixed signals with the 6.8.

I just picked up a NIB Remington LTR bolt action in 6.8 SPC that has been out of production for some years. As far as I can tell, there are no manufacturers currently producing bolt action 6.8 SPC caliber rifles now that both Remington and Ruger having discontinued previously produced models. Ruger also has discontinued their Mini-14 in 6.8 SPC caliber and is only producing a 6.8 SPC (to the older SAAMI spec) in their SR-556 (AR platform).

OTOH, there are new manufacturers jumping into the 6.8 SPC in the AR platform with PSA and LWRC joining ARP, Wilson, Spikes, Noveske, Bison Armory and a few others in producing the 6.8 to the latest spec. Ammo producers such as Silver State are constantly back-ordered and the 6.8 SPC pills (for reloaders) from Sierra and Hornady are often difficult to find. There is hope that Federal's entrance into the commercial ammo market might result in greater availability of ammo and possibly some more competitive pricing.

I keep reading that the 6.8 SPC is the 2nd most popular caliber in the AR platform - behind (of course) the 5.56/.223 and ahead of such other calibers as the 6.5, 300 BLK, .204 Ruger, etc. I have no idea if this is true or not, but there seems plenty of activity over at the 68forums site.

From my personal experience, I could not be happier with the AR 6.8 from Bison Armory and am hopeful the Remington LTR will prove to be equally capable in a bolt action platform. I sometimes wonder if I should have selected a different caliber, but when I take the 6.8 to the range and it is outperforms me by a mile, it is difficult to question the choice very much.

Offered FWIW.

Update: Just found/from 6.8 Forums and BEST deal I've seen on decent 6.8 ammo recently (must call the Gunny/Scott @ Good To Go Ammo directly):

http://68forums.com/forums/showthrea...ood-To-Go-Ammo

Let me know if you can't get to the link; I won't repost info/prices here in case he has to change prices and not sure what agreements he has.

B2

Got your viewpoint Hoser... [Beer] on me anytime.

(Hey, I saw a 6.8 SPC vs. 6.5G thread just started up here... Best get after them too! [AR15] ;))

Not seeing to much info on the 6.8, except for the heavy bias on 68forums.

Should I consider a 6.8 over the 5.56? I am very new to AR's and have given an opportunity to pick up a 6.8, but have no clue about it. Any UN-BIAS info would be great. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by fly boy

Not seeing to much info on the 6.8, except for the heavy bias on 68forums.

Should I consider a 6.8 over the 5.56? I am very new to AR's and have given an opportunity to pick up a 6.8, but have no clue about it. Any UN-BIAS info would be great. Thanks.

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Depends on what your intended use is and what you ammo budget is.

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Originally Posted by Hoser

Depends on what your intended use is and what you ammo budget is.

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Basically 6.8 is a cool cartridge but ammo costs a lot more. If you have a need that the slightly harder hitting 6.8 round fills then go for it. If you just want a good self defense/fun/competition get a 556.

so For the current state of who know's WTF will happen... I should consider picking it up, but know the ammo costs more?

It's like my big ass truck... amazing truck, does everything you ask it, but sucks for gas MPG.

FWIW, Brownell's has PRI 25 mags in stock... I just ordered some.

Get 'em while you can/they do fit the longer projectiles/reloads. Pricey maybe? Doubt you'll have this quality/access easily and "banned" by the libtards very shortly...

http://www.brownells.com/magazines/r...prod23320.aspx

Well, the transplanted statists continue pushing/winning/keeping the now PR-KO children safe, so I'd recommend looking at this mag if you own a 6.8 SPC... Beyond the nonsense, it's likely a generations-inheriting mag.

I'm done w/ trying to keep 6.8 discussion "pure" here... Buy whatever you want, but there are differences and 6.8 SPC does continue to rock w/ many.

B2

OK, I will have fun w/ some N-TX hog action soon... Sadly, all of my posted 6.8 nonsense was already lost in Lake Texoma.

No clue how long this will last/just catching up but PSA has some 6.8 mags in stock/on sale:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...m_medium=email

Probably too late but looks like they have stock if anybody is still looking for 25-rounders.

As said, the PRI will fit the "longer" reloads but are spendy; I have no clue about the "new" C-Products mags but I haven't had any issues w/ any of my older ones.

I have been shooting 6.8 for a number of years. It is a great hunting caliber and even home defense but due to round costs, it isn't a plinking caliber. On the plus side, Federal did start producing some very high quality small primer brass and the cost for once fired has been about $50 for a hundred. Again well above the cost of .223 but it is a superior hunting cartridge with lots of .270 caliber bullet options and it also suppresses very well (not as we'll as .300 Blackout but ballistics are better). I reload so it isn't that horrible in cost as long as I am not trying to make volumes of SHTF ammo- in that case I just snap on my 5.56 upper and roll that way! Oh the one thing that really is a PITA about 6.8 is the price of mags and the fact that the mags from each vendor allow different OAL rounds.

Looking to add/build a 6.8?

Dang good deals on 6.8 kits sans lower receiver plus some other non 6.8 stuff: http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...-day-sale.html

C Products Defense mags are inexpensive for the 6.8, I have some that I paid less than $10 for. They will mostly load as long as the PRI and feed reliably. Plus the company is really standing behind them, anything goes wrong and they will take care of it. Federal ammunition has brought the price down and now that reloading supplies are loosening up there are a lot of great bullets available as well as several new powders that have come out in the last year or so that work very well in 6.8, the best probably is AA2200. More once fired brass available as well as cheap as $.28 a case. I have bought some for $16/100. With Jordan and Saudi Arabia adopting the cartridge look for more price drops. The latest is the DEA has started using 6.8 as well. Still the second most purchased AR caliber.