Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
AR Sponsor
Previous Page
/ 5
Next Page
2/21/2024 11:08:05 PM EDT
Keep checking back. I’ll continually update the post as more information comes in from the community.

Mr. Steve Holland is the man and needs to write a book on the 6.8 SPC and MK12's development from beginning to end. He's a wealth of information and appears to be quite the stand up guy. My hat goes off to him and his service. Thank you, sir.

Original Post
From what I've been able to gleam, there isn't much information on the platform used to trial the 6.8 with 5th sfg and those who claim to know are apparently reaching because those who know can't say anything??? (that's what I ready anyway). There's a tiny bit of information from this older thread (Status on 6.8 SPC use in combat and AMMO availability?????) but the only mention of a platform is "crates of them having been seen while being sent off to war". Because of the time frame this round was being developed and tested a long with the group doing the testing also coinciding with reports (one mentioning a 16" MK12 variant "Recce") of ballistic testing referencing velocities and barrel lengths it seems resonable that the Mod 0 was the platform utilized. Possibly being the Mod H before the H was a thing. Of course, I could be way off on this for I am just a dude who does lots of reading on the internet.

Thoughts?


Some reports I've been combing through:
{Update: 6.8x43mm SPC SPECOPS Cartridge in Trouble?}
{6.8 Remington SPC - NDIA Small Arms Symposium}
{Wound Ballistics Terminal Performance Facts (Gary Roberts)}
{BARRETT M468 6.8 SPC Remington Cartridge}
{2008 Report on Small Arms (Gary Roberts)}


Updated 2/27/2024
Impressively, this post has brought out some very knowledgeable folks regarding this topic so I wanted to provide direction to  that information here for new comers (we all know what it's like to search threads for info). This information is more directed at the program itself with the weapons platforms. There is other great information in this thread as well regarding other aspects of the 6.8 round. Now we just need to get Steve Holland on here to give us a full break down

50cal
Posts (Page 1): #2, 6, 10, 20
(Page 2): #7

WillMunny
Posts (Page 2): #3, 9, 12

Combat_Diver
Posts (Page 2): #22-24

Teufelmann55
Post (Page 4): #19


Members from closed post
https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/6-8-spc-Development-w-5th-SFG-and-USSOCOM-MK12-Variant-/123-785202/

Paradude54
Posts #1, 3

In addition to the information above, check out Chris Bartacci's book, America's Rifle, for some in-depth information (I'll just post a 10,000 foot view). As most of you probably know, he is a wealth of information when it comes to the Black Rifle. In summation, he says prototype weapons were mainly tested with 12.5" and 16.5" barrels in initial prototypes of MK12 Navy Recce and CQBR configurations with PRI and ARMS components (amongst others). It also appears there was even an 18.5" MK12 prototype but I haven't been able to find much of any information on that. I'm guessing it didn't have a substantial advantage over the 16.5" version. Again, check out Chris' book, it goes into far more detail.


Updated 5/20/2024
I was doing some reading on some older threads and came across the following statement from Travis Haley when he was being interviewed about the battle of Najaf when he was with Blackwater (Link: Page 2, Post #17). It would be interesting to learn what platform he was testing with and what tests were conducted.

“Would a 6.8 SPC rifle have been more appropriate?
Of course it would have been! That is a great platform; I tested it personally for DET 1 when I was out in Camp Pendleton CA. The ballistics would have helped that day! Plus I wouldn’t have had to shoot people 4-7 times like some of my targets.”



Updated 5/31/2024
Here’s another post I came across discussing the military use of the 6.8 spc. Seems there are a few knowledgeable people sharing information.
Military use of the 6.8spcII round


Updated 6/14/2024
Info compulation courtesy thatARMSguy

In 2002, the US Army's 5th Special Forces Group, led by MSgt Steve Holland and USAMU gunsmith Chris Murray, worked with Remington to develop a new cartridge that would have greater terminal effectiveness and long range ballistics than 5.56x45mm. The new round, designated as the 6.8x43mm Special Purpose Cartridge, was one of several different rounds based off of the .30 Remington case and was developed around a 115gr bullet.

Initial testing and production of 6.8 SPC chambered rifles was done by 5th SFG in-house armorers and used LMT receivers and bolt carrier groups with modified bolt faces, handcrafted barrels, and COTS handguards (the example in picture 6 uses a Samson handguard). Later, as the 5th SFG began an interest in cut-down Recce rifles akin to the NSW Recce, a version was developed with a 16" mid length barrel and an @armsinc #58M S.I.R. System.

As the program grew, Precision Reflex submitted two designs (shown in the second and third pictures) based on the Mk 12 Mod 0. These featured early prototypes of the Gen Ill handguard from PRI and largely retained the look of the Mk 12, with prototype Gen Il gas blocks, SPR contour stainless steel barrels, and custom bored 6.8mm Ops Inc suppressors. The 18" version shown in photo 2 is fitted with an A.R.M.S. #38 SPR MOD swan sleeve, hand-cut to fit the handguard collar and uses a fixed power Bausch & Lomb 10x40mm scope on a #19 mount with #21 rings, while the 16" version in photo 3 uses a mid length handguard, no swan sleeve, and is fitted with an Eotech 511.

As development went on, MSgt Holland reached out to Barrett to develop a close quarters variant.
They made two models, one with a 16" barrel and A.R.M.S. #58M and one with a 12" barrel and #50M (shown in photos 4 and 5). These rifles used proprietary suppressors and gas blocks developed in-house by Barrett, and would later be the first 6.8 chambered rifles sold on the commercial market, called the M468 (shown in photo 7).

With advances in 5.56 bullet technology, military interest in 6.8 SPC died down around 2007 and today it remains as an effective, but relatively uncommon cartridge for hunters.


Updated 7/12/2024
On the Tactical Rifleman Tactical Tuesday Livestream #93 (found on Youtube) Steve Holland mentioned they got approval to have HK make some of their 416's in 6.8 spc for 5th SFG.


Updated 8/20/2024
Tactical Tuesday Livestream #100: When Holland started the SPC program he went from 556 to 6mm to 6.5 7mm to 30 cal. 6.5 was the most accurate, 7mm was more lethal so he went with the 277 caliber between the two. He designated it 6.8 for a reason but hasn't stated why, yet.


Updated 9/3/2024
Tactical Tuesday Livestream #102: The Sierra Matchking 115gr OTM HPBT K Bullet would be clone correct for the 6.8 SPC. Between Sierra and Steve it was referenced as the K bullet. Around this time, he had the opportunity to shoot a 308 sized AR15 from Patriot Ordnance Factory that weighed 6.5-7lbs and recoiled like a 6.8 SPC. Because of this, in spite of all of his work on the MK12 and 6.8, he took it to Socom to advocate for the POF platform but was told no. Steve wanted the best thing for the warfighter and felt this was it.


Updated 10/23/2024
Per Steve Holland on Tactical Tuesday Livestream #106; 6.8 SPC came about from experiencing the knock down power of the 7.62x39 vs the 556 and not being able to get (not allowed) a 7.62x39 rifle system that worked with all the SOPMOD Block I/II Kits so he invented his own cartridge. This was decided one night in Bloomington, Indiana.

When developing the 6.8 SPC round his original goal for the 115gr-130gr bullet was 2500-2550 fps +-. It wasn't until the original Silver State Ammo company started working with the cartridge that the SPC II designation came to get back to the original chambering design before Remington changed it for SAMMI specs. SSA wanted 2600-2700 fps from it but Mr. Holland believes the 2550 fps range is good for the cartridge because of the 556/223 lane it sits in.


Updated 11/3/2024
Per Steve Holland on Facebook group regarding the MURG program; The SIR system was one of the best dropon handguard 1913 rail system in existence. Most Civs don’t understand the difficulty of the DoD bureaucracy when it comes to changing parts on a weapon system. The ARMS SIR was revolutionary in that it free floated the M4A1 /M16A2 barrel with no mods to the weapon. Its greatest shortfall wasn’t technical, it was bureaucratic, Crane Reps wouldn’t ever allow any intellectual design to over shadow the KAC SOPMOD rails.


Pictures
Purported 5th SFG with 12” Barretts (Courtesy: WillMunny)


L-unk, Rob Leatham, Steve Holland and Don Alexander @ Campbell 02/03 (Courtesy: Combat_Diver)





MK16 in 6.8 SPC. Was a one off for WARCOM as confirmed by SMGLee per LsuJon (Courtesy: LsuJon)


Family of Special Purpose Cartridges (SPC) (Pulled from 68forums posted by Mr. Holland)


From Report 2008 Report on Small Arms (Gary Roberts)


From Report BARRETT M468 6.8 SPC Remington Cartridge


Source unknown


From https://gunblast.com/Barrett-M468.htm



Original 1st build 20" MK12 Mod 0 in 6.8 SPC (Pulled from MK12 Facebook Page posted by Mr. Holland)


The first HK 416 D (Delta) made specifically for 5 SFG (Courtesy of Steve Holland on Tactical Rifleman Tactical Tuesday #93)



Photo from ASD/SOLIC TSWG User Assessment MURG Carbine OpRod 6.8mm SPC.  Ft Bliss Texas circa FY2004. Participants 5th SF Gp, USCBP BORTAC, US Marshals SOG, DoE SOG, etc. Rifle systems are Barrett REC-7 and M468, HK 416D 6.8mm SPC, MK12 Mod H 6.8mm SPC. Not all participants are in the group photo ie East Coast West Coast NSW. Old photo low clarity if you look closely you can see the HK steel mag is stamped 6.8mmx43. (Per Steve Holland on facebook group)


Shooting Prototype MK-12 Mod H, 6.8x43mm SPC in follow-up on Legal Review for Law of Land Warfare, Quantico VA, USMC MARCORSYSCOM, FBI Ballistic Research Facility circa FY2004. (Per Steve Holland on facebook group)
2/21/2024 11:40:29 PM EDT
[#1]
Steve Holland was the driving force behind the 6.8.  

I don’t remember much more, it was a busy time for us.

18Z50….TF Dagger alumni
2/21/2024 11:55:44 PM EDT
[#2]
Steve Holland came to Barrett a few times with an upper built by some of the armourers at 5th Group. He had some ammo made by someone at Campbell. The parent cartridge was the 30 Remington.
Holland came down to see about Barrett producing some uppers. Remington finally came through with the first version of the ammo.

After quite a bit of trial and error. And chamber and throat changes, we made a bunch of uppers that SF ended up taking to the Middle East to use.

The Marine Corps wanted a bunch of 12.5" barreled uppers and dedicated 6.8 suppressors. We made around 150 of the 12.5" barreled uppers and titanium suppressors for each upper. Pretty sure those uppers were slated for FAST Teams. Pretty sure. It's been awhile.

After the growing interest in the 6.8, we started with the M468 rifle.
We built just a few 20" barreled uppers for the Marines . They wanted a 6.8 DMR styled upper to test. I think we only built 10 or 15 of those uppers.

I've had a 6.8 since then. Have 3 of them currently.
2/22/2024 12:17:34 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Quoted:
Steve Holland came to Barrett a few times with an upper built by some of the armourers at 5th Group. He had some ammo made by someone at Campbell. The parent cartridge was the 30 Remington.
Holland came down to see about Barrett producing some uppers. Remington finally came through with the first version of the ammo.

After quite a bit of trial and error. And chamber and throat changes, we made a bunch of uppers that SF ended up taking to the Middle East to use.

The Marine Corps wanted a bunch of 12.5" barreled uppers and dedicated 6.8 suppressors. We made around 150 of the 12.5" barreled uppers and titanium suppressors for each upper. Pretty sure those uppers were slated for FAST Teams. Pretty sure. It's been awhile.

After the growing interest in the 6.8, we started with the M468 rifle.
We built just a few 20" barreled uppers for the Marines . They wanted a 6.8 DMR styled upper to test. I think we only built 10 or 15 of those uppers.

I've had a 6.8 since then. Have 3 of them currently.
View Quote



Cool details! You’ve got my attention. Any info on the upper brought to Barrett by Holland?

What did the uppers you guys built used in middle east comprise of?

How about the 12.5?

Was the 20” DMR version built with the A.R.M.S. 59?

So many questions! Lol
2/22/2024 12:23:51 AM EDT
[#4]
Big fan of 6.8SPC



2/22/2024 12:31:28 AM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Quoted:
Steve Holland came to Barrett a few times with an upper built by some of the armourers at 5th Group. He had some ammo made by someone at Campbell. The parent cartridge was the 30 Remington.
Holland came down to see about Barrett producing some uppers. Remington finally came through with the first version of the ammo.

After quite a bit of trial and error. And chamber and throat changes, we made a bunch of uppers that SF ended up taking to the Middle East to use.

The Marine Corps wanted a bunch of 12.5" barreled uppers and dedicated 6.8 suppressors. We made around 150 of the 12.5" barreled uppers and titanium suppressors for each upper. Pretty sure those uppers were slated for FAST Teams. Pretty sure. It's been awhile.

After the growing interest in the 6.8, we started with the M468 rifle.
We built just a few 20" barreled uppers for the Marines . They wanted a 6.8 DMR styled upper to test. I think we only built 10 or 15 of those uppers.

I've had a 6.8 since then. Have 3 of them currently.
View Quote



My REC7 sports an AAC M42K with serial number M468. Always thought that was really neat.
2/22/2024 2:11:13 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Quoted:



Cool details! You’ve got my attention. Any info on the upper brought to Barrett by Holland?

What did the uppers you guys built used in middle east comprise of? Flat top LMT uppers. Carbine gas system. M4 RAS handguards

How about the 12.5? Same upper as above. Again, pretty sure they had the RAS rail

Was the 20” DMR version built with the A.R.M.S. 59? Same LMT flat top upper. A2 handguards. Rifle length gas system.

So many questions! Lol
View Quote


Carriers were off the shelf Colt or LMT carriers and bolts. Bolt faces were opened up to accept the 6.8 diameter.
Later when the gas piston rifles were brought out, the gas system and gas block were proprietary.
The M468 gas block had the threads for attaching the suppressor machined into the front of the gas block.
The muzzle device was a brake of Barrett design with the boss for locating the suppressor and keeping it concentric to the bore.
The suppressor had 2 points of keeping it located to the bore. The threads on the gas block and the boss that went up into the suppressor about 3 inches or so. May have been a little less.
The rifles that went out had a thread protector on the suppressor mount threads on the gas block.
2/22/2024 8:30:23 AM EDT
[#7]
6.8 SPC is a great round
2/22/2024 8:42:44 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Quoted:


Carriers were off the shelf Colt or LMT carriers and bolts. Bolt faces were opened up to accept the 6.8 diameter.
Later when the gas piston rifles were brought out, the gas system and gas block were proprietary.
The M468 gas block had the threads for attaching the suppressor machined into the front of the gas block.
The muzzle device was a brake of Barrett design with the boss for locating the suppressor and keeping it concentric to the bore.
The suppressor had 2 points of keeping it located to the bore. The threads on the gas block and the boss that went up into the suppressor about 3 inches or so. May have been a little less.
The rifles that went out had a thread protector on the suppressor mount threads on the gas block.
View Quote



Any idea what Holland brought to you guys to look at initially?

Thanks for the info on the uppers. Seems the ARMS rails came after with the MURG program trials (or something like that).

Were the carriers in the DI M468 LMT with LMT enhanced bolts?


2/22/2024 9:15:07 AM EDT
[#9]
I like my home built 6.8:
Attached File


But the advent of the improved 5.56 GI ammo, like the Mk262, took away the perceived need for a general purpose caliber change.
2/22/2024 10:01:35 AM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Quoted:



Any idea what Holland brought to you guys to look at initially? The first rifle was an issue Colt M4. Can't remember what make the barrel was. It was a .270 blank that was chambered and profiled by someone at Ft. Campbell.

Thanks for the info on the uppers. Seems the ARMS rails came after with the MURG program trials (or something like that).  Yes. The ARMS SIR rail became a profuction item on both the complete M468 rifle and M468 stand alone upper sold by Barrett.

Were the carriers in the DI M468 LMT with LMT enhanced bolts? Yes. The BCG furnished by LMT was their chromed carrier and chromed lobster tail extractor bolt.


View Quote


When the M468 was discontinued and the Rec7 line started,  Barrett started making their own piston carrier on a 5th axis CNC. The bolt was made at Barrett also.

Barrels on the M468 and Rec7's were E.R. Shaw barrels for a long time.
2/22/2024 10:41:35 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Quoted:
I like my home built 6.8:
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/19411/6-8_Noveski_rifle_kit_jpg-3137290.JPG

But the advent of the improved 5.56 GI ammo, like the Mk262, took away the perceived need for a general purpose caliber change.
View Quote



Oooo, that Elcan sits pretty on there. I bet it’s a nice combo. MK262 is some awesome ammo. Because the 115 gr at 2600+ are so close in performance it makes me want to rebarrel the H to the 6.8. I’ll definitely go with this chambering, I’m just deciding on the host. Seems 16” and 12.5” are quite popular due to their performance not differing much.
2/22/2024 12:57:52 PM EDT
[#12]
So slightly off topic Q for the guys that have answered so far.

What are your thoughts of 6.8 now?  I wouldn't say it's a dying round, but certainly not as popular as 15 years ago.
2/22/2024 1:30:18 PM EDT
[#13]
After 5.56 I tried 300 BLK, then 300 Ham'r, then 458 SOCOM and 450 BM, and in the last year tried 6.8 SPC.  I'm a fan, and believe it is probably the best overall cartridge for the AR15 platform.  I'll qualify that with the statement that I see the AR15 platform as a 300 yard firearm, that you only stretch to 400 yards in a pinch.  I won't sacrifice performance close in to try and gain more beyond 300 yards.  You can't argue the knock down power of 458 SOCOM or 450 BM inside 125 yards.  The 300 Ham'r is an excellent deer/hog/Self Defense round out to 200 yards.  Overall however, I think the 6.8 SPC is the best overall compromise. YMMV

I was a little slow to embrace it because of all the bad data floating around with SPC I vs SPC II, and Hodgdon reloading data showing performance for a 24" barrel that is in line with what I actually get with a 16" barrel.  The misinformation makes it hard to know what it really does without trying it yourself.  Now that I have, I'm a fan.  I also like the LWRC receivers that work in conjunction with the 30 round pmags.
2/22/2024 2:53:27 PM EDT
[#14]
What 16” 6.8 barrel you running?
2/22/2024 3:03:50 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote History
Quoted:
What 16” 6.8 barrel you running?
View Quote


My 16" barrel is an LWRC factory rifle.  I have ARP/Blackstone barrels in 10.5" and 12.5" and have thought about adding one of their 16" barrels to another receiver set, but haven't done it yet.
2/22/2024 3:52:58 PM EDT
[#16]
just got into 6.8 spc myself.  well, I bought a YHM barrel a few years ago and just got around to finishing it off in the last few months.  

almost went 300HAMR but when I tried to buy a 10.5" barrel Wilson's sales geeks said "we only sell to FFL" so fuck that.  

just took delivery of some pp ammo today, heading to the range for a two days in a row range fun week.

the history on this really interests me.  

I think it will always be available, enough hunters in "can't hunt with .22 rifles" locations are driving ammo sales.  unfortunately all I can find on the shelves are the $1.50/rd Hornady hunting loads.  no fmj.  going to have to keep placing orders with sgammo for a while until I start reloading again.  

there will be a 10.5" barrel at some point - I got into 6.8 spc for its performance out of shorter barrels.  the bag under the workbench has a 300blk takedown Dolos here at work, I want that to be a 6.8 spc soon.
2/22/2024 3:53:38 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote History
Quoted:
So slightly off topic Q for the guys that have answered so far.

What are your thoughts of 6.8 now?  I wouldn't say it's a dying round, but certainly not as popular as 15 years ago.
View Quote



I don’t care how popular it is

I have tons of brass and 270 bullets are easy to find

2/22/2024 4:14:34 PM EDT
[#18]
what was the intended bullet weight when the 6.8 was under development? is there a somewhat regularly available factory ammo that would be recommended for SD/HD use, i seem to remember that the 95gr was very popular when it hit the commercial market, however all i can seem to find is 110gr -120gr factory loadings now
2/22/2024 4:53:02 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote History
Quoted:
what was the intended bullet weight when the 6.8 was under development? is there a somewhat regularly available factory ammo that would be recommended for SD/HD use, i seem to remember that the 95gr was very popular when it hit the commercial market, however all i can seem to find is 110gr -120gr factory loadings now
View Quote



I believe original development centered around the 110 and 115 gr bullets (see below for a statement made by Mr. Holland). Currently, seems the xm68gd loading (90gr gold dot) is quite popular. It was developed for oversees contracts in conjunction with the LWRC UCIW platform.

“I worked with “___” at Sierra Bullets to develop the 115gr Cave bullet, with Dave Emary at Hornady for the 110gr AMAX minus polymer tip and closed in to meet legality of Land Warfare and Pete Forras (RIP) to develop the powders at Ramshot.”
2/22/2024 6:02:27 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote History
Quoted:



I believe original development centered around the 110 and 115 gr bullets (see below for a statement made by Mr. Holland). Currently, seems the xm68gd loading (90gr gold dot) is quite popular. It was developed for oversees contracts in conjunction with the LWRC UCIW platform.

“I worked with “___” at Sierra Bullets to develop the 115gr Cave bullet, with Dave Emary at Hornady for the 110gr AMAX minus polymer tip and closed in to meet legality of Land Warfare and Pete Forras (RIP) to develop the powders at Ramshot.”
View Quote

Pete Forras was an asshole of the highest order. He worked at Barrett for a while doing load development for the 6.8
He was the unsafest person at a loading bench I had ever seen.  He would cook up the craziest duplex powder loads ever. Blending pistol and rifle powders and asking me to fire it while telling me they were something else.
I pulled down  single rounds of his "loads" and found the stupidest mixtures. When I refused to fire them, he took it up to Ronnie Barrett as me refusing to do my job and Pete wanted me fired.
Ronnie took my side and told Pete to fire his own loaded rounds.
He blew up a few 6.8 rifles. And destroyed a few of our suppressors also.

Hate to speak ill of the dead, but Pete was a weapons grade asshole. That is also the reason he got let go at CorBon.
2/22/2024 6:06:25 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote History
Quoted:
what was the intended bullet weight when the 6.8 was under development? is there a somewhat regularly available factory ammo that would be recommended for SD/HD use, i seem to remember that the 95gr was very popular when it hit the commercial market, however all i can seem to find is 110gr -120gr factory loadings now
View Quote

Buy 90 grain XM68GD or the Federal 90 grain Fusion if you can find it.
I bought a lot of the Federal white box XM68GD when Palmetto State Armory was blowing it out at $7.95 per 20rd box years ago. I'm still sitting on a bit over 2500 rds of it.

The 110g V Max load is a good one also I buy the projectiles for reloading when I find the 100 ct boxes at decent prices.
2/22/2024 6:24:45 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote History
Quoted:

Buy 90 grain XM68GD or the Federal 90 grain Fusion if you can find it.
I bought a lot of the Federal white box XM68GD when Palmetto State Armory was blowing it out at $7.95 per 20rd box years ago. I'm still sitting on a bit over 2500 rds of it.

The 110g V Max load is a good one also I buy the projectiles for reloading when I find the 100 ct boxes at decent prices.
View Quote


@50cal

thanks for the info.  i got out of 6.8 a few years ago when the XM68GD was that cheap and wish i'd have stacked up.  i'm building a new 6.8 now and just trying to find what ammo i should lean towards.  it looks like 110vmax loaded ammo is pretty easy to come by.

thanks

T
2/22/2024 6:26:38 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote History
Quoted:


@50cal

thanks for the info.  i got out of 6.8 a few years ago when the XM68GD was that cheap and wish i'd have stacked up.  i'm building a new 6.8 now and just trying to find what ammo i should lean towards.  it looks like 110vmax loaded ammo is pretty easy to come by.

thanks

T
View Quote

Glad to help.
I've been buying Hornady 110 g FMJ projectiles also. I catch them on sale at Academy periodically.
2/22/2024 6:33:30 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote History
Quoted:

Buy 90 grain XM68GD or the Federal 90 grain Fusion if you can find it.
I bought a lot of the Federal white box XM68GD when Palmetto State Armory was blowing it out at $7.95 per 20rd box years ago. I'm still sitting on a bit over 2500 rds of it.

The 110g V Max load is a good one also I buy the projectiles for reloading when I find the 100 ct boxes at decent prices.
View Quote
You wanna let that XM68 go anytime let me know.
they don't make it anymore from what I've found.


2/22/2024 6:59:10 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote History
Quoted:
You wanna let that XM68 go anytime let me know.
they don't make it anymore from what I've found.


View Quote

Appreciate the offer. Keeping this ammo as it's really good stuff. Great accuracy from all 3 of my 6.8's.
I've been picking up Barrett 30rd mags off of gunbroker also at decent prices.
Paid "19 each for 10 of them 2 seperate times during Christmas sales on the Barrett website.   Ow that they discontinued the 6.8 offerings, I pick up the stainless 6.8 30rders when I find them.

I wish Prvi would do another run of 6.8 ammo. I'm getting a bit low on it as it is good stuff also.
2/22/2024 7:08:17 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote History
Quoted:

Appreciate the offer. Keeping this ammo as it's really good stuff. Great accuracy from all 3 of my 6.8's.
I've been picking up Barrett 30rd mags off of gunbroker also at decent prices.
Paid "19 each for 10 of them 2 seperate times during Christmas sales on the Barrett website.   Ow that they discontinued the 6.8 offerings, I pick up the stainless 6.8 30rders when I find them.

I wish Prvi would do another run of 6.8 ammo. I'm getting a bit low on it as it is good stuff also.
View Quote



Any experience with S&B 110 FMJ ammo?

How do the PRI 6.8 and Barrett 6.8 mags compare?
2/22/2024 7:28:38 PM EDT
[#27]
Can't help but comment as I also am a fan of the 6.8 SPC with two AR-P 12.5 barrelled and one RRA 16" all running suppressed.  As far as magazines I have standardized on PRI's.  In regards to ammunition I reload and have standardized on Barnes 95 grain TTSX's over LT-32 powder.
2/22/2024 7:35:03 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote History
Quoted:



Any experience with S&B 110 FMJ ammo?

How do the PRI 6.8 and Barrett 6.8 mags compare?
View Quote

I have a bit of the S&B 110g 6.8. Good shooting ammo. Through each of my rifles it gives pretty good accuracy. I  consistently hit a 8"x13" steel plate at 300 yds with it. Haven't grouped it though.

The Barrett and PRI mags are on par with each other. I bought quite a few PRI mags when they were the only game in town for dedicated 6.8 mags.
When Barrett started with their 25rd then 30 rd mags, I bought a lot of them when I find them. Keep an eye on the EE here and gunbroker.  I've scored around 12 - 13 of them on gunbroker at around $14-$15 each which is a great price on them.
2/22/2024 7:53:19 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote History
Quoted:
Can't help but comment as I also am a fan of the 6.8 SPC with two AR-P 12.5 barrelled and one RRA 16" all running suppressed.  As far as magazines I have standardized on PRI's.  In regards to ammunition I reload and have standardized on Barnes 95 grain TTSX's over LT-32 powder.
View Quote



@Capt_Jerry Do you notice any pressure issues between the ARP and RRA barrel considering the differences in chambers and rifling? Have you checked the velocity differences between the 2? I’ve been eyeballing the RRA.
2/22/2024 8:17:25 PM EDT
[#30]



18"
16"
14.5"
12.5"
all ARP with wylde chambers
I haD 2 REC7's but traded them for SCAR17s

2/22/2024 11:15:49 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote History
Quoted:

Appreciate the offer. Keeping this ammo as it's really good stuff. Great accuracy from all 3 of my 6.8's.
I've been picking up Barrett 30rd mags off of gunbroker also at decent prices.
Paid "19 each for 10 of them 2 seperate times during Christmas sales on the Barrett website.   Ow that they discontinued the 6.8 offerings, I pick up the stainless 6.8 30rders when I find them.

I wish Prvi would do another run of 6.8 ammo. I'm getting a bit low on it as it is good stuff also.
View Quote


@50cal
No to derail the thread but…
Sgammo has the 110 FMJ and bthp prvi in stock for $1/round… as well as the S&b 110gr FMJ for the same price.  Any recommendation on any of those? Kind thinking the 110gr bthp as a general range/pig round.  Thoughts?
2/23/2024 12:19:11 AM EDT
[#32]
got 4 boxes of the pp today from sgammo, going to buy more.  

first ~6 rounds were failure to feed - didn't jam, just didn't strip it out of the magazine.  not sure why.  after manually cycling the rifle, the rest of the magazine was perfect.  

C-Products magazine.

previous 2 magazines were the Hornady Black 110gr.  no function issues at all.
2/23/2024 12:26:30 AM EDT
[#33]
6.5G > 6.8SPC


2/23/2024 12:30:52 AM EDT
[#34]
Quote History
Quoted:



Any experience with S&B 110 FMJ ammo?

How do the PRI 6.8 and Barrett 6.8 mags compare?
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:

Appreciate the offer. Keeping this ammo as it's really good stuff. Great accuracy from all 3 of my 6.8's.
I've been picking up Barrett 30rd mags off of gunbroker also at decent prices.
Paid "19 each for 10 of them 2 seperate times during Christmas sales on the Barrett website.   Ow that they discontinued the 6.8 offerings, I pick up the stainless 6.8 30rders when I find them.

I wish Prvi would do another run of 6.8 ammo. I'm getting a bit low on it as it is good stuff also.



Any experience with S&B 110 FMJ ammo?

How do the PRI 6.8 and Barrett 6.8 mags compare?

My ARP barrels love the S&B stuff.  I used to buy it for $9/box at PSA.  Haven't seen it on the shelves in a long time. Glad I stocked up when I did.
2/23/2024 12:31:23 AM EDT
[#35]
Quote History
Quoted:


@50cal
No to derail the thread but…
Sgammo has the 110 FMJ and bthp prvi in stock for $1/round… as well as the S&b 110gr FMJ for the same price.  Any recommendation on any of those? Kind thinking the 110gr bthp as a general range/pig round.  Thoughts?
View Quote


I would go with the s&b, more accurate in the 110 fmj, 115 grain hpbt and 110 grain pts bullet.  The ppu I have shot through my 6.8 has been ok accuracy wise but pretty weak ejection compared to the s&b when running the gas block on the same setting.  The ppu uses large rifle primers also, s&b has small rifle primers.  You could sell the s&b brass to recoup some of the cost if you don’t reload, it is the best 6.8 brass on the market.
2/23/2024 1:57:26 AM EDT
[#36]
Quote History
Quoted:


@50cal
No to derail the thread but…
Sgammo has the 110 FMJ and bthp prvi in stock for $1/round… as well as the S&b 110gr FMJ for the same price.  Any recommendation on any of those? Kind thinking the 110gr bthp as a general range/pig round.  Thoughts?
View Quote

I really like the Prvi. The brass is really good for reloading. If you don't reload, you can sell the brass here on the EE for 40-50 cents a piece.
The S&B is good ammo also. I just like the Prvi better for its accuracy consistancy.
2/23/2024 1:58:32 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote History
Quoted:
6.5G > 6.8SPC


View Quote

There's always one.
2/23/2024 7:51:29 AM EDT
[#38]
2/23/2024 9:37:53 AM EDT
[#39]
Attached File


Since Holland has been mentioned here several times, I thought you readers might enjoy this story. Years ago while he was on active duty, he was an attendee at a NDIA convention in New Mexico where this early robot machine gun was demonstrated. While it was firing, a crowd of about 50 folks including Steve and I were standing close behind it.  As it fired, it became out of control and started to rotate back towards the crowd, as many began backing away quickly from the obvious lethal danger, Steve rushed forward and twisted the belt apart; and luckily the remaining belted rounds left in the gun depleted in a second or two before the self-traversing tractor fully turned towards us. Holland saved some lives that day...
2/23/2024 11:12:55 AM EDT
[#40]
Wow. Cool story.
2/23/2024 1:23:51 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote History
Quoted:
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/19411/Dave_robot_MG_jpg-3138499.JPG

Since Holland has been mentioned here several times, I thought you readers might enjoy this story. Years ago while he was on active duty, he was an attendee at a NDIA convention in New Mexico where this early robot machine gun was demonstrated. While it was firing, a crowd of about 50 folks including Steve and I were standing close behind it.  As it fired, it became out of control and started to rotate back towards the crowd, as many began backing away quickly from the obvious lethal danger, Steve rushed forward and twisted the belt apart; and luckily the remaining belted rounds left in the gun depleted in a second or two before the self-traversing tractor fully turned towards us. Holland saved some lives that day...
View Quote


Steve is a regular guest on Karl Erickson's TR Live livestream on Tuesday nights. He told this story once. He also gets into the 6.8 SPC and the SPR program from time to time (touchy subject for him). He's a national treasure.
2/23/2024 2:21:28 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote History
Quoted:

Buy 90 grain XM68GD or the Federal 90 grain Fusion if you can find it.
I bought a lot of the Federal white box XM68GD when Palmetto State Armory was blowing it out at $7.95 per 20rd box years ago. I'm still sitting on a bit over 2500 rds of it.

The 110g V Max load is a good one also I buy the projectiles for reloading when I find the 100 ct boxes at decent prices.
View Quote

I bought some of the Federal ammo from PSA, to use in my PSA carbine.  Killed buck about three years ago.  

IIRC, the Jordanian Army issued a 6.8 rifle and ammo, at least to some units.   Any idea of it's still used?
2/23/2024 2:57:02 PM EDT
[#43]
I remember wanting to get into 6.8 when I first started getting into AR's, and reading about 6.8 compared to .300blk. Seems like neither were that well established at the time, and 6.8 looked like a better cartridge. I think .300 has won the popularity contest, and I just recently go into it since it shares components with 5.56 and .308.

I assume the trials you are talking about were not recent?
2/23/2024 3:07:17 PM EDT
[#44]
Very early 2000’s.
2/23/2024 5:11:20 PM EDT
[#45]
Anybody know the report or article this image was pulled from? I saved it from a thread awhile back and I didn’t even realize what I was looking at at the time besides a Mod 0. It is a 6.8 SPR MK12 prototype. Reverse image search just brings up the archived thread I found it on here at ARFCOM. Even googling the text in the image just brings up random sites.

2/23/2024 8:37:40 PM EDT
[#46]
RatWorx was the local 6.8 builder after AWB sunsetted, and met them at my local range.   They built a nice 18" rifle for me

I really like it.   I handload 110gr amax.    Was never super accurate, but always reliable.
2/23/2024 10:01:38 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote History
Quoted:
After 5.56 I tried 300 BLK, then 300 Ham'r, then 458 SOCOM and 450 BM, and in the last year tried 6.8 SPC.  I'm a fan, and believe it is probably the best overall cartridge for the AR15 platform.  I'll qualify that with the statement that I see the AR15 platform as a 300 yard firearm, that you only stretch to 400 yards in a pinch.  I won't sacrifice performance close in to try and gain more beyond 300 yards.  You can't argue the knock down power of 458 SOCOM or 450 BM inside 125 yards.  The 300 Ham'r is an excellent deer/hog/Self Defense round out to 200 yards.  Overall however, I think the 6.8 SPC is the best overall compromise. YMMV

I was a little slow to embrace it because of all the bad data floating around with SPC I vs SPC II, and Hodgdon reloading data showing performance for a 24" barrel that is in line with what I actually get with a 16" barrel.  The misinformation makes it hard to know what it really does without trying it yourself.  Now that I have, I'm a fan.  I also like the LWRC receivers that work in conjunction with the 30 round pmags.
View Quote


wut
2/24/2024 8:35:52 PM EDT
[#48]
I got into the 6.8 way late but I think it's a great round for the Aar platform.

OP there is a forum dedicated to that round that is worth a quick google search. Lots of info and people willing to share knowledge over there.
2/25/2024 2:49:35 AM EDT
[#49]
Quote History
Quoted:
I got into the 6.8 way late but I think it's a great round for the Aar platform.

OP there is a forum dedicated to that round that is worth a quick google search. Lots of info and people willing to share knowledge over there.
View Quote


great resource but the total aggregate traffic there is 1/10 of arfcomm threads that say "6.8 spc" on them...

another 5 rounds today of the fmj - perfect function again.  

posting another reply here to bump it and get more history...  crowdsourcing this kind of history gets really interesting.

going to get the reloading bench going asap.  this thing is fun to shoot and ammo is expensive.  so is reloading but then at least I get to have fun reloading and also shooting...

2/25/2024 4:15:16 AM EDT
[#50]
Quote History
Quoted:
Anybody know the report or article this image was pulled from? I saved it from a thread awhile back and I didn’t even realize what I was looking at at the time besides a Mod 0. It is a 6.8 SPR MK12 prototype. Reverse image search just brings up the archived thread I found it on here at ARFCOM. Even googling the text in the image just brings up random sites.

https://i.imgur.com/MDPYCZm.jpeg
View Quote


https://smallarmssolutions.com/store/p6/America's_Rifle.html

Sign up to continue the discussion

Create a free account to share your thoughts, follow topics, and connect with the AR15.COM community.

Already a member? Sign In

Previous Page
/ 5
Next Page
AR Sponsor