AR Sponsor
Posted: 8/7/2008 2:44:24 PM EDT
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I'm looking into making a longer range deer gun, but I'm not at all versed on the performance of 6.8 at longer ranges. How does it fare ballistically? Out of a longer barrel, I'm assuming that I'd be able to take advantage of 6.8SPC's better terminal ballistics at longer range, but are there any advantages with this over stepping all the way up to 7.62x51? |
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I'd either go with 6.5 Grendel or bump on up to 308. Those will both be better for longer ranges. www.65grendel.com/ |
And recommendation for the 6.5G is based on what data and range? Particularly related to the 6.5G versus 6.8. All, (including the .308) exceeds the shooting skills of most of ARFDOM past 200M. Sorry that is reality. It is called ethical hunting. Know YOUR limitations. |
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How long is long range to you? What do you need the 6.8 SPC to do? For whitetail deer, the 6.8 SPC is good to about 275 yds +/-. Can you hit a 8 inch pie pan at this range? What is your normal range for deer hunting? Since you are posting in the AR Variants section, I'm assuming that you want to use an AR to hunt with. |
| If you are looking to shoot past 400 yards with a long barrel (18 inches or more) the 6.5 G or the 308 is likely a better option. The 6.8 does not gain much (if anything) in longer barrels after 16 inches. If you are under approx 400 yards, either the 6.5, 6.8 or 308 will do the trick, dead is dead. |
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Well first I guess you’d have to say what “longer range” means to you I am 100% happy with my 6.8 AR for any deer or antelope out to about 400 yds, and perhaps out to 500. Now, if you must have an AR for a dedicated “LONG RANGE” (as in "farther then 400 yds") deer rifle I would skip the AR-15 platform all together and go to the “AR-10” size rifle in a 260 Remington But, if you are shooting over 400 yds you had better be a VERY good shot, and not just on paper. You need to be able to judge distance and wind, and also slope. You need to be able to shoot a "one shot group" within 6" at any range you fire from, and hit that 6" target from any position you need to shoot from, at any angle, in any weather. The game is NOT like shooting known distance at the range. Also keep in mind that shots over even 300 yds are usually shots that you have time. At long range, deer don’t usually even know you are there, and if they do, many times they don’t run. So the whole idea of a LONG RANGE deer rifle with rapid fire capability is something that may not have a real world purpose. I know, I know..... If you miss the 1sr shot you can get a very fast 2nd shot . That’s true, but unless you believe in your heart of hearts that you WILL hit on the 1st shot you should not be shooting anyway. That’s the rule at any distance. For killing enemies, any hit is fine, and enemies usually run in groups. Deer should not be shot and left to run off, while you shoot another and another. A good hit with a good cartridge and bullet doesn't need a 2nd shot I am not against the idea of an AR for long range hunting. IF YOU CAN SHOOT IT WELL ENOUGH THAT IF YOU FORGOT YOU MAGAZINE, IT WOULD NOT MAKE MUCH DIFFERENCE, but only if you can shoot that well. In otehr words, it's always 99% the man, and 1% what he's shooting. So if I were to recommend a long range deer rifle, I would have to say you will be very hard pressed to find one better then a good bolt action 270 Winchester (or what ever caliber you choose as your favorite) |
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"Its funny you leave off with the .270 because the 6.8 SPC, with 110gr loads, almost matches the performance of a .270 win." Powder_burns, how do you figure that? What are you calling "performance"? In trajectory a 110 gr 6.8 will come within a few inches of a 150 grain 270 Winchester, but no where near a 110 grain from a 270 Winchester. Now, that's not to detract from the abilities of the 6.8. I absolutely love them and I have built several of them for friends. Between myself and a group of several friends of mine, we have now killed 37 deer and antelope with them, so I am totally aware of the 6.8s capability But it doesn't match the 270 Win. Never has, but that's now why it was invented. It does far better then it's small size would seem to indicate. I get 2580 FPS out of 10 grain bullets and I get 2670 out of 100 grain bullets. It's a closer match to a 250 Savage or 257 Roberts (original factory load) than a 270 winchester. From the 270 winchester I have loaded 100 grain bullets to over 3500 FPS, 110 grain bullets to over 3300 FPS, 130 grain bullets to 3150 FPS and 150 grain bullets to 3000 FPS. The only bullet I have ever gotten close to 3000 FPS with the 6.8 is the 90 grain Speer. It is fast and flat to about 200 yds, but it's no where near a 150 grain bullet at the same velocity at any range in power, and of course the longer 150 grain bullet shoots a LOT flatter past 200 yds. Anyway, I mean no offence, but I wanted to point out that the word "performance" in your statement may need some explanation. I think the 6.8 is adequate for deer in about 99% of the real world situations a hunter would find himself in. I have hunted with mine a lot, and I love it. But it’s not ever going to be a ballistic match for a 270 Winchester any more then a 7.62X39 is going to match a 30-06 |
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If I can go as far as to copy and paste some information from AR15Performance.com The performance of the newly evolved 6.8 is much greater than when the 6.8 first came out with the 10 twist barrel and SAAMI chamber and the small bore problems with the chrome lining. After 3 years of tests which are still going on we are getting over 3000fps from a 90gr bullet out of a 18" barrel. The 110gr bullets are hitting over 2800 and the 120s going very close to 2700. If things go as planned we will have match bullets of 105gr and a BC of .505. and should be able to get 3000 fps from a 24" barrel. The 6.8 is turning into a good deer and hog cartridge out to 300yds. 110gr bullets over 2800fps certainly sounds .270ish to me. Granted you can load a .270 win to much higher velocities but that is certainly within its performance level. |
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I didn't really clarify what I was looking for - something that was usable in taking deer at reasonable range, as well as shoot paper beyond 400yards. I don't see myself having the need to take a shot on an antelope or whitetail beyond 250yds, because I'd be more worried about cleanly and humanely dropping the animal. (I know can shoot 6" groups at 550yd on paper, but I now realize how little of that will translate) A 105gr OTM type round would be of interest, but likely well beyond my budget, but that's the information I was looking for! I think I've made up my mind that I'd be just as well off going with a short action M700 for the same role then. |
Yes, you can hand load to those potentials. You'll never get ammo manufacturers like Hornady or Remington to get those rounds to that point, however... |
Very well said, as most all of your posts are 
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