AR Sponsor
Posted: 12/25/2008 6:57:26 PM EDT
| Not familar with this Round at all. Is this really that much better than 223/5.56 or 7.39? If you could only have one rifle in ONLY these three calibers which would you go with, and Ammo Availbility did not matter?? Should i get one or just stick with 223 |
|
Read the FAQs on this forum as well a few posts about 6.8 SPC. This question is too vague to answer authoritatively and it's wholly based upon opinion. That said, i'll breifly give you my opinion, for what its worth.
If you only have one AR, it makes sense to me to have it in 223. Common Mags. Common Barrels. Common Bolts. Common Brass. Milsurp Brass. (Not even considering common ammo). Of course i've got four ARs so I like some variety. One is a 6.8 SPC. The other three are 223. And a few receivers to build my next ones. Likely another 6.8 Stag. Then maybe a 300 Whisper. Of course what you do depends upon your mission. If you want to hunt deer sized game and smaller with an AR, the 6.8 SPC is a great choice and is legal in lots of states where a 223 isn't. Home defense? 6.8 SPC is a good choice. Shoot out to 600 yards accurately, probably 223 (77 SMKs). Now if you don't handload and can't stand to pay for high dollar factory ammo, 6.8 probably isn't for you. Of course all ammo is high these days but as 223 gets cheaper, 6.8 probably won't follow it. -David Edgewood, NM |
|
I only have one AR and it is a 6.8. I used to have a 5.56 also but sold the upper off to consolidate the ammo and mags yada yada. I like the 6.8 round and how it performs. I found I was actually able to shoot my 6.8 more accurately than the 5.56 and have hoarded quite a bit of ammo and mags so I feel fine with it.
Check out 68forums.com they are a wealth of knowledge. YMMV |
|
The first question: For me, if there were only these three calibers and ammo wasn't an issue, then it would be a no brainer. The 6.8 SPC has better terminal performance than the 5.56, and can achieve amazing velocities in short barrels. It has much better bullets available than does the 7.62 X 39, and the ballistics are superior to the 7.62 X 39 at ranges over 200 yards, especially now considering the recent devlopments w/r/t twist rates, and the improved SPCII and DMR chambers. These new guns can fire 110 grain SPH's at 2900 FPS without pressure issues, and 110 grain Barnes TTSX's at 2700 FPS from 16 inch barrels.
If you don't yet own an AR, get a 5.56 first, then get the 6.8. If you own the 5.56 now, and you actually want to hunt game, then get the 6.8 SPC. I have used mine for deer and hogs for over three years, and it performs better than any .223 or 5.56 weapon I have ever used in the field. This round routinely knocks 200-300 pound pigs off their feet, with one shot. I rarely, if ever saw my 5.56 AR do that. Ammo is still an issue right now, but look for that to improve in the near future. Given the excellent performance we are seeing with new loadings like the Barnes TSX in 85 and 110 grains, and the TTSX in 110 grains, or the 115 grain SMK, the 90 grain Speer TNT, and the 110 grainNosler Accubond, I think this round is going to continue to proliferate. I can assure you that there will be other MFR's entering the 6.8 SPC ammo market soon. What the 6.8 does best is that it delivers a heavier bullet at faster velocities in short barrels versus the 5.56mm, has better terminal ballistics and it does all this in a 6 lb. gun. The 85 grain Barnes TSX leaves the muzzle of my 12.5" 6.8SPC barrel at 2975 FPS, whereas the 5.56 will be traveling several hundred FPS less with the 75 or 77 grain bullet. In short barrels, the 6.8 is clearly more powerful. In longer barrels, the 6.8 can still acvhieve velocities of 2830 to 2900 with the 110, and 90 grain bullets. That's a lot of capability without having to resort to heavier weapons like .308's. This, of course, is MHO.... |
|
Quoted:
The first question: For me, if there were only these three calibers and ammo wasn't an issue, then it would be a no brainer. The 6.8 SPC has better terminal performance than the 5.56, and can achieve amazing velocities in short barrels. It has much better bullets available than does the 7.62 X 39, and the ballistics are superior to the 7.62 X 39 at ranges over 200 yards, especially now considering the recent devlopments w/r/t twist rates, and the improved SPCII and DMR chambers. These new guns can fire 110 grain SPH's at 2900 FPS without pressure issues, and 110 grain Barnes TTSX's at 2700 FPS from 16 inch barrels. If you don't yet own an AR, get a 5.56 first, then get the 6.8. If you own the 5.56 now, and you actually want to hunt game, then get the 6.8 SPC. I have used mine for deer and hogs for over three years, and it performs better than any .223 or 5.56 weapon I have ever used in the field. This round routinely knocks 200-300 pound pigs off their feet, with one shot. I rarely, if ever saw my 5.56 AR do that. Ammo is still an issue right now, but look for that to improve in the near future. Given the excellent performance we are seeing with new loadings like the Barnes TSX in 85 and 110 grains, and the TTSX in 110 grains, or the 115 grain SMK, the 90 grain Speer TNT, and the 110 grainNosler Accubond, I think this round is going to continue to proliferate. I can assure you that there will be other MFR's entering the 6.8 SPC ammo market soon. What the 6.8 does best is that it delivers a heavier bullet at faster velocities in short barrels versus the 5.56mm, has better terminal ballistics and it does all this in a 6 lb. gun. The 85 grain Barnes TSX leaves the muzzle of my 12.5" 6.8SPC barrel at 2975 FPS, whereas the 5.56 will be traveling several hundred FPS less with the 75 or 77 grain bullet. In short barrels, the 6.8 is clearly more powerful. In longer barrels, the 6.8 can still acvhieve velocities of 2830 to 2900 with the 110, and 90 grain bullets. That's a lot of capability without having to resort to heavier weapons like .308's. This, of course, is MHO.... ^^^^What he said. 
I have .308, 5.56 and 6.8 ARs....my 6.8 is my favorite by far, but the big downside is ammo cost. Without a doubt 6.8 has more power than the 5.56....if you can shoot one before you buy, it'll be obvious. If you don't care about cost....6.8 wins this one hands down IMO....unless you factor in more common bbls, mags, and spare parts for the 5.56. JMO, Sean |
AR Sponsor