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Posted: 6/17/2012 2:50:22 PM EDT
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I'm strongly considering making a deal to pick-up a nice 10.5" SBR upper in 6.8 SPC.
I've got several AR-15 SBR's and run them pretty heavy, but I have no experience with the 6.8 SPC at all let alone in an SBR configuration. Because of the cost of the 6.8 magazines and ammo vs. 5.56 I'm probably going to reserve this for some "special" uses rather than high volume shooting. It would probably be used for some close protection work around vehicles and I'm also thinking it would be fun to run it with a can and NV for shooting wild hogs. Is there anything in particular I should I be aware of with this cartridge? How well does it work on glass & barrier penetration? Terminal ballistics? If running un-supressed what is the muzzle-flash and blast like? Since I am not experienced with this cartridge any feedback you guy's can give me would be much appreciated. If there is a lot of downside in this cartridge I want to know about it before I invest in a "new" platform. Thanks |
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Sweet round!
It has more power than the 5.56. Not as good of short range trajectory. There is no cheap mil surplus or Eastern Bloc ammo at this time. Rem. at $14.87 is about the cheapest your going to find (Tula & Federal on the way next year). Standard & premium run about the same as the .223. Common bullet range is from 85gr-140. The 95TSX, 110 Accubond & 120 SST seems to be very popular. Along with the Sierra 110gr(for the budget minded. Hornady & SSA(3070fps 85gr TSX 16" barrel / 140gr Beger 2401fps 16" barrel) are popular. Wilson Combat(110gr 2700fps 16" barrel) has some speedy ammo. http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?22614-Current-Factory-Loadings SSA also, has LEO section (which includes AP rounds). I don't know much about the barrier penetration. But, it was designed to be better than the 5.56 at being barrier blind. Here is a PPT slide show that may help explain: http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008Intl/Roberts.pdf FWIW, It's a little dated. Speeds have gone up. Plus, the SSA/Berger 140gr is supposed to be a great long range round. For conversion you'll need a 6.8 barrel, bolt & mags. Oh, you'll want to get SPC II barrel (Noveske & ARP have their own propitiatory barrels.). 1:11 w/ 4 groove is the most common twist. It has more powder than the .223, so, the blast will be a little more. Hi-Tech Rancher shoots hogs from 0-300+/-yards with a 12.5", NV & a can. |
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Thanks for all the good feedback.
I did not realize there was a 6.8 Forum, but I should have known since there is a forum for evrything under the sun these days. Sounds like those who are experienced with the cartridge really like it. Just what I need is another platform to get "addicted" to. Anyone have any thoughts about the 10.5" barrel? From what I have read the cartridge does not suffer as much velocity loss as the 5.56 does with the shorted barrels. Mark |
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Quoted:
Thanks for all the good feedback. I did not realize there was a 6.8 Forum, but I should have known since there is a forum for evrything under the sun these days. Sounds like those who are experienced with the cartridge really like it. Just what I need is another platform to get "addicted" to. Anyone have any thoughts about the 10.5" barrel? From what I have read the cartridge does not suffer as much velocity loss as the 5.56 does with the shorted barrels. Mark It was designed for a SBR. 10.5". No experience with an AR pistol barrel. I'll pass on that. |
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About 6 years ago I was looking for a alternative to the 5.56 for deer. Once I jumped into the 6.8, most of my 5.56 guns were sold off. I have one left for blasting, the rest are 6.8s. Anyway you look at the 6.8, it just kicks ass.
I've considered a 6.8 SBR, my first choice would be a 12.5" ARP, that way I can keep the middy gas system. Wilson Combat's 11.3" would be my second choice but it is a carbine gas system. |
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Quoted: <Off-topic comment removed - Z> To the OP, 6.8 is a great round just like pretty much any round chambered in the AR, when you know its purpose, benefits, and limitations. The question is does the round meet your needs. Not the millions of other gun owners out there. Different mags and BCG are the big ones and you seem fine with that so run with it. I've found the following two threads very instructional and am actually hoping that an intermediate cartridge can be designed followed by a rifle designed around the round rather than trying to shoehorn cartridges into the AR magwell. Then 6.8 SPC could be stretched out a bit and really given some legs without having to go above 55,000 PSI. Intermediate Caliber Options for Military Use 6.8 mm ammunition choices |
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Quoted:
Thanks for all the good feedback. I did not realize there was a 6.8 Forum, but I should have known since there is a forum for evrything under the sun these days. Sounds like those who are experienced with the cartridge really like it. Just what I need is another platform to get "addicted" to. Anyone have any thoughts about the 10.5" barrel? From what I have read the cartridge does not suffer as much velocity loss as the 5.56 does with the shorted barrels. Mark I've got a 10.5" Noveske setup, and it runs like a raped ape. Plenty of velocity with the 85gr and 90gr bullets, and will still shoot the heavier stuff (110-115gr) plenty fast. You can get 2700fps out of the 10.5" with a can on the 85gr TSX. That's a whole lot of whoopass.... |
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op...68 makes the AR what the AR was intended to be. You will not be sorry with your choice in caliber. There is plenty of info on the round, loads of bullet and reloading data available and you can hunt 99% of NA game with it. In Texas the 6.8 is the scourge of hogs.....
As for makers, do as much research as you can and get what feels right to you. Lots of guys like to build their rifles and there are plenty of suppliers to do so with |
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mam111,
I am glad you asked that question as I was thinking about buying a 6.8 upper for one of my AR's. One of my shooting buddies lets me shoot his LWRC PSD and I love it but cannot see $1900.00 for that upper. I am checking around now for decent uppers on the cheap in that caliber. I am going to use mine for hogs also and coyotes if I do not have my AR in 5.56 in the truck. |
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Quoted:
mam111, I am glad you asked that question as I was thinking about buying a 6.8 upper for one of my AR's. One of my shooting buddies lets me shoot his LWRC PSD and I love it but cannot see $1900.00 for that upper. I am checking around now for decent uppers on the cheap in that caliber. I am going to use mine for hogs also and coyotes if I do not have my AR in 5.56 in the truck. Stag arms. 
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Quoted:
mam111, I am glad you asked that question as I was thinking about buying a 6.8 upper for one of my AR's. One of my shooting buddies lets me shoot his LWRC PSD and I love it but cannot see $1900.00 for that upper. I am checking around now for decent uppers on the cheap in that caliber. I am going to use mine for hogs also and coyotes if I do not have my AR in 5.56 in the truck. PSA has had good reviews for a 'cheaper' upper. Based on the reports, if I were in the market for another 6.8 I would look at them. As for the LWRC, it's expensive but accurate, goes boom each time and has things that other manus are now just catching up to. |
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