I was playing with the idea of culling the collection and adding an AR10-type rifle.  After examining the trade-offs for 6.8mm SPC, I've decided to build a 6.8mm SPC upper instead.

I'm very interested in your take on this.  There's been a lot of debate about 6.8mm SPC versus 5.56mm NATO, but it may have a bigger affect on AR10 sales than on 5.56 rifles.

If the 6.8mm SPC keeps gathering steam and becomes viable, with barrels, uppers, bolts, mags etc. available, how will it affect sales of AR10's?  Will it affect your decision to buy an AR10?  Will you skip 6.8mm for 7.62NATO, or vice versa?

Poll coming.

I would only be swayed by price (ammo especially).

7.62 NATO is still fairly cheap and I don't think 6.8 can touch it for a long while.

As much as I'd want a 6.8 upper, I'd still go for the AR10.  Then again, I'm poor and I don't get overly picky :)  If it goes boom for the right price, im happy.

- BUCC_Guy

I'm waiting to see which one of these [b][i]many[/i][/b] wonder rounds is accepted by the larger market before I'm playing with a heavier caliber upper.

I like the idea, but I can wait - or get the AR10.  That damn Bushmaster .308 is just too ugly for words, and unknown reliability.

Edited the hosed up board code.

The AR15 and AR10 are the same basic design, but the AR10 is heavier and has a longer action.  The bolt carrier group is much heavier.  Recoil is harder to manage in rapid fire than the AR15.  

If what you need is on the lower end of what 308 can provide, the 6.8 is a great choice.

If you really need the high BC bullets, or need the oomph of the 168-175gr bullets, the AR10 is still the best choice.  An AR10 can also be easily rebarrelled for 7-08 or 6.5-08, both of which have advantages for long-range shooting.

-z

black rifles are icky [;)]

I would not buy an AR 10 regardless of the 6.8s introduction. I own a pss, scout,(based on a Remington 600) and an HK 91. However, Weight is a decieding factor with the 6.8. Smaller rifle, lighter ammo better performance than 5.56 are what I find atractive. Yea I'll get one.

Have all of the above & want more[:D]

Im poor, so .223 will have to do. If I were to pick between them, I'd get the 6.8 upper and buy a bolt action .308.

Of all the new AR rounds, the 6.8 sounds to be the most promising. To me the two big catches for that round are the magazines and the ammo's availability\price. If the military does indeed adopt the 6.8 and magazines become available that will hold and shoot reliable ~30 rounds than I will want to build an SPR rifle for that round.

As far as a 7.62 gun, I plan to get a M1A\M14 and also maybe a FN-FAL. I have no plan or desire for a AR-10 regardless of what happens with the 6.8 round.

I'm building an AR in 223 for my son as his first deer rifle.  I'll be waiting to see how the 6.8 does.  It would be a pretty logical transition once he gets a little bigger to rebarrel his rifle to 6.8.  It has the makings of a nice little hunting round in a smaller package than an AR10.

That being said, I still want an AR10!  It's just hard to justify with two M1A's in the safe already.

A new military caliber will cut into all AR sales, as it probably won't be used in AR's at all. New products will be adapted.

I plan on buying an AR-10 either way though, once the ban sunsets.

All ready have a AR-10 for hunting, and have since 1997.  Always thought that the UK 7x43 round would have been better then the US T-65 (later 7.62 NATO).  The 6.8 SPC is very close in concept to the UK 7x43, so I find the SPC very interesting.  Am very fond of the AR-10 though, much stronger action, great reach with the 7.62 NATO.  So will probably get a 6.8 SPC, but will still use the AR-10 for hunting.

[b]"Will [i][red]readily available and reasonably priced[/red][/i] 6.8mm SPC rifles, uppers, barrels, bolts, mags & ammo affect your decision to buy an AR10?"[/b]

i guess that is the BIG stipulation.  for now, i went ahead and completed my AR10 7.62SPC (special purpose carbine) project:
[img]http://www.hunt101.com/img/126508-big.JPG[/img]

chances are, i'll deplete my checking account again and get a 6.8mm SPC upper/rifle when i start feeling the fever.[;)]

You can't even compare a 6.8mm to a .308.  The 6.8mm is little more than a .30-.30.  Yes it is better than a .223 up to 300 yards but it never will compete against a .308 Winchester.  Those energy levels are pathetic next to a .308  

You're absolutely right, but I think you're missing the point.  For average AR15 owners looking for a bigger caliber, adding an upper in 6.8mm may be more appealing than getting a completely new rifle in 7.62mm.  If we all had tons o' bucks and gun safe space, everyone would own an AR10 & a 6.8mm. But life if full of compromises (for some of us.)

I can rebuild an upper with a new 6.8mm barrel and bolt from Model 1 for about $250.  Beats the heck out of $1200 for a AR10.

_Man:

I re-read the first sentence in your first post.

What point was I missing?

That sales of AR10's will probably decrease when 6.8x43mm uppers & rifles are readily available.  In other words, I'm not asking whether 7.62x51mm is superior (obviously it is.)  The question is whether more shooters will opt for a more easily available alternative.

Does that make sense?

{edited to add} Hoping we get >200 replies to the poll.  It seems to be holding constant at twice as many shooters buying [b]ONLY[/b] 6.8x43mm versus shooters buying any AR10's.  If I were ArmaLite, I'd be concerned.

I went with the Alexander Arms 6.5 Grendel over the AR10. Now if it would just arrive :D

Assuming the price on the BAR 10 drops to that of the Armalite version...

.308 surplus for 10-15c a round... FAL mags that cost 3-4 dollars a peice...

If were talking money now...

Sure a 6.8 upper can cost half as much, but add a few mags after the sunset, and a case of ammo...and you're right up there with the AR 10 or the bushmaster.

Sorry for the OT post, but I don't think its a valid comparison money wise.

If all of the above comes true then I will definately not buy an AR10 and will instead build a 6.8 rifle. Why ? Because 6.8 has everything I'm looking for in a rifle cartige and the rifle will cost 1/2 what a AR10 will. I'm want a medium range (400-600 yds) semiauto rifle that I will put a scope on. To me I think 223 loses too much stopping power beyond 400 yds. I'll probably build a 6.8 for 400-600 yds and get a bolt gun in 308 for 600+ yds.

Not only will the rifle be cheaper, but even after the ban I still think Armalite mags will be at least $20 a piece. Since the 6.7 mags will be based around AR15 mags I'd suspect that after the ban they will be available in the $10-12 range.

Plus if you reload 6.8 is definately gonna be cheaper to reload down the road becuase it uses less powder and the bullets are smaller.

The Armalite/Eagle Arms AR10 has definitely lost one sale...  I've been eying one for a while, and almost put it on layaway... SO glad I didn't.

All these preferences are MINE alone, and are true when it comes to MY choice only.

6.8mm is lighter than AR10
6.8mm requires only an upper
Could build a whole new rifle for $700
ALL my spare parts (ambi safety etc) will fit.

As for the mags and ammo issue...

I bought an FAL once instead of an AR10 because mags were cheaper.  Well, I had six or eight 20 round mags, and one 5 round mag... Guess which one I used after the novelty of 20 rounds wore off? (after the first range session)  

Besides, if I already have an AR15, and twenty 30 round mags, and 5000 rounds of ammunition, why do I care how many rounds I can get in a 6.8mm mag?  Does every rifle I own need to be belt fed?  I can only hold so many weapons at one time when the zombie hoardes attack (plus my ninja sword).

Ammo cost -  There's already a small following of non-black rifle users who want to get their hands on the 6.8mm for hunting and target shooting.  Bolt actions are being chambered in it... it will stick.  And same as with last logic, does every rifle I own have to fire ammo that costs $.03 each?  Just how many rounds of .308 can this recoil sissy take in one sitting anyway?

I wanted an SPR type rifle with more ooomph than the 5.56 has to offer.  I want to hunt deer with it, and ring the 500 yard sillouette at my local range.  

For me, the 6.8mm is better than the AR10.

Right now, I look at two things keeping the 6.8 from really taking off -

#1 Ammo availability and cost
#2 Magazine availability / compatability
- Are there even 10 round magazines available to those of use who don't care about having 20 or 30 rounds in a magazine???

If these two problems get fixed I think the AR10 might be in big trouble.  Maybe Armalite is already looking at this and planning on some 6.8s in the future.  It never hurts to have another option!!!

BBT from page 5.  More votes, please!

Both for me please.  I just bought the SEBR AR10 rifle, and once the 6.8 is more available, I'll have at least a 6.8 upper for my AR15.  Even if I didn't have the AR10 yet, I would still be wanting one regardless of the 6.8 anticipation.

They're two different animals.