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6.8SPC or 6.5G? Which one should I buy? (Page 13 of 14)
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Originally Posted By 346ci:
Cool pic, more 6.5 choices out there than I thought. With the Wolf Gold being around $14-15 a box, it is worth looking at for sure. I have some 105gr GS solids in 6.8, haven't tried to load any yet though. For the price and wait, they better bug hole.  You can get the Wolf/PPU 120gr MPT for $12.95 from AIM Surplus right now. The pic is somewhere around half of the 6.5mm pills available. Midway lists 84 different pills alone. I'll leave it up here for the top of the page: 
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| Let's talk current 2013 barrel options. Which would you choose for either 6.5/6.8? Manufacturer, contour, twist, material, length, gas system, etc. I would like to stay above 16" OAL (including muzzle device) for either to avoid NFA hassles. Price is not an option. Let me know what you think would be best. |
ANGRY WHITE MAN
Texas A&M '99
Would love to find a Grey NoDak Spud A2 Lower. And a 601upper and barrel.
Texas A&M '99
Would love to find a Grey NoDak Spud A2 Lower. And a 601
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Originally Posted By Log:
Let's talk current 2013 barrel options. Which would you choose for either 6.5/6.8? Manufacturer, contour, twist, material, length, gas system, etc. I would like to stay above 16" OAL (including muzzle device) for either to avoid NFA hassles. Price is not an option. Let me know what you think would be best. I'll nominate Harrison at AR Performance for either of the two. Every barrel he makes is a tack driver. You get a very good product for your money. I don't think there is any company making the old SAAMI 6.8 chamber any more, and H's chambers are a bit better than standard spec II, and his barrels are a bit faster in the 6.8 than most due to the combination of his chambers, rifling type, land/groove ratio, and QCQ nitride process. His 6.5G chambers are the .264 LBC type, that will fire any 6.5G ammo, but some say are more accurate, and others say there is no difference. As to the caliber, I couldn't tell you. They are so close in performance now that it's almost a toss up. The Federal military ammunition contract for 150 million rounds is favorable to the 6.8, and Wolf will be out soon, as will a few other makers. The mag bodies for each of the two calibers is the same exact thing, and can be had for $14 now, only the follower being different. |
Don't go ninj'in nobody that don't need ninj'in
| I've been shooting my 6.8 Noveske Afgan 14.5 with a pinned FH and I really like it a lot. Been reloading 110gr Hornaday with H322 29 grains and it shoots better than I can. It's my favorite AR. I have a 6.5 Grendel that I am going to start spending some time with here this spring and I am sure with the right loads I will like it too. I shoot primarily 200yrds and in so the 6.8 excels at that range. Beyond 300 the 6.5 I think would be the better choice. |
John 3:16
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Originally Posted By pavlovwolf:
Originally Posted By Log:
Let's talk current 2013 barrel options. Which would you choose for either 6.5/6.8? Manufacturer, contour, twist, material, length, gas system, etc. I would like to stay above 16" OAL (including muzzle device) for either to avoid NFA hassles. Price is not an option. Let me know what you think would be best. I'll nominate Harrison at AR Performance for either of the two. Every barrel he makes is a tack driver. You get a very good product for your money. I don't think there is any company making the old SAAMI 6.8 chamber any more, and H's chambers are a bit better than standard spec II, and his barrels are a bit faster in the 6.8 than most due to the combination of his chambers, rifling type, land/groove ratio, and QCQ nitride process. His 6.5G chambers are the .264 LBC type, that will fire any 6.5G ammo, but some say are more accurate, and others say there is no difference. As to the caliber, I couldn't tell you. They are so close in performance now that it's almost a toss up. The Federal military ammunition contract for 150 million rounds is favorable to the 6.8, and Tula will be out soon, as will a few other makers. The mag bodies for each of the two calibers is the same exact thing, and can be had for $14 now, only the follower being different. Fixed for ya! |
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Bump.
Another vote for the 6.8 Availability of ammo and companies offering complete rifles. Over the past several years I have successfully used my 6.8 while hunting whitetail and a bull elk. Plus, I was an early adopter of the 6.8 back when the Grendel was more of a wildcat caliber with few available options. Not here to ding the 6.5 and I hate purse fights. Last year I changed out my RRA bull barrel for a Wilson Combat SS...like the 6.8 even more. Likely to build my son a rifle in 6.8 for his first hunting AR. |
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Originally Posted By MDStroup:
So where did you get it at this price? From AIM Surplus. |
Pat
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Originally Posted By Pat_H:
Originally Posted By MDStroup:
So where did you get it at this price? From AIM Surplus. I have both... the 6.8 SPC (spec I) and the 6.5 Grendel. The 6.8 is a DPMS upper from Midway USA (they had a sale way back when). I never really shot it as ammo, at the time, was harder to find and not cheap plinking. It was also a 16" flat top with a front sight... everyone wanted the flat top and no front sight. I bought the 6.5 at a whim, just recently. Local shop had the parts, officially the barrel says .264 LBC. When I found out it had it's design history based on the 6mm PPC, I was interested. It is a 20" flat top I mounted a scope I had laying around. So far, I have just shot the Wolf 100grn steel case stuff; only had 20rnds, so I got it on paper and happy so far. (I haven't been on AR15 as often as I did some time ago... so I never checked in here till now.) |
"I believe in love. I believe in cancer... They are both diseases that need a cure."
WA
WA
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I just ordered my first 6.5G ammo - 123gr eldm Hornady from Bud's for just over $17/box shipped. I'll be ordering 2k Wolf 100gr soon as well for what looks like 25¢/rd.
My LaRue upper isn't even put together yet but thinking of using a Bushnell elite tac 6-24x50 as this will be more a range/stand hunt rifle. |
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I'll admit I'm agonizing over a 6.5 Grendel build myself. Figure the cheap ammo is within $1 of the same brand of 5.56 up here in AK, and I could thump a caribou with the 6.5 if needed. Buddy of mine gifted me with a lower last week, so I'm hoping to plan out something to work on over the winter.
18" 5.56 or 18" 6.5G. 
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Originally Posted By NorthPolar:
I'll admit I'm agonizing over a 6.5 Grendel build myself. Figure the cheap ammo is within $1 of the same brand of 5.56 up here in AK, and I could thump a caribou with the 6.5 if needed. Buddy of mine gifted me with a lower last week, so I'm hoping to plan out something to work on over the winter. 18" 5.56 or 18" 6.5G. |
NRA Life Member
American Bladesmith Society Journeyman Smith
OTAC USN Ret
American Bladesmith Society Journeyman Smith
OTAC USN Ret
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I am fully invested in 6.8 but were I going into this today I would be more inclined towards 6.5 Grendel as the ammo companies seem to be more inclined
to support it. If those surplus Gold Dots were common at PSA old prices I would stick with 6.8 I likely have more than enough barrels, bolts, mags and ammo to last the rest of my life. |
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
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I went 6.8 because I don't care about which bullet does better at 900 yards, I care about deer at 150 yards or less. I like shorter barrels and 6.8 develops more velocity with them. I'm not going to shoot steel cased ammo so that was no consideration and FMJ brass cased 6.8 can be had for 54 cents per round.
I don't reload and 6.8 has lots of great factory rounds ranging from 85 grains to 130 and up. -Stooxie |
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I have 2 6.8's and really like them both. Been stocking up on components for quite a while now. Now that Prvi is bringing in both BTHP and FMJ in 110g and Starline manufacturing new brass, it seems the 6.8 is seeing a revival.
I worked at Barrett when it was new and had teething problems. Have had one since then and been shooting it with good results. One of my rifles has a Wilson Combat barrel, the other a Daniel Defense chrome lined. Very happy with both of them. 
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I hated going to weddings. All the grandmas would poke me and say "You're next". They stopped that when I started doing it to them at funerals.
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I chose 6.5Grendel. I liked the ballistics over the 6.8. I have over 1k factory ammo,, Hornady and Black Hills. I have 2k new and once fires brass and plenty of components. I like to reload and enjoy shooting them super small groups. Here is my 6.5Grendel stable.
Attached File 10.5, 16, 18, 20, 24".. 2 low budget builds. 3 high end builds. 2 16" m4 profile barrels in reserve for future builds. This cartridge is almost boringly accurate. |
NRA Life Member
American Bladesmith Society Journeyman Smith
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American Bladesmith Society Journeyman Smith
OTAC USN Ret
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Originally Posted By stooxie:
I went 6.8 because I don't care about which bullet does better at 900 yards, I care about deer at 150 yards or less. I like shorter barrels and 6.8 develops more velocity with them. I'm not going to shoot steel cased ammo so that was no consideration and FMJ brass cased 6.8 can be had for 54 cents per round. I don't reload and 6.8 has lots of great factory rounds ranging from 85 grains to 130 and up. -Stooxie This is something we've seen repeated over the years, but there is zero data to back it up. Especially when you look at a case that is a much more efficient burner with a 30° shoulder, and more bearing time in the rifling when comparing same barrel lengths, and a shorter, fatter powder column, you're going to get better short barrel performance from the Grendel. The muzzle velocity between the two is going to be within 25-50fps at the most, and within 15-20fps more often than not, same projectile weight/construction. I'm looking even at the old 12.5" Kotonics chrome-lined barrel velocity with the higher than SAAMI "combat loads" from SSA before they were acquired by Nosler, and the speeds with those are the same or less than a Grendel that stays under SAAMI MAP. The 16" speeds listed are from a SPC II barrel, nitrided. 6.8 SPC 16" SPC II Chamber 85 grain TSX “Combat Load” 3,082 90 grain Varmint “Combat Load” 2,724, 100 grain Nosler Accubond “Tactical Load”, 2,613 110 grain Pro Hunter “Combat Load”, 2,468 Noveske 16" Recon 1/12 twist 6.8 SSA 110 Pro Hunters 2544 fps Hornady 110 V Max 2650 fps Hornady 110 HPBT 2638 fps 6.8 SPC 12.5" 85gr TSX "Combat Load" 2,948 90gr Varmint "Combat Load" 2,566 100 grain Nosler Accubond “Tactical Load” 2,433 110 grain Pro Hunter “Combat Load” 2,354 6.5 Grendel 16" 90gr Federal TNT 2841fps 100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip 2641fps (under-powered load, .8gr under max) 100gr Berger OTM AA load 2723fps 120 grain Nosler BT AA load 2,535fps 123gr Hornady AMAX 2463fps 123gr AA Lapua Scenar 2535fps 6.5 Grendel 12.5" Federal 90gr TNT 2708 fps Alexander Arms 100 grain Berger OTM 2470 fps Alexander Arms 123 grain Scenar OTM 2330 fps Velocity figures are 10 shot averages recorded on an Oehler 35P placed 12 feet from the muzzle 1,030 feet above Sea Level at an ambient temperature of 30 degrees F. Then run the velocity, weight, and BC through a program and see what they look like compared to each other. I'll let you know right now, when you take 2 projectile weights of the same speed, one with a higher BC, it's going to have more impact speed and energy as the distance increases. I have yet to see any data to support that the 6.8 SPC does better than a Grendel from short barrels. The speeds are close, but everything I've seen actually shows faster mv from the Grendel with the same bullet weights, and these speeds come from many different barrels over the years, not just single samples. I've got a 12" Faxon barrel on the way for a pistol/SBR build, which will be suppressed. It'll be interesting to see what I get from it with my CFE loads under a 123gr and 129gr. |
AR15/AR10 student since 1980s
Co-author of 6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks Vol I & II
NRA Certified Instructor: Basic, Pistol, Rifle, RSO, Shotgun
Co-author of 6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks Vol I & II
NRA Certified Instructor: Basic, Pistol, Rifle, RSO, Shotgun
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My chronoed velocities are all a good 100 fps after than what you cite. Just FYI. All factory loads.
And you just posted all the data that backs up the 6.8 is a hair faster out of the muzzle. Doesn't mean 6.8 is better, just that when the two are so similar you gotta just pick what matters to you. I chose a little bit more velocity and a slightly larger diameter bullet. Decision made. Will the deer care? No. So what's it to You? -Stooxie |
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Originally Posted By stooxie:
My chronoed velocities are all a good 100 fps after than what you cite. Just FYI. All factory loads. And you just posted all the data that backs up the 6.8 is a hair faster out of the muzzle. Doesn't mean 6.8 is better, just that when the two are so similar you gotta just pick what matters to you. I chose a little bit more velocity and a slightly larger diameter bullet. Decision made. Will the deer care? No. So what's it to You? -Stooxie |
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Nosler, for whatever reason, is the one manufacturer that seems to use slower powders. This is true for 6.8 and my recent experience with 7mm-08 shows it as well. I tested the 120gr Nosler BT 7mm-08 in my 16" BHW barrel and it showed about 2670 fps. Federal Fusion 140gr in the same barrel shows 2640 fps. There should be no way that would happen with a 20gr difference in bullet weight. The 6.8 Nosler 110gr AB I tested showed 2374 fps in a 12.5" barrel and only 15 fps more in a 16" barrel. Other loads with heavier, equal or lighter bullets were all faster.
Every other factory load I've used (Federal Fusion 90gr, 115gr, Hornady 120gr SST, S&B PTS and FMJ, etc) has chronoed very briskly! The nice doe I shot this past Friday seemed to agree! I used Hornady SST-- worked beautifully. 12.5" ARP barrel, SLR adjustable gas block, standard carbine buffer and spring, Noveske gen2 upper with NSR rail. Fired through an SRT Arms Shadow Ti suppressor. 120gr factory SST at 2400 fps. -Stooxie |
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Aside from action/cartridge length, the 6.5x55 (6.5 Swedish Mauser), invented almost 120 years ago has set the standard for the 6.5 cartridge.
Want a 6.5 for AR15 or AR10 actions? Or for shorter action bolt guns, then the .260 is an easy in; very simple brass forming process with no fuss. BUT, as with the 6.5mm caliber in general, you are all fishing in a very similar pool...irrespective of what platform you go with, they all use a few bullet weights/makes. Not a problem when the shelves are stacked & all is well with the supply chain. Slight hint of a shortage & ALL the Creedmoor, Grendel, Swede, 260 Rem etc. owners will be chasing the same boxes of 6.5 bullets Have a look over on the .277 bullets shelves...not a lot of folk using .270 by comparison to the many 6.5's, so the supplies issues is less of a drama for 6.8SPC (.277) components I chose the 6.8SPC as it was to me the best of the newer cartridges that came out to address the issues associated with 5.56 failures. It was also the closest I could find to the British EM-2 ammo., ballistically...which itself came about as an idea to get away from an issue ammunition that was TOO powerful. Not a lot of choice here for 6.8SPC guns, and not a fan of the straight-pull UK legal AR15 platform. So, the first Rem 700 LTR I saw followed me home. A right time right place purchase; it was the only LTR in 6.8 ever officially imported into the country!! (I've since heard of a couple more, "grey imports" brought in from Europe) The 6.8SPC while designed as an AR-cartridge is brilliant in a bolt action. Much stronger action compared to the AR means the cartridge can perform to full potential. Looking into sorting a cast-bullet plinking round for it shortly...and a subsonic option too using cast, as the LTR is threaded & the compact ASE moderator is a very nice addition. We've also had a legal change recently so anyone can but hunting bullets & soft points without special endorsement - so the limited FMJ & OTM weights of 110, 115 & 135 can be also now be massively expanded on & the weight range now goes from around 80gr upwards in roughly 5gr increments. Keen to try some TSX & the like too. |
| Man you guys still kicking this horse lol. I have both. The 6.8 is faster out the muzzle at ANY barrel length. The max pressure on the 6.8 is higher because of the smaller case head diameter. With a fairly equal case capacity this means more muzzle velocity. My 16" 6.8 is 50 fps faster than my 18" 6.5 with factory ammo and handloads. The higher bc of the 6.5 catches up after 200yds. But with most guys shooting critters inside 200 yds they are what for what. |
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6.5 Grendel
6.8 SPC So many opinions. So much not true. Get what blows your skirt up. Both will work for a light recoil round. 6.5 G has more legs, but in most folk's hunting range, it doesn't matter. Those that roll their own love both, and that may be the ticket to best performance. |
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Originally Posted By Saddler:
Aside from action/cartridge length, the 6.5x55 (6.5 Swedish Mauser), invented almost 120 years ago has set the standard for the 6.5 cartridge. Want a 6.5 for AR15 or AR10 actions? Or for shorter action bolt guns, then the .260 is an easy in; very simple brass forming process with no fuss. BUT, as with the 6.5mm caliber in general, you are all fishing in a very similar pool...irrespective of what platform you go with, they all use a few bullet weights/makes. Not a problem when the shelves are stacked & all is well with the supply chain. Slight hint of a shortage & ALL the Creedmoor, Grendel, Swede, 260 Rem etc. owners will be chasing the same boxes of 6.5 bullets Have a look over on the .277 bullets shelves...not a lot of folk using .270 by comparison to the many 6.5's, so the supplies issues is less of a drama for 6.8SPC (.277) components I chose the 6.8SPC as it was to me the best of the newer cartridges that came out to address the issues associated with 5.56 failures. It was also the closest I could find to the British EM-2 ammo., ballistically...which itself came about as an idea to get away from an issue ammunition that was TOO powerful. Not a lot of choice here for 6.8SPC guns, and not a fan of the straight-pull UK legal AR15 platform. So, the first Rem 700 LTR I saw followed me home. A right time right place purchase; it was the only LTR in 6.8 ever officially imported into the country!! (I've since heard of a couple more, "grey imports" brought in from Europe) The 6.8SPC while designed as an AR-cartridge is brilliant in a bolt action. Much stronger action compared to the AR means the cartridge can perform to full potential. Looking into sorting a cast-bullet plinking round for it shortly...and a subsonic option too using cast, as the LTR is threaded & the compact ASE moderator is a very nice addition. We've also had a legal change recently so anyone can but hunting bullets & soft points without special endorsement - so the limited FMJ & OTM weights of 110, 115 & 135 can be also now be massively expanded on & the weight range now goes from around 80gr upwards in roughly 5gr increments. Keen to try some TSX & the like too. A lot of collective heads turned and asked who was making these claims. Aerial surveillance platform footage of Somalia Oct 3 and 4th showed that at least one of the persons who Mark Bowden interviewed for his book, Blackhawk Down, had misses when he was shooting at the enemy, whereas hits from others were clearly seen with quick incapacitation of the targets. Unfortunately, the experience of the person who missed got blown out of proportion without any counterbalance, and reignited the gunstore clerk BS about 5.56 ballistics. Numerous articles were written about how 5.56 is not effective from short barrels, and gun rags ran with that mantra for years and years. Lots of guys who were used to 11.5" Colt Commando XM177E2s from the Vietnam era wondered what was going on, because they slayed a lot of enemy, even producing larger KIA than the entire Divisions they worked for (LRRP units). In addition to calling in artillery on unsuspecting NVA units, they also did a lot of ambush patrols as part of their extended duration recon patrols, to the extent that SF even ran live patrols at the end of Recondo School that often included live ambushes. The preferred individual weapon of that era in LRRPs, SF, and SOG was the 11.5" XM177E2 5.56x45 carbine, and lethality was one of the main attributes associated with it by the men who had experience with it, particularly when compared with the AK or M1 Carbine. Some comments I thought were interesting were from guys who had been in USASOC dating back to Grenada, to include being on the Grenada invasion as part of one of the Ranger Battalions, all the way through Panama, Desert Storm, Somalia, and GWOT. These are guys who started out in Ranger Regiment, then went on to be selected and work in other units within USASOC, with basically a lifetime of special operations experience covering decades of actual deployment experience. The units they were part of executed missions on almost a nightly basis for their entire deployments. Most of those missions had HVTs on them, to include enough non-compliant targets to gain an understanding for the 2-way range that very few soldiers have or ever will experience. Their comments were this: "In Grenada, we were stacking enemy KIA like corkwood. In Panama, we stacked the PDF like corkwood. In GWOT, we're stacking enemy KIA like corkwood. But somehow, in Somalia, 5.56 stopped working? Keep in mind, it didn't matter if we were shooting M193, M855, SOST, Mk.262, Brown Tip TSX, you name it, 5.56 has always been very effective, no complaints. But we get this one book with one person's experience highlighted in it, and now 5.56 no longer works?" Their immediate response to this new caliber argument was that people need to spend more time on the range doing productive and realistic marksmanship training rather than look for a new caliber to solve their problems, because it wasn't an issue for them in a pretty lengthy list of conflicts. This was the same response I had, as I had seen many people with their dingle dangle in the dirt after getting blasted with M855, to include head, pelvis, and limb shots that were pretty impressive. I still accept that the terminal effects that I witnessed were anecdotal, but they jive with what a lot of other guys have seen. Granted, this is all mostly in the close fight. 5.56 has been working very well since it was introduced. It's very telling to me that units that absolutely do have a choice in what they use as their primary weapons chose 5.56 ArmaLites and have been using them to this day, even as their own nation used completely different rifles (SAS/SBS). |
AR15/AR10 student since 1980s
Co-author of 6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks Vol I & II
NRA Certified Instructor: Basic, Pistol, Rifle, RSO, Shotgun
Co-author of 6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks Vol I & II
NRA Certified Instructor: Basic, Pistol, Rifle, RSO, Shotgun
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My 6.8 spec 2 velocities are way faster than whats been posted. I'm using an ARP 12.5" 1/11 5r barrel. My pet load is the 120 SST with 27.2 of AA2200 CCI 450 primer, seated to 2.3... 2480 fps with can. That BC is .4 so it's a damn good load all around.
But rather than fight about what cartridge is better, I decided to get both. I got a 12" Faxon in bound in 6.5 to play with. If I was starting over again or when friends ask for a recommendation I suggest the Grendel because of the market support and better long range capabilities. All my local shops carry lots of 6.5 bullets, but not many in 6.8... and usually just Barnes. |
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
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Ben Franklin
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I caught the variant bug earlier this year and got a 450 Bushmaster upper. Factory upper 20” barrel and put it on a lower with a Velocity trigger. I love it! Cloverleaf groups at 100 yds all day long with Hornady 250gr factory ammo. It’s awesome on hogs.
I think I’m going all in on a 6.8 upper from Bison this Christmas. Wanted one for years then got side tracked thinking I wanted a Grendel when Wolf started making cheap plinking ammo, before throwing it all out the window and getting the 450. I’ve come full circle back to the 6.8. For me, 200 yds and under is exactly where I will be shooting, and hunting. I’ll keep plinking with the .223’s anyway and not as much the 6.8. My brother in law recently got a 6.5 Grendel and it shoots great, knocks down Whitetail with no problem and he loves it. I guess I have to be different lol |
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Originally Posted By Forest:
Because it's specifically marked to not be archived. Originally Posted By Forest:
Originally Posted By bldsmith:
Surprised this thread has not been archived. |
NRA Life Member
American Bladesmith Society Journeyman Smith
OTAC USN Ret
American Bladesmith Society Journeyman Smith
OTAC USN Ret
| This argument hasn’t changed much. But it’s funny how availability has flip flopped there used to be lots of 6.8 on the shelves and now 6.5 has more on the shelves. I personally don’t have a problem with either caliber and thoroughly enjoy shooting both. I own more of the 6.5 Grendel rifles. I think mainly for a one caliber ammo supply and bullet supply. But if you’ve done the homework and decided one over the other good for you. |
Chicken Farmer by choice hunter of shade tree's and hiding spots by nature.
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Has this panic caused any funny trends for ammo availability for anyone else? Grendel was the literal only ammo on shelves in my AO for most of last year but that finally gave out. Everything dead empty on any given day. However, components for Grendel, including those rare rare primers, are starting to get shipped to local places. I’ve never gotten trigger time on a 6.8, but I saw 6 deer taken this year with Grendels in 123 SST and 120 Gold dot. Devastating results. On par with larger calibers I’ve used at ranges within 200 yards. |
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Originally Posted By badkarmaiii: Disclosure: My wife and I both have Grendels. If you wanna kill stuff at reasonable ranges, get a 6.8. If you wanna poke at targets farther away, the Grendel will do it. The 224 Valkyrie and newer 6mm ARC are even better with the advantage to the 6mm ARC. The 2 deer on my wall taken at 200 and 400 yards disagree with your assessment on the grendel's hunting capability. Though well placed shots are important whether you're shooting 223 or 50bmg. I'm interested in the 6mm ARC but not enough to add yet another caliber to my reloading setup and buy a bunch of mags again. |
"Hey you guys with the glow sticks get over here! You're in range of the flame throwers!"
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Originally Posted By Oldtoad: Long lasting thread, good stuff. Are AR-15 lowers and magazines interchangeable? Today's shopping showed me more 6.8's available. The 6.8 SPC like the 6.5G were designed around the standard AR-15 lower. There is one company that makes a unique lower (a bit longer) so they can use their proprietary Magpul 6.8 magazines. The 6.8 SPC and 6.5G have unique magazines. You can use a standard AR magazine with a only a few rounds in it, but really you should get the right magazine for your caliber as the follower is different as are the reenforicing rib locations. |
"with a Big Iron on his hip" - Marty Robbins
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With the current ammo and reloading component shortages it is still difficult to find ammunition for many cartridges. If you can find ammo it is expensive and the situation is not much better for the reloader. Fortunately I stocked up a few years ago so I’m in not in a terrible position for reloading components. Unless you reload and have a supply of powder and primers I wouldn’t add another cartridge. I am into the 6.5 Grendel and 5.56/223 where I have a supply of components. Brass and bullets are still not readily available but can be found if your willing to pay the prices. Dies shouldn’t be to hard to find for either 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel. I researched the 6.8 SPC and 6.5 Grendel before choosing the 6.5 Grendel. The capabilities of both cartridges are very similar. I liked the higher BC of 6.5/264 bullets and the sectional density of the 123-130 grain 6.5 bullets. I’m more of a target shooter than a hunter but still use the 6.5 Grendel for hunting. The only new cartridge which has caught my attention is the 6 MM ARC. I haven’t jumped in because there is no 6 ARC brass and I don’t want to use my 6.5 Grendel brass fire formed to 6 ARC. There isn’t enough performance difference between 6.5 Grendel and 6 ARC for me to add 6 ARC in my current situation. If your determined to add another cartridge I think either 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel are good cartridges and it really depends on personal choice. People complain the 6.5 Grendel had bolt life issues and unreliable magazines. That has not been my experience with the 6.5 Grendel. There have been quality control issues with 6.5 Grendel magazines regardless of brand. I have thirty 6.5 Grendel mags of various brands and have had to fix two which have since been gtg. I broke one extractor on an over gassed 16” carbine 6.5 Grendel. Adding an adjustable gas carrier fixed that issue. When you step away from 5.56/223 you run a higher risk of issues with the AR-15. |
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Originally Posted By OlKev: Any new thoughts on the 6.8 vs.6.5? I've been looking at the 6.8 for an upper build but am wondering about availability of barrels, BCG's ammo, reloading components, etc. Is the interest in the 6.8 dying down? As a seasoned 6.8spc supporter in the great 6.8 vs 6.5 war of years gone by, flip a coin. You're shooting desire makes more of a difference than which one you pick. Plan on hunting out to 400y? Either Plan to shoot for accuracy? Either Plan to blast range fodder? 6.5g Plan to use a shorter barrel? 6.8spc They're twins out of the same length barrel. The 6.5 edges out the 6.8 with barrels longer than 18". This is using factory ammo as an example. Reloading will blur the lines even further. 6.8 is hampered a bit by slower/lower pressure ammo still being made to the original (wrong) chamber spec that SAAMI approved. There is 6.8spcII ammo being made, and it's damn nice, but it's not cheap. The irony is that even 6.5g fans are now asking for more fps despite YEARS of claiming not needing it because their BC is so high. I just got a 20" 6.5g barrel and built a new rifle around it. My first forray into 6.5. According to ballistic calcs, I am gaining about 100y over my tried and true 18" 6.8spc for both terminal performance range and max range before going transonic. Parts and accessories are still readily available for both (barrel, bolts and mags). If looking at 6.8spc, Daniel Defense makes a great barrel as well as the barrel maker that cannot be named. Ammo costs (for non steel cased range fodder in the 6.5g's case) and manufacturer support are basically the same. Cannot speak to reloading components as I'm not a reloader. |
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Originally Posted By BM1455: Just bought a Blackstone 14.5 6.8 SPC-II barrel. Probably going to do a pin and weld but I have not set it up on an upper yet but you can still get them. 6.8 SPC is still pretty popular locally with hog hunters. I see it less and less these days, unless I'm talking to the hog guys. I never see it at the range anymore. Who's the "go-to" for 6.8 SPCII bolts and barrels? I have the same question for the hive for 6.5 Grendel. For ammo, I'll post what I see on PSA's ammo page for 6.5 Grendel: Hornady Custom 6.5 Grendel 90 gr HSM Ammunition Game King 6.5 Grendel 120 gr JSP Hornady V-Match 6.5 Grendel 100 gr ELDVT Ammo Inc Match 6.5 Grendel 123 gr Ammo Inc Hunt Long Range 6.5 Grendel 123 gr SST AAC 6.5 Grendel Ammo 123 Grain OTM AAC 6.5 Grendel Ammo 123 Grain FMJ ($0.70/round) Nemo 6.5 Grendel FMJ-BT 120gr Nosler 120 gr Ballistic Tip 6.5 Grendel Hornady Frontier 6.5 Grendel Ammo 123 Grain FMJ Barnes Precision Match 6.5 Grendel 120 gr OTM-BT Barnes Bullets VOR-TX Rifle 6.5 Grendel 115 gr TTSX BT Alexander Arms 123 gr LSHP .6.5 Grendel Prvi Partizan Standard Rifle 120 grain 6.5mm Grendel Prvi Partizan Rifle 110 gr FMJBT 6.5mm Grende Nosler Match Grade 6.5 Grendel 123 grain Nosler 6.5 Grendel 90 grain Varmageddon Nosler Trophy Grade 6.5 Grendel 129 grain AccuBond Hornady Custom 6.5 Grendel 123 gr SST Wolf Steel Case 6.5 Grendel 100 gr FMJ (I didn't realize there was still some for sale! It's more than doubled in price, though) Hornady 6.5 Grendel 123gr ELD Match American Eagle 6.5mm Grendel 120gr OTM Hornady American Gunner 6.5 Grendel 123 gr BTHP AAC "Sabre Blade Black Tip" 6.5 Grendel Ammo 123 Grain Fort Scott Munitions Tumble Upon Impact 6.5 gr Grendel 123 gr Sellier & Bellot 6.5 Grendel 124gr FMJ Remington Berger OTM 6.5 Grendel Remington High-Performance 120 gr HPBT Remington Premier Match 120 gr OTFB MKS Supply Barnaul 100 gr Full Metal Jacket Federal Fusion MSR 6.5 Grendel 120 gr Soft Point Federal Gold Medal Berger 6.5 Grendel 130gr Hybrid OTM That's an interesting array just on one website, granted some of those are out of stock. The AAC stuff being $0.70/round is really nice for plinking ammo. I'll have to get pics, but my Grendel gets about 2-ish MOA 10-shot groups with the match AAC, so I need to test out that FMJ. For 6.8 SPC on the same site: Hornady Custom 6.8 SPC CX 100Gr Remington Premier Match 115 gr Sierra MatchKing Boat Tail Hollow Point Hornady Black 6.8 SPC 110gr V-MAX American Eagle 6.8 SPC 115gr FMJ Sellier & Bellot 6.8mm SPC 110 FMJ ($0.88/round) Hornady 6.8 SPC 120gr SST Custom Remington UMC 6.8 SPC 115gr MC Hornady 100 Grain GMX Full Boar 6.8 SPC Winchester Ammunition 6.8 SPC 115 gr FMJ Winchester USA Ready 6.8mm Rem SPC 115 gr OT SSA Custom Comp. 115gr HPBT Federal American Eagle Varmint and Predator 90 gr Jacketed Hollow Point Hornady Custom 100 gr GMX 6.8mm SPC Sellier & Bellot 115 gr Hollow Point Boat Tail Federal 6.8 SPC 90gr Fusion MSR Federal 6.8 SPC 115gr Fusion MSR The cheapest round in-stock was the S&B 110-grain FMJ at $0.88/round, which is very compelling. Palmetto State Armory Rifle Ammo |
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Originally Posted By 11boomboom: 6.8 SPC is still pretty popular locally with hog hunters. I see it less and less these days, unless I'm talking to the hog guys. I never see it at the range anymore. Who's the "go-to" for 6.8 SPCII bolts and barrels? I have the same question for the hive for 6.5 Grendel. For ammo, I'll post what I see on PSA's ammo page for 6.5 Grendel: Hornady Custom 6.5 Grendel 90 gr HSM Ammunition Game King 6.5 Grendel 120 gr JSP Hornady V-Match 6.5 Grendel 100 gr ELDVT Ammo Inc Match 6.5 Grendel 123 gr Ammo Inc Hunt Long Range 6.5 Grendel 123 gr SST AAC 6.5 Grendel Ammo 123 Grain OTM AAC 6.5 Grendel Ammo 123 Grain FMJ ($0.70/round) Nemo 6.5 Grendel FMJ-BT 120gr Nosler 120 gr Ballistic Tip 6.5 Grendel Hornady Frontier 6.5 Grendel Ammo 123 Grain FMJ Barnes Precision Match 6.5 Grendel 120 gr OTM-BT Barnes Bullets VOR-TX Rifle 6.5 Grendel 115 gr TTSX BT Alexander Arms 123 gr LSHP .6.5 Grendel Prvi Partizan Standard Rifle 120 grain 6.5mm Grendel Prvi Partizan Rifle 110 gr FMJBT 6.5mm Grende Nosler Match Grade 6.5 Grendel 123 grain Nosler 6.5 Grendel 90 grain Varmageddon Nosler Trophy Grade 6.5 Grendel 129 grain AccuBond Hornady Custom 6.5 Grendel 123 gr SST Wolf Steel Case 6.5 Grendel 100 gr FMJ (I didn't realize there was still some for sale! It's more than doubled in price, though) Hornady 6.5 Grendel 123gr ELD Match American Eagle 6.5mm Grendel 120gr OTM Hornady American Gunner 6.5 Grendel 123 gr BTHP AAC "Sabre Blade Black Tip" 6.5 Grendel Ammo 123 Grain Fort Scott Munitions Tumble Upon Impact 6.5 gr Grendel 123 gr Sellier & Bellot 6.5 Grendel 124gr FMJ Remington Berger OTM 6.5 Grendel Remington High-Performance 120 gr HPBT Remington Premier Match 120 gr OTFB MKS Supply Barnaul 100 gr Full Metal Jacket Federal Fusion MSR 6.5 Grendel 120 gr Soft Point Federal Gold Medal Berger 6.5 Grendel 130gr Hybrid OTM That's an interesting array just on one website, granted some of those are out of stock. The AAC stuff being $0.70/round is really nice for plinking ammo. I'll have to get pics, but my Grendel gets about 2-ish MOA 10-shot groups with the match AAC, so I need to test out that FMJ. For 6.8 SPC on the same site: Hornady Custom 6.8 SPC CX 100Gr Remington Premier Match 115 gr Sierra MatchKing Boat Tail Hollow Point Hornady Black 6.8 SPC 110gr V-MAX American Eagle 6.8 SPC 115gr FMJ Sellier & Bellot 6.8mm SPC 110 FMJ ($0.88/round) Hornady 6.8 SPC 120gr SST Custom Remington UMC 6.8 SPC 115gr MC Hornady 100 Grain GMX Full Boar 6.8 SPC Winchester Ammunition 6.8 SPC 115 gr FMJ Winchester USA Ready 6.8mm Rem SPC 115 gr OT SSA Custom Comp. 115gr HPBT Federal American Eagle Varmint and Predator 90 gr Jacketed Hollow Point Hornady Custom 100 gr GMX 6.8mm SPC Sellier & Bellot 115 gr Hollow Point Boat Tail Federal 6.8 SPC 90gr Fusion MSR Federal 6.8 SPC 115gr Fusion MSR The cheapest round in-stock was the S&B 110-grain FMJ at $0.88/round, which is very compelling. Palmetto State Armory Rifle Ammo For 6.8 - Bolts and barrels from Blackstone Arms. Barrells, Black hole weaponry for off the shelf, and a McGowen, X-Caliber, Mos-Tec for custom. Probably more out there too. Mags are still made by several if not all of the old makers. |
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Originally Posted By 11boomboom: 6.8 SPC is still pretty popular locally with hog hunters. I see it less and less these days, unless I'm talking to the hog guys. I never see it at the range anymore. Who's the "go-to" for 6.8 SPCII bolts and barrels? I have the same question for the hive for 6.5 Grendel. For ammo, I'll post what I see on PSA's ammo page for 6.5 Grendel: Hornady Custom 6.5 Grendel 90 gr HSM Ammunition Game King 6.5 Grendel 120 gr JSP Hornady V-Match 6.5 Grendel 100 gr ELDVT Ammo Inc Match 6.5 Grendel 123 gr Ammo Inc Hunt Long Range 6.5 Grendel 123 gr SST AAC 6.5 Grendel Ammo 123 Grain OTM AAC 6.5 Grendel Ammo 123 Grain FMJ ($0.70/round) Nemo 6.5 Grendel FMJ-BT 120gr Nosler 120 gr Ballistic Tip 6.5 Grendel Hornady Frontier 6.5 Grendel Ammo 123 Grain FMJ Barnes Precision Match 6.5 Grendel 120 gr OTM-BT Barnes Bullets VOR-TX Rifle 6.5 Grendel 115 gr TTSX BT Alexander Arms 123 gr LSHP .6.5 Grendel Prvi Partizan Standard Rifle 120 grain 6.5mm Grendel Prvi Partizan Rifle 110 gr FMJBT 6.5mm Grende Nosler Match Grade 6.5 Grendel 123 grain Nosler 6.5 Grendel 90 grain Varmageddon Nosler Trophy Grade 6.5 Grendel 129 grain AccuBond Hornady Custom 6.5 Grendel 123 gr SST Wolf Steel Case 6.5 Grendel 100 gr FMJ (I didn't realize there was still some for sale! It's more than doubled in price, though) Hornady 6.5 Grendel 123gr ELD Match American Eagle 6.5mm Grendel 120gr OTM Hornady American Gunner 6.5 Grendel 123 gr BTHP AAC "Sabre Blade Black Tip" 6.5 Grendel Ammo 123 Grain Fort Scott Munitions Tumble Upon Impact 6.5 gr Grendel 123 gr Sellier & Bellot 6.5 Grendel 124gr FMJ Remington Berger OTM 6.5 Grendel Remington High-Performance 120 gr HPBT Remington Premier Match 120 gr OTFB MKS Supply Barnaul 100 gr Full Metal Jacket Federal Fusion MSR 6.5 Grendel 120 gr Soft Point Federal Gold Medal Berger 6.5 Grendel 130gr Hybrid OTM That's an interesting array just on one website, granted some of those are out of stock. The AAC stuff being $0.70/round is really nice for plinking ammo. I'll have to get pics, but my Grendel gets about 2-ish MOA 10-shot groups with the match AAC, so I need to test out that FMJ. For 6.8 SPC on the same site: Hornady Custom 6.8 SPC CX 100Gr Remington Premier Match 115 gr Sierra MatchKing Boat Tail Hollow Point Hornady Black 6.8 SPC 110gr V-MAX American Eagle 6.8 SPC 115gr FMJ Sellier & Bellot 6.8mm SPC 110 FMJ ($0.88/round) Hornady 6.8 SPC 120gr SST Custom Remington UMC 6.8 SPC 115gr MC Hornady 100 Grain GMX Full Boar 6.8 SPC Winchester Ammunition 6.8 SPC 115 gr FMJ Winchester USA Ready 6.8mm Rem SPC 115 gr OT SSA Custom Comp. 115gr HPBT Federal American Eagle Varmint and Predator 90 gr Jacketed Hollow Point Hornady Custom 100 gr GMX 6.8mm SPC Sellier & Bellot 115 gr Hollow Point Boat Tail Federal 6.8 SPC 90gr Fusion MSR Federal 6.8 SPC 115gr Fusion MSR The cheapest round in-stock was the S&B 110-grain FMJ at $0.88/round, which is very compelling. Palmetto State Armory Rifle Ammo Add Cavity Back Bullets to that list. Best monolithic bullets and ammo for the 6.8 SPC and 6.5G. SPCII ammo for the 6.8 SPC |
6.8SPC or 6.5G? Which one should I buy? (Page 13 of 14)
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