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Posted: 10/13/2009 7:17:20 PM EDT
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I've been toying with the idea of another caliber, a larger one. I have a couple 5.56s and a 6.8. My 6.8 is a 10.5 sbr and was thinking of building another 6.8 in the 16" range.... but then... I started thinking about options. Those options always get me. I first thought of a .50 beo or maybe a .458 but I don't know what a 458 could do that the 338 probably can't for what i'd be doing. It uses a 6.8 bolt and mag, so that's easy for me. ammo... that seems scarce although it sounds like Reeds Ammo is offering a decent selection of 'factory' ammo. I'm not a reloader. I have access to one but I don't abuse it. I could learn but don't have time and am not interested in relying on the need to reload.
The .338 sounds like a good compromise between big bore and 5.56, with a lot of versatility in hunting bigger game, or whatever. The ammo at Reeds wasn't all that pricey either and I have been having a helluva time tracking down stock ammo on .458 or .50b So, am I missing something? I have loads of 6.8 mags. I have a ready to go upper that's only missing a bolt (have the carrier assy) and a barrel. Should I stay with 6.8 or go on to the .458 or something big? |
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If you are considering hunting, the 6.8 will do that plenty and then some. The .338 is a fairly esoteric caliber, geared toward the 300 gr subsonic load. With the lighter bullets, due to the low operating pressure and short case, it is easily outclassed by other rounds. The .30 HRT will certainly do better with light bullets, but as stated, the 6.8 itself will do quite well.
As to "factory" loaded ammo, Reed offers it and we hope to have a second offering in the foreseeable future. Kurt (7.62x40) might be working on a wildcat based on the 6.8 case, but since you do not reload that would not really be an option. Hope that helps a bit... |
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