Should I buy a 6.8?

AR-15 » AR Discussions

AR Sponsor:

Posted: 11/20/2008 5:41:38 AM EDT

There's a 6.8 sitting at the gun shop I've been thinking about buying. With talk of a possible new AWB, the pro of course would be to get in before it's gone. The con is that I'd have to make room for a new caliber of ammo in my safe, and probably have to do it fast.

Does anyone shoot 6.8? How do you like it and how does it compare to a .223 or a .308 ?

Posted: 11/20/2008 7:38:59 AM EDT

[#1]

Superior to .223, but then I'm a huge fan of weight over velocity. Depends on your finances and other variables.

I get .223 from work for free (in limitted quantities due to cutbacks) and have dedicated a significant amount of time and money to reloading .223 so I can't bring myself to switch even though it is superior. Plus, I carry a .223 at work and prefer to practice with what I carry.

Maybe someday for me. You might want to buy the parts needed to switch it over should some sort of ban come down the pipe. I'd concentrate on magazines and reloading components first.

Just my opinion.

Posted: 11/20/2008 8:20:19 AM EDT

[#2]

I would look at 6.5 Grendel before the 6.8. The 6.5 Grendel is supposed to be a hybrid cartridge between the 5.56 and the 7.62X51mm. I would love to own an upper in 6.5 Grendel but I can barely afford to shoot 5.56 (which is a bit cheaper). Just FFT.

Posted: 11/20/2008 8:25:27 AM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
I would look at 6.5 Grendel before the 6.8. The 6.5 Grendel is supposed to be a hybrid cartridge between the 5.56 and the 7.62X51mm. I would love to own an upper in 6.5 Grendel but I can barely afford to shoot 5.56 (which is a bit cheaper). Just FFT.

Any technical reason you would pick the 6.5G over the 6.8 SPC, or is it just your opinion? The reason I ask is due to all the misinformation out there regarding the 6.8 SPC.

To the OP, I would pick up the 6.8 SPC any day so long as it had a usable chamber and barrel twist combo. Check into the FAQs about this caliber in the AR Variants section before making a choice. Also visit the 6.5 and 6.8 forums and read the more in depth technical stuff out there...

Posted: 11/20/2008 8:42:46 AM EDT

[#4]

Seems there are a lot more things available for the 6.8 spc over the 6.5. I plan to build a 6.8 in the future. I have already picked up my mags and lower receiver. I am still waiting for some complete uppers with decent barrels.

Posted: 11/20/2008 8:55:58 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
I would look at 6.5 Grendel before the 6.8. The 6.5 Grendel is supposed to be a hybrid cartridge between the 5.56 and the 7.62X51mm. I would love to own an upper in 6.5 Grendel but I can barely afford to shoot 5.56 (which is a bit cheaper). Just FFT.

Why would he look at the 6.5 Grendel? He said there's a 6.8 sitting at the gun shop. If the Grendel is a "hybrid cartridge" then what is the SPC? The 6.8 was designed for CQB and short to intermediate range sniping, this is what the majority of AR owners want to use their rifles for. If I want a cartridge that will reach out to 1000 yards I'm going to build a bolt gun.

Posted: 11/20/2008 8:57:47 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Seems there are a lot more things available for the 6.8 spc over the 6.5. I plan to build a 6.8 in the future. I have already picked up my mags and lower receiver. I am still waiting for some complete uppers with decent barrels.

The new Noveske 6.8 barrels are coming with a 1:12" twist. Wait time on a complete upper is 6 to 8 weeks.

Posted: 11/20/2008 9:08:08 AM EDT

[#7]

check out the 6.8forums.com it a great bunch of guys. and I don not own 5 6.8 rifles

Posted: 11/20/2008 9:18:32 AM EDT

[#8]

check your ammo prices before you commit

Posted: 11/20/2008 9:21:28 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Does anyone shoot 6.8? How do you like it and how does it compare to a .223 or a .308 ?

I've been known to burn a round or two of 6.8

You'll find us 6.8 shooters hang in the AR Variants forum with the rest of the non 5.56/.223 AR shooters.

I prefer the 6.8 over the .223 as it 'feels' more like a rifle cartridge, without the punishment and weight of the .308

Cost wise 6.8 runs the same as premium .223/5.56 and at or less than commercial .308.

At 500y the 6.8 will still swing hanging steel plates (the .223 will not). At 400y the 6.8 will reliably drop pepper poppers, .223 75gr will not.

If you're just punching paper, stick with the 5.56 as FMJ is cheap. If you hunt or want a rifel for social unrest the 6.8 is a much better option.

Posted: 11/20/2008 9:59:32 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
There's a 6.8 sitting at the gun shop I've been thinking about buying. With talk of a possible new AWB, the pro of course would be to get in before it's gone. The con is that I'd have to make room for a new caliber of ammo in my safe, and probably have to do it fast.

Does anyone shoot 6.8? How do you like it and how does it compare to a .223 or a .308 ?

I shoot one. Have a Stag with a 2-7 Burris Ballistic plex. Put it together from all Stag parts xcept stock for $700. Love it. Just be sure you reload. Ammo is really pricey and there are few suppliers. Silver State Armory is the best. That said i've never bought a round of ammo from them. I EXCLUSIVELY use their brass for reloading though and its excellent quality. I use Hornady V-Max 110 gr for everyday use and Nosler Accubond 110 gr for hunting, both over 29.0 of H322, WSR primer. They shoot within 1/2 to 3/4 minute of each other which is plenty good for hunting. The Accubond has more jacket, less lead, so its a little longer than the V-max of the same weight which is why they shoot a little different. Little more pressure with the Nosler.

-David
Edgewood, NM

Posted: 11/20/2008 10:04:13 AM EDT

[#11]

6.8 is a good round. I like it a whole lot. I think it falls nicely between 5.56 and .308.

Before you buy the "on the rack" 6.8 from the shop, make sure he has ammo and magazines for it!

And just so you get into this with open eyes, you cannot mention 6.8 without someone saying 6.5 is better; and vice versa.

Posted: 11/20/2008 10:05:39 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
check your ammo prices before you commit

Price does not mean quality. Wolf Grendel ammo has shown numerous problems (so has Remington SPC, but we all know Rem screwed the SPC stuff up big time). On the other hand, SSA has absolutely fantastic ammo and customer service...

Posted: 11/20/2008 10:39:16 AM EDT

[#13]

I'm far from a subject matter expert but Chuck Hawks has a great series of articles (on the members only side) reviewing the 6.5 Grendel and 6.8 SPC, and a third article comparing them. It's well worth investing $5 for a one month membership to read them in their entirety. I won't reprint vast amounts of someone else's work, but basically they say that 6.8 SPC was designed as a combat cartridge while the 6.5 Grendel was designed as a match round and that any long range ballistic advantage that the 6.5 may have over the 6.8 is purely a function of bullet shape. They also felt that the 6.8 had more reloading potential. Both were rated as fine for deer out to 250yds.

Quoted:

Any technical reason you would pick the 6.5G over the 6.8 SPC, or is it just your opinion? The reason I ask is due to all the misinformation out there regarding the 6.8 SPC.

To the OP, I would pick up the 6.8 SPC any day so long as it had a usable chamber and barrel twist combo. Check into the FAQs about this caliber in the AR Variants section before making a choice. Also visit the 6.5 and 6.8 forums and read the more in depth technical stuff out there...

Posted: 11/20/2008 11:30:05 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Quoted:
check your ammo prices before you commit

Price does not mean quality. Wolf Grendel ammo has shown numerous problems (so has Remington SPC, but we all know Rem screwed the SPC stuff up big time). On the other hand, SSA has absolutely fantastic ammo and customer service...

I think he was refering to the price in general for a caliber before committing to buy a gun in that caliber. So check the general round people shoo in 6.8, 6.5, 308, etc.

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:09:18 PM EDT

[#15]

if 232 is not man enough to do the job, you need to step up to 308.

Posted: 11/20/2008 2:10:33 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
if 232 is not man enough to do the job, you need to step up to 308.

What's 232?

You can't fit .308 magazines in an AR-15 lower.

Posted: 11/20/2008 3:29:21 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
if 232 is not man enough to do the job, you need to step up to 308.

I have stepped up to 7.62x51mm NATO; what's wrong with a bit of variety? Top to bottom, 5.56, 6.8, 7.62.

Posted: 11/20/2008 3:46:10 PM EDT

[#18]

I have several variants, I enjoy the 6.8 for its intended purpose, its fun and ammo is becoming more avaliable.

Posted: 11/20/2008 4:11:33 PM EDT

[#19]

6.8 replaced my 5.56. I don't shoot thousands of rounds a year nor do I stockpile that much. The 6.8 is available in 95-130gr weights double the 5.56, velocity easily in the 2900fps range. Easy to reload for and a better cartridge for the carbine platform imho. Only thing you need to change between a 5.56 and 6.8 are the barrel, bolt, and magazine. Ammo, mags, and parts are much more plentiful than the 6.5G and more and more ammo manufacturers are making ammo for it. Every major AR manufacturer except for Colt make something in the 6.8 offering. The 6.5G is a great round but is best suited for long range shooting, the 6.8 was designed for a short barrel and CQB to moderate ranges. Does everything I need an AR to do.

Check out 68forums.com for guys that have forgotten more about the 6.8 than I will ever know.

Posted: 11/20/2008 4:28:49 PM EDT

[#20]

6.8 is very cool

When I saw 6.8 brass for sale on at my local Cabela's, I figured it's getting pretty damn popular.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Should I buy a 6.8?

AR-15 » AR Discussions

AR Sponsor:

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us