6.8 spc question
- Thread starter igotta40
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crazysccrmd
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The 6.8SPC is used by a few militaries around the world but not in large numbers. In my opinion it is the best all around hunting cartridge that works in a standard AR15, outside of a few wildcats.
WestKentucky
Member
Seems like it was built for deer and hogs...both varieties in 2 or 4 legged form. The round has a really cool developmental history tied to the SF group armorers at Fort Campbell. For me the history is especially neat since I'm a local boy and know some of the guys involved. I have a 6.8 barrel tucked away to build someday to honor those guys. If I ever do, it will be built on a unit marked civilian lower.
animus_divinus
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no its not a military cartridge and its no more adept at hunting than a dozen or so other cartridges that are less expensive
crazysccrmd
Member
It is by definition a military cartridge as it was designed by the military, for military use and is used by militaries. At $0.50/rd for quality hunting ammo there isn't much else in an AR15 that is cheaper or more effective.
WestKentucky
Member
Please animus, name those cartridges, especially if they are AR15 friendly. 6.8spc is 26 bucks a box for GOOD hunting ammo, so basically 1.30 each. 223 ammo for hunting is over a dollar a shot, as are almost every other round, so is it really that big of a deal to be 2 or 3 bucks a box more than whatever calibers you name? If looking strictly at building a rifle, then yes it takes different mags and bolt, which adds about 30 bucks to a build...so 30 bucks on a 600 dollar build...negligible. An argument could be made that a 6.8 barrel costs more than a 5.56 barrel, but when you compare barrels of similar quality, they are again right about even. The 6.8 does use a different case design and has a lot more charge capacity which let's it send a bigger bullet at a good velocity.
There are many rounds that have been designed for use in the AR. Like everything else, there is no clear "best" round, and 6.8 may not fit the bill for some folks needs. It certainly fits the bill for hogs, deer, and similar sized game in the 100-300 pound range. For punching paper I would pick something else (20 practical), but for an all around good, powerful AR round, 6.8 is pretty good. The biggest problem i see with the round is that it is mainly available from top tier suppliers. I can't afford to buy a $2000 ar then stack up piles of ammo, scope, etc, and I have a better than average paying job, so "factory built" rifles are cost prohibitive for a lot of folks. Budget rifle folks build 556 because that's what everyone wants, and it makes no sense to build a similar product with lower demand at very low margins.
There are many rounds that have been designed for use in the AR. Like everything else, there is no clear "best" round, and 6.8 may not fit the bill for some folks needs. It certainly fits the bill for hogs, deer, and similar sized game in the 100-300 pound range. For punching paper I would pick something else (20 practical), but for an all around good, powerful AR round, 6.8 is pretty good. The biggest problem i see with the round is that it is mainly available from top tier suppliers. I can't afford to buy a $2000 ar then stack up piles of ammo, scope, etc, and I have a better than average paying job, so "factory built" rifles are cost prohibitive for a lot of folks. Budget rifle folks build 556 because that's what everyone wants, and it makes no sense to build a similar product with lower demand at very low margins.
Gtscotty
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I'd agree, I had one, and it really is probably the best medium game hunting cartridge commonly chambered in the AR-15 (6.5 G being a strong candidate as well). My load was 110gr Accubonds at 2660 fps, and it hammered deer quite nicely. There are plenty of other excellent bullets available if you load, and hunting ammo is commonly available and priced competitively.
It IS a military cartridge and issue for use in the Mid East. IIRC Federal has a contract on supplying the ammo to governments there. LWRC built the guns and exported them. http://www.alloutdoor.com/2014/01/20/lwrc-6-8-spc-300-blackout/
Pretty much old news for 6.8 fans.
That weapon used a larger magwell and Magpul makes a distinctive larger magazine for it. That prevents interchanging it with the standard ones which could potentially cause problems in combat. Not as bad as chambering .300BO in a 5.56, but it does jam it up.
Might surf this site as it's the #1 resource on 6.8 since it started: http://68forums.com/forums/forum.php
SF asked for money and got a grant of $5,000 to investigate making a better round as at the time they wanted more power out of the 14.5" M4. Working with the Army Marksmanship Unit in Ft. Benning they came up with a round based off the old .30 Remington - a rimless .30-30 challenger that was a slow seller in the day. It fit the limit of the bolt face and could be shortened to fit into the magazine well, which are the two limiting factors to getting any round into the AR15.
Today 6.8 is loaded with bullets specifically designed for it and what we still lack is cheap surplus plinking ammo. .300BO and 6.5 face the same issue which prevents wholesale shooter adoption - all we can get is commercial rounds, which are largely developed for hunting. That's the good part as the round has 50% more power than 5.56 in the typical ranges hunters use it. Because of the cost of ammo many reload, which puts it out of the typical mainstream shooter who largely pokes holes in paper and dirt.
If you want to hit a living target and put it down using the AR15, it's the preferred go to round. As for less expensive ammo, it's out there, search is your friend - $16.75 a box of 20 http://www.luckygunner.com/rifle/6.8-remington-spc-ammo Note that is 115 gr FMJ - like I said, Federal has a foreign military contract for the stuff.
Pretty much old news for 6.8 fans.
That weapon used a larger magwell and Magpul makes a distinctive larger magazine for it. That prevents interchanging it with the standard ones which could potentially cause problems in combat. Not as bad as chambering .300BO in a 5.56, but it does jam it up.
Might surf this site as it's the #1 resource on 6.8 since it started: http://68forums.com/forums/forum.php
SF asked for money and got a grant of $5,000 to investigate making a better round as at the time they wanted more power out of the 14.5" M4. Working with the Army Marksmanship Unit in Ft. Benning they came up with a round based off the old .30 Remington - a rimless .30-30 challenger that was a slow seller in the day. It fit the limit of the bolt face and could be shortened to fit into the magazine well, which are the two limiting factors to getting any round into the AR15.
Today 6.8 is loaded with bullets specifically designed for it and what we still lack is cheap surplus plinking ammo. .300BO and 6.5 face the same issue which prevents wholesale shooter adoption - all we can get is commercial rounds, which are largely developed for hunting. That's the good part as the round has 50% more power than 5.56 in the typical ranges hunters use it. Because of the cost of ammo many reload, which puts it out of the typical mainstream shooter who largely pokes holes in paper and dirt.
If you want to hit a living target and put it down using the AR15, it's the preferred go to round. As for less expensive ammo, it's out there, search is your friend - $16.75 a box of 20 http://www.luckygunner.com/rifle/6.8-remington-spc-ammo Note that is 115 gr FMJ - like I said, Federal has a foreign military contract for the stuff.
Mr Woody
Member
I built two ARs in 6.8 for hunting in Florida. Very light recoil and works just fine on Hogs and Deer. I did not want an AR in .223/556 and the 6.8 seemed to fit the bill for the light recoil smaller cartridge I was looking for. I works.
Woody
Woody
Bruce Hanson
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It's a great cartridge for the AR15. I really enjoy mine. I don't have an expensive one. It's a Stag upper which cost about as much as any standard mid-level AR upper.
Ammo can be expensive at places, but I've seen Fed Fusion for as low as $9.99 online. For plinking ammo, American Eagle has been on sale for $ 8.99 at times. If you buy one, wait for the ammo sales, buy it cheap and stack it deep.
Ammo can be expensive at places, but I've seen Fed Fusion for as low as $9.99 online. For plinking ammo, American Eagle has been on sale for $ 8.99 at times. If you buy one, wait for the ammo sales, buy it cheap and stack it deep.
Mike C2
Member
Check out 68forums.com for all the 6.8 action you could want!
I'm a huge fan of the 6.8. Realistically, it mirrors a .250 Savage in application and is an excellent deer/hog gun. Pigs that run away when shot with 5.56 drop dead with 6.8.
As mentioned above, the XMGD on sale at PSA goes for $10 a box. No way you can get bonded core soft-point 5.56 for $.50 a round.
And they sell the S&B FMJ 6.8 for $7.99 a box sometimes. That's not quite as cheap as bulki 5.56 but close.
If I could only have one AR15, it would be chambered in 6.8. But why limit yourself?
I'm a huge fan of the 6.8. Realistically, it mirrors a .250 Savage in application and is an excellent deer/hog gun. Pigs that run away when shot with 5.56 drop dead with 6.8.
As mentioned above, the XMGD on sale at PSA goes for $10 a box. No way you can get bonded core soft-point 5.56 for $.50 a round.
And they sell the S&B FMJ 6.8 for $7.99 a box sometimes. That's not quite as cheap as bulki 5.56 but close.
If I could only have one AR15, it would be chambered in 6.8. But why limit yourself?
I wouldn't own an AR until it became available in 6.8, my first was a RRA LAR-68. I changed out the 1:10 heavy profile stock barrel with an ARP barrel which was a big improvement.
Then I bought a DPMS Lite in 5.56 thinking I should have a 5.56 rifle, to have a common caliber should S ever HTF. I even bought a bunch of 5.56 ammo, but it kept gnawing at me, I just didn't like the caliber. So I changed it over to 6.8 also. Now I have two 6.8 AR's, a moderate stock of ammo and no regrets. I have yet to take it hunting, but it is the most powerful caliber in my inventory now.
Then I bought a DPMS Lite in 5.56 thinking I should have a 5.56 rifle, to have a common caliber should S ever HTF. I even bought a bunch of 5.56 ammo, but it kept gnawing at me, I just didn't like the caliber. So I changed it over to 6.8 also. Now I have two 6.8 AR's, a moderate stock of ammo and no regrets. I have yet to take it hunting, but it is the most powerful caliber in my inventory now.
I have a Stag upper also. Works well. I got about 1.5" groups with Hornady ammo which I consider fine for a hunting rifle. 50 cents a round for ammo lately. I don't have a lot of ammo, but I have enough.
FL-NC
Member
The 6.8 has performed well on hogs and deer, according to friends of mine who have used it. Its not a "standard" US mil cartridge. That being said, it has been in limited use by SOF units in the mideast. A friend used it when deployed- there were some 6.8 uppers and ammo available in country. The 6.8 has a military DODIC, basically a inventory number- which means that it is in the inventory and possibly available for units who are authorized to use it and so equipped with weapons to launch it. There are many calibers and cartridge types available to certain units and commands that are far out of reach of the "mainstream" military, along with the weapons that utilize them. I guess it could be argued forever if they are "military rounds". The fact is, some people have them, most don't.
The .300 blackout has really cut into the 6.8 spc market share. I would not expect the 6.8 to completely die out, but I doubt its popularity will significantly grow in the near future. Especially with new chamberings such as the .277 Wolverine coming out which is only a little below the 6.8 in terms of performance, but works with standard AR parts except for the barrel.
crazysccrmd
Member
Better supersonic performance and comparable subsonic performance. Very good reasons if you're a reloader.
First off........ The 300BLK is an awesome round and many people seem happy with it.
For a hunter, you do get significantly improved range (using 1kft lbs as a guage)
over the 300blk with both the 6.8 and 277 Wolverine
I get a little over 275 yards at 1k ft lbs. with a 120g Hornady SST
(My DRT ..Dead Right there Bullet)
There are some people claiming 90-95g Bullets in the 277 Wolverine
that get 1k ft. lbs. out to 190 to 200 yds
The best 300 Blk hunting bullets I can find, drop below 1k ft lbs at 125 yards
mokin
Member
If you want to see how the 6.8SPC works on deer and hogs, you can go to 68forums.com.
I built one and really like it. However, I'll admit I think ammunition is on the pricey side for blasting. Probably if I were to do it again, I'd go with the .277 Wolverine, simply for brass availability. When I built mine, that wasn't an option. I also reload. I think that is something you gotta do if you shoot that cartridge.
While we're on the topic, to my knowledge, the 6.8 SPC is the first centerfire cartridge my young niece (9 years old) shot. I took some family to the range, including her, my Bro-in-law (who recently retired from the Army- has a little experience with the AR-15)... Anyway... My BIL asked me if his daughter could shoot the AR-15. I said sure. He goes and gets her set up with a nice rest and target. He has her dry fire the rifle a few times to get the feel of the trigger before inserting a magazine with one round in it. Finally she's ready for the shot. She carefully squeezes it off. When she lifts her head off the rifle she had one of the most radiant smiles I've ever seen. One of the best range experiences ever.
Thanks for indulging me.
I built one and really like it. However, I'll admit I think ammunition is on the pricey side for blasting. Probably if I were to do it again, I'd go with the .277 Wolverine, simply for brass availability. When I built mine, that wasn't an option. I also reload. I think that is something you gotta do if you shoot that cartridge.
While we're on the topic, to my knowledge, the 6.8 SPC is the first centerfire cartridge my young niece (9 years old) shot. I took some family to the range, including her, my Bro-in-law (who recently retired from the Army- has a little experience with the AR-15)... Anyway... My BIL asked me if his daughter could shoot the AR-15. I said sure. He goes and gets her set up with a nice rest and target. He has her dry fire the rifle a few times to get the feel of the trigger before inserting a magazine with one round in it. Finally she's ready for the shot. She carefully squeezes it off. When she lifts her head off the rifle she had one of the most radiant smiles I've ever seen. One of the best range experiences ever.
Thanks for indulging me.
Yes, .300BO is currently popular. As time goes on, tho, users keep bumping up against their ammo supply issues, too. It's commercial and there is no cheap surplus. I read a thread last year complaining about how pricey .300BO is.
Well, welcome to the club.
As said, .300BO doesn't have as much power downrange, either. It might be said to be cheaper to build a .300BO, the difference is that 6.8 parts aren't run of the mill cheap mass market items anymore. The buyers of alternative rounds aren't the usual crowd of plinkers - but as the number of AR owners has grown over the last five years, there are more new shooters who gravitate to something "bigger." It's simply timing that .300BO was on the surge when they came to buy.
Shooters who regularly put down game tend to move up to 6.8 for it's performance, which was the point of SF getting a new cartridge with 50% more power. It fixed a perceived problem they were experiencing with 5.56 from 14.5" M4's almost 15 years ago. Extending the 1000 foot pound range of ammo makes it more effective in some conditions.
6.8 does do that, even in 10.5" guns. SBR's are the bulk of the foreign contract and that should be more than noted. The specification for a PDW was to have a minimum level of power, that the ammo cannot be inadvertently chambered with other ammunition. Specification met.
All the alternative cartridges will be on the market for a long time - decades from now. The problem is we have stretched the AR mag well and bolt face both ways, and any new cartridge isn't going to do something highly superior to what is already out there. The comments on .277 Wolverine are indicative - it's "almost" as good as 6.8. If there has been a singular point of discussion about ammo for the AR15, it usually comes down to comparing everything else to 6.8 - that's a major flag how people see the round and where they place it. They may not like it, but when you ask about their favorite, they compare theirs to 6.8.
If there is one specific thing that doesn't help 6.8 in the market place, it's being metric. Americans like inch pattern cartridges, military users prefer metric. There is 1 experienced veteran for every 100 civilians now, it's been an uphill fight to be recognized and accepted. 6.8 has done well.
Well, welcome to the club.
As said, .300BO doesn't have as much power downrange, either. It might be said to be cheaper to build a .300BO, the difference is that 6.8 parts aren't run of the mill cheap mass market items anymore. The buyers of alternative rounds aren't the usual crowd of plinkers - but as the number of AR owners has grown over the last five years, there are more new shooters who gravitate to something "bigger." It's simply timing that .300BO was on the surge when they came to buy.
Shooters who regularly put down game tend to move up to 6.8 for it's performance, which was the point of SF getting a new cartridge with 50% more power. It fixed a perceived problem they were experiencing with 5.56 from 14.5" M4's almost 15 years ago. Extending the 1000 foot pound range of ammo makes it more effective in some conditions.
6.8 does do that, even in 10.5" guns. SBR's are the bulk of the foreign contract and that should be more than noted. The specification for a PDW was to have a minimum level of power, that the ammo cannot be inadvertently chambered with other ammunition. Specification met.
All the alternative cartridges will be on the market for a long time - decades from now. The problem is we have stretched the AR mag well and bolt face both ways, and any new cartridge isn't going to do something highly superior to what is already out there. The comments on .277 Wolverine are indicative - it's "almost" as good as 6.8. If there has been a singular point of discussion about ammo for the AR15, it usually comes down to comparing everything else to 6.8 - that's a major flag how people see the round and where they place it. They may not like it, but when you ask about their favorite, they compare theirs to 6.8.
If there is one specific thing that doesn't help 6.8 in the market place, it's being metric. Americans like inch pattern cartridges, military users prefer metric. There is 1 experienced veteran for every 100 civilians now, it's been an uphill fight to be recognized and accepted. 6.8 has done well.
I have a WC Recon in 6.8 SPC; I read different things about military use - not sure where the rumors stop and the truth starts. With that said, my experience with deer has impressed me - two larger bucks so far with 110 grn. V-MAX (one at about 80 yards and the last at about 210) - they just drop. I think that the round just explodes in their chest - field dressing shows massive overall trauma to all of the chest organs. In turn and by far, the most accurate rifle that I have ever shot - five shot groups touching at 100 yards (benched) is my norm (I am an average shot). There are lots of other good caliber choices; I like this one and cannot ask it to do more. Good shooting.
Float Pilot
Member
I have been hand-loading and shooting a couple 6.8mm ARs for a few years now. One 16 inch carbine and one 24 inch heavy barrel that I built up as a heavy varmint ( wolf & coyote) plus open ground caribou zapper.
It is an interesting cartridge that does much better in longer barrels than it was originally thought.
90gr Sierra HP28.8gr H-4198SSA/CCI-412.260col / LFC
3,115 fps0.75 inch group
Stag AR with 24 inch poly rifled Black Hole Weaponry Barrel12 power Pentex Scope.100 yards, rain, 12 knot winds, 42 degree F. All Loads SSA once fired brass. CCI 450 magnum primers (saving my military primers)Lee factory Crimp on all loads. Chronograph at 10 feet from muzzle.
90gr Sierra HP31.5gr AA-22002.219 in COLVel= 3,265 fps and a 0.50 inch groupDirty necks , semi flat primersMuzzle Energy 2,130 foot pounds, point blank hunting envelope 285 yards.
95gr Barnes TTSX31.0gr AA-22002.230 COLVel= 3,270 fps and a 1.0 inch groupDirty necks, semi flat primersMuzzle Energy 2,255 foot pounds, point blank envelope to 303 yards.Holds 1,000 foot pounds out to 375 yards.
100gr Nosler Accubond…BC = .32330.0gr AA-2200 CCI-BR4 primer2.253 colVel= 3,070 fps and a 1.0 inch groupDirty case necksMuzzle Energy , 2,099 foot pounds, point blank hunting envelope to 290 yardsHolds 1,000 ft pounds out to 350 yards
100gr Nosler Accubond BC=.32330.5gr AA-2200 CCI BR-4 primer2.253 colVel= 3,105 fps and a 2.0 inch groupDirty case necksMuzzle Energy , 2,141 foot pounds, point blank hunting envelope to 293 yardsHolds 1,000 ft pounds out to 360 yards
100gr Nosler Accubond BC=.32330.9gr AA-2200 CCI 450 primer2.280 colVel= 3,057 fps and a 0.75 inch groupDirty case necks, fails to feed 100% Ejector dingsFired at 10 below zero
110gr Nosler Accubond29.0gr AA-22002.260 colVel= 3,020 fps and a 1.4 inch groupDirty case necksMuzzle Energy , 2,228 foot pounds, point blank hunting envelope to 290 yardsHolds 1,000 ft pounds out to 425 yards.
110gr Barnes TTSX29.0gr AA-22002.280 colVel= 2,990 fps and a 2.0 inch groupdirty case necksMuzzle Energy 2,184 ft lbs, point blank envelope to 288 yards.
120gr Hornady SST BC=.40028.0gr AA-2200, CCI BR-4 primer2.252 colVel= 2,775 fps and a 1.0 inch groupDirty case necksMuzzle Energy , 2,052 foot pounds, point blank hunting envelope to 271 yardsHolds 1,000 ft pounds out to 400 yards
120gr Hornady SST BC=.40028.5gr AA-2200, CCI BR-4 primer2.252 colVel= 2,820 fps and a 0.50 inch groupDirty case necksMuzzle Energy , 2,119 foot pounds, point blank hunting envelope to 275 yardsHolds 1,000 ft pounds out to 425 yards, fired at 29 degrees
120gr Hornady SST BC=.40028.7gr AA-2200, CCI 450 primer2.287 colVel= 2,677 fps and a 1.00 inch groupEjector Dings, Fired at 10 below zero
120gr Hornady SST BC=.40028.9gr AA-2200, CCI 450 Magnum primer2.287 col Fired at 10 below zeroVel= 2,710 fps and a 0.50 inch main group 1st and last rnd flyer to 1.0 in Ejector dings
130gr Sierra Soft Point flat base27.0gr AA-22002.280 colVel=2,658 fps and a 1.0 inch groupDirty necksMuzzle Energy 2,039 ft lbs. Point Blank hunting range of 263 yardsHolds 1,000 foot pounds out to 425 yards.
130gr Hornady SST BC=.46027.2gr AA-2200, CCI 41 Military primer2.290 colVel= 2,570 fps and a 2.00 inch groupPressure signs OK, no dings, Ojive had to be crimped closeMuzzle Energy , 1,906 foot pounds, point blank hunting envelope to 256 yardsHolds 1,000 ft pounds out to 410 yards, fired at 10 degrees below zero
150gr Speer Soft Point Flat Base25.0gr AA-22002.280 colVel= 2,360 fps and a CLOVERLEAF HOLEdirty necks, semi-flat primersMuzzle Energy 1,855 foot pounds, Point Blank hunting range 237 yardsHolds 1,000 ft lbs out to 375 yards
150gr SPEER SOFT POINT 25.3gr AA-2200, CCI 41 Military primer2.291 colVel= 2,286 fps and a 0.50 inch groupNo pressure signs, clean cases, cycles well Fired at 10 below zero.
It is an interesting cartridge that does much better in longer barrels than it was originally thought.
90gr Sierra HP28.8gr H-4198SSA/CCI-412.260col / LFC
3,115 fps0.75 inch group
Stag AR with 24 inch poly rifled Black Hole Weaponry Barrel12 power Pentex Scope.100 yards, rain, 12 knot winds, 42 degree F. All Loads SSA once fired brass. CCI 450 magnum primers (saving my military primers)Lee factory Crimp on all loads. Chronograph at 10 feet from muzzle.
90gr Sierra HP31.5gr AA-22002.219 in COLVel= 3,265 fps and a 0.50 inch groupDirty necks , semi flat primersMuzzle Energy 2,130 foot pounds, point blank hunting envelope 285 yards.
95gr Barnes TTSX31.0gr AA-22002.230 COLVel= 3,270 fps and a 1.0 inch groupDirty necks, semi flat primersMuzzle Energy 2,255 foot pounds, point blank envelope to 303 yards.Holds 1,000 foot pounds out to 375 yards.
100gr Nosler Accubond…BC = .32330.0gr AA-2200 CCI-BR4 primer2.253 colVel= 3,070 fps and a 1.0 inch groupDirty case necksMuzzle Energy , 2,099 foot pounds, point blank hunting envelope to 290 yardsHolds 1,000 ft pounds out to 350 yards
100gr Nosler Accubond BC=.32330.5gr AA-2200 CCI BR-4 primer2.253 colVel= 3,105 fps and a 2.0 inch groupDirty case necksMuzzle Energy , 2,141 foot pounds, point blank hunting envelope to 293 yardsHolds 1,000 ft pounds out to 360 yards
100gr Nosler Accubond BC=.32330.9gr AA-2200 CCI 450 primer2.280 colVel= 3,057 fps and a 0.75 inch groupDirty case necks, fails to feed 100% Ejector dingsFired at 10 below zero
110gr Nosler Accubond29.0gr AA-22002.260 colVel= 3,020 fps and a 1.4 inch groupDirty case necksMuzzle Energy , 2,228 foot pounds, point blank hunting envelope to 290 yardsHolds 1,000 ft pounds out to 425 yards.
110gr Barnes TTSX29.0gr AA-22002.280 colVel= 2,990 fps and a 2.0 inch groupdirty case necksMuzzle Energy 2,184 ft lbs, point blank envelope to 288 yards.
120gr Hornady SST BC=.40028.0gr AA-2200, CCI BR-4 primer2.252 colVel= 2,775 fps and a 1.0 inch groupDirty case necksMuzzle Energy , 2,052 foot pounds, point blank hunting envelope to 271 yardsHolds 1,000 ft pounds out to 400 yards
120gr Hornady SST BC=.40028.5gr AA-2200, CCI BR-4 primer2.252 colVel= 2,820 fps and a 0.50 inch groupDirty case necksMuzzle Energy , 2,119 foot pounds, point blank hunting envelope to 275 yardsHolds 1,000 ft pounds out to 425 yards, fired at 29 degrees
120gr Hornady SST BC=.40028.7gr AA-2200, CCI 450 primer2.287 colVel= 2,677 fps and a 1.00 inch groupEjector Dings, Fired at 10 below zero
120gr Hornady SST BC=.40028.9gr AA-2200, CCI 450 Magnum primer2.287 col Fired at 10 below zeroVel= 2,710 fps and a 0.50 inch main group 1st and last rnd flyer to 1.0 in Ejector dings
130gr Sierra Soft Point flat base27.0gr AA-22002.280 colVel=2,658 fps and a 1.0 inch groupDirty necksMuzzle Energy 2,039 ft lbs. Point Blank hunting range of 263 yardsHolds 1,000 foot pounds out to 425 yards.
130gr Hornady SST BC=.46027.2gr AA-2200, CCI 41 Military primer2.290 colVel= 2,570 fps and a 2.00 inch groupPressure signs OK, no dings, Ojive had to be crimped closeMuzzle Energy , 1,906 foot pounds, point blank hunting envelope to 256 yardsHolds 1,000 ft pounds out to 410 yards, fired at 10 degrees below zero
150gr Speer Soft Point Flat Base25.0gr AA-22002.280 colVel= 2,360 fps and a CLOVERLEAF HOLEdirty necks, semi-flat primersMuzzle Energy 1,855 foot pounds, Point Blank hunting range 237 yardsHolds 1,000 ft lbs out to 375 yards
150gr SPEER SOFT POINT 25.3gr AA-2200, CCI 41 Military primer2.291 colVel= 2,286 fps and a 0.50 inch groupNo pressure signs, clean cases, cycles well Fired at 10 below zero.
Is 6.8 spc a military cartridge? Technically, yes, but not standard service in the US military. Special use in a few mid-east "friendly" nations and rumors elsewhere.
How is it for hog hunting? Reports are great. Military Arms Channel was recently introduced to it in the linked video and is now running one from LWRCI.
https://youtu.be/QoTmXyTuE5I
Ammo prices continue to come down, but will probably never be the equivalent of true surplus. It is a bigger round than 5.56 and does not have the production scale of 5.56 or x39. Gold Dots for $10/box are great though, S&B is making a good FMJ load, and Prvi Partisan is also teasing an FMJ load on their site now.
For hunting, Hornady's 120 SST has shown great results and is comparably priced to a good 5.56 load. Federal has a 115 Fusion and just announced a 90gr option too.
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