Talk Me Out of a 6.8 SPC

Status
Not open for further replies.
sisyphus

sisyphus

Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2020
Messages
582
Location
Iowa
Despite the limitations of the cartridge, I've become dead set on acquiring an LWRC six8.

Hunting is not a top priority. I have 4 223s and 2 308s already. The 6.8 would replace my AK as my intermediate caliber carbine.

I load, so I'd be making my own ammunition. That is one plus, because the only limitation on ammo availability is the quantity of components I'd keep on hand.

Near as I can tell, within 500 yds the terminal performance of 6.8 is a great enough improvement over 223 shooting 75gr to warrant adding the caliber. I have the 308s to shoot distance.

LWRC making a proprietary lower receiver and magazines is a plus to me. This round already mimics the geometry of the 223 cartridge, just on a larger scale. I had a Grendel, and it soured me with its feeding issues. I feel like there is no reason why 6.8 in an AR wouldn't be every bit as trust your life to it reliable as 223 is.

Watching ballistics gel videos comparing cartridges, 6.8 delivers its maximum energy around 5-6" inside the target, whereas Grendel delivers the most energy around 13".

I want an intermediate caliber carbine that is maximally effective against soft targets inside of 500yds, that has better barrier penetration than 223, that is as reliable as 223, and that works in a small frame AR. The LWRC appears to be it after all the reading I've done.

What say you, THR?
 
sisyphus said:
I have 4 223s and 2 308s already. The 6.8 would replace my AK as my intermediate caliber carbine.
Click to expand...

Truthfully, you don't need an intermediate cartridge, those two overlap enough. An intermediate cartridge can be as simple as a 110grn V-max in the .308.

Having said that... don't try to justify it, if you want it, DO IT. I've been playing the 'should I, shouldn't I?' game for the 6.8SPC for about 6 years. Unfortunately, I keep cheaping out and just building AR's in 5.56mm, although I have a AR-10 lower and upper on the workbench. One of these days...
 
sisyphus said:
Despite the limitations of the cartridge, I've become dead set on acquiring an LWRC six8.

Hunting is not a top priority. I have 4 223s and 2 308s already. The 6.8 would replace my AK as my intermediate caliber carbine.

I load, so I'd be making my own ammunition. That is one plus, because the only limitation on ammo availability is the quantity of components I'd keep on hand.

Near as I can tell, within 500 yds the terminal performance of 6.8 is a great enough improvement over 223 shooting 75gr to warrant adding the caliber. I have the 308s to shoot distance.

LWRC making a proprietary lower receiver and magazines is a plus to me. This round already mimics the geometry of the 223 cartridge, just on a larger scale. I had a Grendel, and it soured me with its feeding issues. I feel like there is no reason why 6.8 in an AR wouldn't be every bit as trust your life to it reliable as 223 is.

Watching ballistics gel videos comparing cartridges, 6.8 delivers its maximum energy around 5-6" inside the target, whereas Grendel delivers the most energy around 13".

I want an intermediate caliber carbine that is maximally effective against soft targets inside of 500yds, that has better barrier penetration than 223, that is as reliable as 223, and that works in a small frame AR. The LWRC appears to be it after all the reading I've done.

What say you, THR?
Click to expand...

You analyze the cartridge well. The cartridge taper and design has a lot going for it with reliability; I too, feel it is every bit as reliable for feeding as the 5.56. I have a bias towards .284" projectiles I always wished it was developed as the 7mm SPC and some new bullets designed at the lower grain weights for it as they did with the .277".

If you want great loads for the 6.8 SPC II work up some loads with the following:

Barnes 95gr TTSX
Nosler 110gr Accubond
Hornady 120gr SST
Cavity Back bullets should be another consideration

I really wanted an LWRC 6.8 but when I learned that the COAL of the PMAG's aren't any longer than good ASC or C-products mags with a standard AR15 lower, it didn't make any sense to me. I wish that ASC or C-Products would develop a steel/aluminum cased magazine for the LWRC lower that would be a great improvement on being able to load long, which can hinder 6.8 SPC II performance, as one starts getting into pressure signs earlier with longer pills as they eat into the case capacity. With a bit longer COAL the 6.8 it would just add to it's abilities.
 
It is a sweet cartridge for the platform. It feeds and functions very well. I am not overwhelmed with the performance and do not consider it a good choice for open plains deer hunting. But I think it is a fine choice on bucks if the max range is 150 yds. If the max range is beyond 150 I am taking a 270 Win. or 270 WSM etc. Based on my experience with it. If I were going to have a 6.8 hunting rig and be real serious about it, I would prefer a 20" barrel to get more velocity.

But 6.8 is really accurate and feeds great.
 
Nothing wrong with the 6.8 SPC. I have a 20" A4 upper chambered in 6.8 and it functions and shoots just fine.

From what I read on the 68forum, rifle length gas systems don't do so well with lighter bullets under 100 grains. I have stuck with Hornady 110 grain 6.8 ammo and my rifle does well with it. I wouldn't hesitate to take a deer with it out to 200 - 250 yards with good shot placement. I have 4 ACS 6.8 mags that al work reliably, 2 - 25 rounds mags and 2 - 10 round mags ( for hunting)
 
I have a 20" AR15A2 HBAR and a 16" carbine in 6.8 SPC. I assembled the 20" HBAR upper in 2006, using a DPMS barrel, and have been shooting 6.8 ever since. I really like the cartridge.

The 16" barrel is a Wilson Combat Tactical Hunter barrel.

I first started handloading the Hornady 115gr OTM-WC (Open Tip Match - With Cannelure) bullet with Silver State brass. A few years ago Hornady discontinued the 115gr version and replaced it with a 110gr OTM-WC, which I still load. I recently purchased a couple boxes of Hornady 100gr GMX (which is now called "CX") to work up loads for hunting.

6.8 accuracy is very good and recoil is soft. I like it as a general-purpose hunting cartridge.

6.8 SPC was originally designed for good terminal performance out to 400 yards.

It's 80% of .308.
 
Interesting analysis. I went Grendel and I see you've already considered that. What about 6mm ARC or 300 BLK?
I've been happy with the performance of Grendel on mule deer under 200 yards (haven't used it beyond that). 6.8 is too similar for me to consider, but 6mm is a little flatter shooting, lower recoil, and I think it would do the job, especially with the monolithic bullets I would shoot. Speaking of "overlap", the 300 is half your 223 and 308. It's way more popular and supported than the 6.8 and would certainly fit as an AK replacement. The 6 ARC would have a longer range, but the 300 would be better from short barrels and obviously better subsonic with a can.
 
westernrover said:
Interesting analysis. I went Grendel and I see you've already considered that. What about 6mm ARC or 300 BLK?
Click to expand...

For me and what Grendel and ARC would appeal to me for, I found I was very unenthused about the reality of the Grendel I owned, and 308 made me much happier with the added bonus of delivering a lot more force on target.

300BO will always be around because of its subsonic capability, but it's supersonic performance is underwhelming compared to 6.8 SPC.
 
As a defensive/combat round the 6.8 SPC is pretty good stuff, IMO. It feeds well due to the shape and has a good increase in energy vs 5.56 NATO. It's not a long range sporting round but was never intended to be. I wouldn't try to talk anyone into one but if your other bases are covered I wouldn't try to talk you out of one, either.
 
I have a couple of Grendels and use metal mags, I've never had an issue but a friend has had to send back a plastic mag due to feeding issues. I have a 24" and 20" barrel and both are accurate, my friend has a 18" and 22" and we feel the 18" is not enough barrel for 600yrds. He has built a 6mm Arc and it shoots very good out of a 18" barrel.
I went back and forth between the 6.8spc and 6.5gr and decided on the 6.5gr since I could find more bullets and brass for the Grendel.
 
I’m can’t talk you out of it. I prefer 6.8 SPC to every other cartridge the AR-15 is chambered in. I’ve shot piles upon piles of pigs and several deer with a 6.8 SPC and I love the way it performs.

At the moment I have AR-15s chambered in 5.56, 6.8 SPC, 6.5 Grendel and 300 BLK. I have owned 458 SOCOM and 6mm ARC. The 6.8 SPC has been the best balance of killing power, reliability, and capacity. It just kills above it’s weight class. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
 
talk you out? ok. it's a dying caliber and brass will be scarce as hens teeth in the future. and there isn't really anything you can make it from. get a 277 wolverine instead. :)

in all seriousness, I don't see anywhere near the number of barrels, makers, or anything else 6.8spc that I did 10 years ago. It might turn things around, but it appears to be in the twilight of it's popularity. it's not a big deal to have a bolt action rifle in a weird obsolete caliber, but the ar tends to toss away brass like shriners at a parade. Proprietary everything is really the only thing I have against it, if you're doing all proprietary, how about the 30 remington AR. :)

all the intermediate caliber guys are rabid fans: their caliber of choice is the best, and everything else is dogbreath, despite that ballistically they are all fairly similar. personally, I have a grendel and a 300 hammer.
 
I've got 6 AR's chambered in 6.8 spc. It's my first choice for hunting big Missouri whitetails. Shots have been anywhere between 100 and 250 yards, and I wouldn't hesitate to take a 300 yard shot if the conditions were right. Barrels range from 14.5 inches to 20 inches. I reload for them all.

My favorite whitetail round is Hornady 120 grain SST. Powders I use are RE7 for 90 grain, H322 for 110 gr., and AA2200 for 115-130 grain.
 
NR53 said:
I've got 6 AR's chambered in 6.8 spc. It's my first choice for hunting big Missouri whitetails
Click to expand...

That is why I bought my 20" A4 6.8 upper too. When I bought mine, 6.8 uppers were hard to find (around 2010-2012) so ended up with the A4 upper. It was a PSA premium upper. With arthritis and bad wrists, I can't use a traditional stock comfortably anymore. And the 6.8 works just fine for most deer hunting here in Missouri.
 
I have seen a Mule deer buck absorb a high lung shot from a 6.8 SPC at 175 yds. 16" Armalite upper, factory SSA +P 110 Accubond load. The buck slowly walked over a hill 100 yds and remain standing until I could cover the 200 yds walking, and put another shot in him. At which point he casually toppled. SO I was not overwhelmed. At least my 257 Weatherby knocks them off their feet before they get back up. (Somewhat sarcastic) And my conclusion would be, different bullet, handloaded hot and a 20" barrel might help give it what it needs.
However this was all before the 6mm Creed came out in the Prescott. So unless you are wed to smaller case capacity the point is moot to me.

https://pof-usa.com/firearm/prescott/
 
When it comes to both mule and white tail deer, size will differ depending on what part of the country you are in.

And even here in Missouri there is a difference between white tail deer in northern Missouri compared to southern Missouri. The northern deer are bigger.

So without knowing the size of said mule deer or what part of the country it is hard to say if the 6.8 was big enough or not. I know that most of the bigger deer in northern Missouri have all went down just fine with a well placed shot with my 6.8 using Hornady 120Gr SST ammo.

And remember, 6.8 SPC was originally designed for use in 12 to 14 inch barrels for military use. So yes an 18" or 20" barrel will be better.

To end.

Is 6.8 SPC a suitable hunting round? Well it really depend on what you are hunting and also what part of the country you live in. Here in Missouri, the only two animals I would not use the 6.8 SPC for are elk and black bear.
 
I don't think I understand the draw if you're not going to hunt with it? I had a 6.8 that I took a few deer with and it worked fine and was a more widely supported cartridge back then. For range shooting I'd prefer a .223 with good bullets out to medium range, and much prefer the 6mm ARC beyond that. For defense I'd still lean .223. If you want it, get it but don't expect it to do anything functionally different than the Grendel you have/had.
 
Gtscotty said:
I don't think I understand the draw if you're not going to hunt with it? I had a 6.8 that I took a few deer with and it worked fine and was a more widely supported cartridge back then. For range shooting I'd prefer a .223 with good bullets out to medium range, and much prefer the 6mm ARC beyond that. For defense I'd still lean .223. If you want it, get it but don't expect it to do anything functionally different than the Grendel you have/had.
Click to expand...
I agree with this, I don't see the draw to a 6.8 if hunting isn't the priority.
I wish I had a magic wand to turn all my 224 Valkyrie stuff (gun, ammo, mags, bullets and dies) into 6 ARC but I digress lol.
 
I can agree that the 6.8 SPC in an AR is an improvement over an AK in 7.62x39. If you want it get it. But others here have very well covered the limitations. Cost and availability of ammo would be a major concern for me. I have shot very big deer in Minnesota with a .223. While the 6.8 may well be a better hunting cartridge, I think a heavier well-constructed bullet in .223 accomplishes almost the same thing maybe not as well. I would be looking at a 6 ARC maybe. I decided that I prefer a bolt action 7-08 for hunting .223/5.56 for the range.
There is nothing wrong about getting the 6.8. but you have gotten pretty good advice here.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
Da..it, Don't shortchange me! 6.5 Grendel vs. 6.8 SPC
2 3
Replies
61
Views
6K
Zak Smith
Zak Smith
joneb
  • Locked
6.5 Grendel vs 6.8 SPC
2
Replies
41
Views
2K
Robert
Robert
socalbeachbum
  • Locked
Cartridge Inherent Accuracy Question
Replies
19
Views
1K
taliv
T
Necessary_Nutrient
Anyone else developing 6.8 SPC rounds these days?
Replies
11
Views
371
mshootnit
M
greyling22
  • Locked
rebarreling AR, 6.5 or 6.8
Replies
8
Views
528
dh1633pm
dh1633pm
Back
Top