[TankerHC]

So I read a lot on here about the 6.8. And I see a lot of people want a rifle in 6.8. So what makes the 6.8 so special that so many want one? Note: I know I could have googled for an answer, but I like reading ya'lls feedback.

 

[smoffett]

More power at the muzzle and downrange vs. 223 and 7.62x39.
Plenty of killing power for deer up to at least 300 yards (depending on bullet/load).
Small brass case means you can carry almost as much 6.8 on you as 223.
Very easy to develop accurate loads.
Almost all velocity is gained in 16" barrel (only about 100 fps more in 20").
Very efficient cartridge -- still a 200 yard deer rifle with 12" barrel.
Available in AR-15 platform, as well as Ruger Mini and Remington 700, (maybe more?).

That's just off the top of my head.

 

[miker84]

I think there are a variety of factors. I've been reading up on them for over a year. There are tons of ballistics reports out there and all sorts of other data and facts and opinions. Most people compare them to the 6.5 Grendel. The Grendel has more long range accuracy from what I've seen, but they are pretty close to each other inside of 300 yds.

The bullets are .277 just like a .270 Win. It seems that most people are loading 90-120gr.

I think it all boils down to a larger caliber round that only requires the changing of the barrel, bolt and mag in your AR15, so your kit will all fit.

16" barrell delivers plenty of knockdown power. Can carry a lot of ammo.

I'm contemplating building one for close quarters deer hunting.....but I'm waiting to see how the 300 Blackout does.

Besides all that, it's just a different round for the AR.

I'm sure more will chime in, but that's my regular-guy reasoning.

 

[WSMBUCK]

I have both and both the guys nailed the answer,
to 250 to 300 yds they about the same, the 6.8 is a great deer round under the 300 mark , but if you wanting long range accuracy the 6.5 is the gun .

The 6.5 needs a longer barrel to get all out of it , where the 6.8 doesnt.

 

[smoffett]

Okay I just thought of some more:

1) It's just darn satisfying to get so much performance out of such a tiny little cartridge. ;-)
2) Extremely low recoil -- most say about the same as 223.

 

[jbpmidas]

I want to hear a real comparison between the 6.8 and 6.5. I am considering building a "long-range" upper and, right now, those are the two best choices.

My biggest concern with the 6.5 is the availability of brass.

If you had both in a 24" barrel, would there be much difference? I want a gun that, if we ever get to shoot the 600 yard range at McCain, will be capable.

 

[WSMBUCK]

The 6.5 is the way to go if you looking for long range, the 6.8 wasnt made for anything over 300 it was made for stopping power out of short barrel guns.

The 6.5 grendel /264 LBC was build to get the most out of a AR 15 and as a long range round.

The brass is no problem Hornady and Lapua has them all over , the Hornady is like $30 something for 50. You can also find factory rounds at a few pretty good places.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Reloading/Reloading-Components%7C/pc/104792580/c/104761080/sc/104275080/Hornady-Unprimed-Reloading-Brass/740556.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fshooting-reloading-reloading-components%2F_%2FN-1100194%2B4294771224%2FNe-4294771224%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104275080%3FWTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU

 

[WSMBUCK]

Here is some pretty good reading on the 6.5 if you havnt already seen this.

http://www.6mmbr.com/65grendel.html

 

[jbpmidas]

Thanks WSMBuck!

 

[smoffett]

I want to hear a real comparison between the 6.8 and 6.5. I am considering building a "long-range" upper and, right now, those are the two best choices.

My biggest concern with the 6.5 is the availability of brass.

If you had both in a 24" barrel, would there be much difference? I want a gun that, if we ever get to shoot the 600 yard range at McCain, will be capable.

Here's a real apples-to-apples comparison using 16 inch barrels...
http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?11140-6.8-VS-6.5-drop-comparison

If the barrels were 24", well, I think the 6.5 G would likely outperform the 6.8. That's because (a) the 6.8 has pretty much burned up all the powder after 20 inches of barrel length, and (b) the 6.5 bullets have better BC's. That being said, maybe you could load up some 6.8 rounds with slower powder and you might squeak a little more performance out of a 24" barrel? I'm unaware of anybody who's tried that. In fact, I don't even know where you'd get a 6.8 SPC barrel in 24 inch length -- don't know of anybody making 'em.

As far as high BC bullets go, there are two companies I'm aware of that are developing high-BC bullets for 6.8. One is GS Custom (http://gscustom.co.za/), which recently opened a US office, and Elite Ammunition (http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?15988-Elite-Ammunition). HTH.

 

[WSMBUCK]

That is no real good info there , the 6.5 wasnt made for short barrels, it will never hit its full protienal from a short barrel.

Thats like shooting a 338 mag 16" barrel some guns just dont preform to there full protiental out of short barrels.

Anything on the 68 forums will tell you its the best rd.

Like i said i have both and both or great for what they were made for, But the 6.5 will shoot circles around the 6.8 at the bench and long range as well,,, with both guns being built to get the most out of them.

 

[jbpmidas]

Thanks again!

 

[cwink]

I like it because it is a low pressuer round also. Something that I can buy a barrel for my Thompson Center Contender. Currently I have a 16" 223 barrel that my son will use for deer hunting when he is ready, then I can move him up to a 6.8 in say a 20" barrel and still be able to shoot the same gun with an extended range.

 

[mgeoffriau]

What's the commercial availability and cost like for 6.8? I still don't have an AR, been thinking about building one but haven't looked at anything other than 5.56.

 

[smoffett]

You can get complete 6.8 rifles, uppers and components from these places.

www.ar15performance.com
www.bisonarmory.com
www.rockriverarms.com
www.stagarms.com
www.palmettostatearmory.com (Stag uppers)
www.spikestactical.com
www.blackholeweaponry.com
www.adxtactical.com (search for "6.8")
http://global-tactical.com
www.schryvergunsales.com (Barrett rifles)
http://beta.impactguns.com/search.aspx?keyword=6.8
http://dynamicarmament.com (search for "6.8")
http://dsgarms.com/Search.aspx?Keyword=6.8
http://www.jtacsupply.com/search.aspx?find=6.8
www.kiesfirearms.com
www.pkfirearms.com (search for "6.8")
www.pof-usa.com
www.tacticalmachining.com
http://www.yhm.net/

Midway also has a bunch of different brands of uppers (DPMS, Bushmaster, etc.)...
http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#6.8%20upper____-_1-2-4_8-16-32
... and plenty of components as well, including barrels.

I'm sure there's more, but that's a good start. Just be careful not to buy the original SAAMI chamber or 1:10 twist (unless you're planning to shoot the heavy bullets and/or subsonic). HTH.

 

[nonnieselman]

Its just another cool round...

I have no reason why i started a build for it, except that a company sent me a 6.8 barrel instead of a 5.56 barrel so i went with it.
First 20 rounds was fun, till i saw that the chamber was way oversized.

Sent that barrel back and ordered a real barrel from BHW.. Will update when i get it put together.

 

[smoffett]

Also as far as availability, if you're willing to go used, a lot of stuff comes up for sale on the 6.8 forums site...

www.68forums.com/forums

That's how I got my upper, and I couldn't be more pleased.