[Bart Noir]

The new Spec Ops rifles (carbines actually) that FN Herstal is under contract for, were contracted for by the same Spec Ops community that designed the new 6.8mm cartridge, weren't they?. So how come the new cartridge is not used? FN is building a Light version in 5.56 and a Heavy version in 7.62. Do we expect a Medium version in 6.8?

Bart Noir
Who looks forward to actual data

[KW]

My understanding is that the SCAR H version is intended to be capable of accept either a 7.62x51 or a 6.8x43 barrel/bolt. This didn't make a lot of sense to me as it seems like the SCAR L version would be more compatible given the similarity in OAL between the 5.56 and 6.8 rounds, and thus compatible magwell dimensions.

[NMshooter]

In theory any 5.56mm rifle, with a barrel and bolt change (and new magazines) can be converted to 6.8mm.

How well that works in practice I do not know, but I am sure if you asked Zak Smith (THR member and maintainer of a 6.8mm FAQ site) he would be happy to let you know how well his 6.8mm rifles have been holding up.

[PMDW]

I was under the impression that the only thing a conversion from 5.56 to 6.8 required was a new barrell.

[Coronach]

According to what I have read (so weigh this accordingly), the 6.8 SPC round tends to have issues with USGI mags, because it bulges the thin walls of the mag. Apparently it will work in steel mags (like the Royal Ordnance SA80 mags) just fine, though.

Double check this with someone with actual experience, though. :neener:

Mike

[artherd]

Not a big surprise, the 5.56mm, especially with the MK262 77gr OTM, is not exactly 'broken'. Infact, it's more lethal than 7.62 FMJ at fragmentation ranges.

A teensy winsy boon from the new caliber, versus the logistics problems of your SF guys not being able to swap ammo/mags with your ground troops.

[kaferhaus]

6.8 SPC is not happening as a US military round, rumors that "spec ops" guys have been using it are pure BS.

The DOD is not testing it, looking at it or interested in it in any way shape or form.

It's a short range round... we already have one of those that works just fine.

[Zak Smith]

It's probably because the SCAR-L spec did not include 6.8SPC.

Typical autoloading rifles in 5.56 can be converted to 6.8SPC with a bolt, barrel, and magazine change.

6.8SPC's terminal ballistics, to the extent that standardized calibrated ballistics gel testing can tell us anything, are superior to anything in 5.56, 5.45, 7.62x39, or 7.62 NATO FMJ (and probably everything else besides bullets like the 155gr AMAX) when evaluated by the joint terminal ballistics criteria leaked in that NDIA report a while back.

DocGKR posted that the first 1000 rounds through both a MSTN and a Barrett upper ran flawlessly. I've shot probably about 750 rounds through my 18" MSTN upper. It runs 100% and averages about 0.75MOA with good reloads.

Any other questions?