6.8 spc for hunting

Here you go....good place to answer all your questions:

http://68forums.com/forums/index.php

I use the C Products 5rd magazines when hunting (altho I technically don't need to since TX doesn't have mag restrictions for legal hunting rifles).

A 16" barrel is fine.

The difference between the 5H and 7H is more than barrel length; the 5H is an M4 profile that is chome lined and has the fixed front sight, and the 7H uses a flat gas block and the barrel is stainless steel and looks to be relatively heavy in contour. You have to decide which (16" lightweight or 20" midweight) best suits the types of shooting that you'll do.

The 6.8SPC is more than adequate to take whitetail inside of 250 yards, assuming appropriate ammo. If you need to buy ammo (many of us handload our hunting ammo), Silver State Armory makes some fine fine ammo for the 6.8SPC.

The 6.8 will do just fine on deer sized game. A short barrel should do just fine. However, pick your ammo carefully as some will perform better than others. I recommend the 85 grain TSX.

1) You can find 5 round mags from C-Products and PRI. I'm not sure whether Barrett sells 5 rounders or not.
2) The 68 is supposed to perform best out of a 16" to 18" barrel with a midlenght gas system, not much is gained from a longer barrel except some FPS.
3)Another option you may want to look at is a basic upper from AR Performance. They use M4 feedramps unlike some other brands and many people reccomend using M4 feedramps with the 68 because of feeding issues with some types of ammo I believe.

I would definitely take a look over at the 68forum, theres alot of good info there

+1 on reading up at 68forums before spending your hard earned cash. You want to be sure your chamber is the 6.8 SPC II variety, and read up on rifling too. The M4 feed ramps are also a must. I went with ARPerformance for my upper and couldn't be more pleased. Like another said... C-Products and PRI offer 5rd mags, if you reload, PRI is reported to offer you the most COL clearance. The 6.8 is great for deer, as well as hogs. SSA's 110gr SPH are liked by many for deer. The Barnes offerings will also do very well, and are almost a MUST for hogs. I know of one feller that took a black bear with two shots... Barnes 110 gr TSX

I have been experimenting with a couple 6.8s over the last couple years. Most of my data is on the 6.8 Forums.

I have used the 6.8 for Caribou and Sitka Black-Tail deer. It would also work for boar, wolf and coyotes.

The rifle I used for mots of my testing is a Stag, 16 inch barrel 1 in 10 twist with a specII chamber. It worked just fine. I installed a A2 butt stock and full length buffer because I shoot them better. Plus I added a Tubbs flat recoil spring and also made M4 feed ramps. It is very accurate.

The M4 feed ramps took care of having any problems with the first and last round flyers in a group.

Mine is for sale since I no longer shoot it. It is not quite big enough for summer use here in Alaska.

Nice shootin' Float Pilot. I have experimented with several powders in my handloads with Sierra 110 Prohunters but not with AA2230.

Here are some of my better loads. From my 16 inch rifle.
Work up loads carefully....

90 grain HP

Bullet: 90 grain Sierra Hollow Point, flat base
Powder: 28.8 grains, H-4198.
Primer: CCI-400 small rifle, hand seated
Brass: SSA
COL: 2.315 inch Lee Crimp.
Velocity average: 2,908 fps, 22 fps ES
0.40 inch group , with standard first and last round flyers to 0.75 in
flat primers , ejector marks

Bullet: 90 grain Sierra Hollow Point, flat base
Powder: 29.0 grains, H-4198.
Primer: CCI-400 small rifle, hand seated
Brass: SSA
COL: 2.315 inch Lee Crimp.
Velocity average: 2,930 fps 37 fps ES
0.75 inch group, with flyer to 1.2 inch
flat primers, cratered primer strike, heavy ejector marks


Bullet: 90 grain Sierra Hollow Point, flat base
Powder: 33.5 grains, AA-2230
Primer: CCI-BR-4 bench rest small rifle, hand seated
Brass: SSA
COL: 2.245 inch Lee Crimp.
Velocity average: 2,647 fps 43 fps ES
0.5 inch group with last shot flyer to 0.75 Does not load well No pressure signs

100 grain SP

Bullet: 100 grain Remington sp. flat base
Powder: 30.0 grains, H-322
Primer: CCI-400 small rifle, hand seated
Brass: SSA
COL: 2.240 inch med roll crimp.
Velocity average: 2,556 fps 9 fps ES
0.35 inch group with last shot flyer to 0.80 inch. Flat Primers


Bullet: 100 grain Remington sp, flat base
Powder: 30.5 grains H-322
Primer: CCI-BR-4 small rifle, hand seated
Brass: SSA
COL: 2.238 inch Lee Factory Crimp
Velocity average: 2,648 fps 26 fps ES
5/8th inch group with last shot flyer to 2.0 inch. Flat primers


110 grain NOSLER ACCUBOND

Bullet: 110 NOSLER ACCUBOND Boat-Tail
Powder: 29.5 grains H-322
Primer: CCI-BR-4 Small Rifle, hand seated
Brass: SSA
COL: 2.260 inch Lee Factory Crimp
Velocity average: 2,532 fps 62 fps ES
0.30 inch group, with flyers on last round, High Pressure signs. Flat primers, ejector marks


Bullet: 110 grain Nosler Accubond Boat-Tail
Powder: 29.0 grains H-322
Primer: Federal 205 , Standard Small Rifle, hand seated
Brass: SSA
COL: 2.260 inch Lee Factory Crimp
Velocity average: 2,483 fps 33 fps ES
0.5 inch group, with flyer to 1.5in NO Pressure signs. Some firing pin dragging on primer face



110 grain Sierra Pro-Hunter
1.
Bullet: 110 grain Sierra Pro-Hunter SP, flat base
Powder: 29.0 grains H322
Primer: CCI-41 Military Small Rifle hand seated
Brass: SSA
COL: 2.260 inch Lee Factory Crimp
Velocity average: 2,495 fps ES-47 fps SD-21 fps
1.0 inch group some Pressure signs, flat primers
Loads very well, clean Brass

2.
Bullet: 110 grain Sierra Pro-Hunter SP, flat base
Powder: 31.0 grains AA-2230
Primer: CCI-400 Small Rifle hand seated
Brass: SSA
COL: 2.255 inch Lee Factory Crimp
Velocity average: 2,526 fps ES-75 fps SD-20 fps
1.0 inch group for 10 shots rapid fire, hot barrel,
Pressure signs, Loads very well , Clean Brass

3.
Bullet: 110 grain Sierra Pro-Hunter SP, flat base
Powder: 31.0 grains AA-2230
Primer: CCI-BR-4 Small Rifle hand seated
Brass: SSA
COL: 2.255 inch Lee Factory Crimp
Velocity average: Chronograph Failed at 8 below
0.28 inch group, Some moderate Pressure signs
Loads very well, Clean Brass

Crappy Hornady 110 grain


Bullet: 110 grain Hornady Flat Base, Hollow Point
Powder: 29.0 grains,H-322.
Primer: CCI-41 MILITARY small rifle, hand seated
Brass: SSA
COL: 2.260 inch. Lee Factory Crimp
Velocity average: 2,506 fps 38 fps ES
1.0 inch group, Flat Primers



130 grain Sierra Soft Point

Bullet: 130 grain SIERRA, flat base, spitzer SP
Powder: 31.0 grains, WW-748
Primer: CCI-400 small rifle, hand seated
Brass: SSA
COL: 2.265 inch Lee Crimp.
Velocity average: 2,220 fps 39 fps ES
0.70 inch group Flat primers


Bullet: 130 grain SIERRA, flat base, spitzer SP
Powder: 27.0 grains Hodgden Benchmark
Primer: CCI-41 Military Small Rifle hand seated
Brass: SSA virgin
COL: 2.260 inch Lee Factory Crimp
Velocity average: 2,208 fps at +5 degrees 10 fps ES
0.68 inch group, no pressure signs

150 grain WW Single Loaded Round nose

Bullet: 150 grain Winchester RN, flat base
Powder: 22.0 grains H-322
Primer: CCI-400 Small Rifle hand seated
Brass: SSA
COL: 2.255 inch Lee Factory Crimp
Velocity average: 1,766 fps 22 fps ES
1.2 inch group, Some Pressure signs

Bullet: 150 grain Winchester RN, flat base
Powder: 27.0 grains, WW-748
Primer: CCI-400 small rifle, hand seated
Brass: SSA
COL: 2.255 inch Lee Crimp.
Velocity average: 1,920 fps 39 fps ES
2.0 inch group Some Pressure Signs,

That some good load info Float Pilot. All that I have loaded were 110 Prohunters and 110 Vmaxes with RL10X, H322, TAC and Benchmark. H322 and RL10X were my best powders with these bullets.

Nice groups and nice rifle. I have found since getting my 6.8 that I don't shoot my .223 HBAR rifle anymore and even decided to sell it to build something else. I used to shoot NRA high power with it but moved and only kept it for having an accurate hunting rifle. My 6.8 shoots just as good and has more power for larger game.

To the OP, you won't have a problem with accuracy out of a shorter barrel with this round. As for performance on deer, I have no personal experience yet, but all reports are that you are GTG. For factory loaded ammo, Silver State Armory is making the best right now with Hornady being good too. SSA's 110 gr Sierra Pro Hunter or Nosler Accubond loaded ammo is fantastic. The lighter Barnes loads have a great reputation on whitetail too.

68wj said:

Nice groups and nice rifle. I have found since getting my 6.8 that I don't shoot my .223 HBAR rifle anymore and even decided to sell it to build something else. I used to shoot NRA high power with it but moved and only kept it for having an accurate hunting rifle. My 6.8 shoots just as good and has more power for larger game.

To the OP, you won't have a problem with accuracy out of a shorter barrel with this round. As for performance on deer, I have no personal experience yet, but all reports are that you are GTG. For factory loaded ammo, Silver State Armory is making the best right now with Hornady being good too. SSA's 110 gr Sierra Pro Hunter or Nosler Accubond loaded ammo is fantastic. The lighter Barnes loads have a great reputation on whitetail too.

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Psst... I see you creepin' 'round over here.

yes'r. Just don't post a lot

If you don't already own the 6.8, I would seriously consider the 6.5 Grendel. It delivers bullets of similar weight at similar velocities and offers a much better selection of bullets. It has a reputation for great accuracy and I don't think it gives up anything for "social purposes" to the 6.8. I am sure the 6.8 will work just fine on deer to 150 yards, but the 6.5 really is a better design.

+1 the Grendel has excellent performance at longer ranges. But thats paper target land. And the 6.8 can still reach out there ok.

The 6.8's bullet can only get so long before you run out of room for powder, the 6.5 deosn't have this problem with its fatty case and can run bullets with a better BC. But I'll bet it's harder to feed.

I think the 6.8 has the Grendel beat at more practical ranges. The 6.8 is getting all the attention and hotter loading right now.
SSA deosn't have any 6.5 ammo for sale. Apparently there is a patent on 6.5 Grendel ammo or something.

I'd get a 6.5 if your into reloading, 6.8 if your not.
6.8 if you need a 14.5-18" barrel
6.5 for 18 and up.

Just my opinion, I hope to see more of these rifles, but they're still kinda rare. The release of a bunch of hot .308 Ar's this year isn't helping.

Sorry, can't agree with you...

stiletto raggio said:

If you don't already own the 6.8, I would seriously consider the 6.5 Grendel. It delivers bullets of similar weight at similar velocities and offers a much better selection of bullets. It has a reputation for great accuracy and I don't think it gives up anything for "social purposes" to the 6.8. I am sure the 6.8 will work just fine on deer to 150 yards, but the 6.5 really is a better design.

Click to expand...

6.5 may/may not have a better selection of bullets. 6.5 probably does offer better BC than the 6.8. However... good luck finding any 6.5 ammo... and, the 6.8 is the second most popular (units sold) AR platform being offered to the public. And, your "fine on deer to 150 yards" claim is pretty weak. With current 6.8 ammo availability... the 6.8 is an effective hunting round to just about 450yds. (I'm sure that was an honest typo on your part). The 6.5 is probably a bit flatter shooting, and will reach a bit further for paper punching bench work... but, it takes a back seat to the 6.8 in affective tissue punch as a hunting round.

I'd rather have 6.5......

But your right, you can't really get the same quality ammo as 6.8 yet.
6.5's alot more expensive for the rifle and ammo.
6.5 likes longer than 16" barrels.


Inside of 400 yards there is no difference between the two. But beyond 500 the Grendel is going to pull ahead. But IMO, the grendels purpose is better filled by a LMT .308, unless you specificly need a lighter weight rifle.

The 6.8 seems a safer bet for the Ar15 platform, unless there is a specific reason to make the jump up to the Grendle where a .308 wouldn't fit.

Not sure about the Stag, other than it deos shoot well. But I don't know if it has the latest specs.

This sounds good, but I don't know if it has m4 feed ramps:
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=1616


This is a copy of the specs you should look for, and IMO one of the best uppers out there:
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=1409

1:11 twist, SPC II, and M4 feedramps. That's hard to find. Bison Armory can build a more standard upper with the good barrels. bisons barrels are usually good, about middle of the pack and priced good. Sometimes a really good one gets out though. You may not care unless you plan on ueing match grade ammo.

I think this may be what your after, I'm sure Bison can use a standard M4 front sight/gas block if you'd like that instead:
http://www.bisonarmory.com/store_1618_A2.htm

Ratdog68 said:

6.5 may/may not have a better selection of bullets. 6.5 probably does offer better BC than the 6.8. However... good luck finding any 6.5 ammo... and, the 6.8 is the second most popular (units sold) AR platform being offered to the public. And, your "fine on deer to 150 yards" claim is pretty weak. With current 6.8 ammo availability... the 6.8 is an effective hunting round to just about 450yds. (I'm sure that was an honest typo on your part). The 6.5 is probably a bit flatter shooting, and will reach a bit further for paper punching bench work... but, it takes a back seat to the 6.8 in affective tissue punch as a hunting round.

Click to expand...

I said 150 yards because that is what the original poster stated as his desired effective range.

I doubt the 6.8 offers any better terminal performance with bullets of similar weights, but I can show you that 6.5 bullets loaded in the Grendel (say, 142 grains) far outclass the heavy 130 grain 6.8 bullets in the SPC in terms of external ballistics. Bottom line: longer, thinner, heavier bullets of proper design (hunting bullets for hunting, target bullets for target shooting) will outperform shorter, wider, lighter bullets. I'm not saying the 6.8 won't work just fine, I am just saying that you can expect better ballistic performance from the 6.5.

stiletto raggio said:

I said 150 yards because that is what the original poster stated as his desired effective range.

I doubt the 6.8 offers any better terminal performance with bullets of similar weights, but I can show you that 6.5 bullets loaded in the Grendel (say, 142 grains) far outclass the heavy 130 grain 6.8 bullets in the SPC in terms of external ballistics. Bottom line: longer, thinner, heavier bullets of proper design (hunting bullets for hunting, target bullets for target shooting) will outperform shorter, wider, lighter bullets. I'm not saying the 6.8 won't work just fine, I am just saying that you can expect better ballistic performance from the 6.5.

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You're incorrectly assuming that the 6.8 favors a 130 gr projectile. It doesn't. It favors the 85-110 gr offerings. It also holds it's own against the Grendel just fine (as a hunting round). I don't care how much better it is at long range paper punching. That type of shooting isn't what I care about. I care about puting meat in the freezer, and in the area I live/hunt... that's generally less than a 100yd shot, rarely beyond 300yds. I also like the idea of being able to order ammo whenever I decide I need some more (until I get a good supply of brass stock piled). Heck... I can even find ammo for the 6.8 on the shelves at at least three gun stores in my area. Can you (for the 6.5)?

The 6.5 isn't "superior" to the 6.8. It's "different". I prefer the 6.8 for my needs. If you prefer the 6.5... well... that's what's great about America still.

TylerPearce-"I don't reload, so 6.5 is out of the question."

Okay that's settled then . Now, chose your flavor of 6.8 goodness and let us know how your freezer fills up. Enjoy!

Zerodefect said:

Not sure about the Stag, other than it deos shoot well. But I don't know if it has the latest specs.

This sounds good, but I don't know if it has m4 feed ramps:
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=1616


This is a copy of the specs you should look for, and IMO one of the best uppers out there:
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=1409

1:11 twist, SPC II, and M4 feedramps. That's hard to find. Bison Armory can build a more standard upper with the good barrels. bisons barrels are usually good, about middle of the pack and priced good. Sometimes a really good one gets out though. You may not care unless you plan on ueing match grade ammo.

I think this may be what your after, I'm sure Bison can use a standard M4 front sight/gas block if you'd like that instead:
http://www.bisonarmory.com/store_1618_A2.htm

Click to expand...

Bison Armory offers a very fine product, very accurate. An equally good product, maybe a bit more value for dollar spent is the hardware from ARPerformance. Both are going to be using the latest specs for performance/reliability. You want the SPC II chamber, M4 feed ramps, 1:11-1:12 twist rates, and for the most MV and lowest pressure, a land to groove ratio of 70/30%. ARPerformance gives that with their 1:11.25 5R rifling. The 6.8 shines as a shorter barrel capable caliber. 16" - 18" is really all you need for maximum performance of the round's capability. Many large boar (wild hogs) and sows are dropped with single shots from the 6.8 with the Barnes bullets. I know of at least one black bear dropped with two rounds of Barnes 110 TSX. Deer are no problem.

also, is a 6.8 powerful enough for a shot on a whitetail at no more than 150 yards?

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.223 is powerful enough for whitetail in those ranges.

Far from me to reccomend against buying another cartridge, but I've done the medium bore ar variant thing up down and sideways. Were I to do it all over again with whitetail in mind starting tomorrow I'd just build a light barreled fast twist 223 upper andshoot quality bullets.