Need some advice - AR in 6.8 SPC

[Wesson Smith]

I recently purchased a pretty sweet AR build. It's a Rock River lower with a
Lewis Machine & Tool CQB MRP upper in 5.56. With the monolithic rail platform
I can convert to 6.8 SPC for about $600, and have the best of both worlds.

The problem here is that I guess I just was ignorant regarding the availability
and cost of 6.8 SPC factory ammo. I've done a cursory search over the interwebs for this stuff, and it would seem that it's backordered or totally
unavailable everywhere. Does anyone have a perspective on whether or not
this round is actually going to gain a foothold in the civilian market? If not,
is there suggested and reliable handloading/reloading data for this round?

I hate to shell out this additional $$ for a platform that's going to break
the bank for me, or even worse, not be at all practical from an availability
standpoint. Thanks much, in advance.

 

[tju1973]

Great round, bur I would stick with the 5.56/.223. If you really want to get an upper that has pretty much been adopted by a wider range and has more "umph", I would opt for an additional upper in 7.62X39-- but if money is an issue, stick with the 5.56/.223

Just my opinion...

 

[briansmithwins]

6.8 isn't a standard military cartridge and may never be. There isn't going to be any surplus or factory contract overrun ammo for a long time, if ever.

$600 is most of the way to a semi-auto 7.62 NATO rifle, which has had 10s of millions of rifles and machine guns chambered for it and is still a NATO standard round.

BSW

 

[genethornton3]

I just got my 6.8 upper in from ADCO yesterday, but haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. Ammo is scarce at the moment (like most calibers), but it is available. Natchez has some in stock. SSA probably has the most and widest variety. I was in Cabela's in Ft Worth on Saturday and they had about 10 boxes of SSA ammo, but were out of S&B. Right now only Remington, SSA, Hornady, and S&B are making factory ammo (I might have missed one). Almost all the major AR manufacturers are making a 6.8, and you can even buy a Ruger Mini in 6.8. Barrels are available for TC contenders and Remington had/has a 700 chambered in it. I don't think it's going to vanish anytime soon.

Check out www.68forums.com/forums

 

[sgtdevildog]

I bought a LWRC in 6.8 - I've ordered most of my ammo from Palmetto Armory. Last order took about 3 days between order and arrival. It's not cheap ammo, but SSA is supposed to come out with a plinking round that should be more affordable.

 

[longdayjake]

Have you considered 6.5 grendel? The factory ammo for it is even harder to come by but it is much easier to handload for. I have one and I have shot very accurate groups and I have not even used one casing stamped 6.5 grendel. I bought some 7.62x39 brass and then fireformed them into 6.5 grendel brass. It requires no trimming. Just sizing, reloading and shooting. It is really really easy and it doesn't cost $1 per casing like the factory ammo for both the 6.8 and 6.5 grendel does. As far as I know the 6.8 spc does not have the option to fire form brass, or atleast not readily available brass like 7.62x39.

The one on the left is 7.62x39 before fire forming and the one on the right is after. The middle is a twice fired case.

 

[adobewalls]

Some sources of Ammo:

http://www.ssarmory.com/

http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...3&categoryId=9940&categoryString=653***690***

The cartridge is slowly gaining a following - read the 6.8Forum.com and AR-15.com boards to see; but it is still mainly a reloader's cartridge.

The guys really pushing the edge with the 6.8 post on those 2 forums. They have done a lot of work developing loads for hunting, training and subsonic. Lots of information there.

Hope this helps you make your decision.

 

[sernv99]

sounds like the path of the 10mm....a slow following but it's catching on and you can buy it in bulk for reasonable prices (mostly from Georgia Arms).

 

[Wesson Smith]

Thanks for the replies. I have to eliminate the 6.5 Grendel as a possibility
(unfortunately) because LMT doesn't make a modular barrel for that caliber.
If I am going to go the 6.8 route, I guess I want to be sure I can buy in
bulk, even if it's not going to be milsurp. Until I can go to a site like Midway
and find ready availability from major manufacturers, I think I'll hold off.
I'm relatively new to handloading/reloading, so gettin' fancy with 7.62x39
cases probably ain't gonna fly for me. Regardless, the input was much appreciated!

 

[happygeek]

Yeah, they were selling a upper for $650 with a nice rail system at one of the stores I frequent. I lost interest as soon as the guy behind the counter told me it was 6.8 SPC. I think I said something like "oh, never mind then" and he replied with an understanding "yeah".

The wife already has a Rock River Arms AR in 22LR so I've been looking around off and on for a good 5.56 upper to put on it. I have no interest in a non standard round such as 6.8x43mm, mostly because I suspected it'd be hard to find and costly as the OP mentioned.

What is the price per round of 6.8x43mm though, out of idle curiosity? I'd been getting 22LR for 5 or 6 cents a round, 7.62x51mm for 60 cents per, and I'd seen 5.56x45mm around 40 cents a round (I'd expect that to drop to more like 30 cents or less once the demand drops off more).

 

[420Stainless]

Not much ammo available and what is comes at about a dollar a round.

Fortunately, Remington brass is now coming available and I just got some from Cabelas. Should keep me busy for awhile.

 

[longdayjake]

I'm relatively new to handloading/reloading, so gettin' fancy with 7.62x39
cases probably ain't gonna fly for me. Regardless, the input was much appreciated!

Just FYI for the future in case you decide you someday want one. For me fireforming for the grendel is no different than loading for anything else. You don't do anything special at all. In fact its easier than loading for other calibers because you don't have to worry about trimming the necks for like 5 loadings.

Why are you stuck with LMT? Just curious. For $600 you could get a 6.5 complete upper.

 

[genethornton3]

He's got a monolothic upper, which allows him to quickly change barrels (different lengths and calibers). Catch is, you can only use their barrels, and they don't offer a 6.5. It's a nice system, but a little outta my price range.

 

[Float Pilot]

I have been shooting a 6.8mm Stag for the last year working up loads.
I bought 1,200 rounds of brass from Silver State Armory. It is great brass.
And the small primer pocket helps with more room for powder.

After making my own M4 style feed ramps this rifle will shoot all day without any stoppage. I installed a fixed A2 stock and a Tubbs flat spring.

Unfortunately it has a 16 inch barrel which is ok for handling, but I am not developing the velocity I would like for Alaskan use.

I am obtaining 2550 for 110 grain bullets and 2,850 to 2,900 for 90 grain bullets using handloads.
It would be more like 2,650 and 3,000 with a 20 inch barrel.

I am currently thinking about either going to a 20 inch barrel on mine or just selling it since ARs do not spin my prop anymore.