I finally got the cash together to buy a complete upper. I've always been rolling around the idea of the 6.8SPC. I've poured through these forums, the .308 seems to be the popular choice here and theres ALOT of info on it, theres not so much on the 6.8. I've even been over to BARFCOM but I'm sad to say I'm having trouble sifting through all the bullshit over there its sickening. I'm only building one AR, I don't have a shit ton of cash to spend ammassing a stockpile of different calibur weapons or ammo. Somebody set me straight on the benefits of both 5.56 NATO and 6.8 SPC calibers. I won't be shooting it every weekend, I probably won't hunt with it unless the need arises, its basically gonna protect me, my home, my family, or used in the typical zombies ate my dog SHTF situation.

I've heard "This round is better at close range, but only out to 500 meters then this round is better. But this round is better if a SHTF situation arises because theres more of them around" Blah blah fucking blah.

Things such as...

-Ammo availability
-Is the 6.8 going to stand the test of time or is it just a marketing round that dies out in a few years? I've heard that some military agencies and select units are already using it.
-Terminal energy


Where does the bullshit and koolaid stop and reality begin??? School me, flame me, but whatever you do at least set me right because at the end of this thread I'm going to track down an upper in one of those two calibers.

No you need a 300 whisper. :laughing:

Honestly you should look up some loads for both and figure out which one will suit your type of shooting (plinking, hunting, both?). The 6.8 is going to be a little more expensive if you reload but a lot more expensive if you don't.

I finally got the cash together to buy a complete upper. I've always been rolling around the idea of the 6.8SPC. I've poured through these forums, the .308 seems to be the popular choice here and theres ALOT of info on it, theres not so much on the 6.8. I've even been over to BARFCOM but I'm sad to say I'm having trouble sifting through all the bullshit over there its sickening. I'm only building one AR, I don't have a shit ton of cash to spend ammassing a stockpile of different calibur weapons or ammo. Somebody set me straight on the benefits of both 5.56 NATO and 6.8 SPC calibers. I won't be shooting it every weekend, I probably won't hunt with it unless the need arises, its basically gonna protect me, my home, my family, or used in the typical zombies ate my dog SHTF situation.

I've heard "This round is better at close range, but only out to 500 meters then this round is better. But this round is better if a SHTF situation arises because theres more of them around" Blah blah fucking blah.

Things such as...

-Ammo availability
-Is the 6.8 going to stand the test of time or is it just a marketing round that dies out in a few years? I've heard that some military agencies and select units are already using it.
-Terminal energy


Where does the bullshit and koolaid stop and reality begin??? School me, flame me, but whatever you do at least set me right because at the end of this thread I'm going to track down an upper in one of those two calibers.

If you want the bullshit to stop, look at some reloading books or look at some ballistics tables.

For Factory Remington Ammo (http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/)

Within 30 seconds I can compare 2 factory loadings, one for the 6.8 and one for the .223. I can tell you the that at 500 yards, the energy delivered to the target differs by 89 ft/lbs, with the 6.8 115 grain winning out over the .223 69 grain. I also can tell you the 6.8 drops 17.1 inches more then the .223.

See that simple, no bullshit, just facts.

FWIW, I would get a .223 (5.56 to be more precise). Just for the fact there is more and cheaper ammunition.

If you're only planning on one rifle, my recommendation is for the 5.56. It's cheaper to shoot, ammo and magazines are easier to get, it's not gonna disappear, and it'll do what you are asking for. If you have more than one rifle, or if you aren't worried about cost at all, the 6.8 is not a bad choice. I might get one one of these days myself. I don't think it's the round for you, though.

If you're only planning on one rifle, my recommendation is for the 5.56. It's cheaper to shoot, ammo and magazines are easier to get, it's not gonna disappear, and it'll do what you are asking for. If you have more than one rifle, or if you aren't worried about cost at all, the 6.8 is not a bad choice. I might get one one of these days myself. I don't think it's the round for you, though.

ditto.....

One AR? 5.56, no question.

Well, what you're calling "blah, blah fucking blah" actually are important considerations to which cartridge you want. It's also hard to separate opinion from the mix, since what one person considers a wonderful rifle, some one else might consider garbage (like the AR, you want one, but give me a good bolt action with a full power cartridge any day).

Personally, I'd go .308 but from you limiting that from the conversation it boils down to two things:

The 6.8 hits harder (carries about 40% more energy to 400 yards) and is more versatile, but the .223 is a cheaper round and is easier to find ammunition for. The 6.8 also functions better than .223 out of the shorter barrels, such as is on the M4.

For home purposes, the 6.8 with a nasty soft point or hollowpoint would be on the agenda (but still overkill in penetration if you live in an urban/suburban area) but for plinking and weekend relaxation, or the "a zombie is eating my dog" .223 for reduced cost, lighter recoil, and easier to find ammunition.

Justin

Rounds are by far cheaper for .223, even if you're reloading. You can pick up a 250 pack of 55 gr nosler ballistic tips for $50. Another $10 in primers and a can of powder for $20 and you have yourself 250 premium rounds for less than $100 assuming you've been saving your brass. By contrast .277 110 gr bullets are $20 per hundred, primers are the same cost but you'll be using 50% more powder.

Rounds are by far cheaper for .223, even if you're reloading. . . 250 pack of 55 gr nosler ballistic tips for $50. . . By contrast .277 110 gr bullets are $20 per hundred

Dude, that's the same price.

Rounds are by far cheaper for .223, even if you're reloading. You can pick up a 250 pack of 55 gr nosler ballistic tips for $50. Another $10 in primers and a can of powder for $20 and you have yourself 250 premium rounds for less than $100 assuming you've been saving your brass. By contrast .277 110 gr bullets are $20 per hundred, primers are the same cost but you'll be using 50% more powder.

Not trying to be a dick, but if its $50 for 250 .224 bullets, and $20 per hundred for .277... isn't that the same thing? :confused:

comprehend much? you guys miss the 50% more powder?

-Scott

comprehend much? you guys miss the 50% more powder?

-Scott

Assuming he uses that entire "$20 can of powder" to load the 5.56, and the 6.8 uses 50% more powder, that's $10 dollars more per 250 rounds. That is not, imo, "by far cheaper for .223".

comprehend much? you guys miss the 50% more powder?

-Scott

Depending on what manual you look at, 6.8 only takes between 3 and 7 more grains of powder per charge.

The #14 Speer manual has the max load with H322 for the 223 at 24.5 grains with a 55 grain bullet and the 6.8 SPC at 29.5 grains with a 100 grain bullet.

Now if you are using your expensive ass Nosler bullets and your 20 dollar per 100 .277 bullets with the 223 you will use 6125 grains of powder with the 6.8 you will use 7375 grains of powder.

PowderValley has H322 listed at 19 dollars a lb.

For 250 rounds

223 will use $16.63 in powder

6.8 SPC will use $20.02 in powder

I agree that $0.02 a round is not cheaper by far.

Now if you change bullets in the 223 to a cheaper softpoint then you will save some money.

Dude, that's the same price.


Its the new math:laughing:

Yeah, I guess I had a brainfart there.

I guess if you want to compare cheap as you can get bullets then you can get 55 gr FMJ Remington or Winchester for about $10/100. The nosler 55 gr BT's are what I like to shoot though. $48/250 at wally world. Load them with some H4198 or Varget and they work great for everything from prairie dogs to zombies.

BTW the 110 gr Sierras (cheapest ones I can find in 110 gr, the prefered round for the 6.8) are $24/100 so go ahead and redo your math with that.

Yeah, I guess I had a brainfart there.

I guess if you want to compare cheap as you can get bullets then you can get 55 gr FMJ Remington or Winchester for about $10/100. The nosler 55 gr BT's are what I like to shoot though. $48/250 at wally world. Load them with some H4198 or Varget and they work great for everything from prairie dogs to zombies.

BTW the 110 gr Sierras (cheapest ones I can find in 110 gr, the prefered round for the 6.8) are $24/100 so go ahead and redo your math with that.

So now instead of sticking to your original argument upon finding your facts were flawed you decide to compare cheap FMJ .224 bullets to 6.8mm bullets designed for hunting?:shaking:

No, I'm saying that if you want to go as cheap as you can for reload to reload the .223 will definately win because bullets are the most expensive factor in the case provided you are reusing your brass. I spoke before I really thought about it and just threw out one of my favorite loads for the .223. I know I made myself look like an asshole.

.308 ftw

Well judgeing by the last part of the message if a zombie type situation arrises and that a big if, then i would want the 223 because ammo is alot easier to find. Most of the local gun shops around here dont even stock 6.8..

Here is some Kool-Aid free info.

6.8 Ammo Choices (http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19884)
6.8 mm SPC History and Development (http://demigodllc.com/articles/6.8-mm-spc-cartridge-history-development-hornady-stag-arms-carbine/)

FAIP, I like .308.