Call me crazy, but . . .

[Morris]

I want an AR platform in 6.8 SPC. I'm really liking the research and feedback I am getting on the loads. Anyone care to share their thoughts on the AR based 6.8 platforms?

[GixxerSixxer]

They are appealing.

If you're after a hunting caliber then the 6.8 is similar to a .243 which is on the low end of deer caliber. The 6.8 is a .270 and hits harder than a .223 but it's not equivalent to a .270. It's not impossible or stupid to hunt with the 6.8 but personally I'd take a AR-10 if I were to deer hunt with an EBR.

I don't think the 6.8 is in danger of being a fad. There's multiple major manufacturers of the ammo and the 6.8 is an open platform. CProducts also has reliable mags for the 6.8 at a decent price.


The same can't be said about the 6.5. I think if Alexander Arms would get off their ass and license out their stuff they'd see better sales and more popularity of the caliber. Alexander doesn't offer a whole lot as far as rifle customization so guys that like to pimp their rifle must do it at home. Despite being pretty easy to work on a lot or EBR owners don't make their own rifles; many dislike the idea of putting on a barrel and try to avoid it.

The 6.5 excels at greater distances but the 6.8 was designed to hit harder at M4 distances not turn the M4 into a sniper rifle. If you want a varmint rifle that makes things splatter then a 6.5 with a 24" barrel would certainly do to the trick.

[RMTactical]

I'd get one if ammo prices were comparable to 5.56 and availability was good (or at least promising). It's tougher to get 5.56 right now... but you can still find it fairly easily, and you know that they are gonna be making it for a LONG time!

Price and availability are my biggest gripes with 6.8.

[boraxis]

The 6.8 isn't as powerful as anything you'd get in an AR-10 platform including a .243, but with a 6.8 you can just switch uppers and practice with cheap .223 ammo. Also you can get a 6.8 that's as light and short as a .223 carbine. Recoil is still low, but again it's no powerhouse.

Ammo is easy to find for $15-$18 /20 with a variety of bullets suitable for hunting, from at least Remington, Hornady, and Sivler State Armory. I've seen cheaper but I'm just saying it's easy to find at that price.

A 6.8 isn't the best for long range, but I think for that I'd go with a heavier AR-10 or equivalent rather than a Grendel.

I suggest you check out Ko-Tonics (http://www.ko-tonics.com/KT68.html) if you're interested in a 6.8. You have to click the online store link to see what all is available, including ammo at good prices.

Also 6.8's are a common topic on the AR Variants forum at AR15.com (http://www.ar15.com).