I am considering buying or building a 6.8 spc, ar type, for hunting. I have tried hunting forums and those that I talked to considered 6.8 an unconventional hunting round, so I'm hoping someone here might know a little about it. What I'm wondering is if factory loaded 6.8, with the right weight bullet, proper glass, barrel, twist, etc, would have the ballistics and energy to effectively hunt whitetail in fields with ranges out to 600yds. Any input is greatly appreciated.
6.8 spc rem
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Re: 6.8 spc rem
I wouldn't trust it personally. It's a light 270 bullet (around 115gr usually) going in the upper 2k's. Out to 600y I have a hard time thinking that this is going to have the punch you want unless you can absolutely pick your shot perfectly.
I wouldn't trust it personally. It's a light 270 bullet (around 115gr usually) going in the upper 2k's. Out to 600y I have a hard time thinking that this is going to have the punch you want unless you can absolutely pick your shot perfectly.
Re: 6.8 spc rem
Thats what I was looking for. I'm a decent shot at long ranges, but not one of those guys that can shoot a dime 1k. Thanks for the info bohem.
Thats what I was looking for. I'm a decent shot at long ranges, but not one of those guys that can shoot a dime 1k. Thanks for the info bohem.
Re: 6.8 spc rem
I have a 6.8 and I would not hunt with it. It was not designed as a hunting round, although if it was all you had, it would do. I would look at one of the other caliber variants for the AR platform. There are numerous ones available - check out the caliber variant forum over on AR15.com.
The 6.8 was designed to up the killing power of the AR with the shorter M4-type carbines. Read that 400 yards and in.
I have a 6.8 and I would not hunt with it. It was not designed as a hunting round, although if it was all you had, it would do. I would look at one of the other caliber variants for the AR platform. There are numerous ones available - check out the caliber variant forum over on AR15.com.
The 6.8 was designed to up the killing power of the AR with the shorter M4-type carbines. Read that 400 yards and in.
Re: 6.8 spc rem
Have you tried the 68Forums for more info on hunting? http://www.68forums.com/forums/index.php
I agree with the others that the 6.8 SPC (AKA 6.8 x 43) would not humanely kill at 600 yards, but it has proven itself effective at 300. Many there swear by the 85gr TSX load by Silver States Armory for wild boar and the 110gr Pro-Hunters for deer. The 100gr and 110gr Accubonds are new, but reportedly do well for both. The 110 AB has a listed BC of .370 but it has been calculated closer to .410, thus extending its effective range, FYI.
If longer range performance in an AR based rifle is important, look at the 6.5 Grendel.
Mark LaRue took a 5x5 (IIRC) elk at 405 yards last year with the 6.5 Grendel with a 120gr TSX. Look at AR15.com for his account.
Of course there are better cartridge choices if 600 yard performance is your criteria, but they will not fit the standard AR lower.
Have you tried the 68Forums for more info on hunting? http://www.68forums.com/forums/index.php
I agree with the others that the 6.8 SPC (AKA 6.8 x 43) would not humanely kill at 600 yards, but it has proven itself effective at 300. Many there swear by the 85gr TSX load by Silver States Armory for wild boar and the 110gr Pro-Hunters for deer. The 100gr and 110gr Accubonds are new, but reportedly do well for both. The 110 AB has a listed BC of .370 but it has been calculated closer to .410, thus extending its effective range, FYI.
If longer range performance in an AR based rifle is important, look at the 6.5 Grendel.
Mark LaRue took a 5x5 (IIRC) elk at 405 yards last year with the 6.5 Grendel with a 120gr TSX. Look at AR15.com for his account.
Of course there are better cartridge choices if 600 yard performance is your criteria, but they will not fit the standard AR lower.
Re: 6.8 spc rem
I built a 6.8 M-4gery for hunting this past year for an in the woods gun.
After playing with the ballistics and loading data I'm confident that it will kill well out to 300 yds give or take. I'm running 110's in various flavors of protected point (Accubond, TTSX etc.). With any luck I will have positive results this year.
VA deer aren't huge in comparison but there are some big ones out there. In the woods most of my shots are inside 50 yards but getting from point A to point B offers some 200 ish shots.
I still have my "bean field" guns for dawn and dusk applications
Cheers,
Doc
I built a 6.8 M-4gery for hunting this past year for an in the woods gun.
After playing with the ballistics and loading data I'm confident that it will kill well out to 300 yds give or take. I'm running 110's in various flavors of protected point (Accubond, TTSX etc.). With any luck I will have positive results this year.
VA deer aren't huge in comparison but there are some big ones out there. In the woods most of my shots are inside 50 yards but getting from point A to point B offers some 200 ish shots.
I still have my "bean field" guns for dawn and dusk applications
Cheers,
Doc
Re: 6.8 spc rem
Thanks for the great info all. That's why I posted here instead of contacting manufacturers. Wanted opinions from those that had used the round, not those trying to sell it. Looks like I'm going to build in another caliber with better performance at those ranges.
Thanks for the great info all. That's why I posted here instead of contacting manufacturers. Wanted opinions from those that had used the round, not those trying to sell it. Looks like I'm going to build in another caliber with better performance at those ranges.
Re: 6.8 spc rem
The 6.8 SPC is a great cartridge from the AR platform. I have been able to pop steel plates repeatedly out to 500 yards at my friends range (Barrett REC-7 w/ 4X ACOG). However, I would say it's best hunting capability would be found at 300 yards or less as stated above. Good cartridge, just maybe not for 600 yards as you asked.
The 6.8 SPC is a great cartridge from the AR platform. I have been able to pop steel plates repeatedly out to 500 yards at my friends range (Barrett REC-7 w/ 4X ACOG). However, I would say it's best hunting capability would be found at 300 yards or less as stated above. Good cartridge, just maybe not for 600 yards as you asked.
Re: 6.8 spc rem
I may have sounded a little negative about the 6.8, but I was speaking strictly as a hunting platform. However, there are guys doing lots of hunting with the round who have reported (as some here have) excellent results so it can be done. As a defensive round it far excels the .223.
I may have sounded a little negative about the 6.8, but I was speaking strictly as a hunting platform. However, there are guys doing lots of hunting with the round who have reported (as some here have) excellent results so it can be done. As a defensive round it far excels the .223.
Re: 6.8 spc rem
I will be using my Stag 6.8 SPC on some whitetail and muley does this year. It has plenty of energy to kill under 300 yrds... but shot placement is key.
I will be using my Stag 6.8 SPC on some whitetail and muley does this year. It has plenty of energy to kill under 300 yrds... but shot placement is key.
Re: 6.8 spc rem
I have a 6.8SPC in a 14" T/C. GAP installed a Pic rail and Badger brake on it for me. I then mounted a 10x Super Sniper to test, among other things, exactly what you are asking about: hunting deer at long(er) range.
It shoots Hornady 110hp's at an average of 2395 fps at 70 degrees. It's MOA accurate at 100, 2MOA at 200, 3 MOA at 300; but that's because it's a pistol and hard-holding leads to vertical stringing.
The cartridge hits hard at 300 and under, but the wind affects it too much: crappy BC's. The bullets stay supesonic to 600, but at 547 yards a 10mph wind will blow them over 2 Mils - and that's off target.
The 6.8's biggest problem is a lack of decent high BC bullets.
For a deer pistol I like the 6.5BR Mag - a 30-30 necked down to 6.5 - which runs 140AMAXs at 2400fps.
For a deer rifle .223 is fine at 600, game laws permitting, with the heavier bullets: I would think that the Black Hills 77SMK factory load would work well on thin-skinned game, assuming accurate shot placement.
I have a 6.8SPC in a 14" T/C. GAP installed a Pic rail and Badger brake on it for me. I then mounted a 10x Super Sniper to test, among other things, exactly what you are asking about: hunting deer at long(er) range.
It shoots Hornady 110hp's at an average of 2395 fps at 70 degrees. It's MOA accurate at 100, 2MOA at 200, 3 MOA at 300; but that's because it's a pistol and hard-holding leads to vertical stringing.
The cartridge hits hard at 300 and under, but the wind affects it too much: crappy BC's. The bullets stay supesonic to 600, but at 547 yards a 10mph wind will blow them over 2 Mils - and that's off target.
The 6.8's biggest problem is a lack of decent high BC bullets.
For a deer pistol I like the 6.5BR Mag - a 30-30 necked down to 6.5 - which runs 140AMAXs at 2400fps.
For a deer rifle .223 is fine at 600, game laws permitting, with the heavier bullets: I would think that the Black Hills 77SMK factory load would work well on thin-skinned game, assuming accurate shot placement.
Re: 6.8 spc rem
If you're building an AR specifically for longer range, look at the 6.5 Grendel. You can get good bullets and it will do the long range work well. I like the 6.8, but you are somewhat limited on range and lower BC bullets. For 90% of the hunting applications you will encounter, the 6.8 would be fine.
If you're building an AR specifically for longer range, look at the 6.5 Grendel. You can get good bullets and it will do the long range work well. I like the 6.8, but you are somewhat limited on range and lower BC bullets. For 90% of the hunting applications you will encounter, the 6.8 would be fine.
Re: 6.8 spc rem
I believe that the 6.5 Grendal was developed by Bill Alexander of Alexander Arms. His website has some information on that round at http://www.alexanderarms.com/grendel.htm. It is designed to function out of a standard AR-15 lower and allow for the use of the higher BC 6.5 (.264) bullets from 90 grains to the 140's. Basicly I believe that they were trying to get the highest preformance out of the AR platform. They felt that the 6.5 offered the best compromise of barrel life, energy and trajectory while still running it from a standard AR lower and just changing the upper and magazines.
I'm sure it would work out for hunting with the right bullets but Alexander arms website says that it has superior balistics out to 1200 over the 7.62Nato.
Alexander Arms sell upper receivers in a "Hunter" , "Entry" and "Overwatch" configeration with barrels from 19.5-24 inches. I know that others here have more experiance with the round and it has shot acuratly for them.
Saber Defense makes a few options in the 6.5 Grandal too.
For up close as in 250-300 I think I would go with the 6.8SPC but if I wanted to get out a little further than that I would go with the 6.5 Grendal them myself.
Good Luck
I believe that the 6.5 Grendal was developed by Bill Alexander of Alexander Arms. His website has some information on that round at http://www.alexanderarms.com/grendel.htm. It is designed to function out of a standard AR-15 lower and allow for the use of the higher BC 6.5 (.264) bullets from 90 grains to the 140's. Basicly I believe that they were trying to get the highest preformance out of the AR platform. They felt that the 6.5 offered the best compromise of barrel life, energy and trajectory while still running it from a standard AR lower and just changing the upper and magazines.
I'm sure it would work out for hunting with the right bullets but Alexander arms website says that it has superior balistics out to 1200 over the 7.62Nato.
Alexander Arms sell upper receivers in a "Hunter" , "Entry" and "Overwatch" configeration with barrels from 19.5-24 inches. I know that others here have more experiance with the round and it has shot acuratly for them.
Saber Defense makes a few options in the 6.5 Grandal too.
For up close as in 250-300 I think I would go with the 6.8SPC but if I wanted to get out a little further than that I would go with the 6.5 Grendal them myself.
Good Luck
Re: 6.8 spc rem
You don't need a 150 gr to 180 gr pill to drop a whitetail. Especially if you're hunting in OK. The question is how far is your usual shot opportunity?
I've dropped whitetail with a 64gr pp at 100 on several occasions with my AR. Is it optimal? No. But it worked very well. I usually use a .257 Roberts with 100gr sierra game kings. I'm not loading to +P pressures and have taken whitetail from 45-275yds without issue. 85gr Barnes or something more stoutly constructed in 110 gr range will do well in most locations for most whitetail or muleys - shot placement and having practiced confidence at distance cannot be overstated.
Edited to Add: Saw you wanted to 600 yds...not a good choice with this caliber.
You don't need a 150 gr to 180 gr pill to drop a whitetail. Especially if you're hunting in OK. The question is how far is your usual shot opportunity?
I've dropped whitetail with a 64gr pp at 100 on several occasions with my AR. Is it optimal? No. But it worked very well. I usually use a .257 Roberts with 100gr sierra game kings. I'm not loading to +P pressures and have taken whitetail from 45-275yds without issue. 85gr Barnes or something more stoutly constructed in 110 gr range will do well in most locations for most whitetail or muleys - shot placement and having practiced confidence at distance cannot be overstated.
Edited to Add: Saw you wanted to 600 yds...not a good choice with this caliber.
Re: 6.8 spc rem
Another option is a 6mm wildcat from the 6.5 Grendal case. I ran a comparison of a 6mm 105 A-max @ 2800 to a 155 .308 @ 2850. May help with your selection.
6mm 105 A-max @ 2800 @ 600 yd. FPS 1812, Ft. Lbs. 765, elev. 13.4 moa, deflection in 10 mph wind 4.4 moa.
.308 155 Lapua @ 2850 @ 600 yd. FPS 1849, Ft. Lbs. 1177, elev. 12.8, deflection 4.3
6mm has 65% of the energy and compares well in other parameters.
Another option is a 6mm wildcat from the 6.5 Grendal case. I ran a comparison of a 6mm 105 A-max @ 2800 to a 155 .308 @ 2850. May help with your selection.
6mm 105 A-max @ 2800 @ 600 yd. FPS 1812, Ft. Lbs. 765, elev. 13.4 moa, deflection in 10 mph wind 4.4 moa.
.308 155 Lapua @ 2850 @ 600 yd. FPS 1849, Ft. Lbs. 1177, elev. 12.8, deflection 4.3
6mm has 65% of the energy and compares well in other parameters.
Re: 6.8 spc rem
I'll be hunting some with my 6.8 SPC this year for the first time. It's a Rock River upper with 16" barrel. Picked up some SSA 110gr Pro-Hunters, 110gr TSXs and 85gr TSXs. Haven't had a chance to shoot all of them yet and make my pick but will do so shortly. This will be used as a woods rifle for still hunting where a shot over 100 yards is pretty rare. Should get the job done if I do my part. I like the way an AR15 carries and that was the primary reason for trying this out.
I'll be hunting some with my 6.8 SPC this year for the first time. It's a Rock River upper with 16" barrel. Picked up some SSA 110gr Pro-Hunters, 110gr TSXs and 85gr TSXs. Haven't had a chance to shoot all of them yet and make my pick but will do so shortly. This will be used as a woods rifle for still hunting where a shot over 100 yards is pretty rare. Should get the job done if I do my part. I like the way an AR15 carries and that was the primary reason for trying this out.
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