5.56 vs 6.8 vs 7.62x39

[1lostinspace]

I am a believer, long with my AR, I own my magazine fed hunting 30-06, I know about the advantage of the .223 in carrying ammo.

But, the 243/6mm/6.8mm/270, is not a bad compromise, imo.

I think the 6.8 would be great if your not on the move, for the average civilian it's perfect, but in combat weight counts!.

I think the 5.56 has more then enough power to kill! It's very accurate even at long range 500 meters on in, not to mention unless you are scoped and laying down with bipod and bags you are not going to hit anything past 200 anyways.
I shot a coyote not long ago with a 55gr SP and it blew a huge whole in it length ways, it was dead before it hit the ground! Felt sorry for it for about 3 seconds then got over it

[PatriotnMore]

I think the 6.8 would be great if your not on the move, for the average civilian it's perfect, but in combat weight counts!.

I think the 5.56 has more then enough power to kill! It's very accurate even at long range 500 meters on in, not to mention unless you are scoped and laying down with bipod and bags you are not going to hit anything past 200 anyways.
I shot a coyote not long ago with a 55gr SP and it blew a huge whole in it length ways, it was dead before it hit the ground! Felt sorry for it for about 3 seconds then got over it

Yep, the .223 gives some pretty devastating result on soft flesh targets.

[mike_the_wino]

Thanks for the input gents!

I hear ya Josh3239.

[Bug Splat]

My good buddy who is a Marine came back from the Iraq and Afgan last year after two tours and said he and his guys absolutely hated the 5.56 round. He has many many stories of fire fights and said the 5.56 never did the job fast enough. Sure it killed its target but it did not do it quickly. He told me stories of him hitting a guy a few times center chest and he just got back up and tried to fire back. No body armer or anything, just clothes. I trust his real life stories over ballistics gel at some military range.

It was all his stories that fueled my Saiga purchase. He loved the 7.62X39 for 200 yards or less fights and saw its affect firsthand on both sides of the fight.

[ir0nclash86]

My good buddy who is a Marine came back from the Iraq and Afgan last year after two tours and said he and his guys absolutely hated the 5.56 round. He has many many stories of fire fights and said the 5.56 never did the job fast enough. Sure it killed its target but it did not do it quickly. He told me stories of him hitting a guy a few times center chest and he just got back up and tried to fire back. No body armer or anything, just clothes. I trust his real life stories over ballistics gel at some military range.

It was all his stories that fueled my Saiga purchase. He loved the 7.62X39 for 200 yards or less fights and saw its affect firsthand on both sides of the fight.

You'd be surprised at what a man can do when his body is full of drugs.

[Toast]

My good buddy who is a Marine came back from the Iraq and Afgan last year after two tours and said he and his guys absolutely hated the 5.56 round. He has many many stories of fire fights and said the 5.56 never did the job fast enough. Sure it killed its target but it did not do it quickly. He told me stories of him hitting a guy a few times center chest and he just got back up and tried to fire back. No body armer or anything, just clothes. I trust his real life stories over ballistics gel at some military range.

It was all his stories that fueled my Saiga purchase. He loved the 7.62X39 for 200 yards or less fights and saw its affect firsthand on both sides of the fight.

M855 is a stupid round... They should start issuing MK262 or 55 grain stuff again at least.

[Cali-Shooter]

AK-47 all the way (ex-AR-15 owner)... I love the 7.62x39. If I don't feel like having to pick up all the precious brass from calibers such as .223, I just need to load my mags for my AK with the steel cased Ruskie ammo and I'm gtg.

.223 is decent, it's lighter, more accurate, and less kicking in recoil than 7.62x39.

But I like the x39 because it has decent stopping power, is widely available, gets the job done (300 yds range), and the price is right.

IMO 6.8 is a terrible caliber to have as a primary rifle. It's overpriced, is not widely available or accepted, and is very new on the market. You will not find manufacturers selling it on any scale near calibers like .223, .308, and 7.62x39.

[Bug Splat]

IMO 6.8 is a terrible caliber to have as a primary rifle. It's overpriced, is not widely available or accepted, and is very new on the market. You will not find manufacturers selling it on any scale near calibers like .223, .308, and 7.62x39.

I agree 100%. Scrounge power is a very important thing. Having the worlds most popular round along with the worlds more popular magazine is a huge plus for me.

[Bongos]

Even if you reload, the 6.8 is still expensive. If you need a little more power look at the 6x45 (30% more than the 556 and 150 yards farther) but if you need a intermidiate, look at the 6.5 Grendel. The reason why people like the 6.8 or 6.5 is because at close range the 7.62x39 has more energy, unfortunately, pass 200 yards, the accuracy goes to .... Thus the 6.5 and 6.8 bullets have better BC for longer distances. you get the best of both worlds. Unfortunate, brass is extremely hard to find for both.

Reason I went with the 6x45, it uses a 6mm bullet and 223 brass

[wsmc27]

I like the extra punch from my 6.8 -

In the last training session - Everyone with .223's was hitting the metal targets.

I was the only one knocking them over...

I >SAW< that!

Loved the sound of your 6.8, it barked HARD!

Too much $$ per round for us to consider.