Will 6.8 SPC ever take off?

[OptionX3]

I've been watching the 6.8 SPC for last few years since start of this whole OLL craze. Seems to me like it's gaining steady (but still slow) momentum. 6.5 Grendel is very different cartridge than 6.8 SPC, both have pros and cons. They are like VHS and Beta back in the days. Beta was better, but VHS took off because it was not as exclusive. By looking at upper availability by different manufactures, 6.8 SPC is clearly ahead. And 6.5 Grendel may go to the way of dodos. Also, 6.8 SPC has a lot of media coverage/hype and even CS playing youngsters know about it now.. thanks to some futuristic weapon show. So my options are:

1. Should I purchase a new 6.8 SPC upper since it's still affordable before turning hot like AR-10s?
2. Naw... wait it out for few more years and pick up a another .223 upper for now?
3. Enough of this SPC crazy talk, be elite and get a 6.5 Grendel.
4. Since I started reloading to keep my habit, where can I order 6.8 SPC components for cheap?

-TIA

[DJDace]

I've been watching the 6.8 SPC for last few years since start of this whole OLL craze. Seems to me like it's gaining steady (but still slow) momentum. 6.5 Grendel is very different cartridge than 6.8 SPC, both have pros and cons. They are like VHS and Beta back in the days. Beta was better, but VHS took off because it was not as exclusive. By looking at upper availability by different manufactures, 6.8 SPC is clearly ahead. And 6.5 Grendel may go to the way of dodos. Also, 6.8 SPC has a lot of media coverage/hype and even CS playing youngsters know about it now.. thanks to some futuristic weapon show. So my options are:

1. Should I purchase a new 6.8 SPC upper since it's still affordable before turning hot like AR-10s?
2. Naw... wait it out for few more years and pick up a another .223 upper for now?
3. Enough of this SPC crazy talk, be elite and get a 6.5 Grendel.
4. Since I started reloading to keep my habit, where can I order 6.8 SPC components for cheap?

-TIA

Before anyone can give you a halfway reasonable opinion, you need to supply alot more information about your intent with this new rifle. 6.8 SPC and 6.5 Grendel are two cartridges designed for COMPLETELY different tasks.

6.8 SPC is a Special Purpose Cartridge designed to provide better performance on targets within 200 yards (more terminal performance on haji in the sandbox over 5.56)
6.5 Grendel capitalizes on the high BC bullets in the .264 family. It can stay supersonic out to 1000 yards, it has a flatter trajectory and better inherent long range performance and accuracy.

So, are you just blasting stuff up at 100-300 yards at the range? Then maybe 6.8 is right for you. Are you building a precision rig that you plan to put through its paces anywhere from 100 to 1000 yards - then 6.5 Grendel may be the cartridge you are looking for.

In the end, the debate over 6.8 and 6.5 is really silly considering that the cartridges couldn't be anymore different in the intended function and performance.

In my opinion, if you like the idea of a hard hitting short to med range round that will fit the AR platform then hell yeah build a 6.8 SPC AR-15, I don't think you will regret it one bit.

[Stockton]

6.8 has been introduced as SPECIAL PURPOSE ROUND for short range stopping power alternative to the 5.56. The ballistics will always be the same and purpose will always be for short range. So will it ever take off...it has in its own way....but as compared to the m16 in 5.56.....probably not until it gets put into the main stream military or it finds a necessary purpose in the civilian world.

6.5 due to its ballistics is a way more popular and main stream in the civilian sectar.

All IMHO!

[brando]

Five years is a very short time in the firearms biz and in those last five years, 6.8 has come a long way. No, it's not getting adopted overnight by any of the services, but it's no longer a specialty round. Ammo is being made in volume and components for reloading are commonly available. So if you want one, go get one.

[Paratus et Vigilans]

I've got the Redding 2-die set for 6.8 SPC (one de-caps and full length resizes, the other seats and crimps the bullet) and it seems to do just fine. I got the set from Brian Enos when I got my Dillon XL 650, but Midway USA has them too. Midway USA also regularly stocks 6.8 SPC brass and .277 caliber bullets. I suggest going with the Remington brass because it takes large rifle primers. The Hornady brass for 6.8 SPC takes small rifle primers, and I've not had much success with Hornady in 6.8 SPC, but YMMV.

Once you're set up to roll your own rounds and have a stock of brass for it handy, 6.8 SPC is not all that costly to fire.

As others have said, though, it is not a long range round, but rather a short to medium range round intended for penetrating cover better and delivering more energy to the target than 5.56mm.

[OptionX3]

Thanks for your input, I already have .308 and 77grn .223 for +500yrd work. I was looking for <300yrd area. Did some more research on the 6.8 SPC and it sounds like it was designed for shorter platforms. So I'll probably order a 16" SPC upper. Also trajectory is pretty close to M855 at ~300yrds so thats good news
-thanks

[ocabj]

I don't think 6.8SPC will ever replace 5.56 as the standard infantry rifle cartridge.

I seriously doubt 6.8SPC will ever see much use in the US military, even in special operations units.

Two factors against 6.8SPC:

1. MK262 Mod 1 adoption
2. M110 SASS adoption

6.8SPC as far as civilian ownership? As long as there is reloading equipment, no cartridges will ever die.

[brando]

Exactly. It's not going to replace anything at this point. It will never be to the same level of acceptance as 5.56 or 7.62 - but my point is that it's no longer in the same category as .408 Cheytac, a niche cartridge.

[ar15barrels]

Thanks for your input, I already have .308 and 77grn .223 for +500yrd work. I was looking for <300yrd area. Did some more research on the 6.8 SPC and it sounds like it was designed for shorter platforms. So I'll probably order a 16" SPC upper. Also trajectory is pretty close to M855 at ~300yrds so thats good news
-thanks

I have complete Rock River 6.8 uppers and also some KT 6.8 barrels in-stock for custom builds.

Just take 1-10 west about 100 miles.

[AngelDecoys]

.... 6.5 Grendel capitalizes on the high BC bullets in the .264 family. It can stay supersonic out to 1000 yards, it has a flatter trajectory and better inherent long range performance and accuracy.

The 6.5 bullet may not go subsonic until 1200 yds (1400 yards in one test i've read). Just depends.

Really, I see no reason not to get both the 6.8 or 6.5 Grendel. Just depends on utility and which one you want first.

A Grendel 6.5 upper is the next on my list. I'm a huge fan. Wonderful round. Several companies are now making it. Then again, as had been said, decide what utility you want it for. I like longer distances. 800+

"The 123-grain Lapua Scenar with a ballistic coefficient of .547 launched at modest 2600 fps muzzle velocity delivers outstanding long range performance out to 1200 yards. Accuracy levels were impressive with test rifles forming single digit groups at 1,000 yards and at 600 yards, tennis ball sized targets are easy prey with a scope adjustment of only 14 MOA with a 200-yard zero."

For hunting purposes, you would have an AR platform capable of taking large mammals without breaking a sweat.

"In ballistic gelatin tests, the Lapua 108-grain Scenar launched at a muzzle velocity of 2750 fps penetrated 22" of gelatin with a .43" diameter and 64% weight retention at a distance of 300 yards. As a more casual test, the Lapua 108-grain bullet consistently sliced through 4" pine posts at 900 yards."

See Combat Engineer for more

Incidently, comparing the ballistics of the 6.5mm Grendal to the .556 and the 7.62, see chart pdf.

Thumbs up on the 6.5 Grendel

[Fjold]

Remington dropped the 6.8 SPC chambering from their bolt guns.

[ar15barrels]

Remington dropped the 6.8 SPC chambering from their bolt guns.

In australia.
Still sold in the US.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_sps.asp

[Sgt Raven]

Remington dropped the 6.8 SPC chambering from their bolt guns.

Remington adds and subtracts chamberings from their bolt rifles all the time.

[jandmtv]

how does 6.5 grendel compare to .308? as far as long range 500-1000 yard precision shooting goes

[C.G.]

how does 6.5 grendel compare to .308? as far as long range 500-1000 yard precision shooting goes

Here is a graph comparing 5.56, 7.62 x .39, 6.8SPC, 7.62 x 51 and 6.5 Grendel. Unfortunately it compares 16" barrels, but it should give you an idea.

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3241&highlight=graph

Comparison of 24" barrels 5.56, 6.8SPC, 6.5 Grendel and 7.62 x 51 (scroll down the page):

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=121&t=271627

Does pretty well, doesn't it?