Looking at getting into the 6.8 SPC. Have an opportunity for a Rock River AR platform semi auto or a Remington 700 LTR. Which way would you go and why? Pros and Cons. I'll use it to kill a deer every once in a while, punch paper, and just as a general fun gun.

I have a couple Staggs in 223 and been thinking about a 6.8 SPC myself. We hunt off snowmachine with AR's & team slings and would like something a little heavier; just gotta watch you don't lose front teeth chasing game cross country. Never have too many AR's.

We do some road hunting, mainly when we travel to Anch & Fairbanks on summer supply runs. I usually keep the 460 S&W on the dash, but it's tough for me hit bear moving out thru the brush. I've taken my old colt pre-ban and get the shots off quick enough but 223 doesn't get it either. I've wondered about a bushmaster, 338 fed, and that 458 AR-10. A buddy of mine who has quite a few AR's tells me those heavier calibers will wear out an AR in 1500 rounds; need steel not alum.

My buddy also said them new Remington AR's are pretty good gun and they come in a few calibers.
I keep telling the wifey to just buy me a new AR every Xmas and I'll be a happy camper.

Have been playing with ARs for some years ... not seriously, but enough to have decided that the 5.56 is not a serious hunting cartridge for things like whitetails.

Decided to play with the 6.8 early this year. Built one with an 18" WOA fluted SS bbl with a midlength gas system, and a YHM light light rail on an RRA upper. Used a YHM Phantom brake/FH. Put that on an Aero Precision lower with a Bill Springfield 3# trigger and a SOPMOD stock.

Rifle weighs right at 8.5 pounds so it's not a light weight.

BUT ... it is a more than adequately accurate; delivering < 1/2" groups at 100 yards with 110 gr Sierra Prohunters over 30.0 gr of H322. Not quite as good with 100 gr Accubonds but am still working out that load.

Have not had it long enough to hunt with it yet, but I think it is going to be terrific. The fellas over at 68Forums have killed a bunch of piggies with it ... and one took a nice black bear. The hot bullet appears to be the very new 95 gr Barnes TTSX,

The 6.8 isn't my idea of a boltgun cartridge. Seems kind of a waste to put such a compact cartridge in a boltgun when it fits so well in an auto.

I have used the 6.8 SPC in an AR-15 to take several feral hog and Texas coastal whitetail deer. It launches a 95 grain Barnes TSX at 2700 feet per second. The bullet has passed through every animal I shot at. Hit them low chest, behind the shoulder or base of the neck and go collect. The recoil is light and it works. The largest hog was at least 200 pounds and deer, 150. I am sure it could be used on larger game with proper shot placement.

I have 3 6.8 rifles. All seem to like the Sierra Pro Hunters best for accuracy and they have performed well on deer hunts here.

2 are on AR platforms, 1 Extreme 16" upper and one a WOA 18" upper both on RRA lowers. Both shoot MOA or better when I do my part.

I also have a really nice CZ527 lefty converted to 6.8 with a 19" barrel. It started life as a .223, had 7.62x39 bottom metal and mags installed, and a Remington take off 270 stainless barrel installed. This one also likes the Pro hunters and will also shoot the SSA tactical loads into one ragged hole at 100.

I know ther is a real nice Rem 700 original LTR in 6.8 available at a local dealer. My neighbor was going to customize it, had a new larger bolt handle installed then got bored with the project and has it on consignment locally. I would have bought it but since it's not left handed it does me no good.

The 6.8 is a fun little cartridge and does offer real hunting potential in a compact rifle or AR.

quote:

Originally posted by ChopperGuy:



I also have a really nice CZ527 lefty converted to 6.8 with a 19" barrel. It started life as a .223, had 7.62x39 bottom metal and mags installed, and a Remington take off 270 stainless barrel installed.

That's the way I would do it. Use one of the CZ's or mini-mauser actions or maybe a Rem Model 7. The Remmy bolt might need a bit more work for the different case head but would still make a nice rifle. Unless you really like AR's or need the rapid fire capability I think a bolt gun makes a lighter, more compact and balanced hunting rig. I like my AR competion rifles but can't see carrying a scoped one around the woods for a week.

I have buily many of the 6.8's. I have 3 of them myself and am having a bolt gun built off a Stiller Predator action with Hart barrel.

I have also found the 110gr Sierra ProHunters to be very accurate and also had a tough time getting the 110gr Accubonds to shoot --- I'm using H322, SSA brass, and Wolf SM R Mag primers.

Key is to make sure you do not have the original SAMMI chamber. Newer Rock Rivers and STAG have moved to the SPCII chamber but there is also a DMR chamber which is excellent.

If you do no load your own I would think twice about buying a 6.8spc. Simply because the only commercially available ammo loaded above SAMMI pressures is Silver State Armory combat loads.

I have found the 6.8spc to be a great deer cartridge. Kills very well. I haven't had the opportunity to shoot pigs but reports are very positive.

Stag wnet to the Spec II chamber very early in their 6.8 production.

Also, the Silver State Armory Tactical loads are pretty good ammo. They are the 110 Accubond loads my CZ seems to like pretty well, just the Pro hunters still out shoot it.

Guess it's not worth fighting it and just stick with the Pro hunters. A good deer and hog bullet overall.