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6.8
#5822338
07/08/15 03:30 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 197
TX Hntr
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 197 |
Tell me the pros/cons of the 6.8. I've got an empty Colt lower waiting for an upper. Questions are: manufacturer, barrel length, brass and mag availability, and suppressor?
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Re: 6.8
[Re: TX Hntr]
#5822474
07/08/15 07:09 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,410
Tye
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,410 |
I would check out the 68 forum. Tons of info there
If you shoot a young deer because a neighbor will shoot it, you are that neighbor.
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Re: 6.8
[Re: TX Hntr]
#5822535
07/08/15 11:56 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 915
cyberpyrot
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 915 |
great gun Expensive ammo. I sold mine for a 7.62x39 $5 a box of ammo and it still has the punch needed.
Bought 1,000 rounds of soft tip for the 7.62 for $244 1,000 rounds of 6.8 hornaday at $35 a box of 20 would be $1,750
Hornadey was the only thing my 6.8 would shoot MOA
Last edited by cyberpyrot; 07/08/15 12:01 PM.
I'm a terrible shot but I follow up with a grenade!
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Re: 6.8
[Re: TX Hntr]
#5822629
07/08/15 01:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,022
pertnear
"Demolition Man"
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"Demolition Man"
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,022 |
There are plenty of opinions around, but the 6.8mm SPC is probably the best deer caliber for the AR-15 platform. PSA has complete uppers & mags for a reasonable price. The good thing is, if you buy one & don't like it, 6.8's are usually an easy sell.
FWIW
"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” - George Orwell
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Re: 6.8
[Re: TX Hntr]
#5822736
07/08/15 02:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499
charlesb
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499 |
The 6.8 spc is marginal at best, in comparison to 7.62x39.
Neither are premier deer cartridges, both being somewhat lacking in power but between the two, the 7.62x39 is clearly superior.
All of the really good, clearly competent chamberings for deer hunting come in the AR10 platform.
You CAN kill a deer with a .22lr - but that doesn't mean that it is a good idea to do so. An integral component of good sportsmanship is to use enough gun for the job. Trying to prove a point about your favorite toy at the animals expense is in no way associated with good sportsmanship.
Kind regards, charlesb
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Re: 6.8
[Re: charlesb]
#5822816
07/08/15 03:14 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 915
hdfireman
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 915 |
The 6.8 spc is marginal at best, in comparison to 7.62x39.
Neither are premier deer cartridges, both being somewhat lacking in power but between the two, the 7.62x39 is clearly superior.
What?????????? As far as ammo goes to can get Hornady 110gr match, 110gr V-max or 120gr SST for $20 or less a box.
Last edited by hdfireman; 07/08/15 03:18 PM.
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Re: 6.8
[Re: TX Hntr]
#5822839
07/08/15 03:24 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 915
hdfireman
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 915 |
Tell me the pros/cons of the 6.8. I've got an empty Colt lower waiting for an upper. Questions are: manufacturer, barrel length, brass and mag availability, and suppressor? I like AR Performance barrels. ARP has put a lot of R&D into what works really well and their barrels show that. I'd run a 16" and at the most 18". SSA brass used to be the best but now Nosler bought them and the jury is still out on the quality. Next would be Hornady then Federal. PRI mags allow you to load a little longer and in my opinion the more reliable than the ASC or c-products but they are double the price. For suppressor you can run any 30 cal. I am a fan of Silencerco and Crux
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Re: 6.8
[Re: TX Hntr]
#5822941
07/08/15 04:30 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,355
dkershen
Rev Dave
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Rev Dave
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,355 |
I love my 6.8. Go to hog gun. Not as cheap to shoot as other calibers (as others point out) but you can feed it for a buck a round on a good performing bullet. My thinking is that I'd rather drop the pig with one round of 6.8 than 2 or 3 rounds of 5.56. It's not a great deer round, but it's more than sufficient when pressed into service.
To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.www.NewHopeEquine.com - Health and Healing through Horses.
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Re: 6.8
[Re: TX Hntr]
#5822966
07/08/15 04:45 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,531
Fatdaddy
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,531 |
I keep hearing the 6.8 is not a good deer round but I have taken 7 deer with the Hornady 120gr sst from 75 yards out to 175 yards. Have not had a single one go more than 25 feet before dropping. The 6.8 has proven to be a great deer and hog round.
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Re: 6.8
[Re: TX Hntr]
#5822976
07/08/15 04:51 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173 |
We were way over due for a 6.8 thread.
Think it's time for a high fence/ low fence thread too...
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: 6.8
[Re: dkershen]
#5822982
07/08/15 04:53 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,053
bo3
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,053 |
I love my 6.8. Go to hog gun. Not as cheap to shoot as other calibers (as others point out) but you can feed it for a buck a round on a good performing bullet. My thinking is that I'd rather drop the pig with one round of 6.8 than 2 or 3 rounds of 5.56. It's not a great deer round, but it's more than sufficient when pressed into service.
Not to pick on you but I see this a lot. Why is it a good pig round but marginal for deer? To me pigs are slightly harder to kill.
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Re: 6.8
[Re: J.G.]
#5822987
07/08/15 04:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,048
HicksHunter
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,048 |
We were way over due for a 6.8 thread.
Think it's time for a high fence/ low fence thread too... Let's throw in beans/no beans for chili and we'll have a trifecta of things that will never be answered.
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Re: 6.8
[Re: HicksHunter]
#5823123
07/08/15 06:25 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,642
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,642 |
We were way over due for a 6.8 thread.
Think it's time for a high fence/ low fence thread too... Let's throw in beans/no beans for chili and we'll have a trifecta of things that will never be answered. Quadfecta, we'll include fenceline hunting too.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: 6.8
[Re: charlesb]
#5823138
07/08/15 06:33 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,642
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,642 |
The 6.8 spc is marginal at best, in comparison to 7.62x39.
Neither are premier deer cartridges, both being somewhat lacking in power but between the two, the 7.62x39 is clearly superior.
All of the really good, clearly competent chamberings for deer hunting come in the AR10 platform.
You CAN kill a deer with a .22lr - but that doesn't mean that it is a good idea to do so. An integral component of good sportsmanship is to use enough gun for the job. Trying to prove a point about your favorite toy at the animals expense is in no way associated with good sportsmanship.
Not sure where you got that. From Hornady, the 6.8 SPC 120 gr has more velocity and energy at every distance than the 123gr 7.62x39, and that is handicapped even worse by measuring a 16" barreled 6.8 against a 20" 7.62x39. And although some people disagree with the 1000 ft/lb threshold for deer, the 6.8 carries that to around 250 yds which is more than about 80% of TX hunters ought to be shooting anyway.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: 6.8
[Re: TX Hntr]
#5823148
07/08/15 06:38 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755
ccoker
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755 |
6.8 is a VERY effective hog and deer round out to 300 plus yards. In fact if I am hunting within that range I grab my 6.8 most of the time over rifles with more "power" so to speak.
Ammo price is about the same for all good hunting ammo and at least in central Texas is available readily at everywhere except Walmart.
I have killed a LOT of deer and hogs with one with several different bullets/ammo.
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Re: 6.8
[Re: TX Hntr]
#5823231
07/08/15 07:49 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7,937
bigjoe8565
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7,937 |
I bought the 6.8 to close the gap between the .223 and .308 in an AR platform. I have a couple of .223s and was looking for something cheaper than buying/building a .308. The 6.8 has performed well and I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a deer with the 120 grain SST round. If you want a low cost option into the 6.8 arena check out Palmetto State Armory's modified A2 upper.
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Re: 6.8
[Re: bo3]
#5823347
07/08/15 09:01 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,355
dkershen
Rev Dave
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Rev Dave
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,355 |
I love my 6.8. Go to hog gun. Not as cheap to shoot as other calibers (as others point out) but you can feed it for a buck a round on a good performing bullet. My thinking is that I'd rather drop the pig with one round of 6.8 than 2 or 3 rounds of 5.56. It's not a great deer round, but it's more than sufficient when pressed into service.
Not to pick on you but I see this a lot. Why is it a good pig round but marginal for deer? To me pigs are slightly harder to kill. I hunt primarily mulies and big bodied WT on my place. If I'm intentionally deer hunting, I grab my .300WSM or a .308. In my mind a 165 or 180gr bullet is better suited for deer that size. Have I shot deer with my 6.8? Yep. No problem. Just not my first choice.
To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.www.NewHopeEquine.com - Health and Healing through Horses.
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Re: 6.8
[Re: TX Hntr]
#5823942
07/09/15 02:32 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,709
huntandfish
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,709 |
Ive been using a little factory hornady 120 sst in mine and the federal xm6.8 gold dot load you can get for 12.99 a box. If you handload and have a spc ii or better chamber you can push a 120 grain sst about 200 fps faster then the hornady factory load, depending on barrel/powder. Most 110-120 grain factory 6.8 Loads are 30-40% more energy then a 7.62x39 charlesb, so a 7.62x39 is not even close. Im getting great accuracy out of my 12.5" arp barrel with anything i put thru it so far. Harrison at Arp is the man for 6.8 barrels. My 12.5" barrel still pushes the little 90 grain pill almost 2700 fps, yes the bc suxs on them, but it still has same energy as a 16-18" blackout or 7.62x39! If i want more energy i can just shoot The 120 sst.
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Re: 6.8
[Re: dkershen]
#5823946
07/09/15 02:34 AM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,053
bo3
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,053 |
I love my 6.8. Go to hog gun. Not as cheap to shoot as other calibers (as others point out) but you can feed it for a buck a round on a good performing bullet. My thinking is that I'd rather drop the pig with one round of 6.8 than 2 or 3 rounds of 5.56. It's not a great deer round, but it's more than sufficient when pressed into service.
Not to pick on you but I see this a lot. Why is it a good pig round but marginal for deer? To me pigs are slightly harder to kill. I hunt primarily mulies and big bodied WT on my place. If I'm intentionally deer hunting, I grab my .300WSM or a .308. In my mind a 165 or 180gr bullet is better suited for deer that size. Have I shot deer with my 6.8? Yep. No problem. Just not my first choice. I was just curious. personally if I'll use it on a pig, then it will work on a deer. I'll use anything from 223 up. It all depends on the stars, moon phase, mood, and tides.
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Re: 6.8
[Re: charlesb]
#5824000
07/09/15 03:06 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 746
TTUhunter4
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 746 |
The 6.8 spc is marginal at best, in comparison to 7.62x39.
Neither are premier deer cartridges, both being somewhat lacking in power but between the two, the 7.62x39 is clearly superior.
All of the really good, clearly competent chamberings for deer hunting come in the AR10 platform.
You CAN kill a deer with a .22lr - but that doesn't mean that it is a good idea to do so. An integral component of good sportsmanship is to use enough gun for the job. Trying to prove a point about your favorite toy at the animals expense is in no way associated with good sportsmanship.
Lol
"God made man, but Samuel Colt made them equal."
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Re: 6.8
[Re: TX Hntr]
#5824002
07/09/15 03:07 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 746
TTUhunter4
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 746 |
Most 6.8 hunting ammo is about $1 a round. I have no idea where that guy is paying $35 a box for Hornady but he is getting ripped off.
"God made man, but Samuel Colt made them equal."
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Re: 6.8
[Re: charlesb]
#5825538
07/10/15 03:56 AM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 66
Bayharbor
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 66 |
You obviously have no experience with this round. I have shot plenty of hogs and whitetail deer with it and they all died very well. I'm not sure what is "marginal" about that.
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Re: 6.8
[Re: TX Hntr]
#5825812
07/10/15 01:45 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755
ccoker
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755 |
yep... the only people I hear putting the caliber down are people with no direct experience.
I was instantly hooked when I killed my first 2 does on a cull hunt seconds apart about 7 years ago. The performance on game was outstanding. I won't bore anyone with a lot of pictures but suffice it to say I have killed a LOT of hogs, deer and coyotes with a 6.8.
If it didn't work I wouldn't use it and have plenty of other guns to use. It is by far my favorite setup for a lightweight, compact and nimble gun.
It does seem to put game down with more authority than the 300 BO.
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Re: 6.8
[Re: charlesb]
#5826726
07/11/15 12:39 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,548
JCB
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,548 |
The 6.8 spc is marginal at best, in comparison to 7.62x39.
Neither are premier deer cartridges, both being somewhat lacking in power but between the two, the 7.62x39 is clearly superior.
All of the really good, clearly competent chamberings for deer hunting come in the AR10 platform.
You CAN kill a deer with a .22lr - but that doesn't mean that it is a good idea to do so. An integral component of good sportsmanship is to use enough gun for the job. Trying to prove a point about your favorite toy at the animals expense is in no way associated with good sportsmanship.
TX Hntr, what ever you do just ignore the quote above.
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