Opinions of the 6.8mm SPC cartridge? (rifle, 308, AR15, best) - Guns and Hunting -Handguns, shotguns, rifles, etc. - City-Data Forum

jimboburnsy · 06-11-2009, 02:13 PM

I'm considering assembling an AR15 platform chambered for the 6.8 SPC. Anyone have any experience with the cartridge? I'm a little iffy about the data I have reviewed for velocities and range. This would primarily be a weapon for the systematic and dogmatic ambush and slaughter of feral hogs and I'm trying to decide between this platform and the AR10 chambered in .308. Any thoughts?

M3 Mitch · 06-11-2009, 02:39 PM

I have not tried the 6.8, but, offhand for feral hogs, which I read are pretty tough, I'd take the .308.

Put it this way, if we were about to head out to hunt hogs, and you held both out to me and said, Mitch, you want the 6.8 or the 308? I would take the 308.

I think you have a better selection of good to excellent bullets for the 308. Does Nosler even offer a partition in 6.8 (which is essentially a .270 but with a lighter, shorter bullet and less powder) I know you can get Noslers for a .270 all day long, but not certiain if they offer anything light enough to work in the 6.8.

jimboburnsy · 06-11-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

I have not tried the 6.8, but, offhand for feral hogs, which I read are pretty tough, I'd take the .308.

Put it this way, if we were about to head out to hunt hogs, and you held both out to me and said, Mitch, you want the 6.8 or the 308? I would take the 308.

I think you have a better selection of good to excellent bullets for the 308. Does Nosler even offer a partition in 6.8 (which is essentially a .270 but with a lighter, shorter bullet and less powder) I know you can get Noslers for a .270 all day long, but not certiain if they offer anything light enough to work in the 6.8.

This is really in line with what my gut is telling me. I guess I'm just never going to be a carbine guy...

M3 Mitch · 06-11-2009, 03:46 PM

Keep in mind my opinions on this are based on reading G&A, Rifle, Handloader, Successful Hunter, and a lot of the classics by Keith and O'Connor. I have never lived anywhere that feral hogs were available to hunt, and have never even seen a 6.8 carbine or round in person, much less shot one.

Channeling Uncle Elmer, I think he'd vote for a 45-70, Uncle Jack thinks the 270 is best for anything smaller than a Griz.

If the hogs will be ambushed close, how about that Marlin 45-70?

jimboburnsy · 06-11-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

Keep in mind my opinions on this are based on reading G&A, Rifle, Handloader, Successful Hunter, and a lot of the classics by Keith and O'Connor. I have never lived anywhere that feral hogs were available to hunt, and have never even seen a 6.8 carbine or round in person, much less shot one.

Channeling Uncle Elmer, I think he'd vote for a 45-70, Uncle Jack thinks the 270 is best for anything smaller than a Griz.

If the hogs will be ambushed close, how about that Marlin 45-70?

The stand I just set up gives me perfect concealment and a 230 yard shot (which is just slightly past "zero" on my .30-06). I need a semi-auto for a quick second shot and liked the idea of the 6.8 SPC for dropping a sow and then taking some cracks at the piglets when they start calling for mama. A .30 cal more or less splatters the piglets (which are great eating when in one piece).

ferretkona · 06-12-2009, 08:30 PM

I have always enjoyed using my model 94 in 44 Mag for hogs. I do have my Marlin in 45/70 that justs begs to be broken in on a pig hunt thou. I love my .308 but I prefer to toss a heavy grain bullit at hogs.

Icy Tea · 06-17-2009, 12:34 AM

Marlin has some new high power lever actions that I believe are 308 and 338.

Robert_J · 06-22-2009, 08:40 AM

I have a 6.8 SPC upper on order from Rock River Arms. My main reason for going 6.8 vs. .308 was the use of a standard sized lower. Once this rifle is complete I'll have two RRA lowers that I can buy additional uppers for. I've looked at 6.5 Grendel, 7.62x39, 5.4mm or .458 SOCOM. I can even go .22LR and 9mm if I want. A .308 lower is a .308 lower. If I'm going with a larger round, I'll look hard at a .338 Laupua (the Barrett one is nice). Join ..::68FORUMS::.. and read about some member's experiences.

-Robert

jimboburnsy · 06-22-2009, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert_J

I have a 6.8 SPC upper on order from Rock River Arms. My main reason for going 6.8 vs. .308 was the use of a standard sized lower. Once this rifle is complete I'll have two RRA lowers that I can buy additional uppers for. I've looked at 6.5 Grendel, 7.62x39, 5.4mm or .458 SOCOM. I can even go .22LR and 9mm if I want. A .308 lower is a .308 lower. If I'm going with a larger round, I'll look hard at a .338 Laupua (the Barrett one is nice). Join ..::68FORUMS::.. and read about some member's experiences.

-Robert

Interchangeability of the lower was actually a big part of my reasoning for considering the 6.8. I'm still a little bearish on the ballistic performance and I'm concerned that finding ammunition would be difficult/expensive, whatever weapon I purchase is going to be a shooter. I love the idea of just purchasing the upper, but it may not make practical sense for my situation. For me, it may be creating 3 problems to solve one...

NVplumber · 06-22-2009, 10:11 AM

I don't have any experience with the new 6.8 , but I do have a DPMS LR.308 in my rack and it's a solid performer. It will run with my M1A. The 6.8 would turn me off as to ammo expense and availability. I may be premature, but thats my initial reaction. The latter seems to be a decent cartridge, but I would have to have a bunch of trigger time behind it before I would make a solid call. The .308 , on the other hand, I can say is a tried and true cartridge with a distinguished record available in to many platforms to list here.