Precision shooting 6.8 vs 5.56

[johnsopi]

Try to make small tight group with hand loads which is best? Some time I find with the 5.56 it's hard not to shoot up all handloads too fast and still want to shoot.

[Sharpshooter]

Try to make small tight group with hand loads which is best? Some time I find with the 5.56 it's hard not to shoot up all handloads too fast and still want to shoot.


Theoretically the smallest groups will come from the 5.56 it is the smaller bullet. Also I do not believe that you have the bullet selection in the .277 bullet family that you do in the .224 bullet family. Where the 6.8 excels is larger mass and more energy out of the same platform. IMHO

[AaronB]

Just the fact that load data has been out for so long with the 5.56/223 vs the 6.8 would lead me that direction.

Seems as though there are alot more components avail for the 223 platform as well.

[2whiskeyP]

I would love to have a 6.8. I wish they were a little more available and a little (lot) less expensive!

[PCR-106]

I would love to have a 6.8. I wish they were a little more available and a little (lot) less expensive!

I still haven't heard the final word on the argument that those are REALLY any better and not just the newest cool-guy thing

[DaBunny]

The 6.8mm may have been dropped by the military, but I swear, they drop all their best stuff. Lotsa good pickings from all their R&D. That WE paid for.

[MrGoodwreck]

The 6.8mm may have been dropped by the military, but I swear, they drop all their best stuff. Lotsa good pickings from all their R&D. That WE paid for.

I wish they would have taken it up if only for the fact that I could afford to shoot it.

[2whiskeyP]

No matter, either way I would still love to have one.

[MrGoodwreck]

Have any of you seen that wildcat that Bushmaster wants to do ...


.45 Bushmaster


I would like to try that.:D

[Sharpshooter]

Have any of you seen that wildcat that Bushmaster wants to do ...


.45 Bushmaster


I would like to try that.:D

I am actually interested in that little ditty my self.

I wanna go retro with it however. :cool:

[MrGoodwreck]

I am actually interested in that little ditty my self.

I wanna go retro with it however. :cool:

Then it would not be RETRO.;)

[Sharpshooter]

Then it would not be RETRO.;)

Oh yes we go with a slick side upper and pencil barrel. Two position stock and CAR hand guards. All the looks of retro but with a new short range jack hammer caliber for those poor unsuspecting goomers who think your 5.56 will not make it through the door their hiding behind.

[Vorpal_weapon]

Zak Smith put together an excellent article on the history of the 6.8 SPC cartridge. From what I've read there and elsewhere, it seems the project team opted for 6.8 as a compromise in terms of accuracy versus terminal performance – with a bias toward terminal performance. Basically, the developers of the 6.8 wanted something measurably superior in terminal effect with a better ballistic coefficient and trajectory than existing AK ammunition from a comparable barrel length (nominally 16”) all in something not requiring a completely new weapon.

6.8mm was developed as an improved combat cartridge adaptable to existing 5.56mm weapons, and it is a tremendous step forward given the limitations imposed. With the WOT and the U.S. military’s current operational requirements, 6.8 will not be adopted any time soon. It is presently therefore, little more than a novelty. For anti-personnel roles, it offers significant improvements in terminal performance compared to any widely available 5.56mm or 7.62x39 munition. I would like to make the switch - its just not really feasible. I have opted to improve my 5.56 system and really like the BH 75 gr. OTM loads - looking forward to trying out the new HSM 75 gr. 5.56 ammo too.

In that the 5.56/.223 has a much longer history (which includes a wealth of load testing and many varied match grade projectiles to choose from), 5.56mm is a better choice than 6.8 for precision rifle today. ARs have gone from competing with everything else to dominating everything else in nearly all of the match categories – Thanks AMU. If you want small groups on paper – 5.56/.223 is your envelop. The relative system cost of 5.56 also affords you a lot more practice.

[Colorado Osprey]

The 6.8mm may have been dropped by the military, but I swear, they drop all their best stuff. Lotsa good pickings from all their R&D. That WE paid for.

I agree....did you know the M249 SAW was originally designed to shoot the 6x45mm round. It is just a 5.56 round necked up to shoot a 6mm bullet. All that is required for this cartridge except for ammo was just a barrel swap.

55 grain bullets at 22-250 velocity and 90 grain bullets at the same speed as a .223 with 69 grain bullets.

I still haven't figured why more AR owners don't shoot this lovely round.

There was never any need for the 6.8SPC developement, they already did it back in the '60's and came up with the 6x45.

[MrGoodwreck]

Btt