Jason,

I don't disagree with your observation that it is an adequate cartridge for deer, at a reasonable distance, and hogs, but silhouette is very different. Silhouette is not a short range game. The 6.8mm bore (.270) lacks a choice of match bullets comparable to those available for the 6.5mm or 7mm bores, as Tony commented earlier. The weight of bullets available for the 6.8mm bore is not sufficient to generate 500 meter momentum comparable to that of most of the 6.5mm and 7mm bullets from suitable cartridges. Even in a .270-308 the bullets are a substantial limitation. Even Ackley thought that there was little reason to shoot a .270-308 when compared to a 7-08. Those are some major disadvantages.

The 6.8 SPC was created to feed from an AR length magazine and any bullets of greater weight will need to be seated to a longer than AR mag length to free up case capacity for powder (and a suitable chamber used). While brass is currently available, the ultimate fate of the 6.8 SPC remains uncertain, at best. There were improprieties associated with the initial government procurements and there simply is no great likelihood that it will see widespread deployment in the U.S. armed forces at the present time. There are also questions about the selection process of the cartridge itself. Information available to the public suggests that there may well have been a pre-selection of someone's pet project rather than an objective evaluation of alternatives. At the present time there does not appear to be any rush on the part of the armed forces to adopt the 6.8 SPC. There are vast differences in a few spec ops teams using something and it being adopted throughout the armed forces. At present, there are substantial issues surrounding what weapon system will be adopted to replace the M-4 and whether it will continue to use the 5.56 NATO cartridge. If the 5.56 NATO cartridge is replaced, there will probably be a new round of trials conducted.

The 6.8 SPC could easily become an "orphaned" cartridge. On the other hand, if you are pleased with your 6.8 SPC, I am happy for you. If you want to try it at silhouettes, go right ahead and please let us know your experience with it. I could see where it might work at a reduced distance course, but I would not be prepared to recommend it to anyone. That is my opinion. "Your mileage may vary."

P.S. While the 6.8 SPC may work for hogs under a number of circumstances, there are a variety of hogs which have a pretty tough hide and have been known to literally have 44 Mag bullets bounce off.

Cheers[/quote]


I stated that it is not a good choice for silhouette. What else do you want me to say?

44mag bouncing off of hogs!!! Come on!! Are we talking at rifle ranges or up close like it is used for?

I don't know where you get your info on the 6.8x43. Believe only a small portion off what you read on the subject. We could pick any two cartridges and debate all day. That's why they make so many choices of cartridges. Everyone has their favorite.

For short barreled 16" and less M4 Ar style rifles the 6.8 shines. Not for 500 meter silhouette.

constructor wrote:RB,
I believe the original post was about finding a low recoil rifle for ramslammers daughter where he asked about the 6.8, I threw out a few possibilities with the newer spec rifles, the 6.5BR or 6.5BRX may be a better choice for her as a low recoil rifle with better BC bullets. As far as shooting hogs with the 6.8 the Barnes TSX bullets pass through end to end so we already know they work just fine on hogs. Never had one "bounce off" of a hogs hide though that must be as tough as 3/8" mild steel plate.

Jason asked about building him a 260 bolt rig, and I brought up the 6.5x47, pretty sure he is going with one or the other all he has to do is say which way he wants to go and when he wants it.

I am not sure just what Jason had in mind as I, like you, thought the question was a matter of a low recoiling cartridge which gave a reasonable prospect of knocking over rams.

I believe that either the 260 Rem or 6.5x47 Lapua fit the description. They can be loaded down to a level which ramslammer's daughter can tolerate and adjusted, as desired, as she grows. I have rifles in each of these chamberings and like each of them. The only real drawback I see of the Lapua case is the cost of brass of late. If that is not an issue, it is a very nice cartridge indeed.

I have also shot a 6.5 BR Improved, but was never able to get it to work to my satisfaction on rams, but my home range is a tough one. Perhaps I did not work with it enought. Chad Stamm used to shoot a 6.5 BR with great success at the ranges where he shot. I fired his rifle and it was very pleasant to shoot. Some people have been shooting 7 BRs with good results at moderate recoil levels.

I recall some people shooting 260 Remingtons with 100/107/108 grain bullets with 32 or 33 grains of VV 133 or H322, which was very light recoiling, for everything but the rams. Nowadays, I would probably be more inclined to use a 120 or 123 grain bullet because of (steel) pigs that are occasionally a bit stubborn when hit near the center of gravity.

As far as live hogs go, your choice of bullets should remove any question about penetration.

Regards,

Rick

Is Chad still around? I haven't seen him in years.

Jerry,

The last I heard was that Chad was driving a long haul truck which pretty much interfered with doing much shooting. He kept meticulous records of how many rounds he fired through his 6.5mm BR, exact match scores and could tell you precisely how many rams he scored of the hits he made. I wish I could recall the velocity of his ram load. It was very mild, but seemed to work for him.

Rick