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Old January 1, 2013, 10:50 PM   #26
jct61765
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I dont know why you would compare the 6.8 to the 30-06? The 5.56 is going nowhere anytime soon. The cost would be unimaginable. Never say never, but the only way to get the cost down is if it was adopted by our military. Right now 30-06 ammo is around $14-$16 for 20. A box of 6.8 is about 26.00. I am reloading the 6.8 and its costing me:
brass .55
primer .35
bullet .20
powder .11
Thats once fired brass, so $1.21 a round or $24.20 for 20. I am reloading .223 for $.30 a round or $6 for 20. You may not reload, but thats how we figure our costs. I dont know where you came up with it would be cheaper than the 30-06? You might want to read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6.8_mm_Remington_SPC
The 6.8 was developed by spec op guys not ammo or gun manufactures. Thats why I said it is what it is. I like the round alot, but it wont be cheap anytime soon. I think the guys that do like the 6.8 will be doing some great things with it.
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Old January 1, 2013, 11:38 PM   #27
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I have heard bad things about the Grendel in an AR. Too much for the way the bolt is relieved. Could just be rumors.
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Old January 2, 2013, 12:01 AM   #28
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Quote:
I am reloading the 6.8 and its costing me:
brass .55
primer .35
bullet .20
powder .11
Thats once fired brass, so $1.21 a round or $24.20 for 20.
You really should re-use that spendy brass .... $.55/5 firings = $.11 ..... Even brand new brass is $25/50 @Cabela's .... that's only 10 cents a pop if you use it 5 times....

..... Are you really spending $.35 on a primer? Gold cup on that is there?

I'll assume you meant 3 1/2 cents, which is what I've been paying for Winchester primers @ Cabela's......

10+3.5+20+11=44 and a half, I think ...... somebody is either bad at math or shopping, I think..... 44 cents per shot is certainly cheaper than you can load 30-06 ...... or even buy it in milsurp, unless it is some really crappy corrosive stuff that might go ban when you pull the trigger....


Hornady's 6.8 SST load is cheaper than their 30-06 SST hunting load..... compare apples to apples.
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Old January 2, 2013, 01:25 AM   #29
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You assumed right. So .90 a round or $18. Still more than 30-06. Your comparing apples and oranges. My 6.8 will never be shot as much as my .223s. So whats your point?
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Old January 2, 2013, 01:57 AM   #30
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Five shots from that brass is definitely the maximum for cost planning purposes.

The rule of thumb for semi auto rifles is "four reloads then chuck it" for brass. This came out when Garands were firing 30-06, but remains quite valid now that AR's are shooting a bunch of stuff.

Having been on the range when a reload ripped in half leaving the forward shoulder in the chamber, I agree with the conventional wisdom when it comes to feeding my ARs with reloads.

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Old January 2, 2013, 07:34 AM   #31
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I've got 7 reloads on one batch of Remington 6.8 brass now, and I've heard of SSA going a dozen reloads. Four? Whatever.
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Old January 2, 2013, 08:28 AM   #32
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I'm in the "use it till it splits" camp. My SSA brass seems to last forever. I've been shooting a 6.8 with the early chamber for about 8 years. I just picked up a Stag upper with a II chamber.
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Old January 2, 2013, 10:23 AM   #33
jimbob86
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You assumed right. So .90 a round or $18. Still more than 30-06. Your comparing apples and oranges. My 6.8 will never be shot as much as my .223s. So whats your point?
My point is that your reloading costs are pretty high: Ur doon it rong.

Even if we go with Jimro's 4 loads and chuck it ..... new Remington 6.8 brass is 50 cents apeice right now at Cabela's. NEW. 50/4= 12 1/2 cents ..... call it 13 cents ....

13+3.5+20+11 =/= 90 ..... maybe it's this "New Math" or something, but even with sales tax of 7%, you are still around 51 cents per round..... times 20 ..... you are just over 10 bucks/box. I am not seeing any 30-06 anywhere for that, unless it is, like a I said, possibly corrosive milsurp crap from some third world "nation" that is younger than the ammo in question.....

It's called "reloading" ..... that implies picking up your brass and loading it ...... wait for it ....... again.

Why are you paying $.55 for once fired brass, BTW?
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Old January 2, 2013, 12:20 PM   #34
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I have a Bushmaster in 6.8. I don't have a lot of experience with it, but it would seem to be a great cartidge for the smallish Coues whitetail we have down south here in Arizona. Perhaps Javelina as well.

Not set up to reload it, but it looks like it might be the only long-term viable solution, as the current madness is only likely to hurt its popularity.
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Old January 3, 2013, 02:20 AM   #35
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It costs you for the initial setup. Your not even including the price for the dies and shell plate. The whole point is ammo will never be cheap for the 6.8. Its not nor ever will be in the foreseeable future a military round. Thats the only way you will ever get the cost down.

jimbob86 brought up the 30-06. For what reason I have no idea. 30-06 isnt even in the same league with 5.56 as far as price goes.

The 6.8 was developed for the A4 to be more lethal, thats it. It obviously has more uses. Am I going to shoot 500 rounds at one time? Hell no, its to expensive. New or reloaded. Will I shoot 500 rounds of .223? Of course.

I check my cases as I reload. I de-prime and size first and look at the cases. I prime them and check the case. Then I finally add powder and bullet. I look at my cases 3x. Only on rifle. I reloaded and shot about 10,000 rounds of .223 last year and havent used a case twice yet. .223 brass was cheap to buy lots of it.

Last edited by jct61765; January 3, 2013 at 02:57 AM.
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Old January 3, 2013, 02:25 AM   #36
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jimbob86, why do you keep bringing up 30-06? Your the only one talking about it. No one but you has brought the 30-06 up. It sounds like you just like to argue. Whatever 6.8 is costing, its still more then .223. BOTH rounds are for the M4. What does 30-06 have to do with that? This thread was about the 6.8, do you have one? Let me guess, you have a 30-06, right?

Anyone that shoots, knows reloading will cheaper. IF you shoot enough. Not everyone does.

6.8 is what it is, an almost military round.Maybe someday.

Jeesh

Last edited by jct61765; January 3, 2013 at 02:55 AM.
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Old January 3, 2013, 02:30 PM   #37
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Here is a post from bamaranger over in the reloading section.

Today, I set the chrono up outdoors and brought the Rem 700/.270 out with my "pet" load, a 110 Sierra and 55.3 grs of IMR4350. The Sierra Manual listed it a 3200 +, I expected 3100+, and felt CERTAIN I would break 3000 easily, which was the object of the light bullet load. Did not feel I could get 3000 fps from the 22" tube with a 130 gr slug.

So I wonder just how far behind the 6.8 is behind the 270?
I had the same results with the 270 and some of the powders available back in the 59s and 60s.
I am over 70 so I don't get out like I used to and the wife wont let me go alone
6.8 might be a fun ticket!

ed
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Old January 3, 2013, 02:51 PM   #38
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Out of my Stag 18" Spec 2 I'm getting 2700 fps with a Hornady 110 and 2650 with a Sierra 115 using 29 gr. of H-322.

My older 16" carbine clocks at 2400 using 110 Sierra ProHunter and 28gr of H-322.

A good bit slower than a 270 but plenty fast enough. Just FYI.
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Old January 3, 2013, 07:41 PM   #39
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Quote:
I have heard bad things about the Grendel in an AR.
Too much for the way the bolt is relieved.
Could just be rumors.
As I've had absolutely no problems in 2,500 rounds, I went looking on the web to find what I believe to have started the rumors:

from 2-1/2 years ago....
I kept a running tally of broken bolts that were reported here or on the Grendel forum for nearly 2 years. Almost every bolt that broke was running handloads, and most admitted to running on the high end, or even over the max recommended pressures.

There were 2 exceptions. 1 was broken using handloads, but the owner swore he was only using factory loading data. The other was broken using almost exclusively Les Baer/Black Hills loaded ammo, though there were a few boxes of AA ammo also in that rifle.

I stopped keeping track well over a year ago, when the initial rash of complaints seemed to completely disappear. Since then, I have only heard of a single broken bolt, and one broken extractor.

That said, I could only track the bolts broken that were reported here or on the Grendel forum, there may well have been others, but I have no data, (obviously) for them. As JFA noted, the split was essentially 50/50 for AA vs others.

However, since that initial rash of complaints, AA has upgraded their bolt, and now even makes an extended life bolt with hard chrome plating. I have had NO reports of that bolt breaking, (Mine has approaching 3000 rounds on it, and was one of the prototypes). I also have had no complaints about the "2nd Generation" bolts, the ones that are now being used as the standard bolt.

Bolt issues do not appear to be a problem at this point.

http://test.ak47.net/archive/topic.h...f=121&t=503239

Last edited by mehavey; January 3, 2013 at 07:51 PM.
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Old January 3, 2013, 08:19 PM   #40
hodaka
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I broke an extractor on my 6.8 carbine after about 400 rounds. Replaced it with one off of a 5.56 bolt and it has run fine since. This was about 7-8 years ago.
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Old January 4, 2013, 02:35 AM   #41
jct61765
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I think the 6.8 will be around for a while. I dont hunt or precision shoot. It seems like a good flat shooting round. I'm sure people with more experience than I will wring it out pretty good.
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Old January 4, 2013, 09:21 AM   #42
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Quote:
Today, I set the chrono up outdoors and brought the Rem 700/.270 out with my "pet" load, a 110 Sierra and 55.3 grs of IMR4350. The Sierra Manual listed it a 3200 +, I expected 3100+, and felt CERTAIN I would break 3000 easily, which was the object of the light bullet load. Did not feel I could get 3000 fps from the 22" tube with a 130 gr slug.

So I wonder just how far behind the 6.8 is behind the 270?
I think your missing the point. Yes the 6.8 uses the same bullet as the .270 but it was made to shoot in an AR platform. This you cannot do with the .270.

Last edited by TMD; January 4, 2013 at 03:55 PM.
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Old January 4, 2013, 10:20 AM   #43
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I think the 6.8 will be around for a while. I dont hunt or precision shoot. It seems like a good flat shooting round. I'm sure people with more experience than I will wring it out pretty good.
Want to know about the 6.8 SPC? Go to 68 Forums. A great bunch of guys over there.

As far as ammo goes, rumor has it that Federal is introducing some Fusion/Eagle type this year. That should add more to the market.

And here are your bullet choices.

Attached Images
File Type: jpg 68bullets36cm.jpg (96.1 KB, 69 views)

Last edited by Marquezj16; January 4, 2013 at 10:15 PM.
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Old January 4, 2013, 01:45 PM   #44
jct61765
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I'm already a member. Just up here right now its to cold to go out shooting this time of year.
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Old January 5, 2013, 10:30 AM   #45
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To the OP, it is a fantastic round.

I opted for the 6.8 because it allows me to hunt with a AR15 platform

I considered the AR10 style, but wanted the lighter weight solution

Choosing the AR15 style allows me to change uppers and mags and have a 556 in a flash. I also have the option of getting a dedicated 22 upper as well.

I also reload which gives ultimate flexibility

My per bullet costs are

Brass .04 (15 reloads...... Some are getting 20) SSA
Bullet .15 (You have to find them on sale)
Primer .02
Powder .08 (AA2200)

.28 ish..... For an extremely accurate round..... Is a good deal

I reload for pistol rounds as well, so my cost for equipment is spread out.

Most hunters in the USA dont hunt Large bears, moose, or Elk.

If I did, I would use my 8mm.

For every other critter, 4 legged or 2 legged, the 6.8 is a great round.

It seems like some posters have an agenda using inflated costs to make a point

As last points, there are several armies considering the 6.8 (Jordan has taken
large deliveries from LWRC)

Tula has committed to bringing out a lower cost plinking round as well later in 2013

There are other ammo manufacturers considering jumping in Im told(Federal)

These actions will bring about a lower cost plinking round

The 6.8 is here to stay, its not a magic bullet, but it gives you flexibility down the road
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Old January 9, 2013, 09:28 PM   #46
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So....... What did you choose?
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Old January 10, 2013, 01:39 PM   #47
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I am looking very closely at building a 6.8SPC upper, something specifically used for hog/deer hunting. I reload also so i imagine I'll only buy a couple hundred factory loads and re-use the brass. I'm also a member at 68forums.com and I've seen some impressive hunt/kill photos.
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