Reloadng the 6,8 SPC II

Brutus · February 19, 2019, 06:49 PM

Ordered an 18" 6.8 SPC upper for my AR15. Now I have to get bullets, brass, powder and dies.

Never reloaded for an AR platform so any and all tips and tricks would be appreciated.

RC20 · February 19, 2019, 07:19 PM

Full Length Sizing is about it. All the rest is applicable to all the reloading (well those tiny 223 cases aside....)

FLA sizing enough to ensure fit is harder on brass so the cases will crack quicker at the base.

ed308 · February 19, 2019, 07:23 PM

Lots of info on the 6.8 Forum for reloading 6.8. I use Redding's 2 die set (FL and seater) plus a Lee FCD. Accurate 2200 is probably the most popular powder for the 6.8. A good plinking bullet is Nosler 115 gr Custom Comp HPBT bullet. I get 1/2 MOA with that combo in my ARP 6.8 barrels. The 6.8 will give good accuracy usually when loaded long to mag lenght. Always start long and move around to find the best accuraccy.

The 6.8 was the reason I started to reload. Easy cartridge to reload.

kilotanker22 · February 19, 2019, 07:32 PM

If I had a 6.8 SPC. Anf I planned to do anything other than paper shooting. I would be shooting the Speer 115 grain Gold dot bullet. Should be an excellent all around bullet. They are very accurate in everything I have personally seen. And they expand and penetrate beautifully.

BumbleBug · February 19, 2019, 09:17 PM

As ed308 posted, go to the 6.8 Forum to get more information than you could ever want on the care & feeding of the 6.8mm SPC.

I use a standard RCBS sizing die & a RCBS competition seater die for my reloading. I use a Lee FC die if I feel the need to crimp.

For deer I use Nosler 110gr Accubond or Speer GoldDot 115gr. For target I like Sierra 115gr HPBT MK. I had best accuracy with H322, but I got good accuracy & higher velocities with RL-10x. Use primers with a .025 cup thickness like CCI-450. Most prefer S&B brass but Starline has some very good brass also.

Good Luck!

hodaka · February 20, 2019, 07:25 AM

Easier to load than the .223 due to larger bullets being easier to handle. I have both large and small primer brass, mostly range pick-ups. I like 322 best but 335 works well also. Love Sierra Pro-hunters at mag length. I load on a Dillon with a 40 S&W shell plate because it seems to fit well and works.

std7mag · February 21, 2019, 07:01 AM

Brutus,
How ya making out on those cartridges?
Was wondering what bullet you chose.

Brutus · February 22, 2019, 07:47 PM

Haven't done anything yet, takes 4 to 8 weeks to get my upper.

Bought some Precision Reflex magazines and some 120gr. and 110gr. Hornady ammo for it to try out first when I do get it. Going over to Cabelas this weekend to check out powder & bullet availability . May get some Starline brass got plenty of primers.

In the mean time I'm just going to enjoy popping off some .223's

Brutus · March 17, 2019, 11:03 AM

Been slowly gathering up components. So far I have accumulated:
100 Nosler 110gr. Accubonds.
100 Sierra 115gr. Matchkings.
100 Hornady 110gr. V-max.

100 Starline cases.
CCI standard and magnum small primers.
1lb. of Accurate 2200 powder.

Now I have to figure out where to start. Will probably load 10 rounds of each bullet for starters.
Western Powders reloading manual lists the following for each bullet with AAC 2200 powder.

Sierra 115gr. 25.2 for 2372fps. and 28.0 for 2614
Hornady 110gr 25.7 for 2439fps. and 28.6 for 2711fps.
They don't list anything for the Accubond so I'll have to search elsewhere.

BumbleBug · March 17, 2019, 11:27 AM

Nosler's load data for the Accubonds HERE

The thicker cup of the CCI-450 Mag primers will handle higher pressures better.

bedlamite · March 17, 2019, 08:09 PM

I load the 100gr Accubond on 30.0 grains of AA2200 for my 20" Savage, and it's 2900 fps. It's a little warm for one of my AR15, approach slowly, and you might find the max is about 29.5. The 110gr Accubonds will have a max of about 28.5 gr of AA2200.

Brutus · March 18, 2019, 06:16 AM

Thanks for the feedback folks, it figures that the Nosler data provided doesn't list the A2200 I bought, why is that always the case?

bedlamite am I correct in assuming your Savage is a bolt gun?
That said would 26 grains be a good starting point for my AR with an 18" barrel 1/11 twist?

Mobuck · March 18, 2019, 06:57 AM

ARP barrels shoot most factory ammo pretty well but seem to really like the 90 grainers.

bedlamite · March 18, 2019, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brutus

bedlamite am I correct in assuming your Savage is a bolt gun?

Yes. it's an Axis with a 3 groove shallow land ARP barrel.

February 19, 2019, 06:49 PM	#1
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	Reloadng the 6,8 SPC II Ordered an 18" 6.8 SPC upper for my AR15. Now I have to get bullets, brass, powder and dies. Never reloaded for an AR platform so any and all tips and tricks would be appreciated. __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

February 19, 2019, 07:19 PM	#2
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Full Length Sizing is about it. All the rest is applicable to all the reloading (well those tiny 223 cases aside....) FLA sizing enough to ensure fit is harder on brass so the cases will crack quicker at the base. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

February 19, 2019, 07:32 PM	#4
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	If I had a 6.8 SPC. Anf I planned to do anything other than paper shooting. I would be shooting the Speer 115 grain Gold dot bullet. Should be an excellent all around bullet. They are very accurate in everything I have personally seen. And they expand and penetrate beautifully. __________________ “We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace. – St. Augustine

February 19, 2019, 09:17 PM	#5
BumbleBug Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2013 Location: Near Heart of Texas Posts: 870	As ed308 posted, go to the 6.8 Forum to get more information than you could ever want on the care & feeding of the 6.8mm SPC. I use a standard RCBS sizing die & a RCBS competition seater die for my reloading. I use a Lee FC die if I feel the need to crimp. For deer I use Nosler 110gr Accubond or Speer GoldDot 115gr. For target I like Sierra 115gr HPBT MK. I had best accuracy with H322, but I got good accuracy & higher velocities with RL-10x. Use primers with a .025 cup thickness like CCI-450. Most prefer S&B brass but Starline has some very good brass also. Good Luck! __________________ Visit my fictional blog "The dr Chronicles" about a laid-back Texan named dr - Enjoy!

February 21, 2019, 07:01 AM	#7
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Brutus, How ya making out on those cartridges? Was wondering what bullet you chose. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

February 19, 2019, 07:23 PM	#3
ed308 Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2016 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,147	Lots of info on the 6.8 Forum for reloading 6.8. I use Redding's 2 die set (FL and seater) plus a Lee FCD. Accurate 2200 is probably the most popular powder for the 6.8. A good plinking bullet is Nosler 115 gr Custom Comp HPBT bullet. I get 1/2 MOA with that combo in my ARP 6.8 barrels. The 6.8 will give good accuracy usually when loaded long to mag lenght. Always start long and move around to find the best accuraccy. The 6.8 was the reason I started to reload. Easy cartridge to reload.

February 20, 2019, 07:25 AM	#6
hodaka Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,010	Easier to load than the .223 due to larger bullets being easier to handle. I have both large and small primer brass, mostly range pick-ups. I like 322 best but 335 works well also. Love Sierra Pro-hunters at mag length. I load on a Dillon with a 40 S&W shell plate because it seems to fit well and works.

February 22, 2019, 07:47 PM	#8
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	Haven't done anything yet, takes 4 to 8 weeks to get my upper. Bought some Precision Reflex magazines and some 120gr. and 110gr. Hornady ammo for it to try out first when I do get it. Going over to Cabelas this weekend to check out powder & bullet availability . May get some Starline brass got plenty of primers. In the mean time I'm just going to enjoy popping off some .223's __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

March 17, 2019, 11:03 AM	#9
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	Been slowly gathering up components. So far I have accumulated: 100 Nosler 110gr. Accubonds. 100 Sierra 115gr. Matchkings. 100 Hornady 110gr. V-max. 100 Starline cases. CCI standard and magnum small primers. 1lb. of Accurate 2200 powder. Now I have to figure out where to start. Will probably load 10 rounds of each bullet for starters. Western Powders reloading manual lists the following for each bullet with AAC 2200 powder. Sierra 115gr. 25.2 for 2372fps. and 28.0 for 2614 Hornady 110gr 25.7 for 2439fps. and 28.6 for 2711fps. They don't list anything for the Accubond so I'll have to search elsewhere. __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

March 17, 2019, 11:27 AM	#10
BumbleBug Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2013 Location: Near Heart of Texas Posts: 870	Nosler's load data for the Accubonds HERE The thicker cup of the CCI-450 Mag primers will handle higher pressures better. __________________ Visit my fictional blog "The dr Chronicles" about a laid-back Texan named dr - Enjoy!

March 17, 2019, 08:09 PM	#11
bedlamite Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2000 Location: WI Posts: 1,395	I load the 100gr Accubond on 30.0 grains of AA2200 for my 20" Savage, and it's 2900 fps. It's a little warm for one of my AR15, approach slowly, and you might find the max is about 29.5. The 110gr Accubonds will have a max of about 28.5 gr of AA2200. __________________ A plan is just a list of things that doesn't happen.

March 18, 2019, 06:16 AM	#12
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	Thanks for the feedback folks, it figures that the Nosler data provided doesn't list the A2200 I bought, why is that always the case? bedlamite am I correct in assuming your Savage is a bolt gun? That said would 26 grains be a good starting point for my AR with an 18" barrel 1/11 twist? __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

March 18, 2019, 06:57 AM	#13
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	ARP barrels shoot most factory ammo pretty well but seem to really like the 90 grainers.

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