6.8 versus .308, LE use

[FALbert]

I'm tempted to buy a Remingtom 700 LTR in 6.8 SPC at a local shop. This would serve as my tacti-cool bolt gun. I could just buy a 700 PSS in .308 (I had one years ago), but I figure since I wouldn't be shooting FMJ surplus in this platform, why not go for something with less recoil than the .308 but more hitting power than the .223. I figure good match ammo is going to cost me anyway no matter what caliber I buy. My shooting will be limited to a 200 yard range. I wanted to build a 6.8 SPC upper for my AR last year. Canned the idea for now as I can't own hi-cap magazines for the upper where I live, plus the cost of the upper alone would exceed the cost for an entire 700 LTR. That extra money can go into some kick-ass optic and mounts instead.

[One Shot]

Overpenetration? Any time you fire a bullet, there is always the risk that a bullet can "overpenetrate." The thing to do is just assume that your bullet will go completely through the intended target. You make your shot so that if the bullet does happen to go all the way through the target it will harmlessly strike something beyond the target, like a wall. In other words, correctly line up your shot as well as correctly time your shot. One of the fluke cases of overpenetration in my area was when two punks broke into a restaurant. The owner met the punks half way and fired one round of .40 S&W from his pistol. The bullet centerpunched one punk and killed him outright. The bullet went completely through the first punk and struck the second punk in the arm and actually broke the second guy's arm. One shot took the meaness right out of two guys. That was an accidental case of properly aligning your shot. There is no reason why we can't deliberately, if time allows, align our shots. Just try to think ahead.

[RyanB]

A SWAT team in the Valley of the Sun is switching back to 55gr SPs after an incident of overpenetration with 75gr TAP. Shot was to the neck, fatal to the suspect and mildly injurious to the hostage.

Thats all I know, its from a reliable source.

[DocGKR]

RyanB,

I hope your kidding...assuming they had a good reason to target the neck, didn't anyone realize the width/depth of a neck? Do they really think switching to a 55 gr JSP would change the outcome of a neck shot?!?!?

[RyanB]

You're asking the same questions I asked. It doesn't make sense to me, but I'm reporting it exactly as I heard it. Frankly I expect any bullet to completely penetrate a human neck, and then some.

[Lumpy196]

Dont always believe what you've heard...its a PART of the story.


That agency switched for several other factors as well. Sorry, but Im not giving more detail than that.

[John_Wayne777]

You have over-penitration problems with 223. Why ask for more trouble?

Z

That depends on what you mean by "over penetration" problems.

I haven't heard a lot of concern from 5.56 users that their rounds will blast through a bad guy and hit an innocent.

I do, however, know of a SWAT team that uses 40 grain JHP ammo in their 5.56 weapons because they do dual entries as a matter of routine and want to minimize the possibility of blue on blue fire if somebody misses.

[John_Wayne777]

Dont always believe what you've heard...its a PART of the story.


That agency switched for several other factors as well.

That's usually the case. There are a lot of complex factors that go into deciding on a duty load....at least there are if people are taking the decision seriously.

[longshot]

Where can I find more data on the 6.8 spc in regards to terminal ballistics. Given the distances and liabilities that we in LE face, I would like to see more. Based on what I know at this time, I think that it needs exploration for the LE role. The .308 has a great amount of; and usually "too" much penetration (shoot throughs) for the distances that we are asked to deliver precision fire. I think that there was time when there was good reason for law enforcement to ride the coattails of the military in regards to the .308, but the roles are distinctly different (that is also the issue with a lot of sniper training being done for police). At any rate, the 6.8 may need more exploration for police and I would like more info and opinion. I would also like a Remington police 6.8 to test, since we do all our own "FBI protocol" and other ammo tests...Thanks in advance.

www.68forums.com

[Broadway]

From the wealth of info available on 68forums the real drawback seems to be the lack of availability of a production rifle that features the preferred barrel and chamber specs for the round as determined by testing.