6.8mm ammo

[platinumdude]

I know this has probably been talked about lots on this forum, but I'm having trouble finding the threads when I search.

What are your thoughts on the 6.8mm ammo as opposed to the 5.56/.223? Is it much better than a 77 OTM BTHP? For me I'm sticking the common caliber rifle first, will wait and see what evolves later. When my rifle arrives I will buy some of the 77 grain ammo. I think blackhills is the common one right now?

[Stephen_H]

http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008Intl/Roberts.pdf

[C4IGrant]

I know this has probably been talked about lots on this forum, but I'm having trouble finding the threads when I search.

What are your thoughts on the 6.8mm ammo as opposed to the 5.56/.223? Is it much better than a 77 OTM BTHP? For me I'm sticking the common caliber rifle first, will wait and see what evolves later. When my rifle arrives I will buy some of the 77 grain ammo. I think blackhills is the common one right now?

My personal opinion is that the 6.8 is NOT superior enough over 77gr to warrant building a 6.8. YMMV.


C4

[DocGKR]

I would respectfully disagree on the relative superiority of 6.8 mm over 5.56 mm 77 gr Mk262, as do many others who have carefully studied the objective facts, including JSWB-IPT, ARDEC, USMC, FBI BRF, TSWG:

On the lower left of page 5 of his presentation at NDIA (http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008Intl/Minisi.pdf), Mark Minisi identified the ideal wound profile, however, he was not allowed to state what it was--it is in fact a 6.8 mm.

Likewise, the last page of Shawn Spickert-Fulton's presentation (http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008Intl/Spickert_Fulton.pdf) was quite telling.

My presentation also addresses this issue: http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008Intl/Roberts.pdf

[C4IGrant]

I would respectfully disagree on the relative superiority of 6.8 mm over 5.56 mm 77 gr Mk262, as do many others who have carefully studied the objective facts, including JSWB-IPT, ARDEC, USMC, FBI BRF, TSWG:

On the lower left of page 5 of his presentation at NDIA (http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008Intl/Minisi.pdf), Mark Minisi identified the ideal wound profile, however, he was not allowed to state what it was--it is in fact a 6.8 mm.

Likewise, the last page of Shawn Spickert-Fulton's presentation (http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008Intl/Spickert_Fulton.pdf) was quite telling.

My presentation also addresses this issue: http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008Intl/Roberts.pdf

While it MAY be a superior round, does it warrant stocking another ammo type and buying another gun? In time of crisis, is 6.8 going to be as easy to find as 223/556? The answer to all of these questions is no.

Everyone has their opinion when it comes to this stuff and will do what best fits their needs.


C4

[DocGKR]

Everyone must make the best decision base on their needs. As noted in my briefing, with good quality ammunition, 5.56 mm can be quite effective--in fact I carried it for years while on duty.

However, I suspect is is easier for the average citizen to acquire good quality 6.8 mm ammo than actual 5.56 mm 77 gr Mk262Mod1...

[C4IGrant]

Everyone must make the best decision base on their needs. As noted in my briefing, with good quality ammunition, 5.56 mm can be quite effective--in fact I carried it for years while on duty.

However, I suspect is is easier for the average citizen to acquire good quality 6.8 mm ammo than actual 5.56 mm 77 gr Mk262Mod1...

As you know, there is no magic bullet so what matters most is shot placement.

It is true that MK262 is not easily available (have 1K of it sitting here though), but BH's 77gr, 75gr and Hornady 75gr TAP is. If the consumer really wants to save a buck, Wolf 75gr (steel cased) and PRVI 75gr (brass cased) are very good rounds that are fairly inexpensive.


C4

[Stephen_H]

While it MAY be a superior round, does it warrant stocking another ammo type and buying another gun? In time of crisis, is 6.8 going to be as easy to find as 223/556? The answer to all of these questions is no.

Everyone has their opinion when it comes to this stuff and will do what best fits their needs.


C4

If a crisis appears that outlasts the 2K of 6.8mm SPC 115gr OTM ammo I have stockpiled, then I'll start looking for a battlefield pick-up. Until then, I'll happily continue to shoot a more effective round out of my M4 platforms (I'm up to 4 carbines in 6.8mm and down to 2 in 5.56mm). I only keep the 5.56mm guns around for training classes where I can't afford to shoot 6.8mm without dipping into the "stash."

Stephen

[C4IGrant]

If a crisis appears that outlasts the 2K of 6.8mm SPC 115gr OTM ammo I have stockpiled, then I'll start looking for a battlefield pick-up. Until then, I'll happily continue to shoot a more effective round out of my M4 platforms (I'm up to 4 carbines in 6.8mm and down to 2 in 5.56mm). I only keep the 5.56mm guns around for training classes where I can't afford to shoot 6.8mm without dipping into the "stash."

Stephen

Listening to the news today, I hear Israel threaten Iran and Iran in return is talking about invasion. I believe that when it finally goes bad, it will go so bad that one of the best bartering items we will have is ammunition. We will be down to shooting what we can reload or scavenge. Boutique rounds will not be available.

You hit on a key point. Training. 223 bulk ammo is easily available and cheaper than 6.8. Nuff said.


C4

[DocGKR]

That is one of the benefits of 6.8 mm--you can have a 5.56 mm upper set-up for training and an identical duty/go-to-war upper 6.8 mm upper that uses the same ergonomics, web-gear, and accessories...