Just jumped on the 6x6.8 bandwagon

[Deleted]

I originally was intrigued by the 6.5 Grendel, and being able to take deer with the AR-15 platform. The more research I did, 6.5 Grendel-.264 LBC, type I, type II bolts, throat angles, bolt breakage, chamber wall thickness, the stories of people being run off-kicked off the 6.5Grendel fotum, for not towing the company line. The more I realized there has to be a better way! I discovered the 6mm Hagar, and realized it was best as a varmint round with short bullets, the 6x45 which is cheap brass but not the power I was looking for, and other short 6mm rounds that seemed best as target rounds with long bullets. I had ALWAYS thought, the best round was not the 6.5 Grendel OR the 6.8 SPC as a new military round, but a combo of the 2, essentially a 6.5 SPC!

But for me, I wanted a varmint/deer/target AR-15 round, and I had a revalation when I found a picture of the whole 6.8 SPC family of wildcats! 6.5 starts to get too big for varmints in the AR, .223 is too small for muleys that we have here in Nebraska, and whitetails really, so I settled on the 6x6.8! It was the best compromise for all 3 disciplines. 55-58's for varmints, 85-100 for deer, 90-107 for target.

I found a 6x6.8 in stock at BHW, I got a threaded 24" Standard, which will probably get it's threads and 1-3" cut off, thanks to this forum I got ordered a Redding 6.8 bushing die, wilson bushings, a Dillon 550 shellplate with 6mmPPC funnel, and redding 6mPPC seating die, and 200 SSA brass.

I guess what I need is powder and bullet recommendations for each of the 3 disciplines, preferably 1 powder, I have always been a hodgdon guy, because I can always get that here in western Nebraska, but it sounds like the IMR 8028 is the way to go, keep in mind I have a progressive press, and ball or short stick powders are pretty much required.

THANK You for this forum! 

[GLSHOOTER]

Welcome to to board and your choice. There's a few loads sprinkled about but an easy one is take 6 PPC data MAX and load up to bottom level 6 BR data. Cases capacity is more than the PPC and less than the BR.

I'll PM you later for some chatting.

Greg

[Deleted]

That in and of itself is great info, start @ 6PPC Max, work up to 6BR start. Thank you oh wise one! lol

[onthedivide]

The OP mentioned cutting down a 24" barrel. If you were to cut down a rifle length barrel to say 18" would you need to open up the gas port or would it run ok as is? I was thinking about doing the same thing.

[GLSHOOTER]

Opening up the port may be needed. The first five shots will tell you.

Greg

[onthedivide]

Thanks for your reply, Greg. I'm new to the ar world but have been shooting precision bolt rifles. Do the barrel makers use different port sizes for different gas lengths and barrel lengths? I have read that many competition shooters are using rifle length gas on 18" barrels and yet I see most 18" barrels are offered with mid or intermediate length gas systems. Can you give me a brief explaination of how that works.

[GLSHOOTER]

Different port sizes because of bullet dwell time. Short time bigger port. Also caliber will come into play. Bigger holes for bigger bores are sometimes needed.

The RLG on an 18 supposedly shoots softer. It can also be touchy to tune. I never run them personally. Adjustable gas blocks are your friend in many builds. Routine tuning will help with over gassing from too big a port or long dwell times. It's a matter of balance.

Greg