Author Topic: 6.9 New cartridge for Armed Forces (Read 829 times)

Buckfever · « **on:** August 20, 2004, 01:01:31 PM »

Gentlemen, Please tell me why I would want this cartridge for deer hunting over a 6.5 through a 270. Maybe it has some bench value but I don't see the attraction for a deer hunter. Am I missing something?

Buckfever

Zachary · « **Reply #1 on:** August 20, 2004, 01:03:53 PM »

Probably not, but then again I'm a little confused. Didn't you say that it was a military (armed forces) cartridge? As such, it doesn't appear to have been designed for hunting anyway. I wouldn't think that Federal, Remington, Winchester, etc. will make hunting factory ammo for it anyway, at least not anytime soon.

Zachary

Buckfever · « **Reply #2 on:** August 20, 2004, 02:54:04 PM »

Read in a gun rag that Remington already has the gun releases ready for next year and they thought there would be a model 7. Talked about a 120gr and a Mule deer hunt the author went on.

Buckfever

MI VHNTR · « **Reply #3 on:** August 20, 2004, 04:12:33 PM »

The 6.8 SPC (Special Purpose Cartridge) uses a .277 caliber bullet, just like the 270 Win. The Remington website has the particulars on this ammunition. It was designed to be used in the M16 rifle by just changing the upper receiver. MI VHNTR

ktw · « **Reply #4 on:** August 20, 2004, 04:33:35 PM »

The cartridge is very short compared to the alternatives you list. It will work in one of the miniature action bolt guns as offered by CZ (527), Charles Daly (Mini-Mauser) or Cooper (21). If you lust after one of those, the 6.8 SPC makes some sense. The 7.62x39, 6mm PPC and 6.5 Grendel also meet this length spec.

Once you move up in size to the regular short action bolt guns, you are right, there are better cartridge alternatives for hunting.

Zachary · « **Reply #5 on:** August 20, 2004, 04:56:36 PM »

Quote from: Buckfever

Read in a gun rag that Remington already has the gun releases ready for next year and they thought there would be a model 7. Talked about a 120gr and a Mule deer hunt the author went on.

Buckfever

Wow, I'm surprised about that.

Zachary

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** August 20, 2004, 06:16:56 PM »

The round has no official military status. It was developed jointly by Remington and actual soldiers not the Pentagon brass. They are fighting to get it accepted because the folks out there using the .223 feel it is not always adequate and that this round will be. It's an uphill battle as the boys at the top don't like it when someone other than them come up with an idea. BTW I belive a 115 grain bullet is the standard in this round.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #7 on:** August 21, 2004, 04:49:53 AM »

Adding to Bill's comments, the 6.8 round uses a 115gr hollow point bullet. After a country has taken over another the use of expanding bullets is allowed for police and subduing further resistance. The special ops guys need more stopping power in close and personal engagements. The cartridge is based on the 30 remington case and was chosen because it will fit in a M-16 magazine. The rifles/carbines can be modified by switching complete upper receiver assemblies. .It is pure genius since it's cheaper and easier to get permission to modify equipment than to get new.

RamJohn · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2004, 04:46:51 AM »

According to article in "Special Weapons" magazine, the main reason for the Military searching for a new caliber is lack of performance of the .223 in the M-16's and the light machine guns of same caliber. It was a combined effort of SOCOM and Remington to develope the 6.8SPC to possibly replace the .223 in military small arms. There are many other 6mm calibers also being looked at, with no replacement chosen as of yet.
A major drawback to the 6.8 SPC is that they CANNOT be used in current M-16 magazines and they CANNOT be used with current M249 links, due to the increased case diameter. It will also require extensive weapon modifications...ie new bolts, magazines, barrels and links. There are others that can be used with only minor mods to the magazines and will fit in current links...300 Whisper, 6.86 ARC, 6mm-223 are also being looked at.

Iowegan · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2004, 06:44:26 AM »

My sources say the function of the M-16 is more of a problem than the cartridge. The new modular polymer weapon that is being tested will be adaptable to many military conditions. They are also testing it with a new 6.8mm polymer case cartridge that is supposed to make it feed better in all climates and are lighter in weight than brass. The military has included the current 5.56 NATO (223 Rem) in their new weapon tests.

I think we are all guessing what the Pentagon will do. Remember the drill with the 9mm Beretta? Because we are a NATO nation, any new cartridge will have to be approved by the other NATO countries, so it's not just a Pentagon discission.