Remington 6.8 SPC, is it the answer...

[luredaddy]

for Contender nuts like me, who donot reload??  I have been reading all day about the cartridge, and it appears to be what I need.  A good deer caliber, that I can safely shoot in my Contender, and have good ballistics, out to 200 yards plus.  I have been holding off, having a 7- 30 Waters built, because I was not happy with the factory ammo.   Has anyone had  first hand experience with the 6.8 Remington SPC.

 THANKS!!

[New Hampshire]

I too have been following its development.  I do not have any personal experience, but I can relate what Ive read.  When it first came out it seemed to be having problems that were traced directly back to the bullets (it was designed by a Special Forces guy for military use, so you can understand general lack of bullet preformance due to the FMJ bulets.)  BUT now that this thing is taking off it seems better bullets are coming out.  Either cartridge you choose should do just fine.  So tell us what you pick.
Brian M.

[Robert]

Who is making all this 'factory' ammo.  With all the claims that have been touted about the 6.8...myths, ghosts in the darkness....  I will wait till I see the Mil-surp ammo flooding the market.  This project is such a military secret that the 'Military' has not heard of it.

[luredaddy]

Well, I know it was developed with the military in mind, but I believe it has gone beyond that.  In Remington's 2005 press release, they are offering 4 different 115 grain bullet loads.  Also, when I read positive things from JD Jones on the caliber, I have to take notice.  It is too early for me to order a barrel, but when I read that  in a comparison with the venerable 30-30, the 6.8 at 200 yards has 42% more velocity, 55% more energy, 50% less drop [2"], it gets my attention.

Time will tell, and my fingers are crossed.

[New Hampshire]

Robert,
Ironically you may NEVER see actual Mil-surp ammo.  Ive rehashed the story of its development before, so Ill just give a quick run down and save time:

Special Forces guy decides to undertake pet project to see if he can provide more knockdown power over the short range for use on M-16/AR-15 platform by SF.

SF guy goes to local gun shop, picks up bag of .30 Rem. cases and begins project.

Project shows merit but being the low man on the totem pole SF guy decides to take project to someone who can do something with it.

Big green says they will take the project.

Big green wants to get the Military to adopt 6.8 on limited, special use basis.

Big green realizes this might be a pipe dream, but realizes commercial potential.

Big green starts marketing.....and here we are.

Despite all the myths and rumors the military NEVER had anything to do with this sans the fact the guy who developed it wore a US military uniform.  While its POSSIBLE the military may adopt it, it is rather unlikely.  What it does provide, as luredaddy alluded to, is an increase in preformance over the .223 on the M16/AR15 platform and, since it was developed with the intention of use in shorter bbls, rather interesting preformance in carbines and pistols.  No one is saying its some "magic" new round.  Just another tool in the hunters/shooters toolbox.
Brian M.

[luredaddy]

The military surplus ammo to me, is of no consequence.  I will use this to hunt deer, and if I shoot 40 rounds a year, it will be alot.  I appreciate all the info on the development of the round.  I just want a decent factory load to hunt deer with, at ranges up to 200 yards.  Thanks again!

[htrjv]

Hi Guys, Just got TC's 2005 catalog.  Looks like TC has hooked up with Hornady to load this round with TC's Power Point bullets.  The write up states that TC has worked with Hornady to form the brass to TC's chamber dimensions, and develop the load to give "optimum performance" in their barrels.  Also, several barrel manufacturers are offering this round in their 2005 line up.  AR platforms are already out!  My barrel is on order!  Just my $.02.  Joe

[MI VHNTR]

luredaddy, Remington may have the answer for you. They have a new factory load in the 6.8 SPC with a bonded core bullet.

http://www.remington.com/ammo/centerfire/premier_coreloktultra.htm

MI VHNTR

[grizzy57]

There is one for sale now on E-Bay for the Encore.
Item# 7131640955
                              grizzy57

[luredaddy]

Thanks for all the responses and information.  It appears that  this caliber may be the answer for Contender owners who donot reload.  I looked at the Encore on the auction site, to me it is no big deal in the Encore, you can get almost any caliber already.  But, in a Contender, I believe it will be interesting. Hopefully, the ammo offerings will continue to grow.  As soon as David Van Horn completes another barrel I have on order, I will talk to him about getting a 6.8 carbine barrel.

[OMCHamlin]

I think it's going to be the answer for me, I WAS looking at the 7X30 Waters also, before this thought came into my head.  I called the Remington Ammunition group last week and got to speak with a knowledgable sounding fellow on it and he said none has been released yet to the civilian population due to the military demand vs. production capability at Green.  He said around April time frame. (I assume that's of 05!)  I figure at worst I'm trading up from a former flash in the pan has been to a future flash in the pan will have been?  Does seem to be a slightly better round for medium sized deer at 200+- yds.
Chris

[neil]

http://armsandammo.com/prodpage.cfm?CFID=102379&CFTOKEN=11973402&SubCatID=523329 Brass and dies are there

[armory414]

I think you'll want to stock up on brass and bullets, because it won't be around long.  The only way this cartridge has a chance is if the AR guys like it.

[htrjv]

aromry414 may be right.  It is going to be interesting on how this plays out.  With the introduction of the 6.5 Grendel on the AR platform it is going to be fun watching which one is favored by the "High Power" 1000 yard guys.  For us lowly G2 owners the 6.8 gives us a "standard" round that fills the void between the 30-30 and the 375JDJ.   Joe

[Robert]

You are right..looks like the Grendel has already blown the SPC totally out of the water.  The supposed 'showdown' between the Grendal and the SPC came and went..the guys with the SPC refused to compete.  Something about having the wrong bullets....who woulda thought it?  On another note...the Grendal might be over the pressures for the Contender...so the SPC might have a little niche there.  J.D. Jones say's he has had the 270 JDJ for 2 decades....same balistics..so why bother with the SPC?

[luredaddy]

Robert,
If you are a reloader, or if you shoot an Encore, the discussion really is mute.  But, if you donot reload, the 6.8 SPC , gives a great option to Contender owners for a 200 yard plus deer round.  I realize that a major part of the Contender area is reloading, but many of us donot, and will not, for various reasons.
Thanks,
John

[OMCHamlin]

If you put a gun to my head I will reload, but reloading to me is just a means to an end.  I mostly load .223, 45acp & 38spl.  I would most likely not fool with anything that involves altering a case from what it was.  For this reason, I really hope the 6.8 SPC pans out but if not, I guess that leaves the 7X30 Waters for me.  All I can say is by next season, I will be prepared to hunt deer with my contender.....
Chris