[gunsandcars]

Thinking about getting into the 6.8 game for ranch rifle/light hunting rifle/defense rifle.

I'd like to be able to run a suppressor (unfortunately i bought the sd762 which is long) and not be too long OAL, but don't want to sacrifice too much velocity.

What would you suggest is the best barrel length for what I am looking for? 12.5"? And what projectile or factory load would you recommend for hunting/defense?

I post in reloading because I figure you guys know all the velocities for barrel lengths. Only draw back to 6.8 for me is that I don't reload yet- but will start in the next year when I move into a bigger space.

 

[backwoodsshooter]

well the 68 runs great and keep a good velocity with a 12.5" barrel (might loose 100 or more FPS but nothing noticeable) , but the 68 was designed with the 16-18" barrels in mind and run the best out of them.

If hunting the 100/110gr accubond is the general consensus to be the best hunting round out there and can take anything up to Elk ethically. Heck for SD/HD the AB can cover that also. But since you dont reload you will not find a commercially loaded round at the moment with that projectile. For commercially loaded ammo, Hornday has the 120gr SST and 110gr v-max (not really good for big game as it breaks up on impact), and if Federal/ATK would get their act together, the 115gr fusion MSR is a good all purpose round. For plinking and dont reload S&B green box is pretty good stuff.

Places carry loaded ammo with the Barnes TSX/TTSX but you will pay a hefty price for them ($30+ per a box)

BTW, if you buy any brass or loaded ammo for the 6.8 and plan on reloading, stick with the SRP brass.

Now hurry up and get your reloading stuff. It will make the 68 funner to shoot and to own

If you get a chance head over to 68forums.com I have learned so much about the 68 in the short time I have been a member there

 

[Silver_Bullet]

6.8 is an excellent hunting round and defensive round. If I was going to be suppressing I would look at 300 blk, the velvety of that round is much lower. For big game hunting, as already mentioned a bonded bullet like the 110 grain accubond is optimal as it retains weight and the bullet does not tend to separate from the core when hitting bone. SST's will work fine for defensive purposes, and get you by for hunting with proper shot placement, but don't expect a pass through shot if you shoot through the shoulder. That said, I've never had to trail anything I have shot with an SST in any caliber, the Internal damage is nasty.

 

[MuShu Gordon]

I carry the 120 Grain Hornady SST's in my pistol for defensive purposes. If I remember reading about the SPC years ago, the round and rifles were designed to be optimum CQB weapons. They, of course, did not have hunting animals in mind at the time. However, 6-12" barrels showed massive gains over the 5.56 in every category. Reliability with the 6.8SPC in a short barreled platform and short gas tube is almost guaranteed over the 5.56. Let me go find the chart that shows velocity and stuffs over barrel lengths and other stuffs.

Apparently the 110 Grain V-Max velocities on this chart are around 75-100 fps too slow according to different sources. I only have an 8.5" and a 20" barreled weapon, but you are more than welcome to come shoot either at any time. You can even use my ammo on the 20" if you zero the scope for me. .

 

[gunsandcars]

quite a gracious offer mushu-back at ya if I ever have anything you want to try.

I'm still "stuck in the mud" over a 12.5" .308 vs a 12.5" 6.8. 300blk has kinda fallen off the list.

the 6.8 would be "enough" power for what I need (white tail, hogs, coyotes out to 250), and sure would be a hell of a lot lighter but not being able to have access to surplus ammo, and having an odd ball brass and projectile (compared to the 300blk) is kinda a monster downer for me.
so, HOW AVAILABLE ARE reloading components for 6.8?

I'm just not on the 300 blk war path any more, just seems inferior to 68 and 308, but it can be made stupid quite which is nice (but possibly impractical)

 

[LSnSC]

I have an 6.8 SPC upper built around an 18" White Oak Armaments barrel. The cartridge was designed around the M4 length barrels. I think 14-18" barrels are going to give you the best velocity to weight ratio.
The best hunting bullet I've used is the Barnes 95 TTSX. I shot about a dozen deer and hogs with it at various angles to see how it performed. Broadside and quartering were usually pass thru with a nice exit. I shot a couple straight on and quartering to me and penetration was impressive. One doe was about 100 yards out facing me and I hit her at the base of the neck. Bullet travelled thru her lengthwise and lodged in her pelvis. The 110 Accubond was a very close second, and the Sierra 110 Pro Hunter being third. The Sierra was one of the most accurate bullets I used. The 110 VMax was very inconsistent in my rifle. Some boxes grouped well and other did not. It was designed as a varmint bullet for the 270, so it actually hold together at 6.8 velocities. I shot a few deer on nuisance permits with them and they did Ok. Didn't get exits but the deer went down pretty quick. I've never tried the 120 SST's, they came out after I had done my load development and started hunting with my reloads and I honestly didn't see much room for improvement over the TTSX or Accubonds.
As for reloading, components are easy to find. Most of the mail order places carry them. I've picked up several boxes of the 110 Accubonds at Bass Pro in MB. I use Hornady brass, and H322 for all my loads.

 

[ar15rifle]

I've shot 6.8 for the past couple of years now. I actually hunted with it this past season (I'm in Alaska note, so I hunted moose and caribou). I used a PSA 14.5 upper with handled 90grn Gold Dots. Velocity was in the 2800 range. I've since received a bison 11.5 barrel that I also intend to suppress for next year. 6.8 is great out to my comfort range of 3-400yards. If you do your part it'll do it's.

 

[Crazy Carl]

x

 

[BigWaylon]

I have a 12" 6.8 SBR. It's based off a Bison BSP 16" upper that I had cut down to 12" for my build. Opened the gas port up to match what Bison does with their 11.5" BSP barrel. The BSP is a faster 1:7 twist w/ carbine gas to handle subsonic rounds if you reload. I have it set up with a YHM LT can that tucks just inside the rail. Haven't messed with any subsonic ammo, yet.

So far, it's been nothing but a range toy, but I think it'll handle whatever I ask of it. Anybody near Charlotte/Huntersville/Concord that wants to shoot it is welcome to, suppressed or not.

I would also recommend 68Forums for more info. Gratuitous pic:

The barrel was cut down so that the YHM FH ports were just outside the rail: