Updated Info on 6.8 SPC

[Fronty Owner]

Originally Posted by Equalizer_2

There are a number of manufacturers loading 6.8 ammo with the premier loader being Silver State Armory (SSA) or ssarmory.com

No one loads as many different loads and configurations as SSA and I have had no problems getting about 1200 rds and 600 cases from SSA alone. I have some Remington, Hornady, and BVAC also just not as much because as I said, SSA is the premier manufacturer.

Other manufacturers include Remington, Hornady, S&B, and BVAC. I know there are a few others so it is becoming available.

no, I mean Pre-Dahlibama levels of available...

[Equalizer_2]

Originally Posted by Redleg

So how does that correspond with the rifling available? Most are offering 1:11 I think? Is that optimum for the lighter bullet? I'm under the impression for combat or hunting, we'd want the heavier bullet available? Are you looking at the light for better accuracy in the barrels offered? Would there be a faster barrel available for the heavys?

Rifling rate is also affected by velocity and the velocity range of the 6.8 has all the bullet weights performing very well. There are not a lot of loads published yet on the 130 gr but all indications are it is very accurate in the 1/11 and 1/12 twist rifles. The 85 gr Barnes TSX hits about 3000 fps and the 115 gr OTM Tactical load hits about 2550 fps and the 110 gr Sierra ProHunter hits 2575 in 16" 1/10 twist barrels. Accuracy of course depends on the shooter, barrel, and other factors as you are aware but there are claims of sub-MOA groups for all the loads but of course not by every shooter.

It was found that by using the 1/11 twist rifling that when combined with what is called the SPCII chamber they could get almost 200 fps higher velocities with lower pressures over the 1/10 twist barrel with the original SAAMI chamber. The difference is that the SPCII chamber has a longer leade than the SAAMI and that reduces pressures by about 3000 psi alone. Add the slower rifling twist of the 1/11 and you can add powder and increase the velocity without increasing pressure.

Bill Wilson of Wilson Combat is about to start offering a 6.8 rifle/carbine also. He has joined 68forums.com and has become a convert. He killed 4-6 hogs ranging up to 222# in one week hunting on his ranch with a 6.8 and has become a believer.

Bill has a couple of loads developed for his 1/10 twist rifle that hit 2300 fps out of a 16" barrel I believe he is using. I have seen untested load data using a 18" barrel where one load hits 2608 fps with the 130 gr Speer SP and a couple of other loads that hit right at 2500 fps.

[Equalizer_2]

Originally Posted by Fronty Owner

no, I mean Pre-Dahlibama levels of available...

At the last gun show I attended I saw factory 6.8 ammo on two of the three table holders that only deal in ammo. They had several boxes and at least 2 different loadings each. And each table had a different brand of ammo, one was SSA and the other was BVAC. I believe that 6.8 availablity will increase just like other calibers. As a matter of fact last week Cabelas was running a sale on 90 gr TNT loads from SSA that was actually a little better priced than SSA was selling them for.

This gun show is held in a building I would guess is about 17,000 sq ft so it wouldn't be called large and it occurs 10-11 months a year for the club that I am a member of. There are definitely larger shows.