6.8mm or 5.45x39 AR15??

Sharpshooter Joined: Apr 05, 2009 Posts: 93

What do you think? I'm digging those calibers over .223 right now based on price and power.

Expert Joined: Apr 02, 2009 Posts: 211

The major difference is 5.45 bullet has a "hollow nose".

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i am shooting 5.45x39, its cheap, but not made in the US. Russian only (Wolf, Silver Bear/HP, Barnaul) at ~$0.30/rd and of course my favorite 1970's surplus ~ $0.15/rd. What is 6.8mm any way, is that something new from Remington?

5.45x39 BALLISTICS DATA :

This is from 1982 Russian AK-74 military manual for
53 grain military round from a 16.3 inch barrel with a muzzle velocity of 2970 ft/sec
(Which should line up perfectly for the saiga using Russian military surplus)

Velocity in ft/sec
Distance in meters
0 = 2970
100 = 2673
200 = 2340
300 = 2056
400 = 1792
500 = 1508
600 = 1310

Wind Drift for 10mph at 90 deg.
100 = 1.2in
200 = 4.3in
300 = 9.1in
400 = 20.5in
500 = 34.3in
600 = 52.8in

Bullet drop in inches
Zero at 100 meters (sight set at 1)
50m = 0
100m = 0
150m = -1.2
200m = -3.9

Zero at 200 meters (sight set at 2)
50m = 1.2
100m = 2
150m = 2
200m = 0
250m = -3.9
300m = -9.8

Zero at 300 meters (sight set at 3)
50m = 2.4
100m = 5.1
150m = 6.7
200m = 6.3
250m = 4.3
300m = 0
350m = -6.7
400m = -16.9

Zero at 400 meters (sight set at 4)
50m = 4.3
100m = 9.4
150m = 13
200m = 15
250m = 14.6
300m = 12.6
350m = 7.9
400m = 0
450m = -10.6
500m = -25.6

Zero at 500 meters (sight set at 5)
50m = 7.1
100m =14.6
150m = 20.9
200m = 25.2
250m = 27.6
300m = 28.0
350m = 25.6
400m = 20.5
450m = 12.2
500m = 0
550m = -16.5
600m = -38.6

Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 12:42 pm

The 6.8mm is another means to sell you another rifle... actually, you can read some basic info at the following:
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammunition/remington_0303/
Silver State seems to be promoting this caliber more than anyone else (at least they seem to have more ammo offerings in 6.8...):
http://www.ssarmory.com/

Sharpshooter Joined: Apr 05, 2009 Posts: 93

saw a show on the military channel called Future Weapons and the guy was talking about how the .223 AR just wasnt packing enough punch to put the bad guys down fast enough

in the same show, the guy was firing at a target about 30 feet away with a ,223 and the bullets were just pinging off of it, with the 6,8, 1 shot and the target hit the floor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EudD51v9uHo is a clip of the show, seems like a fairly descent caliber

Expert Joined: Feb 12, 2009 Posts: 309 Location: CT

I saw that show too. Interesting. Makes me want to take a closer look at what AR pattern rifle I want, maybe even something else.

Expert Joined: Dec 06, 2009 Posts: 312

Just a little old fashion here, But i still like the oldies, like the M1A .308 and the M1 Garand 30-06, Bulky ammo, But they reach out and touch someone!

Expert Joined: Feb 12, 2009 Posts: 309 Location: CT

I agree, I am going to look at those for sure.

Expert Joined: Dec 06, 2009 Posts: 312

Newington Gun Ex. Had a M-1 Garand way in the back, left corner last week, didn't look at the price or condition. Sad

Sharpshooter Joined: Apr 05, 2009 Posts: 93

Dont get me wrong, I'd love a M-1 Garand, but I still need an AR type rifle and I just want to get a good caliber. .223 is getting kinda boring and I already own 6 .223 rifles but no AR's.

Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 9:45 am

Wolvie56X wrote:

... I still need an AR type rifle and I just want to get a good caliber. .223 is getting kinda boring and I already own 6 .223 rifles but no AR's.

Having said that, it looks as if the Barrett M468, an AR-10 or .260/.338 chamberings are what you need.

Sharpshooter Joined: Apr 05, 2009 Posts: 93

that sounds good to me Smile

the wife is actually interested in the larger calibers now as well, since shes shot my Mini-14 and my .223 AK's

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 12:47 pm

Doesn't Remington, DPMS, Armalite and others chamber these and others in an AR platform?
Even better with the piston versus the all gas system...

Sharpshooter Joined: Apr 22, 2009 Posts: 74

CTSixshot wrote:

The 6.8mm is another means to sell you another rifle... actually, you can read some basic info at the following:
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammunition/remington_0303/
Silver State seems to be promoting this caliber more than anyone else (at least they seem to have more ammo offerings in 6.8...):
http://www.ssarmory.com/

I hate to disagree with my friend here, but, I love the 6.8SPC spcII 1/11. The guys on the 68Forums.com and Silver State Armory love them. I have Bushmaster's new 16" postban SPCII 1/11 full chrome lined upper carbine on order. Should have it tomorrow.

TThey had 15,000 barrels on back order, they just came in on Wednesday. They'll be building a 14.5" and I think a 20" for greater accuracy.

I fired off a couple 26 round mags from two buddies Rock River 6.8spc and a Noveske at High Rock range, both were awesome, the Noveske especially. They have kick ass power and dead accuate at 100 yards. Unfortunately here in the Constipation State, we have few places beyond that. We shot Hornady and SSA ammo. Both were fantastic.

Sorry CTSix, but I loved 'em.

These things are bringing down a lot a deer and huge boar.

Sharpshooter Joined: Apr 22, 2009 Posts: 74

If you really want to learn all there is on the 6.8SPC, check out the 68Forums.com. No offense meant to our website here, but thats their specialty

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 11:59 pm

I wasn't implying that the 6.8 isn't a valid round, I was kind of making light of how many shooters end up with multiple versions of similar guns every time a new caliber comes out, that's all.
Truth be told, were I looking for something in this platform aside from .223, I'd probably go with the 6.8 SPC or .308, too.