Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Boss .300 winmag on June 01, 2013, 09:35:10 AM

Title: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on June 01, 2013, 09:35:10 AM: First let me start off with my lack of knowledge in the tactile world, I'm tacitly challenged, and don't know JACK concerning these type weapon systems! :yike:

So I'm going to build a custom AR from the ground up, I have a friend who can mill my lower for me with all the bells and whistles, and I get to choose my serial #. :tup:

I have read the threads on here about them.

1. Ammo for 6.5 is it readily available, or does it need to be reloaded to have a good supply?

2. Ammo for 6.8 see above, same question?

3. Which round is cheaper to reload, or buy off the shelf?

4. For the ones who own these calibers, what's the biggest difference between these two rounds, all aspects. Yes I know .3 is the smart donkey answer! :chuckle:

5. Lessons learned what you did, and would do different now having hind site?

Of course any experiences you want to share is more than welcomed.

Thanks in advance

Boss .300 winmag
Title: Re: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: Austrian Hunter on June 01, 2013, 09:56:18 AM: I wish I could give you input on the 6.5 but I have never shot one, I do have the 6.8 SPC and love this caliber. Not much help just love the 6.8 and I can find ammo easily at about $1 per round.
Title: Re: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: AWS on June 01, 2013, 03:27:46 PM: First thing you need to do is look into the licensing required to manufacture firearms.
Title: Re: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: LongRange300RUM on June 01, 2013, 04:24:28 PM: The 6.8 is going to be way easier to find and cheaper to shoot if you plan on buying all your ammo. If you plan to reload cost is significantly cheaper and pretty close to the same. Both calibers perform well. Which would better depends on what its use is going to be. For most uses I'd say the 6.8 would be a good choice. If you want a 1000yd capable caliber the 6.5 fits that bill. For a lighter weight mid range standard ar style rifle id choose the 6.8. Accuracy is really going to depend on the quality of the build. And both can be accurate calibers. I myself debated this for awhile. I decided to built a 6.5. But its going to be a 24in barreled fixed stock range gun. Might see some coyote hunting. I'm 4 months in to my 8 month wait for my satern barrel.

And as far as building a lower. It is legal as long as it isn't to sell or make a profit. That's how they get away with selling the 80% "paperweight" lowers. Take it finish drilling some holes and you got an usable lower without an serial number.
Title: Re: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on June 01, 2013, 07:47:07 PM: Quote from: AWS on June 01, 2013, 03:27:46 PM
First thing you need to do is look into the licensing required to manufacture firearms.

Thanks for your concern on this, it will be made in a fully licensed commercial factory. And serial # will be legit, when you have them custom made you get to make up the serial #.

My career, and freedom are much more important than a stripped lower! :chuckle:
Title: Re: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: carpsniperg2 on June 01, 2013, 10:05:19 PM: Ammo for both can be found. The bullet range on both is pretty close. Markets are pretty craze right now but they are fairly close in cost to buy and reload. I like the 6.5's a little better myself.
Title: Re: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: lghtnquik on June 02, 2013, 08:58:40 AM: Boss,

Biggest question is what do you want? If you are looking past 600yd performance 6.5 all day under 6.8 no question.

The best 6.8 ammo is made in Packwood by Silver State Armory so a lot of retailers here in WA carry it. I've seen some 6.5 but not much.
Title: Re: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on June 02, 2013, 09:28:42 AM: Quote from: lghtnquik on June 02, 2013, 08:58:40 AM
Boss,

Biggest question is what do you want? If you are looking past 600yd performance 6.5 all day under 6.8 no question.

The best 6.8 ammo is made in Packwood by Silver State Armory so a lot of retailers here in WA carry it. I've seen some 6.5 but not much.

It would be used for varmint, and wet side deer, and I will also have a 5.56 barrel as well.

I have a .300 winmag for all long range situations. :chuckle:
Title: Re: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: coachcw on June 04, 2013, 08:24:15 PM: 6.5 all the way 140 vld
Title: Re: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: MP123 on June 05, 2013, 09:12:24 AM: I'm thinking of getting a 6.8 upper too. My informal survey of gun shops found 6.8SPC ammo was more available than 6.5. But there were only a few boxes of it vs. none for 6.5 so take that for what it's worth. Ammo is pretty hard to find these days but that will change at some point hopefully...
Title: Re: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on June 05, 2013, 09:43:51 AM: Quote from: lghtnquik on June 02, 2013, 08:58:40 AM
Boss,

Biggest question is what do you want? If you are looking past 600yd performance 6.5 all day under 6.8 no question.

The best 6.8 ammo is made in Packwood by Silver State Armory so a lot of retailers here in WA carry it. I've seen some 6.5 but not much.

Here is there website, lots of good info to gleam. :tup:

https://01f35c8.netsolstores.com/index.aspx
Title: Re: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: JohnVH on June 05, 2013, 11:10:08 AM: 6.5 Grendel

Ive had no problems getting ammo, and reloading it myself for my 16"er

I run 120gr bullets going about 2480-2500fps on the chrony

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/ (http://www.65grendel.com/forum/)
Title: Re: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: jay.sharkbait on June 05, 2013, 01:09:09 PM: Why not build a AR 10 based gun and shoot .243 or .260? And at some point build an 18".338 federal upper for brush?

Bait
Title: Re: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: JohnVH on June 05, 2013, 01:37:55 PM: I was initially going to build an AR10 also, but wanted something lighter weight and no so 'big', but still would like one someday.
Title: Re: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: jay.sharkbait on June 05, 2013, 02:04:38 PM: I've used both and you are right. The AR10/SR25 is a little heavier but has similar OAL. I just think the .308 platform is more capable.
Title: Re: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: 6.8mmARHunter on June 10, 2013, 08:21:56 PM: +1 for the 6.8 SPC. If nothing else WallMart carries Federal Fusion 115gr ammo. I would say it's no longer a wildcat... A little over $1.00 a round for premium hunting bullets. Not to mention I'm kind of biased as the owner of a Mega Arms upper/lower. No opinion on the 6.5.
Title: Re: 6.5 VS 6.8 Custom Build Questions!
Post by: Biggerhammer on June 10, 2013, 08:46:22 PM: In a across the board comparison, the 6.8 SPC can't hold a candle to the 6.5 Grendel. The Grendel will walk all over it. Problem is people comparing the two Chamberings for the same purpose. The cartridges were designed for completely different applications. The 6.8 being right at home for CQB stuff in the "Stan" and the Grendel for the extended stuff on a platform lighter than the AR-10 or SR-25 platform. Both have their place. I have personally witnessed a one shot stop on a mature Mulie, with a 120gr BT out of a 16" Grendel carbine at 496 yards or so, may have been 493. Can't recal exactly.