August 29, 2007
Them's Fightin' Words
A participant on a hobby gunsmithing list to which I subscribe asked for some input. He is thinking of rebarreling a bolt-action rifle in one of the two chamberings reportedly under consideration as the next US military round, and would like opinions on the relative merits of the 6.8SPC and the 6.5 Grendel. One of the first people to respond suggested he might do better to consider the .257 Roberts Ackley Improved.
Note that I joined the list only so as to learn how to replace the extractor on my surplus Mauser. Any serious hobby gunsmithing project will come after I build a track roadster hot rod, complete a few railroad modeling projects, and put up a nick-nack shelf in front of the kitchen window.
Posted by triticale at August 29, 2007 08:41 AM | TrackBack6.5 Grendel is better for long distance shooting. It is not under any consideration as a military cartridge ... and even calling a rifle "6.5 Grendel" requires a license from Bill Alexander.
6.8 SPC fires heavier bullets ( .277" ), and would be better as a short range round. SOCOM developed the round, and is trying to get it adopted.
Both are superior at all ranges to .223.
There is a long standing feud between folks who are partisans of either round. I went for 6.8 SPC simply because of the extra costs associated with the AA copyright.
Posted by: Kristopher at August 30, 2007 03:03 PMHow about 6mm DASHER? or even 6.5-284 - if you go to 6mm there's a host of long-range guys doing 1000-yard stuff...
Posted by: DirtCrashr at August 31, 2007 02:04 PM