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RLI
.375 member

Reged: 01/10/03
Posts: 534
Loc: Victoria, Australia

6.8 to replace 5.56 NATO?
#96373 - 09/02/08 11:31 AM

I have been reading that the new 6.8x45 (.277") may replace the 5.56 NATO does anyone know if there is any sporting rifles or ammo available yet? it would be a inprovement on the 5.56 for military use I believe but for sporting use how would it fare? or just go back to the 7.62/.308Win ?

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"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid." — John Wayne

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szihn
.400 member

Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2118
Loc: Wind River Valley, Wyoming

Re: 6.8 to replace 5.56 NATO? [Re: RLI]
#96377 - 09/02/08 12:35 PM

I have one, and I love it for killing game up to about 300 pounds. I and several of my friends have hunted with our 6.8s for the last 3 seasons, and we are up to 36 antelope and deer taken so far.
It's just what you'd expect. It's almost a ballistic match in velocity and bullet weight, to the old original 257 Roberts shell.

257 = 117 gr. bullet at 2620 FPS ---------- 22" barrel
6.8 SPC = 115 gr. bullet at 2650 FPS -------16" barrel

I know that a few units of the US Army, Navy SEALS, and USMC Hunter/Killer teams have them, but I don't think the US military will go to it across the board. THEY SHOULD, but the accountants have more "sway" in such things than the troops in the field, and always have.

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9.3x57
.450 member

Reged: 22/04/07
Posts: 5505
Loc: United States

Re: 6.8 to replace 5.56 NATO? [Re: szihn]
#96382 - 09/02/08 01:10 PM

No way.

Ain't gonna happen.

The 6.8 is a nice, light recoil hunting cartridge {as is the 7.62x39}, but the vast majority of After Action reports and Lessons Learned indicate the 5.56 is just fine. There are, I might add, a wider variety of loads available in service now and more or less everything from 55 grain M193 to 62 grain M855 to the 77 grain HP has been fielded. Some Spec Ops units will play around with whatever they can get {6.8, non-standard 5.56 loads, 7.62 Nato, etc}, but overall Uncle Sam is pretty happy with the 5.56.

It should be mentioned that the compadres of the flea-infested ne'er do'wells that are fertilizing ever-greater tracts of Mideast deserts and Central Asian hillsides do not like it one bit.

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What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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Ripp
.577 member

Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA

Re: 6.8 to replace 5.56 NATO? [Re: 9.3x57]
#96414 - 10/02/08 03:31 AM

Those interested should really read the past two articles in Guns and Ammo--where one of the writers was imbedded with a group of special ops guys in the deserts...They have nothing good to say of the 5.56---and most are using the new round or something bigger for close work as it seems it takes a "double tap" to keep them down..

Same was said for the 9mm for handgun work--most have switched too the old .45 --again--typically no second shot required..I will research and post the ariticles where this was mentioned..

Ripp

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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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DarylS
.700 member

Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26677
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: 6.8 to replace 5.56 NATO? [Re: Ripp]
#96446 - 10/02/08 01:13 PM

In looking over the reports and tests, I knda got the idea the 6.8 was way ahead of the .223 froi an asault rifle.
; I never did like the .223, maybe that's why. I did, however like the FNFAL and it's 7.62x51- .308 for short- what a grrrrreat round.

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Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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NitroX
.700 member

Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39443
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: 6.8 to replace 5.56 NATO? [Re: DarylS]
#96450 - 10/02/08 02:32 PM

If I remember rightly the European states of NATO were working on a 6.8mm or 7mm or thereabouts round for an assault rifle BEFORE they forced to adopt the 7.62 or 5.56 round by the USA.

Re-inventing the wheel! Hey?

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John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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9.3x57
.450 member

Reged: 22/04/07
Posts: 5505
Loc: United States

Re: 6.8 to replace 5.56 NATO? [Re: NitroX]
#96453 - 10/02/08 02:50 PM

Quote:

If I remember rightly the European states of NATO were working on a 6.8mm or 7mm or thereabouts round for an assault rifle BEFORE they forced to adopt the 7.62 or 5.56 round by the USA.

Re-inventing the wheel! Hey?

Indeed, the .280 Enfield and the 7x51 and the USA tested several variants of .256's during the 20's, several of which were highly successful in trials. And nobody doubts the performance of the various 6.5's in service, though they were in general loaded with heavier bullets possessing higher sectional densities than the 110/.277/6.8.

But don't kid yourself. As for lethality and performance against enemy personnel, the 5.56 is not to be laughed at. Uncle has no plans to dump the 5.56 for general issue anytime soon, and he shouldn't.

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What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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NE450No2
.375 member

Reged: 10/01/03
Posts: 942

Re: 6.8 to replace 5.56 NATO? [Re: 9.3x57]
#96462 - 10/02/08 04:22 PM

I do not see the US Military changing calibres while we are in a shooting Ground Operation.

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RLI
.375 member

Reged: 01/10/03
Posts: 534
Loc: Victoria, Australia

Re: 6.8 to replace 5.56 NATO? [Re: 9.3x57]
#96465 - 10/02/08 04:37 PM

Yes, I think the 5.56 will be around for quite a while but I think the 6.8 would be better, I trained on the Lithgow L1A1 7.62 and that is a great rifle/cartridge! but the 6.8 would make a good hunting rifle does anyone know of sporting rifles in 6.8? I think Remington is now making ammo but have not heard of rifles yet, the following would be good start

6.8 wish list

CZ 527
Browning BLR
Savage 99 (no longer made

)
Remington 7600
AIA Lee M10?

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"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid." — John Wayne

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Ripp
.577 member

Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA

Re: 6.8 to replace 5.56 NATO? [Re: RLI]
#96500 - 11/02/08 06:32 AM

They do--model 700 SPS and also tactical as well for that caliber...

Ripp

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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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9.3x57
.450 member

Reged: 22/04/07
Posts: 5505
Loc: United States

Re: 6.8 to replace 5.56 NATO? [Re: RLI]
#96512 - 11/02/08 09:05 AM

Quote:

Savage 99 (no longer made )

A 6.8 in a Savage 99. I never thought about that combination before but what a peach it would be! Could be built very light and with all the .270 bullets available would be a dandy deer gun.

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What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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pimlott
.224 member

Reged: 06/03/08
Posts: 1
Loc: north west British Columbia, ...

Re: 6.8 to replace 5.56 NATO? [Re: 9.3x57]
#98513 - 06/03/08 03:21 PM

I have a 700P in 6.8, plus 6 in .223, an I think it will be alright around here as a walk around round. Lots of wolves an cougers here where I live.
Also have a new 9.3x62 in H&K SLb2000, that should do it for any nasty bears that come too close.
Geordi

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WyoJoe
.300 member

Reged: 18/02/04
Posts: 234
Loc: Cheyenne, WY USA

Re: 6.8 to replace 5.56 NATO? [Re: pimlott]
#98552 - 07/03/08 02:14 AM

From Rifle Shooter Magazine:

Quote:

The 6.8x43mm SPC was conceived by a U.S. Special Operations soldier in a quest to improve the terminal ballistics of the M4 Carbine. The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit and others assisted the Spec Ops team heading the project. Although the main objective was increased lethality, the new cartridge would go far beyond that in terms of accuracy and performance.

After selecting the .30 Remington as the parent case--a decision that required only slight modification to the M16's bolt face--the case was shortened, given a new shoulder and blown out to maximum capacity for a new high-performance propellant. After testing a variety of bullets in 5.56mm, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm and 7.62mm, a bullet of 6.8mm was selected. This .270-caliber, 115-grain projectile has a ballistic coefficient of .350, offering optimum lethality and range.

It is an excellent round and ought to be ideal in the Encore pistol

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There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor polite, nor popular -- but one must ask, "Is it right?"

Martin Luther King, Jr.

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DarylS
.700 member

Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26677
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: 6.8 to replace 5.56 NATO? [Re: 9.3x57]
#98553 - 07/03/08 02:15 AM

It would also be a neat little round for a 22" barreled M94 (beefed action) or Marlin levergun - for a saddle gun. A 4X scope to help for any wolves straying from the parks. Hornady could easily come up with a soft tip for the bullet, of course. Thought I'd better add that.
; Back in the 1800's, the descriptor 'Wolves' included not only the animals but the native human's prowling around as well.

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Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

Edited by Daryl_S (07/03/08 02:22 AM)

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333_okh
.275 member

Reged: 24/12/05
Posts: 87
Loc: Northern California

Re: 6.8 to replace 5.56 NATO? [Re: 9.3x57]
#99032 - 12/03/08 01:49 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Savage 99 (no longer made )

A 6.8 in a Savage 99. I never thought about that combination before but what a peach it would be! Could be built very light and with all the .270 bullets available would be a dandy deer gun.

Just like the old 270 Savage from the 300 Savage brass. Savage made those.

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