I am looking to get myself a 6.8SPC AR. My plan as of now is to use a LMT lower with a cmmg 6.8 upper. I’ll worry about magazines later. Thoughts and comments?
5.56 ammo isn’t hard enough to come by for you?
CMMG is not using the improved chamber. Look at Ko-Tonics.
There is a big info thread on the 6.8 starting on TOS here: http://www.jobrelatedstuff.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=121&t=350804
It’s probably easier to find then 5.56 now. 
I built my 6.8 since 5.56 in not deer legal in MN.
I recently converted one of my spare 5.56mm uppers over to 6.8 spc. I purchased a 16" M4 barrel form Model-1 sales & also I got a bolt from the too.I’m getting my mags from Ko-tonics and Rainier Arms.Unless you are a reloader ammo is a little on the pricey side though. I have a source that is getting it to me for around $12 a box for the Silver State 115 gr extreme ammo.The recoil kinda of reminds me of shooting 7.62x39mm.
how are model 1 sales’ uppers. I am not much of a gunsmith. How is the overall quality if I were to get the 6.8 as a complete upper?
Bottom of the barrel, worst twist rate and standard chamber.
I’d contact Tim Hicks at Ko-Tonics and have him quote you what you want.
Comp, you seem very high on this ko-tonics. I am just looking for a basic rifle nothing too complex seeing as how I dont get out to shoot as much as I want. Unfortunately I am kinda turned off by the fact that the bolt carrier group isnt included. I am also somewhat weary about straying from some of the more well known names. I guess maybe I’m just being a pussbag. Your thoughts on Stag?
I am no expert by any means. From what I hear , mind you this is just hearsay, Stag is inconsistent with quality control. Again not personal experience just what others have told me. Have you thought about PRI for some of your 6.8 needs? I have a 6.8 that is partly PRI and I have been very happy with it, not that I have really put it through the wringer yet.
I had the exact same thought in July 2006 when I bought my first 6.8 rifle. It was a Stag 16" carbine. It short stroked from the start, went back to the factory twice, never worked with my PRI flip up front sight/gas block, and did not feed well because it had no extended feed ramps. Overall, I was quite disappointed with the “factory” rifle.
Fast forward to November 2007. I have built and shot rifles using a Ko-tonics 16" barrel (actually, Ko-tonics built the upper for me), Noveske 12.5" barrel, Ko-tonics 12.5" barrel, and WOA 12" barrel. Using a simple CMT upper with extended feed ramps, all of these barrels have given stellar results. I even took the Noveske through a 2 day carbine course (nearly 1000 rounds fired) and it ran very well.
Bottom line: if it’s not a Colt or LMT factory gun, I’d rather build it myself. RRA, Bushmaster, Stag, etc, all make production decisions that I don’t like, especially in a newer caliber like 6.8.
Tim at Ko-tonics knows what he is doing. And $630 or so for one of his basic uppers (complete with BCG) is money well spent.
All Ko-Tonics does is 6.8 stuff. Tim know’s his stuff when it comes to 6.8. I can’t speak to any other 6.8 barrels cause I don’t own them. I do know that the Ko-Tonics barrel shoots good.
You asked for opinions, I’m just sharing mine.
Good luck in you purchase.
Well I reckon i’ll give ko-tonics another look-see!
My buddy and I have built 3 6.8 guns one Noveske barreled LMT upper and 2 J&T 14.5 barreled carbines on CMT uppers Both the J&T’s shoot really well,with a RRA match tigger LAR Grizzley lower Vltor carbine mod stock &Aimpoint Comp m2 mine shoots about 2" groups @ 100m hasn’t missed a lick so far with my reloads and Hornady Vmax custom ammo
Mags aren’t hard to come by, I’m getting mags from Rainer Arms, They give me a slight break since I’m in law enforcement, They run me a Hair or $20.00. Even with out the break they go for $23.00 each. They are the stainless steel ones made by C-Products, 26 Rounders. I bought 4 so far and the 2 that I have used so far feed flawlessly.
Dudes,
I have a 6.8 Stag i’ll trade for something… lol. later!
-Zef M.
Kotonics and Barrett both make very good 6.8 mm carbines for blasting away. Please read this review of a Kotonics I purchased for personal use: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=9371&highlight=Kotonics
For precision work, MSTN and Noveske have both proven to make outstanding 6.8 mm uppers.
Whatever you get, make sure it has the improved “Murray” type chamber the 6.8 mm was originally developed with–DON’T use the SAAMI spec chamber poorly implemented by Remington! Also, 1/11 or 1/12 twist are the best choice for 14.5-16" and longer barrels.
I was just in Pat Rodgers class with Stephen from ATS and he was running a LWRC 10.5" 6.8 and it ran very well. It was light, handy, and accurate. He has a thread on it over at lightfighter. It’s a piston upper and not inexpensive but very nice. Just another option.
-RD62
Dude
The 6.8 SPC is my favorite AR caliber by far. Three of my seven AR’s are 6.8 SPC.
That said, the round has an interesting history to say the least. Depending on how you plan to use it and how much flexability you might need in the future, it is absolutely possible to buy a 6.8SPC weapon from a big name and be unhappy with your choice in short order.
You can do yourself a big favor and do the research before you buy. OR if you don’t want to take the time to do that just listen to DocGKR. He may know more about the 6.8 than anyone else at this point.
Even if you don’t plan on buying from him you can learn a lot very quickly by calling Tim at Ko-Tonics. He does nothing but 6.8 SPC and continues to be an innovator. I think he is away on vacation this week and maybe part of next but he does love to talk and answer questions about all things 6.8
Best of luck to you. Whatever you do buy something in 6.8. The first time you shoot it you will know you done good.
6.8 is something I keep getting tempted by, then drop, then tempted by, then drop… Mostly I start to figure out what I’d drop on a complete upper, then the realization that it would eventually grow it’s own lower and what that would cost… all for something I might shoot 5 rounds out of a year.:eek:
I’d like to see Magpul offer their Pmag in 6.8 though. Might push me over the top.
Doc,
You didn’t say it explicitly, but can I assume that BOTH the Barrett and Ko-Tonics uppers have the improved “Murray” chamber? Just want to be certain…
Thanks,
Jason