Best 6.8 rifle??

AR/M4 Beyond 5.56/.223
1

My brother has decided he wants to buy a m4 platform in 6.8 for hunting and home defense.
What are the top choices in rifles chambered in the 6.8?
What barrel length and twist rates would offer the best performance? Thanks

2

I love the two i put together using Stag parts.

3

www.68forums.com

4

There’s a lot of information here and on 6.8 forums in regards to manufacturers and the information on twist rates, chambers, etc.

Like any 5.56 version, it all depends on how you want it to look and mostly, perform.

I have a LMT MRP platform with one of their 6.8 barrel that I had the chamber reamed to the SPC II chamber(God forbid if I called it the wrong chamber:rolleyes:) although it has the 1 n 10 twist, it runs great with the SSA Combat loads.

Since you want a standard upper to push pin on the lower, decide want you want.

I would take a good look at the AR Performance line, they have top notch offering in various configurations to suit you needs.

http://www.ar15performance.com/

Something like this would be a good choice. You could add a Centurion rail later on or even an MI/Troy or DD drop in.

http://www.ar15performance.com/inc/sdetail/1973/1976

Mark

5

I would say Noveske, MSTN, Daniel Defense would come to mind - plenty of others also on a case by case basis. I would look at the Ruger also if you want a piston.

6

6.8 mm runs great in 12-16" barrels. 16" uppers are very versatile and can reach out and take any game in the lower 48 states to as long a distance as most would ethically hunt. MSTN has made commercially available 6.8 mm uppers longer than anyone else and have made some of the best 6.8 mm uppers we have used. Noveske also makes some nice ones, as do DD and Barrett. The SPCII chamber is useful. 1/11 or 1/12 twists work well, but we have quite a few 1/10 twist uppers that work just fine–in fact with shorter barrels, the 1/10 twist is preferred.

7

AR Performance. I am on my second ARP upper. My first replaced a Stag that never fed properly.

8

I have owned several 6.8s
what I have been running the last few years is this Wilson Combat
this has an 18" barrel but I will be going back to a lightweight 16"

1 in 11 twist, SPC II chamber
95g Barnes for everything

do you handload?

a few victims:
close range hog

300 yard buck

9

^^This

I’ve been to his shop in Pueblo West and seen his operation. Top notch and Harrison definitely knows a thing or two and has been quite the innovator in his field…

10

I just put together a 6.8 with a bison armory barrel. I was really impressed by the accuracy of the barrel. They have complete uppers as well as barrels. You should check them out.

11

How does Ruger’s system work suppressed?

12

Is price a factor? I assume not since you said top choices. Does he want stainless or not? Obviously a more accurate barrel will cost more. A 16" barrel is generally acceptable for most uses. A mid-length gas system is a must so that rules out Stag and a few more.

Stainless barrels require a break in procedure where most non-stainless barrels don’t. My top choices in order and why would be…

  1. Noveske - A little pricey. Stainless only AFAIK. Very accurate. Highly recommended by others. Chamber similar to a SPC II.

  2. Daniel Defense - If you can find one. They are a little new to the 6.8 platform, are SPC II chamber and have recently went to a better twist I believe. Good barrel steel and not chrome lined. They’ve been a huge bang for the buck on 5.56 rifles for years but their 6.8 quality isn’t as established at this point I don’t believe.

These are not heavily advertised but if he’s wanting it to hunt it’s made by Daniel Defense and already comes in camo with less tactical type options.
http://www.ambushfirearms.com/

  1. Rainier Arms - Besides offering Noveske, they can build you a rifle from a massive selection of parts. They offer their “UltraMatch” barrel which is very accurate but costly or a cheaper White Oak barrel. Both stainless. Good reputation.

  2. Wilson Combat - They have a range of SPC II stainless barrels and have a pretty good reputation. Have been in the 6.8 game for a while.

  3. Bison Armory - Similar to Wilson, WOA, and Rainier Arms SPC II barrels that all start as Shilen blanks. Well respected and affordable.

Spike’s Tactical is either loved or hated. I couldn’t solidly recommend them just because of their hit and miss record and customer service ratings but their barrels are supposed to be nice.

I would not recommend Ruger. They only came to the AR market in 2009 with a 5.56 rifle and 2010 with a 6.8 rifle and in the original SAAMI chamber. It is safer to shoot tactical and high power hand loads in a SPCII chamber or better. You can have the chamber reamed if you have your heart set on one or just shoot standard loads. I wouldn’t pay extra for a piston gun just for hunting and self defense if ever. Just clean and lube your gun, don’t expect it to wipe your ass for you.

LMT is top notch in everything except sticking to the original SAAMI chamber. Unless reaming is an option, no on this one.

I wouldn’t buy anything Stag, RRA, Armalite, Bushmaster, CMMG, or DPMS simply because for very little more money you can buy a rifle with much better specs and reliability.

If all else fails and he succumbs to doubt, I would highly suggest visiting www.68forums.com and reviewing this spreadsheet.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Al0umlkJXDtsdE90eXFsYjM1eUxpdHZXbFdXYWpaeWc&hl=en_US#gid=0