looking for suggestions on a 6.8 upper for hunting

[dntfxr]

Hey guys,
as the title says I need some advice. I'd like a compact rig for carrying in the woods. Something compact and very accurate. I've heard good thing about the 20" Stag upper but I think I would rather something a bit shorter, 16 or 18". This will be my first and probably only AR so I really don't know much about them. I've been reading on 6.8 forums a good bit and will ask for suggestions there too. I'm on a budget so price is also a factor. What would you suggest for the most bang for the buck?
Thanks
dntfxr

 

[ORD]

Re: looking for suggestions on a 6.8 upper for hunting

What's your budget? Does that include glass, mount/rings?

Off hand, one of the best bangs for the buck on a 6.8 will probably be the AR Performance Hunter model. You can get it in a 16" CM or an 18" SS barrel for around $650 for a complete upper and it will be a handy, accurate, lighter weight hunting rig.

See here:

http://www.ar15performance.com/inc/sdetail/974

If you need cheaper than that...RRA makes 6.8 CAR uppers that you should be able to get for around $550 or so. I wouldn't go any cheaper than that though!

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: looking for suggestions on a 6.8 upper for hunting

I have a 6.8mm upper that was built by Harrison Bean of AR Performance. He is a great guy to deal with and he makes a cicked upper. I have a 16" Pac Nor barrel on it and it is a great hunting weapon.

Silver State Armory - 110 GR Pro Hunter
110 Nosler Accubond and 110 GR Barnes TTSX - great hunting rounds. I have killed four deer this past season with them

 

[dntfxr]

Re: looking for suggestions on a 6.8 upper for hunting

If I can spend around 7-800 on the upper and get good accuracy (sub moa or better) I'll be real happy. I don't know if that is realistic?? Thanks for the link, that hunter model looks ideal. Do you have any idea how they shoot? I assume it is a free floated bbl, IDK? I've only shot 1 AR before so I'm completely dumb about them. I appreciate the response, keep the suggestions coming.
Thanks
dntfxr

 

[ORD]

Re: looking for suggestions on a 6.8 upper for hunting

The barrel on the Hunter is free-floated and it is MOA capable or maybe better with quality ammo or reloads tailored to the rifle. A lot will depend on the shooter, the quality of the components used in the lower (like a good trigger and stock for example), ammo, etc.

Run a search on the AR Performance uppers on the 6.8 Forum and you'll get a lot of good information.

As for your budget...$700-800 gets you into a very nice upper that should fill your needs.

 

[dntfxr]

Re: looking for suggestions on a 6.8 upper for hun

Thanks Jstarsz,
Everything about the Ar15perf looks good. Is the pacnor the standard or the upgraded stainless bbl? Have you shot any groups with it?
Thanks
dntfxr

edited to add, I just got the last response sorry. I appreciate the feedback. That upper looks to be just what I want. Do you have any opinion on the SS verses nitro- bbl?
Thanks

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: looking for suggestions on a 6.8 upper for hun

My suggestion would be to email Harrison Beene on AR Performance and talk to him. You can tell him what you are looking for and make suggestions. He is a good guy to deal with and was very prompt at answering questions. You can also go over to the 68 Forum and they have some great info for the 6.8 and Harrison goes by the name Constructor on that site.

My upper shoot easily 1 MOA up to 200 and about 1.5 MOA at 300 - 400. That is far as I have it. It starts to lose its power around 400. You can take it 500 but is really lost its zip by then.

2550 FPS
Maximum Performance Range 281 Yards
1K FT-LBS 219 Yards
100 Yards 0.0"/0.0 MOA
Velocity 2275.9 FPS
200 Yards -4.1"/-2.0 MOA
Velocity 2063.3 FPS
300 Yards -16.5"/-5.2 MOA
Velocity 1862.8 FPS
400 Yards -38.8"/-9.3 MOA
Velocity 1675.8 FPS
500 Yards -73.7"/-14.1 MOA
Velocity 1504.7 FPS
600 Yards -123.9"/-19.7 MOA
Velocity 1352.4 FPS

 

[Powder_Burns]

Re: looking for suggestions on a 6.8 upper for hun

What load out of which barrel are you shooting that is only giving you 2550fps?

BTW Bison Armory has barrels for $200.

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: looking for suggestions on a 6.8 upper for hun

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Powder Burns</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What load out of which barrel are you shooting that is only giving you 2550fps?

BTW Bison Armory has barrels for $200.</div></div>

It was just a sample of showing that it loses its punch by the time it hits 500 yards. I shoot a 16" at 2650.

29.5 gr of RE 10X - small Primers/SSA Brass

 

[bwanajcj]

Re: looking for suggestions on a 6.8 upper for hun

The Stag M7 is a good upper, I did not see the any detriment to a 20" barrel on it.

But if you are only going to get one AR get a .223/5.56 ammo is cheaper and more readily available as are mags. there is some great quality hunting ammo as well.

The 6.8 is a great round in the spec 2 chamber, but if you only have one AR go .223

 

[dntfxr]

Re: looking for suggestions on a 6.8 upper for hun

Thanks for all the sugestions guys. I'm about try to contact Mr. Beene about some barrel options. When I get it done I'll update.
thanks again
dntfxr

 

[Lightscout]

Re: looking for suggestions on a 6.8 upper for hun

My two cents from using a 6.8 on whitetail in WI/MN. I am in the process of grabbing components for my next 6.8 build. I currently have an 18" WOA barrel and will go with a 16" next time around. My intention is to save some weight while keeping performance where it needs to be. I'm no ballistics expert but when researching my first upper, a few builders informed me that the performance difference in 6.8 from 16" to 18" is minimal.

My upper is a CMT upper, 18" WOA barrel and JTAC ff tube. My brother shoots a CMT upper, 16" Walther Lothar barrel and YHM ff tube. Shooting the same SSA loads from either gun yields almost identical results.