PTR 91, FAL, Vepr 7.62x54r

[556x45]

I'll put my 2 cents in for the .308 over the 6.8 because there are plenty of .308's in America. It's a proven round both on the battlefield and on opening day for mule deer, whitetail, elk, antelope, hogs, etc. Reloading the .308 is super easy and you have a wiiiiiiiide range of powders, bullet weights & types to choose from.

some people miss your point new and cool you know

[Tackleberry]

Here's something else to consider about choosing calibers for a TEOTWAWKI scenario, again, just my humble opinion; people w/ weapons chambered in calibers like the 6.8SPC are few and far between. You want to carry a weapon that uses ammo and parts that are easy to find if you're on the move, or that are easy to accumulate if you're going to shelter in place. I think you would be doing yourself a favor by sticking to reliable/common weapons in 12ga, 308WIN, 30-06, 7.62x39, 5.56x45, .22LR, 9mm, .40 S&W, .45ACP, 357MAG, & 38 Special.

[Grand58742]

Here's something else to consider about choosing calibers for a TEOTWAWKI scenario, again, just my humble opinion; people w/ weapons chambered in calibers like the 6.8SPC are few and far between. You want to carry a weapon that uses ammo and parts that are easy to find if you're on the move, or that are easy to accumulate if you're going to shelter in place. I think you would be doing yourself a favor by sticking to reliable/common weapons in 12ga, 308WIN, 30-06, 7.62x39, 5.56x45, .22LR, 9mm, .40 S&W, .45ACP, 357MAG, & 38 Special.

I tend to agree with this for main rifle calibers, but I would even omit the .30-06 to an extent. And I wasn't suggesting the 6.8 SPC be the primary go to caliber for the SHTF rifle. But since the OP mentioned budget was a concern, here's what I was thinking...

OP has an AR already, presumably in 5.56mm, and which he could/should stock up ammo for. He would like a multi use rifle in .308 for hunting and battle rifle. But cost is prohibitive, probably starting at $1300 and going up from there depending on the type and quality of the rifle in question. Plus magazines, stockpile ammo, specialty hunting ammo and proficiency ammo for getting used to the new system. Probably looking at $1500, maybe even more to start on a new system. That's a big chunk of change to switch over to a new caliber.

Or

With the modularity of the AR platform he could look at getting a 6.8 SPC upper which tends to run around $500. Mags run around $20 or so depending on the type. Ammo is about the same, running around $20-30 a box, but you wouldn't need that much. So call it around $200 more for ammo and mags. So...about $700 overall.

And the 6.8 is effective in the hunting arena out to about 400 yards or so the specs say. Maybe a bit more, but let's face it, not a whole lot of hunting goes on past that distance and most shots are taken a lot closer in. And it's already establishing itself in the hunting arena. Not as popular as the .270, 7mm or 30 caliber offerings, but it's got a fairly decent following. At least enough for ammo manufacturers to come up with decent loads and continue to manufacture them. And 6.8 is fairly available especially online. It's not like the other loads some have come up with to fit into the AR package like the 6.5 Grendel or the .458 SOCOM that are fairly scarce. Ammo is pretty diverse for a caliber less than 10 years old and reasonably available.

So $700 versus $1500. Breaking it down as a pro/con system.

Pros: You have a 5.56mm for use as a main rifle system which also lends it self to minor hunting. Controls on the two rifles are the same so no new training. Swapping an upper takes fifteen seconds. 6.8 SPC is effective enough for most game that will be encountered. Caliber has established itself enough that finding ammo prior to TEOTWAWKI shouldn't be a problem. And reloading (if owner desires to go that route) takes standard .277 bullets which are the same used in the .270 Winchester and are readily available.

Cons: Even though relatively stable in the market, the ammo isn't "gas station available" meaning it's not as easy to gather as .308, .30-06, .270, etc are. Still stocking two calibers for COLMOLLIIN.

So, I will agree that having a 5.56, 7.62x39 or .308 rifle as a main caliber for SHTF defense is a wise choice and to stockpile ammo of same. But when it comes to hunting calibers, one doesn't have to stock up as much hence limited numbers will be easier to obtain prior to and reloading components are easy to stock as they are relatively available.

I wasn't suggesting a wholesale replacement of a 5.56 or .308 system with the 6.8 SPC especially not because I think it's "cool and new." But to save money overall and still have an effective platform for hunting deer sized and smaller game, the 6.8 SPC in an AR upper is a viable option that could be considered. It has a lot going for it and the OP already has the basic infrastructure there (an AR lower) and the training in advance to make a smooth transition.

[Tackleberry]

Excellent points. Be careful about relying on ballistic tables for the 6.8SPC when using an AR upper with a sub 20" barrel...... I found this on the internet. I haven't had a chance to compare it to my reloading manuals.

Muzzle velocity from a 24-inch (610 mm) barrel

115-grain (7.5 g) Full Metal Jacket (FMJ): 2,800 ft/s (850 m/s)
115-grain (7.5 g) Boat Tail Hollow Point (BTHP): 2,800 ft/s (850 m/s)
115-grain (7.5 g) Sierra Match King (SMK): 2,800 ft/s (850 m/s)[10]

Muzzle velocity from a 16-inch (410 mm) barrel

85-grain (5.5 g) Barnes TSX ; 3,070 ft/s (940 m/s) - Silver State Armory (SSA) "tactical" factory load
110-grain (7.1 g) Sierra Pro hunter; 2,575 ft/s (785 m/s) - Silver State Armory (SSA) "combat" factory load
110-grain (7.1 g) Hornady BTHP TAP; 2,550 ft/s (780 m/s) - Hornady Law Enforcement "tactical" factory load
110-grain (7.1 g) Wilson Combat BTHP OTM; 2,700 ft/s (820 m/s) - "tactical" factory load
140-grain (9.1 g) Berger VLD; 2,401 ft/s (732 m/s) - Silver State Armory (SSA) factory load

I am sure the 6.8 SPC will do a number on deer (mule/whitetail) but I would be very hesitant to use it on anything larger. That said, it still leaves a lot of critters on its hit list.

[Grand58742]

I am sure the 6.8 SPC will do a number on deer (mule/whitetail) but I would be very hesitant to use it on anything larger. That said, it still leaves a lot of critters on its hit list.

OP is in NC, so 6.8 is acceptable on game there. Nothing except bears that would require larger. .308 is ideal as well.

Either way, he will be covered.

[Not_Yet_Prepped]

Guys,

Thanks for all the input... I diffently have something to think about! The 6.8SPC Upper is a great idea and now my must reconsider the AR-10 and PTR91-GI...