Okay, with Mav's Palmetto upper post, it got me thinking of the next AR upper purchase.

I am coming down to 6.8 vs 7.62x39. Opinions on which direction?

I know the 7.62x39 ammo is a lot cheaper, but I have alway liked the idea of the 270 round.

It comes down to $$'s IMHO. The 6.8 will PROBABLY be a bit more accurate. You will be able to buy quality hunting ammo for it and components for reloading that you know will perform well.

Greg

 

If money isn't an object, I like the 6.8 better, but since money usually is a factor, I'd probably go with the 7.62x39.

 

Do you want an upper for superior accuracy or for shooting tons of ammo without concern of price? If it were me, I would go for superior accuracy, since user can have 5.56 upper for cheap shooting. That being said, if you ever need to borrow ammunition from a neighbor, you're far more likely to find that he stores 7.62x39, not 6.8.

 

What are you going to be doing with it Kor?

 

What are you going to be doing with it Kor?

Killing zombies of course :beer:

 

If its a zombie gun you are going for you definitely want the 7.62x39 ammo is widely available but then again if you like to pick zombies from a great distance the 6.8 is always a great choice.

 

What are you going to be doing with it Kor?

Killing zombies of course :beer:

I'll drink to that.

Do you have a lot of either round stored up already?

 

I'll drink to that... or almost anything.
So... what's the reason the 6.8 is more accurate?

 

I'll drink to that... or almost anything.

:beer: Here, here!!! I like that perspective, Moishe!

 

I wanted an AR platform that has more oomph, but wont force me to go with a new lower, but not pound my shoulder into mulch, either.

I have neither caliber, so I would be starting fresh.

 

I'll drink to that... or almost anything.
So... what's the reason the 6.8 is more accurate?

Eliminating differences in weapon choice/barrel usage, the main difference is the ballistic coefficient of each bullet. In general, a higher ballistic coefficient (BC) will keep the round more stable, thus making it more accurate (I won't bore you with a summary of what makes up BC--too boring). In the case of this thread, it's a comparison of a round with a BC of ~0.370 for the 6.8 round vs. a round with a BC of ~0.252 for the 7.62x39 round. In terms of ballistics numbers, that's a HUGE difference. After about 200 yards, the instability and fatness (a factor in the low BC) of the 7.62x39 round start to set in and it starts to get tossed around, thus losing accuracy to the more aerodynamic, higher BC, 6.8 round. That, in a nutshell, is the reason why the 6.8 is so accurate. [hr]

I wanted an AR platform that has more oomph, but wont force me to go with a new lower, but not pound my shoulder into mulch, either.

I have neither caliber, so I would be starting fresh.

Maybe this will help you decide: If it were me, I would choose the 7.62x39 upper if I planned on running this one as a shorter barrel, CQ upper. Under 200 yards, 7.62x39 will stay within 1MOZ (minute of zombie) with no trouble. If you can afford it/want to go through the hassle, SBR it and have fun! Otherwise, pin on a flash hider on a 14.5" barrel and make it as short as (legally) possible. But if I wanted a new upper that is powerful enough to drop zombies in their tracks at closer ranges, but still have the accuracy to reach out and touch them past the capabilities of 5.56, I would go with the 6.8 upper.


Are you any closer to making a decision?

 

I'll drink to that... or almost anything.
So... what's the reason the 6.8 is more accurate?

The 7.62X39 uses bullets that are nominal 0.311. Many are loaded with 0.308. You also see 0.308 bores with 0.311 bullets crammed through them. Neither is good for accuracy. Most 7.62X39 ammo that guys shoot is mil-surplus and not the best QC'd stuff out there. It is basic cannon fodder. Modern commercila stuff may shoot well if matched with the bore size but the majority of shooters tend to shy away from the price of major manufactured ammo like Winchester and Remington

The 6.8 was a ground up developed cartridge from the old 30 Remington. Lots of time and $$'s went in to it. Ammo is modern QC loaded with quality components and material. There has been a lot of effort to make this one work and thanks to that it has. The only issue that is a big problem is that there are a couple of chamber sizes being made that often do not handle some factory ammo well thanks to lead shape and pressure problems.

At least thats how I see it.

Greg

 

It is really coming down to cost vs. QC. And the fact that Palmetto can get me into a decent 6.8mm upper for under $450.

I know ammo will be the major cost factor after the upper purchase, but I already have a Russian caliber in the 5.45.

When talking steel case 7.62x39, the cost will be a LOT lower. Once you get into quality brass cased ammo, the cost gets a bit closer.

Looking at bullet drop tables, it is a crap-shoot. They jockey for position to see what drops faster.

I think I am leaning toward the 6.8 right now with plans to go after an SKS later, to get the other Russian caliber.

Thanks for everyone's input and advice!

 

It is really coming down to cost vs. QC. And the fact that Palmetto can get me into a decent 6.8mm upper for under $450.

I know ammo will be the major cost factor after the upper purchase, but I already have a Russian caliber in the 5.45.

When talking steel case 7.62x39, the cost will be a LOT lower. Once you get into quality brass cased ammo, the cost gets a bit closer.

Looking at bullet drop tables, it is a -shoot. They jockey for position to see what drops faster.

I think I am leaning toward the 6.8 right now with plans to go after an SKS later, to get the other Russian caliber.

Thanks for everyone's input and advice!

That sounds like a solid plan to me. Keep us updated, Kor.

 

It is really coming down to cost vs. QC. And the fact that Palmetto can get me into a decent 6.8mm upper for under $450.

I know ammo will be the major cost factor after the upper purchase, but I already have a Russian caliber in the 5.45.

When talking steel case 7.62x39, the cost will be a LOT lower. Once you get into quality brass cased ammo, the cost gets a bit closer.

Looking at bullet drop tables, it is a -shoot. They jockey for position to see what drops faster.

I think I am leaning toward the 6.8 right now with plans to go after an SKS later, to get the other Russian caliber.

Thanks for everyone's input and advice!

That sounds like a good decision to me. If you've already got a good surplus shooting upper, go with the better round IMO.

 

And a used SKS popped up through Southern Firearms and JD Lester.... Nice little Norinco, with detachable mag, sling, and a synthetic dragunov-style stock, so it's all black. Has a rail mount at the back end of the receiver for an optic of some sort, too, with pass-through mount, so I can still use the iron sights. With the NCGO discount, it came to just over $213 before Bev added on her cut.

Thanks, JD!!!

 

And a used SKS popped up through Southern Firearms and JD Lester.... Nice little Norinco, with detachable mag, sling, and a synthetic dragunov-style stock, so it's all black. Has a rail mount at the back end of the receiver for an optic of some sort, too, with pass-through mount, so I can still use the iron sights. With the NCGO discount, it came to just over $213 before Bev added on her cut.

Thanks, JD!!!

ostpics:

Greg

 

If your set on getting the AR, go with the 6.8. If you want the x39, personally, I would go with the AK platform. I believe you cannot get any more reliability from a firearm than in the round it was designed for. If your looking for AK accuracy, get an Arsenal, it will be all new, not a kit with used parts.I had an SLR-95 that was awesome.
Sorry, didn't mean to hijack your thread. I just have seen to many problems with the AR in x39.
Best of luck with your choice!

 

No worries! Seems the AR will eventually be a 6.8. I've now got the SKS to take care of the 7.62x39 bug.

And here she is.....

Just need to get a scope on her. I am thinking about going after an ATI with the foldable, collapsible stock as well. And replacing the irons with Williams Firesights.

 

No more thinking. Just ordered the stock and sights.

 

That is a fine looking SKS. Makes me jealous as all hell. I would have snatched that one up had I known about it. I really miss my SKS.

 

Oh yeah...and the 6.8 complete rifle I'm going to go after? This guy:

Ruger SR-556 in 6.8mm[hr]

That is a fine looking SKS. Makes me jealous as all hell. I would have snatched that one up had I known about it. I really miss my SKS.

Great price, great condition, and great deal overall. JD did a fine job!! Get on his wish list or something.

 

No worries! Seems the AR will eventually be a 6.8. I've now got the SKS to take care of the 7.62x39 bug.

And here she is.....

Just need to get a scope on her. I am thinking about going after an ATI with the foldable, collapsible stock as well. And replacing the irons with Williams Firesights.

Raight Purty!!!!!

 

Thanks, I'm hoping to dress her up a bit more in summer clothes soon.

 

Enjoy.....check some reviews on carrier tilt in the rugers....I got a busy 6.8 gas gun in stock.
Also check out warriortalk or google krebs 6.8 it is built on a sig 556 but in 6.8 sub moa with commie 6.8 ammo.

v/r

JD