[fishrising]

So how would a Stag 5H M4 16" Chrome 1in10 Twist 6.8 Upper do for whitetail hunting in under 600 yard conditions? Mostly 200ish yard shots?

Is 16" too short for 6.8 within 600 yards? Or would I need to go 20" or thereabouts?

 

[ron169]

600 yards may be a little extreme for the 16 inch barrel. For 200 yard shots it would work fine. The thing with the 6.8 round is you dont gain a lot of performance going from a 16 in barrel to a 20 in barrel. The advantage is you dont loose a lot going down in size either, to say a 10 or 12 inch barrel. My personal opinion as to why I wouldnt use a 16 in barrel to 600 yards is accuracy, regardless of the round type. I would be comfortable using the 16 in stag 400 or so yards out. Just my comfort level though. Are you familer with whether the Stag your looking into has the Saami chamber or the SPC II chamber?

 

[fishrising]

Are you familer with whether the Stag your looking into has the Saami chamber or the SPC II chamber?

Not sure, but I have sent emails to both Stag and the dealer on this question. Thanks.

 

[fishrising]

I am told it comes with SPCII.

 

[ron169]

The below image comes from this thread from an old 6.8 upper test
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=353523

The reason I say I wouldnt use the 16 in stag upper on deer at 600 yards is this, during this test is:
1st group 22 1/3" (even spread)
2nd group 15 3/4" (even spread)

I wouldnt feel comfortable taking a shot on a deer not knowing if I was going to hit a leg, heart, throat, or nothing important. But with that said the 300 yard looks pretty good. Also with the SPC II champer uyou can at least use the hotter tactical loads from SSA

 

[BowDude]

Just received a Stag Upper, they are SPC 2 chamber now.

IMO, if one wants to attempt shooting game animals at 600 yards the 6.8 SPC ain't the cartridge to use. The bullet velocity would make performance questionable at best. Again, IMHO, the 6.8 for hunting is a 300 yard, or a bit more, weapon.

Gary

 

[fishrising]

Thanks all so far! Like I stated most shots for this land would be 200yds and maybe a bit more being 300-350 or so (power line cuts, and some large fields). But, there are 600 yard lanes, not that I would necessarily take the shot, especially if this round would be questionable on trying to attempt a kill shot at that range. But I would like to punch some paper with the 6.8 at longer yards, that is if I go 6.8, I am still considering .243 and 6.5. Thanks again!!!

What do you 6.8 guys think the long end of its range is for .243 and 6.5, if 6.8 is around 300ish yards?

 

[Aramark]

i have a stag and i love it. got a whitetail last season it was around 125yards shot.

 

[paulosantos]

Thanks all so far! Like I stated most shots for this land would be 200yds and maybe a bit more being 300-350 or so (power line cuts, and some large fields). But, there are 600 yard lanes, not that I would necessarily take the shot, especially if this round would be questionable on trying to attempt a kill shot at that range. But I would like to punch some paper with the 6.8 at longer yards, that is if I go 6.8, I am still considering .243 and 6.5. Thanks again!!!

What do you 6.8 guys think the long end of its range is for .243 and 6.5, if 6.8 is around 300ish yards?

Anything in the AR10 platform would work better out to 600 yards. You can't go wrong with the .308.

 

[Equalizer_2]

Not sure what 6.5 you are considering but while the .243 is faster than the 6.8 the bullets max out at 105 grains with a bit over 2700 fps for velocity. The good BC helps but it isn't really a 600 yd cartridge IMHO. Even the heavier .308 and 30-06, while having the energy, still require good accuracy and dedication to learn the trajectory.

From a quick perusal of my loading manuals the 6.5s use heavier bullets than the .243 but velocities are only a little better. This does increase the effective range but still the idea should be responsible shots to insure clean kills on the game.

I personally see the 6.8 as a good 300 yard deer cartridge and with work and devotion maybe 200 yards for elk using proper bullet selection.

 

[fishrising]

So is the consensus that this 16" upper is good for up to 300yd-ish deer with the proper round? And thanks again for the help thus far!

 

[Bushdog45]

I think for the longer ranges you would be better off with the new 20" bbl. Stag to get the most velocity from the round. I don't believe the 6.5 G would be much better. If you want to step up from the 6.8 it means going to a larger, heavier AR10 size and the 7mm-08 or .308 would be my choice. But remember shooting skill becomes the greatest factor beyond a couple hundred yards to place a good bullet in the kill zone. I agree with the 300 yd. or so range of the 6.8. My .243 shoots a 100 gr. Nosler at a little over 3000 FPS out of a 22" bbl bolt gun but I wouldn't consider it a much better long range rifle. Instead I would step up to my 24" .30/06 with a 165 or 180 gr.

 

[fishrising]

Placed my order yesterday for a Stag 5H M4 16" Chrome 1in10 Twist 6.8 Upper, was told it will take 22 weeks...that will give me some time before hunting season begins around here to get her sighted in. Also ordered a couple of 5 round mags and some 25 round mags, while they were available. As well as SSA 6.8SPC 110g Barnes lead-free triple shock TSX rounds to get me started.

Is that a decent round for whitetails 300 yards and in? They were out of the pro hunters.

 

[Bushdog45]

Fish, you should be all set with that rifle and load for deer. That is the same rifle I have and it is capable of 3 shot groups under an inch at 100 yards with some of my handloads. I haven't been able to shoot it at 300 yet but I'm sure it will be "minute of deer" at that range if I do my part. BTW, the new Stags have a 1 in 11" twist bbl., a supposed improvement. The only other thing I would like to see them do is use the M4 feed ramps for better feed reliability.