I am new to the forum and new to the AR world. I apologize if this has been addressed elsewhere or if this is the wrong place for such a post. I am on a waiting list for a Stag Arms 5L. However, I have heard critiques say that the Stag Arms 6.8 does not feed reliably. I have also heard critiques of the 6.8 SPC in general in that some feel the 6.8 has not caught on and probably will not making ammunition availability, etc. problematic in the future. What do you think about this rifle and the future of the 6.8? Thanks in advance.
Stag Arms 5L
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Well, the Stag has ssues feeding some of the smaller ammo, but that is due to the fact that they ddont utilyze M4 feedramps on their upper receivers, but the good news is it only takes about 10 minutes to fix that with a dremel or a round file.
Now as for the 6.8 ammo question, I look at it this way, go to www.midwayusa.com and then go to ammo senction, then rifle ammo. The 6.8 is consistantly in the top 6 most popular ammo searches. Right behind .223, .308 and 7.62X39. Kinda tells me everything that I need to know.
Now as for the 6.8 ammo question, I look at it this way, go to www.midwayusa.com and then go to ammo senction, then rifle ammo. The 6.8 is consistantly in the top 6 most popular ammo searches. Right behind .223, .308 and 7.62X39. Kinda tells me everything that I need to know.
feed ramps as Ron stated. 
It appears to me that the 6.8 has become one of the most popular variants over the past year. I base this on the ammo sales, the additional new bullet selections coming to the market, and the over all discussion level across the net. Then, I look at the Xtreme which received 300 pre-orders in one month with no advertising...just word of mouth on this Board with many more clamoring for information as to when they can get on the list....and I think that it is the tip of the iceberg being serviced at this time.
Much of this growth in popularity has come from all the testing and development that has been carried out in the past year which has resulted in much better barrels and chambers as compared to the original design. This has allowed for more velocity, and the resulting increase in energy, over a longer range so that the round is very competitive with anything else out there in a similar caliber. Kinda like "This ain't your Father's 6.8".
One of the nice things about the round is that it works extremely well in a short barreled configuration with good velocity and it does not need an extremely long barrel to approach the high velocity limits.
One of the things that make it extremely attractive to me is the community of people involved with its development. I don't see a clique of supporters that appear to spend their every moment running down competing rounds. That has turned me off of some calibers that are quite good in their own right.
I think it is the modern day equivalent of the 30-30 on steroids...it does everything well, and, somethings superlatively.
It appears to me that the 6.8 has become one of the most popular variants over the past year. I base this on the ammo sales, the additional new bullet selections coming to the market, and the over all discussion level across the net. Then, I look at the Xtreme which received 300 pre-orders in one month with no advertising...just word of mouth on this Board with many more clamoring for information as to when they can get on the list....and I think that it is the tip of the iceberg being serviced at this time.
Much of this growth in popularity has come from all the testing and development that has been carried out in the past year which has resulted in much better barrels and chambers as compared to the original design. This has allowed for more velocity, and the resulting increase in energy, over a longer range so that the round is very competitive with anything else out there in a similar caliber. Kinda like "This ain't your Father's 6.8".
One of the nice things about the round is that it works extremely well in a short barreled configuration with good velocity and it does not need an extremely long barrel to approach the high velocity limits.
One of the things that make it extremely attractive to me is the community of people involved with its development. I don't see a clique of supporters that appear to spend their every moment running down competing rounds. That has turned me off of some calibers that are quite good in their own right.
I think it is the modern day equivalent of the 30-30 on steroids...it does everything well, and, somethings superlatively.
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Read this 6.8 upper test done not too long ago in AR15.com. A stock Stag upper did very well compared with some expensive custom uppers. The Stag ran fine on "full auto" as is.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=353523
It's been reported by a few members that some of the smaller bullets do not feed as well in "any" 6.8 upper that doesn't have M4 feedramps. This isn't just a Stag phenomena or a Stag defect whatsoever. Remember the military used their M16's without M4 feedramps prior to the M4 coming out. Certain 6.8 loads do feed more reliably with the ramps.
As the guys stated above, having M4 type feedramps added to an upper will not cost much at all if you had a gunsmith add them for you. And if you're handy with Dremel tools, you can add them yourself in a short period of time. ADCO our sponsor above could probably help you out with them if you do not have a local gunsmith.
The new Model 5's have the correct chamber and have improved their twist to 1:11 which is ideal for the 6.8, so you are getting a solid combination to start with. If you notice feeding issues, add the feed ramps. Most everyone here modifies their rifles anyway, so it's not like you weren't going to spend more money on the rifle right? :lol:
As far as the critics of the 6.8. They've had their head in the sand for the past few years. Every major AR manufacturer except Colt makes a 6.8 offering. If you research this site you'll see the 6.8 is alive and well in government testing. Ammo is available from several ammo companies, same with magazines. There's probably another "major" ammo manufacturer about to roll 6.8 ammo out the door also.
The only real critique is we need some less expensive plinking or practice ammo. SSA supposedly has some in the works for us, but we're still waiting. 6.8 ammo is comparable to premium 5.56 ammo in price though. So apples to apples, the pricing is about the same for ammo.
So with the major AR, ammo, and magazine manufacturers behind a caliber that surpasses the 5.56 in performance, what's not too like? Take your Stag 6.8 to the range with some of your 5.56 buddies and see who wants to switch calibers after seeing yours in action.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=353523
It's been reported by a few members that some of the smaller bullets do not feed as well in "any" 6.8 upper that doesn't have M4 feedramps. This isn't just a Stag phenomena or a Stag defect whatsoever. Remember the military used their M16's without M4 feedramps prior to the M4 coming out. Certain 6.8 loads do feed more reliably with the ramps.
As the guys stated above, having M4 type feedramps added to an upper will not cost much at all if you had a gunsmith add them for you. And if you're handy with Dremel tools, you can add them yourself in a short period of time. ADCO our sponsor above could probably help you out with them if you do not have a local gunsmith.
The new Model 5's have the correct chamber and have improved their twist to 1:11 which is ideal for the 6.8, so you are getting a solid combination to start with. If you notice feeding issues, add the feed ramps. Most everyone here modifies their rifles anyway, so it's not like you weren't going to spend more money on the rifle right? :lol:
As far as the critics of the 6.8. They've had their head in the sand for the past few years. Every major AR manufacturer except Colt makes a 6.8 offering. If you research this site you'll see the 6.8 is alive and well in government testing. Ammo is available from several ammo companies, same with magazines. There's probably another "major" ammo manufacturer about to roll 6.8 ammo out the door also.
The only real critique is we need some less expensive plinking or practice ammo. SSA supposedly has some in the works for us, but we're still waiting. 6.8 ammo is comparable to premium 5.56 ammo in price though. So apples to apples, the pricing is about the same for ammo.
So with the major AR, ammo, and magazine manufacturers behind a caliber that surpasses the 5.56 in performance, what's not too like? Take your Stag 6.8 to the range with some of your 5.56 buddies and see who wants to switch calibers after seeing yours in action.
Wow--you guys are a great group. Thank you for your informative responses and confirming I have selected a great gun.
Lastrites-I am from Central Texas, but unfortunately I have a couple more months on the wait-list before the rifle comes in.
Lastrites-I am from Central Texas, but unfortunately I have a couple more months on the wait-list before the rifle comes in.
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What town in central Texas? Do you hunt? Your 6.8 Stag will work well hunting in Texas. That's another point I didn't mention is that in many states hunting large game with a 5.56 is illegal (legal in TX though), but the 6.8 is a great option for large game like Whitetails and feral hogs.
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New information comes to light daily, something tells me the 6.8 will be king :wink:Strawdawg said:feed ramps as Ron stated.
It appears to me that the 6.8 has become one of the most popular variants over the past year. I base this on the ammo sales, the additional new bullet selections coming to the market, and the over all discussion level across the net. Then, I look at the Xtreme which received 300 pre-orders in one month with no advertising...just word of mouth on this Board with many more clamoring for information as to when they can get on the list....and I think that it is the tip of the iceberg being serviced at this time.
Much of this growth in popularity has come from all the testing and development that has been carried out in the past year which has resulted in much better barrels and chambers as compared to the original design. This has allowed for more velocity, and the resulting increase in energy, over a longer range so that the round is very competitive with anything else out there in a similar caliber. Kinda like "This ain't your Father's 6.8".
One of the nice things about the round is that it works extremely well in a short barreled configuration with good velocity and it does not need an extremely long barrel to approach the high velocity limits.
One of the things that make it extremely attractive to me is the community of people involved with its development. I don't see a clique of supporters that appear to spend their every moment running down competing rounds. That has turned me off of some calibers that are quite good in their own right.
I think it is the modern day equivalent of the 30-30 on steroids...it does everything well, and, somethings superlatively.
Just hide and watch it go
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:lol:ArtFWTx said:
So what if we weren't completely crazy(or maybe someone doesn't think we are) and the 6.8 could produce velocities over 3000 fps from 16" barrels using 80-95gr projectiles and do so with safe chamber pressures?
Why is that 3000fps barrier so important?
What is velocity good for? remember the military is not looking for a sniper rifle, think under 300 yds.
Consider that the military is not looking for a sniper rifle or a battle rifle, light and short is good.
What other cartridge that will fit in a AR size rifle compares? remember that 3000fps thing
Hmm, you think big brother is watching?
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3000fps with a 80-90gr projectile gives you a solid increase in energy/stopping power/barrier penetration over current M855. The velocity gives laser beam trajectory for combat applications w/in 300 yards, you know for flatter shooting and aiming. Plus it's still not too fast where excessive bore wear occurs like in the hot fast magnums. That's my answer and I'm sticking to it. Well until corrected, then I'll edit it and still be correct.constructor said:
Yes I have this funny feeling or maybe it was a quite whisper that says the 6.8 may very well go the way of the .40 S&W and 80-90gr bullets are a very good thing. :wink:
80-90 gr bullet: greatly reduced recoil, excellent hard barrier penetration but from lack of SD and proper construction very controlled when it hits tissue. So, highly controllable, barrier blind, greatly increased terminal range, excellent terminal perf, proper penetration and we certainly can not forget 3000+ FPS actually with 80-90s 2950-3300 is more accurate. Consider a 16" 5.56 throws a 80 around 2600 at 65K PSI or even the MK262 which is the best the 5.56 has period and the 80HV we tested ran at 3300 from a 16 @ 58K PSI the 85 can be loaded to just under 3200. That is as close to apples to apples as you can get with the 6.8 producing 700 FPS faster and leaves a larger wound path. That is HUGE IMO when you consider its coming from the same rifle and has almost the same recoil.
80-90 gr bullet: greatly reduced recoil, excellent hard barrier penetration but from lack of SD and proper construction very controlled when it hits tissue. So, highly controllable, barrier blind, greatly increased terminal range, excellent terminal perf, proper penetration and we certainly can not forget 3000+ FPS actually with 80-90s 2950-3300 is more accurate. Consider a 16" 5.56 throws a 80 around 2600 at 65K PSI or even the MK262 which is the best the 5.56 has period and the 80HV we tested ran at 3300 from a 16 @ 58K PSI the 85 can be loaded to just under 3200. That is as close to apples to apples as you can get with the 6.8 producing 700 FPS faster and leaves a larger wound path. That is HUGE IMO when you consider its coming from the same rifle and has almost the same recoil.
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T,
that is as far as I am going with that so lets just let everyone speculate and watch.
that is as far as I am going with that so lets just let everyone speculate and watch.
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A 100 grain OTM round would be great. you would get those fast velocities and still be under the stupid "laws of war"
I too think the 6.8 is the way to go in a combat round, when they cam around with the end of the year wish list last year I asked for 12.5 inch 6.8 uppers and the 6.8 conversion for the saw.... I dont see either happening though (I would be happy with shorty M4's)
I too think the 6.8 is the way to go in a combat round, when they cam around with the end of the year wish list last year I asked for 12.5 inch 6.8 uppers and the 6.8 conversion for the saw.... I dont see either happening though (I would be happy with shorty M4's)
Harrison, all you need to do is design a quick change barrel that can be swapped from 16" to 10.5" in less than a minute without sacrificing a bunch of accuracy so that you have one weapon that is an ideal room sweeper or an outdoor urban combat tool, and you would have a superb modern battlefield tool.
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What kind of circles?
The 6.8 is great in a light platform where you need the most bang for the buck... if you move up to a heavier platform then it makes sense to go up in caliber and performance.
The 6.8 is great in a light platform where you need the most bang for the buck... if you move up to a heavier platform then it makes sense to go up in caliber and performance.
As I alluded above, there seems to be some that cannot stand the growing popularity of the 6.8 and rather than extolling the merits of their favorite caliber, they spend a lot of time trying to find some weakness in the 6.8.Nuland said:
I like all shapes, forms, calibers, of weapons. I don't see the point in trying to badmouth any particular one...okay, well, I am not hot on a 9mm :mrgreen:
It really seems like the growth of the 6.8's popularity has caused a lot of frustration in some.
If you wish to shoot at targets a 1000 yds away, there are better choices. But for 99% of us, the 6.8 has become an all purpose round that works in both very short barrels as well as 16-20" versions with good velocity in all. It has proven to be a very accurate round for those of us that want to shoot at small things at decent distances.
A wide range of bullets is available in various weights and the gun shoots them all well. The one area that some point out is the lack of higher ballistic coefficient bullets which would help at super long ranges. The available bullets are evolving and I would think we shall see higher bc's this year. The length of the shell case and the dimensions of the magazine well provide the ultimate constraints.
Constructor killed an elk at (I believe) almost 400 yards with one this year. Thread somewhere on the board. Now you tell me, doesn't that sound like something that will do the job for most of us?
As I stated prior, I think this is one of the best all purpose guns out there that we can buy.
ETA corrected distance...
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