5.56x45mm NATO vs 6.8 SPC
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5.56x45mm vs 6.8 SPC
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over two intermediate rifle cartridges, the
5.56x45mm NATO and the
6.8 SPC. On one hand we have an established military cartridge which has been utilized across the globe. On the other hand, we have a round which was designed with the intent of usurping an established NATO round. Today we are going give a brief overview of both cartridges and discuss some of their use cases and aspects. Let’s get into it.
What is 5.56x45mm NATO?
The
5.56x45mm NATO is one of the most widely-used and popular intermediate rifle cartridges in history. The round has been widely used by civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel across the globe. The cartridge boasts light recoil and is capable of yielding impressive accuracy and velocities, especially out of longer barrels.
The widespread availability of the cartridge and firearms in the chambering have led to the
5.56x45mm NATO often being the first rifle caliber acquired by new gun owners in recent years. Despite attempts to replace the round in service, the
5.56x45mm NATO has endured and persists in civilian and martial use cases.
What is 6.8 SPC?
The
6.8 Special Purpose Cartridge, or
6.8 SPC is the product of a collaboration between Remington Arms and both United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. The round was borne from a desire to replace the
5.56x45mm NATO and provide superior terminal ballistic capabilities. Specifically, there was a desire to implement the cartridge in short barreled rifles to increase the effectiveness of these platforms.
The cartridge uses projectiles with the same diameter as those used in the
.270 Winchester. While the round can be utilized in standard AR-15 magazines with a reduced capacity, specific options exist from companies such as Duramag and Magpul. While the
6.8 SPC didn’t end up replacing the
5.56x45mm NATO, the round enjoys a following among shooters.
Purchase 5.56 NATO Ammo
Availability of Firearms
As far as availability of firearms goes, one will be able to find a wider variety of factory firearms chambered in the
5.56x45mm NATO than those offered in the
6.8 SPC. A majority of the firearms chambered in the cartridges will be AR-15 style rifles with some bolt action options being available. Prominent
6.8 SPC chambered firearms include the Barrett M468 and REC7.
Due to the high level of parts and components for AR-15 style rifles, one can easily build an upper receiver group or a complete rifle in either cartridge. Essentially, if one wants a firearm chambered in either the
5.56x45mm NATO or the
6.8 SPC, they will be able to get one.
Availability of Ammunition
The supply of
5.56x45mm NATO eclipses the amount of
6.8 SPC one will encounter on the market. Typically, one will encounter common projectiles such as full metal jacket, soft point, and hollow point bullets as far as
5.56x45mm NATO goes. Specialty projectiles such as Hornady V-Max and A-Max projectiles. Grain weights for the
5.56x45mm NATO will commonly range from 55 and 75 grain. The
6.8 SPC can also be found with both traditional and specialty projectiles. When it comes to weights, one will encounter grain weights ranging from 75 to 120 grains. With the options on the market, one will be able to find a load that is best for their needs.
Purchase 6.8 SPC Ammo
What Would You Use 5.56x45mm For?
Common use cases for the
5.56x45mm NATO are going to include training, target shooting, and hunting. Generally, the
5.56x45mm NATO is an economical cartridge which is available in bulk quantities. This makes the round great for training as most rifle courses require large quantities of ammunition to make the most out of the instruction given. The mass availability of the cartridge also makes the
5.56x45mm NATO well suited to target shooting and general plinking.
The wide variety of
5.56x45mm NATO on the market means that someone will be able to choose from cheaper ammunition for plinking or more specialized ammunition optimized for precision-type shooting. The diversity of ammunition also allows one to find some optimal hunting loads if they want to use the cartridge in a hunting capacity. The round excels at varmint and predator hunting and is even capable of taking some deer-sized game with the right loads.
What Would You Use 6.8 SPC For?
The
6.8 SPC can certainly be utilized for target shooting and plinking but it should be known that ammunition is considerably more expensive for this cartridge. When it comes to hunting, the
6.8 SPC will generally cover the same game as the
5.56x45mm NATO round while being more potent and suitable for more options. For example, the
6.8 SPC will excel at in deer or hog hunting applications. The increased projectile size and weight coupled with the high velocity of the
6.8 SPC make loads generally more effective for hunting than the
5.56x45mm NATO.
Conclusion
All in all, both cartridges will serve shooters well. Whether you go with
5.56x45mm NATO or the
6.8 SPC, you will have access to an effective intermediate rifle cartridge. While the
5.56x45mm NATO is much more plentiful and popular in the mainstream Regardless of your caliber of choice, we here at True Shot are here to provide you with ammunition and information to help you on your shooting journey. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
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