Decide between 6.8 and 7.62x40

[EWP]

performance aside I would recommend the 6.8 for your starting rifle. I just can't see recommending a wild cat to a new guy, especially one that has no experience in reloading yet and for a cartridge with not much load data to begin with.

get the 6.8 first since it's the better overall cartridge and learn to reload for it, by the time you get comfortable with your loads for the 6.8 you'll be ready to get your 7.6x40 upper and will be much ahead in the reloading game.


I would start out with the better cartridge and add the knock offs later, 7.62x40 will do all most what the 6.8 will but if you were to only have one why not have the one that doesn't limit you so much from the start, despite what some will say the 6.8 has a good bit more range and much better terminal performance than the x40 due in part to the MUCH better bullet selection and industry support.

[Cyberdeputy01]

Quick question. How does the 6.8 have a MUCH better bullet selection when the x40 is based off of the .30 cal?

I appreciate everyone's wisdom when it comes to helping me decide which weapon would suit me best. I have been reading the 68forums for a while now and it truly is a great class of people. For reloading, i'm not too worried about the learning curve. My brother is an avid loader who is ready to teach me what I need to know. And with that set aside, from what I have read the 6.8 is a slightly better round than the x40. With the x40 being brought out by Wilson this past April, and Kurt working on it way before that, I want to learn what I can from those who have the x40 or have information that is not already on the internet. I think that will be the easiest way to decide between the two rounds.

EWP, I have ready many of your posts and your knowledge in reloading and with the 6.8 is outstanding. Thank you for your input with which weapon I should get. I am still on the fence though. I will start buying components after the holidays so will keep gathering as much info as I can. Thank again.

If anyone else can add information on the x40, including what would need to resize cases besides the dies Wilson sells, etc, I'd appreciate it.

A. Miller

[68WJ]

For hunting bullets, most all .30 cal bullets are made with .30-06/.308 in mind, and their respective velocities for expansion threshold (for now). The notable exception is the Barnes TTSX for the x40. There are many .277 bullets made with the 6.8 SPC as the target cartridge.

[lwrkeysfisher]

Quick question. How does the 6.8 have a MUCH better bullet selection when the x40 is based off of the .30 cal?

I appreciate everyone's wisdom when it comes to helping me decide which weapon would suit me best. I have been reading the 68forums for a while now and it truly is a great class of people. For reloading, i'm not too worried about the learning curve. My brother is an avid loader who is ready to teach me what I need to know. And with that set aside, from what I have read the 6.8 is a slightly better round than the x40. With the x40 being brought out by Wilson this past April, and Kurt working on it way before that, I want to learn what I can from those who have the x40 or have information that is not already on the internet. I think that will be the easiest way to decide between the two rounds.

EWP, I have ready many of your posts and your knowledge in reloading and with the 6.8 is outstanding. Thank you for your input with which weapon I should get. I am still on the fence though. I will start buying components after the holidays so will keep gathering as much info as I can. Thank again.

If anyone else can add information on the x40, including what would need to resize cases besides the dies Wilson sells, etc, I'd appreciate it.

A. Miller

Sounds like you've made up your mind and are trying to talk yourself out of it. Get the 7.62X40, and if you are unhappy with it sell it (or put it away) and buy something different. I've found that I'm always disappointed when I buy something other than what I originally wanted and usually end up buying it later.

As for the .30 vs .277 bullets; in the velocity and weight realm in which these two round exist there are many more .277 options (at least seven good ones for hunting). remember the 7.62x40 has the same bullet flight angle and velocity at 100yds as a .308 with the same bullet at ~350yds.

This said, I've sold out of the 6.8 and bought back in several times because I wanted to buy something else I thought was better. Now that I've got all of that out of my system I'm not going anywhere, as there is just not another option that provides the 6.8's performance from an 18" or shorter AR15.

[Cyberdeputy01]

It's true, I am very intrigued by this new round. I have read a ton on the 6.8, and now I want to do the same on the x40. I'd like people who have the x40 to voice their opinion on the matter. This will be my first AR and i'd like to start out right. Money doesn't flow easily so can't just get rid of one to get another. I have compared brass prices, and I do like the idea of trimming down .223 brass to reload the x40. It makes for a "cheaper" round to shoot. Looking at the pros and cons, I am on the fence between the two and that is why I look for more info.

[elkbow]

Elkbow:

I appreciate your assistance and your insight as I do WilsonCombatRep. I'd like to try the 6.8 but for some reason I am intrigued by the x40. I'm not sure if it is because it is a newer round that not many people would have or what. I am going to get into reloading here after the holidays. I like the "reach out and touch someone" distance of the 6.8 and that is what I was looking at with the x40. A round that is comparable to the 6.8 in distance, power etc.

Have you made any x40 brass yet? Besides the dies set Wilson Combat sells, a trimmer and press, what else do I need to make my own casings? Thanks again..

A. Miller

Just need .223 brass, I used once fired Lake City Brass, trim to 1.56", then run through the 7.62x40WT sizing die....all done...

I like the idea of the round, as Wilson worked with Barnes and developed the new Barnes TTSX 110gr that expands at lower velocities, instead of a bullet that was made for the Win .308...this is a great idea and Bill has proved how effective it is on multiple animals

as far as have I made any 7.62x40WT cases....well....haha:

[CavScout]

The 6.8 does a great job and has a stronger following every day. That means more supplies available for the reloader as well as more options in rifle hardware.

[elkbow]

i've got 3 6.8's, but unless the military adopted it you will never be able to purchase brass as cheap as you can make 7.62x40WT brass from 5.56...

[RugerIte]

Well I can tell you about being intrigued by a cartridge. And still am but now its a bit less now. The 6.5X40 (.264 Warrior Magnum) based on the 222 Remington Magnum case but still could just needed a barrel change to use from a standard 5.56. Its my lack of tools and resources to pursue, because the upper maker for it who trade marked a the ".264 Warrior Magnum" went bye bye. So that knocked me back to the 6.8 for a basic all round ammo available cartridge for a carbine. I had a Mini 6.8 that shot great but the better speced barrel of my build gave me more flexibility.

If you can only have one and want the one with the greatest effective range and performance of the two, ammo availability, existing mags, get the 6.8.

If range is secondary and you want more affordable ammo if you reload the 7.62X40 WT will do as other people have said. Me when I could get one rifle, the longer range usually won out.

I say get one then get the other when you can! First get the 6.8 because loads and bullets are already out in the here and now. Yeah it can be heart wrenching deciding what you think you need.

Unless it was a dedicated replacement rifle.

[mrosbro]

damn,just when i was just about set on another 6.8 i read this thread. thanks for restarting the argument again(for me). Wilson barrels are the same price for either so here we go again.custom ammo from Wilson or SSA that is available down the street.i have it all figured out,no i don't,yes i do,no i don't,damn.