I don't locktite my rings, not an AR but I shoot more than a thousand rounds a year in my 6.5 creedmoor bolt gun. Long range and tactical matches, positional, barricades, and moving between positions a props.
Every scope mount I've used on an AR, ALL came loose after relatively few rounds(100ish maybe). Been Locktiting as matter of course. Didn't do it last yr on a Burris PEPR mount, and it came loose the first outing. Then again the 2nd outing. Blue Locktite. The end.
I'm not reading through 20-some odd pages, but does anyone here hunt with a 6.8 SPC? I'm building one now to add to the mix.
I have to ask you guys because I don't know...what is the advantage of these "hybrid" ( I call them that because they are just odd to me) calibers such as the 6.8, 300 Blackout and Creedmoor to a good old . 308? Aren't they harder to find and way more expensive? Is their performance that superior?
The 6.5 Creedmore is better than .308 at long range. The top long range shooters are all switching over to this for competition. 300BLK is not the same at all. It's designed to fit the AR15 platform with just a barrel change. It is basically designed around a 9" barrel and suppresses very well. It has similar ballistics to the 7.62x39. 6.8 is another one designed around the AR15 as a horsepower boost and is becoming very popular as a deer round. The .308 is still a great caliber but if you want a semi-auto, you are in the AR10 platform with this one so it's a whole different rifle. Those others are great for more power in the smaller platform.
no problem...there's a ton of options and it can be overwhelming! You didn't even ask about some of the others....458 SOCOM, .50 Beowolf, 450 Bushmaster, .510 Beck etc.
You can build a 6.5 Creedmoor in an AR10 frame as well. A lot of long range shooters are moving to 6mm for even less drop at long range, and while similar to the 6.5 more of the guys I shoot with are shooting a .260, Sundays long range match was 16 260's and 8 CM's, and about the same number of 6mm/243's, there was one 308 out of 38 shooters.
What blkduc said. My 6.8 is my deer gun. It's perfect for Wiscosin whitetail and the ranges we see in the forests here. Requires a specific barrel, bolt and mags. Currently building a 300blk pistol.
To be honest I feel like those calibers are almost gimmicks. Especially when you consider how proven 300blk, 6.8 and 6.5, even 223 Wylde have become. Not to mention 458 socom and 450 bush are stupid expensive rounds.
What size optic should I look for? I'm mainly using this for deer, or hogs in the SE, so nothing long range (over 300 yards). I've been told 2x7 or 3x9, but I'm not sure. Also, anything you'd do differently after owning yours? And... last but not least, what round do you prefer? I just ordered some Federal 95 grain, but I hear that the lower grain does very well in the SPC.
You could get a 1x4-1x6 illuminated, and cover home defense chores as well. At 1x it functions as a simple red dot, so it'd work well staying-on a moving pig at close range.
Dont know if your a member of any build sites but if not theres a few idiosyncrasies to know about doing one of these. Feel free to ask/pm when you decide to tackle it. Unless those assembled pics are yours, in which case you might figure them out on your own hehe.
2x7 all day long, that's what I use and I'm hunting the same ranges as you in the woods here. I personally like the 115 gr. SSA Pro Hunters and 120gr. Hornady SST. 95 is pretty light for 6.8. I'd rather take advantage of the larger bullet and increased energy. What length and twist is your barrel? I wouldn't change a thing on mine. If I was to do another though, I'd make it lighter. Mine has a very heavy Magpul PRS stock, an 18" heavy barrel, and a bipod attached to a 15" handguard. It's not pain in the ass heavy, but a light one would be cool.