Author Topic: Contender carbine in 6.8 Rem SPC. Any news? (Read 1494 times)

Doc T · « **on:** February 16, 2005, 05:25:10 AM »

The 14" barrels are for sale at Midway. Any word on when and if T/C will make a carbine length barrel?

pigboy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2005, 11:29:19 AM »

Ed has them on his list.

luredaddy · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2005, 12:22:19 PM »

My question is, IS THERE AMMO AVAILABLE??? It is no problem to have a custom maker build you a barrel, in any caliber a Contender or Encore will take. But as previous threads have addressed, is there FACTORY ammo, for the shooters who donot reload. I think that is the main attraction for the 6.8 Rem spc. If a person reloads, caliber selection is NO problem.

Doc T · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2005, 04:37:46 AM »

I looked on Ed's site and didn't see them. Looked under factory barrels and custom shop barrels. I did NOT email him though. I''m not buying one until I can get ammo.

Robert · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2005, 05:47:43 AM »

Re-loaders also might have a problem. First they said it was a shortened 30 Remington.....just about the hardest brass in the world to find....and when you CAN find it...it is old and weak...sometimes coroded. Now I am reading that it is a shortened version that is 'loosely' based on the 30 Remington...making it even harder. Ok....next up....the fps and balisic claims....are with a special 'hot' powder one that IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC? W.T.#^+? OK...I know I haven't been very supportive of this new SPC.....actually, I would love to play with one....especially in a Contender. But it sounds like a myth. The 6.5 Grendal sounds more realistic, and the 6.5 Grendal proved itself at the range. The 6.8 SPC was supposed to show up for a 'showdown'.... It showed up...but declined to compete. Why?.....something about 'not having the proper ammo'. Aw shucks. Where have I heard that before?

pigboy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2005, 06:32:15 AM »

Ed does not keep his sight up to date. I just got a package from him yesterday with his latest barrel list and the 23" 6.8s are on his list, I also noticed the new 50 cal ML barrels for contenders are on the list. Best bet with Ed is to give him a call at (405) 879-0879. I know nothing about the ammo.

brasskeeper · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2005, 02:19:09 PM »

who is Ed?

brasskeeper · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2005, 11:16:33 PM »

cknight98

Thanks for the info, I havent ordered a barrel for my encore frame yet but I will check with him when I do.

pigboy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2005, 03:26:50 AM »

Ed is the man when it comes to Encores and Contenders. You will find it hard to beat his prices and you will have it in your hands within a couple of days.

I just got an e-blast from Midway and they have a new item in, Hornady 6.8mm 115 grain boat tail hollow point bullets. Just the bullets, not ammo.

Blunderbus · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2005, 10:21:40 AM »

Y'all correct me if I'm way off base. From a practical sporting standpoint, isn't the 6.8 SPC more or less comparable to a .250 Savage with 117 grain bullets?
I'm not implying that this would be a bad thing. Quite to the contrary.
What I'm wondering is how the 6.8 SPC manages to do this with Contender-compatible pressures. The bore difference between .257 and .277? Case taper? What's the secret?

Blunderbus

Robert · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2005, 10:35:15 AM »

Blunderbuss...the entire SPC idea is an Enigma. When you figure out the 'secret'...let me know , and everyone else too. I am betting it needs a 40" barrel to come up with the fps and trajectory that they have been 'claiming', but have failed to produce. Mythical...very mythical...I am 'Mythnatized' by the whole thing.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #11 on:** February 19, 2005, 10:39:56 AM »

To be honest I think that the 6.8 is going to make a killing on the market and trounce the Grendle. Why? Because the Alexander Arms does not have the same kind of marketing power (and financial backing) that Remington does. Whats this mean? Well I think the grendle will become one of those "cult" favorites while the 6.8 becomes a field staple. But who really knows for sure. I dont. This is just my opinion.
Brian M.

Robert · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2005, 11:06:32 AM »

Brian I hope you are right, but so far the only rifle that Remington has announced is a firearm that only a misinformed wealthy IDIOT would buy.

htrjv · « **Reply #13 on:** February 19, 2005, 12:59:11 PM »

Guys, Better check out pages 26 - 29 of this issue before you lament further. Joe

luredaddy · « **Reply #14 on:** February 19, 2005, 01:09:03 PM »

htrjv,

I give up, what issue?? Am I missing something??

htrjv · « **Reply #15 on:** February 19, 2005, 01:24:28 PM »

Please re-read the Post Subject line of my post.

Rifle Shooter magazine, March/April issue..... Joe

luredaddy · « **Reply #16 on:** February 19, 2005, 01:29:28 PM »

OK, I see it now, I only read the text message.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #17 on:** February 19, 2005, 03:46:38 PM »

Hey Robert!
Well, so far we are seeing a handful of 6.8 guns. I know Ive been on the pro side of this cartridge, but to be completely honest I doubt I will EVER have a use for it (or the Grendle for that matter.) I guess it would be nice to see what kind of turn the Grendle could make if it had the financial backing of, say, Winchester or Federal. Right now the grendle has an up-hill battle to fight. With Remington and T/C already putting out weapons, and AR uppers available the 6.8 has already got its foot in the door. The Grendle, unfortunately, is still hiding in the shadows. I think some GREAT concepts come out of alexander arms. I think the Beouwolf brings excellent big bore preformance to the AR platform. It just sucks that they dont have the ability to market their products like the big guys. Time will tell if either will succede or fail. Both have merits. Both serve a purpose, and both have their niche. But unfortunately, in this competitive market that tends not to mean much at all.
Brian M.

Blunderbus · « **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2005, 07:54:14 PM »

Actually, I'm open-minded about the cartridge. If it does what they say it does and factory ammo is readily available, I would have a use for it. I just wonder how the claimed external ballistics are accomplished safely for a Contender, either G2 or earlier model. Obviously, it wouldn't be an issue for an Encore. I guess I need to get my hands on this month's RifleShooter.

I agree, regardless of Remington's internal strategy, coming out with a 6.8 SPC in an "Alaskan Wilderness Rifle" risks insulting the intelligence of knowledgeable shooters. Who in his right mind would drop $1,500 for a rifle to take to AK and have it chambered in that?

The bolt action to watch -- if it actually comes out -- will be the CZ 527 in 6.8 SPC. If the cartridge is for real, that ought to be a match made in heaven. Those are sweet little rifles.

Blunderbus

htrjv · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2005, 10:52:51 AM »

My dealer found the Jerry's (distributor) had 5 23" 6.8 SPC barrels in stock. Well now they only have 4. They already shipped mine out along with Hornady Ammo. Thought you would like to know. Joe

Blunderbus · « **Reply #20 on:** March 03, 2005, 11:22:44 AM »

Got this month's RifleShooter. Not quite sure what to make of the article on the 6.8 SPC.

Accompanying the article is a photo of the author with a caribou, apparently shot with the 6.8 SPC. No details in the article about the round's performance on the dead caribou.

On the one hand, the author seems to be saying that Remington's factory load ought to be sufficient for deer at the ranges most deer are shot. Then he appears to downgrade that to "smallish deer." Then he voices misgivings about penetration if the 115-grain projectile should hit bone. Then he appears to put aside those misgivings, due to the quality of the Remington bullet.

Lastly, he says that if he intended to hunt deer with the 6.8 SPC, he'd handload ... using a 130 grain bullet at 2,400 fps. In other words, not the factory hunting ammo.

So is it good for deer, or not? And if its marginal for deer, why imply that its a terrific caribou-killer?

Maybe I'm reading too much between the lines. But it doesn't look good.

Blunderbus

Steve Ruchala · « **Reply #21 on:** March 04, 2005, 11:34:27 AM »

Is the 6.8 that much more special than the 7-30 Waters? From what i have seen in print the 7-30 is the best thing since sliced bread in a contender from 10 inch barrels up to carbine length barrels. Is the 6.8 going to replace it or is it just a fad?

htrjv · « **Reply #22 on:** March 22, 2005, 03:02:07 PM »

We guys, I finally picked up my Contender Carbine barrel today. Now I need to find some ammo to see how it shoots. Looks like it may be awhile from the posts I've been seeing lately. Joe