An In-Depth Analysis of the 6.8 mm SPC (Updated)

The Firearms Blog has an in-depth review of the performance of the 6.8 mm SPC--a .270 caliber round designed for use in the AR. There is quite the debate in the comments regarding the author's conclusions. The basic contention in the debate was the purpose of the cartridge. The author, Nathaniel F., maintains that the round was developed for medium-to-long range precision shooting, at which it is pretty much a failure. However, a large number of the commentators contend that the 6.8 SPC was developed with the purpose of increasing lethality at short to medium ranges, and does a very good job in that regard (as exemplified by the round's popularity in hog hunting).

I don't know enough about the cartridge to comment on its performance. However, in doing some quick research of information on the internet, I could not find any mention of it being developed as a long-range cartridge other than Nathaniel F.'s article, whereas I found several sources that mentioned it having been developed for the shorter combat ranges of out to 300 or 400 meters.

Update: Nathaniel F. was kind enough to respond to my post (see the comment below), and after looking over the article he referenced and his comments, I think I understand where I (and probably some others) went off the mark. Nathaniel had noted that the 6.8 mm was intended to replace the Mk. 262 round for the Mk. 12 SPR (Special Purpose Rifle). What I think is causing the confusion is that the Mk. 12 was a version of the AR intended to be used by designated marksmen--i.e., more accurate and longer range use of a weapon than expected from a typical Marine or infantryman, but not the range or precision of a sniper; and the Mk. 262 round was a 5.56 mm cartridge intended to provide better accuracy and lethality at ranges out to 700 meters. In other words, that the history related to the designated marksman rifles put into my mind, at least, that we were talking about a round intended for longer ranges than typical engagements.

Nathaniel F. pointed me to a 2006 article by Zak Smith describing the history of the 6.8 mm. Smith's article notes:

The SPC designation was assigned based on the intended integration into the Mk12 Special Purpose Rifle (SPR). The SPC was designed from the ground up to provide increased energy, barrier penetration, and incapacitation from the Mk12 SPR, from contact distance to 500 meters.

In other words, not even the 700 meters of the Mk. 262 round. And, as Nathaniel's article makes clear, inside of the 500 meter range, its performance is not even as good as the Mk. 262.

Anyway, I appreciate Nathaniel clearing this matter up for me.