Bear Creek Arsenal Brings Back 6.8 SPC II Uppers

Bear Creek Arsenal is going back to the future with the reintroduction of uppers chambered in 6.8 SPC II. This “Special Purpose Carbine” cartridge was an effort to bring better ballistics to the AR-15 before cartridges like 6.5 Grendel and 6mm ARC gained popularity.

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6.8mm cartridges are having a bit of a moment right now. Winchester’s 6.8 Western turned some heads in the hunting space. The US Army adopted the 6.8x51 M7 in the NGSW program, but that cartridge is very different from the 6.8 SPC II. The SPC fits in a standard AR-size firearm (though the LRWX SixEight lower and magazine are slightly different, and are making a comeback as the Magpul ICAR for the 6mm ARC) with only a bolt, barrel, and magazine swap. In contrast, the 6.8x51 is the same length as a 7.62 NATO round and operates at much higher pressure.

BCA has six models to choose from. Models include 16-inch and 10.5-inch barrels. There are also options for standard uppers, side charging uppers, and bolt action versions. Prices range from $234.95 to $334.95. All are available as of writing on the BCA website.

From the manufacturer:

Bear Creek Arsenal, a leading manufacturer of high-quality firearm components rifles, and complete uppers, is proud to announce the return of its popular 6.8 SPC II complete upper assemblies, now available in both 16-inch and 10.5-inch barrel lengths. These precision-engineered uppers are designed to deliver exceptional performance and versatility for shooters across various applications.

Enhanced Performance and Versatility

The 6.8 SPC II cartridge offers improved ballistic performance over the standard 5.56 NATO, making it an ideal choice for hunters, tactical enthusiasts, and precision shooters. With the reintroduction of these complete upper assemblies, BCA aims to provide customers with a reliable and affordable option to enhance their AR-platform rifles.”