Battle Of The Alternates

I was shopping around for some 6.8 ammo and wondered about the state of things.

Midway USA lists 30 different loads for the 6.8 from 6 makers.  9 are out of stock, but backorders are OK.  13 are from one maker, Silver State Armory.  Remington still makes 4 loads even after washing their hands of it.

6.5 Grendel is just 6 loads from 3 makers with one being out of stock.  Three of those loads are from one manufacturer, Alexander Arms, two are from Wolf.  I seem to recall there being around five more makers of this ammo at one point, where'd they go?

The up and coming .300 AAC Blackout has 17 loadings from 6 manufacturers with 5 being listed as out of stock, backorder OK.  The number of loads per maker are fairly even, with Remington and PNW tied with 4 each for most loads.

.300 AAC also wins for having the cheapest available ammo with $11.99 for a box of 20 Rem/UMC 115gr FMJ.

Wolf brand 6.5 is the next cheapest at $15.99 for a box of 20 120gr "Multi-Purpose Tatical".

The cheapest 6.8 is the Rem/UMC 115gr FMJ box of 20 for $16.99, but it's out of stock.  The cheapest I can order right now is Hornady V-Max 110gr at $19.99 per 20.

There's a lot to analyze here.  There just isn't a plinking round for the 6.8 readily available, just premium ammo.  Remington has been actively hostile to the 6.8 crowd and they they still load ammo for us.  To me that says it's hanging in there.

I also think there's no need to get all furry about what round is best.  Look at all the different choices for bolt action guns out there.  The AR is the new Mauser.