XCR-L 6.8 spc micro vs mini

[Parchaser]

Who has one and what are their thoughts and recommendations? I am thinking about ordering one. A suppressor will definitely be put on it.

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[Martens]

I have the micro in .223 and it has been 100% reliable. Small and fast handling. Mine is an older one with the original tube stock. I think it would be perfect in 6.8 spc or 300 BO as the .223 looses a lot of energy from the short barrel, but it was the authorized caliber were I used to work.

If you are looking to suppress, make sure you can find a suppressor for the 7.5 inch barrel. I haven't been able to find one that I was convinced would live long on that short of a barrel in .223.

[Parchaser]

I have 3 suppressors with no barrel restrictions or at least are down to 5.5"s on these 3 cans. So 7.5" is no big deal for the 3 i have.

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[Whole Bunches]

Like Martens, I have a micro 7.5" .223. Nice, short, and light. I also shoot it in 300 Blackout. At round 564 my extractor stopped working reliably. You could see the lip was bent and not smooth. RA felt it was a flaw from manufacturing and sent a new one. At round 2868 the firing pin broke. Since it was past the 1 year warrantee, I just replaced it myself from my spares. Note: I'm up to round 3280 now. I have 2 other 16" XCR-L's and have never had a part break on them. I shoot them in .223, 300 Blackout and 7.62x39.

It's normally not too cold here in Florida. In .223 my micro uses gas setting "1" if 70 degrees or warmer. Between 50 and 70 degrees, it needs gas setting "2". Below 50 and it needs gas "3". These are gas settings to ensure the bolt locks back when the mag is empty. I run mine such that the gas is just enough to engage the bolt hold open. If I were to use it for "serious" purposes, I'd go ahead and open the gas to make sure.

I don't use a suppressor on mine (my suppressors are not rated that short like yours are). I do have a Kaw Valley linear comp to help mitigate the muzzle blast to my fellow shooters. Looking at the muzzle end of the comp, one can see the blast from the short bbl is eating away the steel of the comp at the bullet exit hole. I figure the comp is a wearable item, so no big deal, just interesting to see the inside jagged edges. The blast wear makes me wonder how a suppressor would hold up. My suppressors are titanium, not the more exotic metals that are sometimes used on blast baffles to hold up longer.

Since the bbls are chrome lined, throat erosion-wise (I monitor bbl wear), they are holding up very well compared to plain steel. Hope our experiences, although not in 6.8, help you in any way.

[Col Maddog]

I have a 6.8 SPC mini 10" barrel that I SBR'd before pistol braces were a thing. I like 6.8 /.300 in my XCR so there is no ammo crossover in my 5.56 AR's. Great rifle! I found 6.8 does not suppress that well sound wise (even tried hand loads) so I bought a .300 Blkt kit for when I want to run a can.