Welcome, glad you are here and hope you have found everything OK.
I believe that the spec is in fact 5.56 and not the SAAMI .223.
Not sure why they have a $200 price jump on the 6.8 and 6.5 but yes, you would probably be better off just spending the money for the 5.56 and then getting a conversion. You would have to call them about the price of a 5.56 conversion kit if you wanted to get a 6.5 rifle, that may be a question that is not often asked as they are just starting to ship the first 6.8 stuff. Up until last week there was no need for a 5.56 kit. Get the 5.56 now then order the 6.5 kit for when they come out.
I believe that the spec is in fact 5.56 and not the SAAMI .223.
Not sure why they have a $200 price jump on the 6.8 and 6.5 but yes, you would probably be better off just spending the money for the 5.56 and then getting a conversion. You would have to call them about the price of a 5.56 conversion kit if you wanted to get a 6.5 rifle, that may be a question that is not often asked as they are just starting to ship the first 6.8 stuff. Up until last week there was no need for a 5.56 kit. Get the 5.56 now then order the 6.5 kit for when they come out.