I agree its the best long range cartridge improvement over the 223, the trade offs are the longer barrel length required, heavier gun, and dealing with the A$$hat that has a lock on the round. I just got back from an overseas trip that siphoned off some funds, but am still going 6.8SPC spec II with an 18 inch SS fluted barrel, and a Accupoint 3x9 with the green crosshair sight. My goal is a 3-500 yards MOA gun that is not too long, too heavy, and hits harder than the .223 mostly for hunting Whitetail deer from a tree stand or sitting on the edge of a field. A nice gun for a both a bipod or for climbing a ladder stand is what I have in mind.