6.8 Western

[theduracellbigd]

I just saw some literature on the new cartridge. Looks like the 270 wssm and Long Range crowd now has a pretty sister to think about. I am not a Long Range guy, just the opposite, I hunt to get as close as possible, and practice field position shooting skills at 300 yds or much less if possible. So I am a 30 caliber guy (06 and 308). But for you Long Range or .270 guys what do you think of the new cartridge?

[Garand Hunter]

Any close relation to the military 6.8mm spec round ?

Psalm 1

[MongooseV8]

Looks like only the bullet is the same. Im probably going to try a barrel when everything is out on the market. Always had a soft spot for the 277.

[k1dude]

The 6.8 Western seems too close to the 6.5 PRC to really differentiate itself. It also seems to me more of a hunting cartridge than a long distance precision cartridge due to the larger diameter. Splitting hairs, I guess for hunting I'd choose the 6.8 Western, and for long range target shooting I'd choose the 6.5 PRC. If I were hunting elk, for sure I'd choose the 6.8 Western over the 6.5 PRC simply for the heavier bullets.

I didn't know there were such high BC bullets available in .277.

I guess this is Winchesters answer to Hornady's 6.5 PRC.

[sigstroker]

The 6.8 Western seems too close to the 6.5 PRC to really differentiate itself. It also seems to me more of a hunting cartridge than a long distance precision cartridge due to the larger diameter. Splitting hairs, I guess for hunting I'd choose the 6.8 Western, and for long range target shooting I'd choose the 6.5 PRC. If I were hunting elk, for sure I'd choose the 6.8 Western over the 6.5 PRC simply for the heavier bullets.

I didn't know there were such high BC bullets available in .277.

I guess this is Winchesters answer to Hornady's 6.5 PRC.

That was my conclusion too. The 6.5 PRC shoots just as far, and there are plenty of highly developed 6.5mm bullets available. It has quite a bit less recoil than the new 6.8 too. If I was worried about energy on target I would just choose one of the existing 7mm's. For hunting, the 7mm Magnum is what I would choose if I wanted to blast an elk. For long range diddling, probably a 7 SAUM if I wanted a lot of energy at long range, which I can't think of a reason for. Again, lots of good 7mm bullets available now.

[MongooseV8]

The 6.8 Western will have faster twist barrels and Winchester is already producing high bc 175 grain bullets for it. They are marketing and supporting it to compete with the 6.5 Creed in both long range and hunting.

[RNE228]

When I look at those, they just don't have the edge on the 6.5-284; a well proven long range target and hunting cartridge. Proven performance on long range elk, deer and Bighorn sheep.

The 6.5PRC has potential if they flood the market with rounds. 6.5-284 has been a reloaders dream, but commercial ammo has limited availability for non-reloaders.

The 6.8 Western seems too close to the 6.5 PRC to really differentiate itself. It also seems to me more of a hunting cartridge than a long distance precision cartridge due to the larger diameter. Splitting hairs, I guess for hunting I'd choose the 6.8 Western, and for long range target shooting I'd choose the 6.5 PRC. If I were hunting elk, for sure I'd choose the 6.8 Western over the 6.5 PRC simply for the heavier bullets.

I didn't know there were such high BC bullets available in .277.

I guess this is Winchesters answer to Hornady's 6.5 PRC.

[k1dude]

When I look at those, they just don't have the edge on the 6.5-284; a well proven long range target and hunting cartridge. Proven performance on long range elk, deer and Bighorn sheep.

The 6.5PRC has potential if they flood the market with rounds. 6.5-284 has been a reloaders dream, but commercial ammo has limited availability for non-reloaders.

Short action vs long action.

Possibly a smaller powder charge and more efficient burn. But I'm just guessing about that. And as you pointed out, not much commercial support for the 6.5x284.