6.8 Western, the perfect middle ground?

Denver Steve said:
That 180 goes broadside through a moose at 200 yards no problem. Looks like it opened up great as well, as it had a very wide wound channel with surprisingly very little bloodshot for the speed it was going. No bullet of lead fragments to speak of either in the wound channel. Just a nice large permanent one inch hole right though the animal.
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What velocity would that 180 be going? The western/wsm cases aren't huge magnums. By 200 yds velocity might be to low for hydrostatic shock and the intramuscular blood bubbles. Sounds like a excellent hunting projectile, rifle combo for larger animals.
 
2840fps at the muzzle over my magnetospeed. Using retumbo powder. It is a faily compressed load but not too crazy. I went quite a bit faster in load work up, but settled on a load around half a grain below where my pressure signs started, if I recall I have not shot them over my Garmin yet. Impact velocity would have been right at 2500fps at 200 yards, with 2500ft/lbs of energy as well.
 
Denver Steve said:
That 180 goes broadside through a moose at 200 yards no problem. Looks like it opened up great as well, as it had a very wide wound channel with surprisingly very little bloodshot for the speed it was going. No bullet of lead fragments to speak of either in the wound channel. Just a nice large permanent one inch hole right though the animal.
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Oh I don't doubt the bullet works, with that kind of sectional density I would expect very high penetration. Its just not my style, particularly with sub-30cal stuff.
 
It's the old lady's rifle, a xbolt micro midas. Only has like a 12.5" length of pull. Just needed some stouter heavy rounds for moose. I also have 130 grain partitions, and 150 grain accubonds I can use for it. But the woodleighs shot good. Where cheap, and have no problem doing the job
 
Denver Steve said:
It's the old lady's rifle, a xbolt micro midas. Only has like a 12.5" length of pull. Just needed some stouter heavy rounds for moose. I also have 130 grain partitions, and 150 grain accubonds I can use for it. But the woodleighs shot good. Where cheap, and have no problem doing the job
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Woodleigh still lists the bullet on their website and they have a contact in AB on their webpage under stock- international
wood1.png
 
Only problem is they completely burnt down almost 2 years ago? Somewhere around there. They where going to permanently close down, but did end up rebuilding. So they went quite awhile with no production, their websites last update was in the fall. They are now doing runs of their more popular bullets, and be awhile before they have inventory rolling out. Probably be awhile before we see much here in Canada. I really like their bullets, very good bonding process. Use them from .264-.375 .
 
Suther said:
I'm the opposite - I think the 270Win is already the perfect 277cal hunting rifle. If you can't kill it with a 130gr premium bullet going 3100fps, then I'd be reaching for a bigger diameter, not just a heavier bullet. I know for a fact the 130gr Interbond will go straight through a black bear and leave a blood trail a blind man could follow, and at least for me that is about all I could ever ask for.
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I agree, Suther. The 270 is already the ideal middle ground hunting cartridge.

Have posted this before, and do it again for consideration in this thread. I have personally hunted with the 270 Winchester since 1967 on everything from ground hogs to our huge Alaska Yukon moose. Animals with shredded lungs are headed to the freezer very quickly. Bears in particular go down quickly with such hits. Am friends with many others who hunt here as well, one of whom has killed at least three grizzlies that I remember using his 270 with 130 factory ammo.

As well, I have guided hunters here since 1973 for all our big game, and seen everything used from the 243 Winchester to the 375 H&H.

It is my distinct impression that I have seen more one shot kills with the 270 than any other cartridge. The 270 Winchester is a very accurate, high velocity, flat shooting outfit, and has relatively mild recoil. Consequently, it is very easy to shoot accurately and hit game in the vitals better.

Ted
 
I've said it before, back before the internet, when Moose and Grizzly tags were over the counter, the 270 WCF was considered to be a Big Gun.
 
I'm interested, not so much in the cartridge but in the renewed interest in it after a bit of a flop on release. It's a fine cartridge, slightly heavier bullets at slightly higher velocity than the good old .270 Win good to go. I'd use that on anything that doesn't bite back.

Just not a priority right now, but interesting to see renewed interest in general.
 
Why not? said:
I agree, Suther. The 270 is already the ideal middle ground hunting cartridge.

Have posted this before, and do it again for consideration in this thread. I have personally hunted with the 270 Winchester since 1967 on everything from ground hogs to our huge Alaska Yukon moose. Animals with shredded lungs are headed to the freezer very quickly. Bears in particular go down quickly with such hits. Am friends with many others who hunt here as well, one of whom has killed at least three grizzlies that I remember using his 270 with 130 factory ammo.

As well, I have guided hunters here since 1973 for all our big game, and seen everything used from the 243 Winchester to the 375 H&H.

It is my distinct impression that I have seen more one shot kills with the 270 than any other cartridge. The 270 Winchester is a very accurate, high velocity, flat shooting outfit, and has relatively mild recoil. Consequently, it is very easy to shoot accurately and hit game in the vitals better.

Ted
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They certainly got the recipe right 101 years ago, good reason it’s still here and we all know it by name. I saw the same on mountain goats, .270 put them down as hard as anything, and everyone shot it well. Never guided a .270 Grizz as Americans love big guns, but happily would have, was very impressed with 140-150gr 7mm Mag on Grizz which ballistically sure isn’t a much different recipe. It ranked up there for the quickest kills.

Any cartridge in the ballpark of a not too heavily constructed bullet, not too heavy for caliber, doing in the realm of 3000fps, has similar effect. .270s just the most accessible fitting nearly ever action, and with modest recoil.
 
Well I've got a 6.8 Western rifle on the way. It looks like Winchesters Expedition Big Game 165grain load is the one to have.

Impressive Ballistics.
WinchesterExpedition Big Game165grain
Distance (Y)Velocity (FPS)Energy (FT-LBS)Drop (in)
muzzle
2970​
3226​
100​
2815​
2902​
1.4​
200​
2667​
2605​
0​
300​
2524​
2333​
-6.3​
400​
2385​
2084​
-18.1​
500​
2251​
1856​
-36​
 
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