6.8 Western, the perfect middle ground?

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Northern Shooter

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I hadn't given much thought to the 6.8 Western Cartridge until recently but I'm liking what I see.

Introduced as a joint venture between Browning/Winchester in 2021, this .277 caliber offers a modern take on the .270 WSM using heavy for caliber bullets.

Most common bullets weights are in the 160-175 grain range with a focus on long range application.

The 6.8 Western seems to slot in-between two of it's most obvious competitors which are Hornady's 6.5 PRC and 7MM PRC lines.

the larger diameter and projectile weights gives the 6.8 an advantage over 6.5's when it comes to those hunting sheep/deer species that may be hesitant to reach out on larger elk/moose sized game.

It offers projectile weights comparable to that of the 7mm PRC, albeit around 200 fps slower but with that comes reduced recoil and higher sectional densities compared to equally weighted .284 bullets. It also sounds like this short action cartridge is quite efficient and won't be a barrel burner like the 6.5 PRC.

The main criticism that appears to be directed towards the 6.8 Western is it's lack of market support with an uncertain future.
It looks like it's only Browning and Winchester that are currently supporting this cartridge with both rifle and ammo selection, however given that those two are among the largest of firearm producers in the industry today, I'm not exactly worried about shortages.

How many of have you have picked up this cartridge? What is your take on it?
I'd consider buying this in either a Browning X bolt Western Hunter or a Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather.
 
Given the price of the Winchester XPR, I am tempted to give it a try although I don't see anything revolutionary about it.
 
I don't know why, but whenever I hear about this cartridge it just does not cause any excitement, at all.
Maybe its the 6.8 part? WTH is 6.8 lol. Should it have been named the "270 western"?
I will pass on this one, for unknown reasons.
 
I’ve looked at it a couple times. I think one potential downside is the whole .277 while it’s got allot going for it as you mentioned when introduced the hand loading market for projectiles that the cartridge would benefit from seemed to be lacking considerably compared to others.

With the 6.5 PRC there were already a couple 6.5s on the market and more to come which has given a wider selection of projectiles in varying weight classes. I shoot everything from 120gr to 156gr which I’m very happy with. On the heavier side or with a monolithic I’d have no problem taking bigger game however that usually comes with bear territory and I do prefer to pack something that can handle that. I will either jump up to a .30 cal or .338 cal just as a precaution.

That all said if your hunting a wide assortment of game and not as worried about big brown predators then I think it would be quite handy. (I’m thinking some places in the states.) especially if the projectile market starts to support it a little more.

If I found a barrel for any of my actions at a good price I’d buy it to try it. (Keep in mind I have to many 6.5s already haha)

B
 
It is likely a great cartridge, but a hard pass for me. Winchester/Browning have tried a lot of neat cartridges in the past 20 years, and most have flopped.....223 wssm, 243 wssm (or was it 25 wssm? can't remember as it died out so fast....), 7mm wsm come to mind. I think the PRC family is here to stay so thats the way to go.
 
Northern Shooter said:
I hadn't given much thought to the 6.8 Western Cartridge until recently but I'm liking what I see.

Introduced as a joint venture between Browning/Winchester in 2021, this .277 caliber offers a modern take on the .270 WSM using heavy for caliber bullets.

Most common bullets weights are in the 160-175 grain range with a focus on long range application.

The 6.8 Western seems to slot in-between two of it's most obvious competitors which are Hornady's 6.5 PRC and 7MM PRC lines.

the larger diameter and projectile weights gives the 6.8 an advantage over 6.5's when it comes to those hunting sheep/deer species that may be hesitant to reach out on larger elk/moose sized game.

It offers projectile weights comparable to that of the 7mm PRC, albeit around 200 fps slower but with that comes reduced recoil and higher sectional densities compared to equally weighted .284 bullets. It also sounds like this short action cartridge is quite efficient and won't be a barrel burner like the 6.5 PRC.

The main criticism that appears to be directed towards the 6.8 Western is it's lack of market support with an uncertain future.
It looks like it's only Browning and Winchester that are currently supporting this cartridge with both rifle and ammo selection, however given that those two are among the largest of firearm producers in the industry today, I'm not exactly worried about shortages.

How many of have you have picked up this cartridge? What is your take on it?
I'd consider buying this in either a Browning X bolt Western Hunter or a Winchesterr Model 70 Extreme Weather.
Click to expand...

During the scamdemic I picked up an XPR 24" in 6.8 to play with to replace a 6.5 CM that I was bored with. Pleasantly surprised. Fairly efficient cartridge. Less felt recoil than my 30-06 shooting 190 ABLR while outperforming it shooting 165 gr.

The 165 ABLR is the start of the show in the factory chamberings.
Winchester / Browning are currently the only commercial manufacturers, offering several incl. 162 gr copper impact, 170 gr ballistic tip, 165 gr ABLR, 175gr Sierra TGK and a 170 gr target offering that one stocks, cause well it is a hunting caliber.

Berger offers a 170 gr EOL that does real well with VIHTAVUORI N150
Barnes offers 155 gr LRX that would make for potent Moose medicine(you can use the 129 gr LRX for deer)
Hammer Bullets have a couple of offerings as well

ADG is producing brass for it.
Lapua is making 300WSM brass is easily converted to 6.8W

It had a rough start..
Winchester kind of ####ed up the launch and Hornady came out hating on it and proudly proclaiming that they will never support it(Due to their at the time upcoming and un-benounced 7mmPRC)

Some American shooters are circling back to it thanks in part to Youtubers like Reloading Weatherby, WhoTeeWho and Hopefullballistics pointing out they get advertised velocity or better out of Winchester /Browning's loadings while mentioning Hornady's oops with the 7mmPRC precision hunter ammo getting about 150 fps less velocity than advertised for a whole lot of American shooters.

Would be great if Federal came up with a few loadings.
Right now you can buy ammo for it lots of places, and most components as well.
It is a rare bird in Canada, but if America warms up to it, has a chance.
 
MiG25 said:
Given the price of the Winchester XPR, I am tempted to give it a try although I don't see anything revolutionary about it.
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They can be hit and miss. I have an XPR that I bedded that has some potential as an ok rifle. A buddy had one 6.5 CM that was a 3 MOA. It is like the SXP of the rifle world. It is a step up from the Ruger American type rifles for sure.
 
Mr.Rigpig said:
I don't know why, but whenever I hear about this cartridge it just does not cause any excitement, at all.
Maybe its the 6.8 part? WTH is 6.8 lol. Should it have been named the "270 western"?
I will pass on this one, for unknown reasons.
Click to expand...

27 western has a good ring to it....
but i too gracefully decline the invitation of the 6.8 western.
 
Second comment like this in a row.....

Anyways, not all cartridges or cartridge families are a success. Right now, with only Browning/Winchester supporting it, what's the future of the 6.8 western. Even if you would or could reform brass from 27wsm, the high bc .277 bullets developed for this caliber may be discontinued if it fails.

Certainly interesting, and all you need for 90% of NA hunting. For me, it's a wait and see. Lots of new calibers very close in performance that are taking off. The US adopting the 277 sig fury may also lead the civilian market to push the .277 bore. But........
 
Wild_Thing said:
They can be hit and miss. I have an XPR that I bedded that has some potential as an ok rifle. A buddy had one 6.5 CM that was a 3 MOA. It is like the SXP of the rifle world. It is a step up from the Ruger American type rifles for sure.
Click to expand...

I must be lucky as my XPR in 6.5 creedmoor is a sub moa rifle with 143gr ELD-X

As for the 6.8 .... nah I don't think so.
 
The 6.5PRC and 7PRC are much better established and chambered by several manufacturers, so I wouldn't bother with the 6.8 Western, that may fade away in a few years.
 
Wild_Thing said:
Some American shooters are circling back to it thanks in part to Youtubers like Reloading Weatherby, WhoTeeWho and Hopefullballistics pointing out they get advertised velocity or better out of Winchester /Browning's loadings while mentioning Hornady's oops with the 7mmPRC precision hunter ammo getting about 150 fps less velocity than advertised for a whole lot of American shooters.
Click to expand...

I'm really curious what happened there with the 7PRC velocities. That backfire guy had a video recently talking about this too. When 7PRC first came out people complained the factory 175 ELDX ammo was too hot. I wonder if they dialled it back somewhat from their initial 3000fps goal. For what it's worth, I get 2980 fps with that ammo in a 22" barrel but it's not recent production. It's definitely hot though. Cratered primers and some ejector marks.
 
I think the 6.8 Western is a terrific cartridge, but I would never own one... before I ever do a 6.8W, I would just build a fast twist .270 WSM, and when I get to that point, I just think, why not go with a fast twist 7 WSM, which is the best of the bunch.
 
hoytcanon said:
I think the 6.8 Western is a terrific cartridge, but I would never own one... before I ever do a 6.8W, I would just build a fast twist .270 WSM, and when I get to that point, I just think, why not go with a fast twist 7 WSM, which is the best of the bunch.
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I Agree 100 % on a FAST Twist 270 or 7 Whizzum cartridge . the problem becomes when the coal is way to long for short actions - BUT a Tikka works fine for the Best COALs . 270 WSM or 7 WSM with heavy seated out bullets with a 8 twist will make a Fine LR cartridge but then we need BETTER brass too for them ? Never ends :d JMO RJ
 
remington jim said:
I Agree 100 % on a FAST Twist 270 or 7 Whizzum cartridge . the problem becomes when the coal is way to long for short actions - BUT a Tikka works fine for the Best COALs . 270 WSM or 7 WSM with heavy seated out bullets with a 8 twist will make a Fine LR cartridge but then we need BETTER brass too for them ? Never ends :d JMO RJ
Click to expand...

That is why I built my .375 WSM on a long action... unlimited options.
 
I've owned two of them, an Xbolt Mountain Pro and currently have a Model 70 Extreme Weather. I am just about to start handloading for the m70, have a slew of projectiles to play with (155gr LRX, 165gr ABLR, 170gr NBT, 170gr Berger, 175gr Sierra TGK). It's a nice round, similar to 6.5 PRC, 280 Rem, 280 AI, 7mm PRC - good company)
 
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