Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game 6.8 Western

So is the cartridge dead yet or is it still flopping around struggling for life? Long live the 270 Win.

Yes, Long Live the 270Win 10” twist and all …
6.8 Western Short Mag, That’s another question with 7.5” or 8” twist
How long did the 7mm WSM hang on ?

Isn't the military going to the 6.8? If so, it'll be around a while.

Think that the military is going to an 8.6 cartridge.

I hope it stays around. I have neither the 6.8 Western or the 7mm PRC but in comparing the 2 from videos it seems the 6.8 is reaching and exceeding its potential in factory form and quite often bests the 7 PRC. The 7 PRC is not doing as well in that but does have better marketing.

They are building .338 Norma machine guns (technically an 8.6mm).

Infantry rifles they are building a new 6.8x51mm hybrid cartridge (commercially a .277 Sig Fury).

I just bought one, so far so good. I think its going to be an excellent round for my rather narrow needs. I say this as a guy who has 5 270's at the moment and thinking about acquiring another...

338 norma machine gun!?! Damn gina!
And there is also the 6.8 SPC.
Obviously the military sees something in 27 cal over the other calibers like 26 or 28

BK, What rifle did you buy?

I have looked at the 6.8 Western numerous times. Really like the idea. Have perused the current rifles available. I just have not found one yet that had to come home.

Never been one to bemoan new stuff or cheer for its demise. No skin off my nose, and I have three regular .270s. A pal has a fetching M70 Maple 6.8 and likes it a lot for poking food plot whitetails.

Would’ve been better if they’d just twisted the .270 WSM correctly to begin with, but there’s a lot of old-think in the industry. The reason they didn’t just make ammo with long, pointy bullets for the WSM has been covered fully, so no need to beat on that any more.

I bought a Browning x bolt LR Max I think its called. Cheap but rigid plastic stock, threaded, decent trigger. I'm not married to it, might get a fast twist 270 sometime as well. Didn't cost me a fortune or anywhere near it.

I've got a spot in Montana where a guy could hike in with it and a tripod and set up to cover a few spots in that 5-600yd range. The bulls have told us now where they hang out post rut, time to believe them.

the Lazzaroni cartridges are the sliced bread of cartridges.......oh, wait....they are not?...but you said they were????

the RUM and WSM cartridges are the sliced bread of......wait.........but you said they were????

the RUSM and WSSM cartridges are ........oh come on now!!!!

BK,
Thanks for the info.

I really like my 1:8 twist 270 and 155gr LRX. Rel 26 it is pushing that bullet right at 3000 fps. I would not hesitate to use it out to 500-600 yards.

But unlike you, I'm no gee whiz with a rifle. I need the weight at those kind of ranges to steady me up.

I have seen a few videos comparing the 6.8 Western (basically a 270 PRC) to the 6.5 PRC. Almost all have concluded the 6.8 Western to be the superior round. The heavier bullets in the 6.8 have a better B.C. and therefore retain velocity and energy better down range. It also helps that Winchester's listed velocity and ballistics are accurate compared to Hornady's listed velocities for the 6.5 PRC. I know 6.5 PRC owners that have chrony'd Hornady Factory ammo as much as 250fps. under listed velocity.

I think the 6.8 Western is soon to be obsolete, even if it's a good cartridge, seems like the industry has given up on it, Midway only has one option in stock for $72. The 7 PRC is just about the perfect big game cartridge, all the best of the 270/7mmRM/30-06 and 300 WM in one package. It may be a little much for some close range deer hunting like we have in the SE but that won't stop me from using it this weekend, the last weekend in GA.

When the 7mm-6.5PRC becomes a factory cartridge the 6.8 Western and all the 7mm short mags will be obsolete.

Bull$hyt, 6.8 western is getting praise from gun writers. 7prc is a marketing gimmick. 280ai runs with it and good old 7rm still bests it. People are always looking for latest & greatest. Old 270 faster twisted for new high b/c bullets is interesting using latest propellants. Not sure why win/browning aren’t pushing marketing more like hornady. I’m biased to 6.8 because I also run old 284 win in multiple guns. Win fan, have long action 284 bolt action so I’d have no problem loading 6.8 western to meet all my hunting needs.

Love mine custom built Terminus Apollo Ti action,Hells Canyon Carbon wrapped 7.5 twist barrel, Privateer stock,bottom metal and Tanget Theta scope

That sounds like a great load!! I wouldn’t hesitate to take it to 600 if you’re shootings MOA