Jim’s Hunt
Well-Known Member
Call Berger they will help you
Reloading 6.8 western
- Thread starter lightacres
- Start date
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I ran the brass through the Western die and made sure the shoulder was bumped back .002" from fired factory brass. I didn't neck turn as I don't have the equipment, but Norma seems pretty consistent. I know I said ADG, I was confused as I bought ADG for my 300 WSM at the same time. I did run a mandrel in it though. I then loaded it to the min charge for powder and bullet weight I could find. Fire forming pushes the should out as the 7mm SAUM and 6.8 Western have different shoulder angles. It's like fire forming .280 AI from .280 Rem brass in this aspect.
Great, thanks so much for the info.
I've recently been testing out a variety of powders to see what works for me. My last two have been Magpro and Magnum, details below. I still have Retumbo and Superformance to test.
I'm using a Browning X-Bolt Speed SR 20" barrel, the details below are the best combo of velocity and accuracy.
Magnum - 68.9gr - Average 2768 fps - ES 8 - .68" group/100yds - Berger 170 EOL
Magpro - 65.1gr - Average 2767 fps - ES 21 - .72" group/100yds - Berger 170 EOL
I'm using a Browning X-Bolt Speed SR 20" barrel, the details below are the best combo of velocity and accuracy.
Magnum - 68.9gr - Average 2768 fps - ES 8 - .68" group/100yds - Berger 170 EOL
Magpro - 65.1gr - Average 2767 fps - ES 21 - .72" group/100yds - Berger 170 EOL
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I have the exact same rifle. Did put a Timney trigger in it.
I'm loading the new 155 grain Barnes LRX with H4350. Ran into pressure signs earlier than I expected, and I have to remind myself that the 20" barrel isn't going give as much as a 24-26".
54.0 grains of H4350 is giving me about 2750 fps.
Maybe a bit slower powder might give me more velocity? But I have a lot of this powder and I'm only using it on deer so my current load should be fine.
My 16yo son used it this fall and killed a 4 point mule deer at 240 yards. Went through both shoulder bones and exited as the monos almost always do in my experience.
Reloading the Winchester 6.8 Western
I have been loading center-fire rifle ammunition for years, but when I started this project there was nothing published, on paper or the internet, as far as loading the 6.8 Western.
www.mossyoak.com
Are you still running that same load or have you tried other powders?
Jim’s Hunt
Well-Known Member
So my 270 WSM will shoot 175gr TGK at 2970 to 3000 fps with 1/2 moa and kills elk pretty dead.
Still running the same load.
Both my teenage sons used that rifle this past fall and both shot 3x4 mule deer bucks...shots were 200-250 yards so not a real test, but it worked well.
Coincidentally I just picked up a different model of X-bolt in 6.8 Western with a 24" barrel just because the Gen 1 X-bolts are being discounted by some retailers with the X-bolt 2 now out. I got this one at half MSRP so I figured what the heck.
It'll be interesting to run the same load through this new one and see what a difference the extra 4" makes (and of course there could be minor chamber differences etc).
