The 270win with heavies reminds me of the 6.5CM/260 with 140's with similar BC's and velocities, but you now have extra penetrating weight. To me it just comes down to what you want to do with a given cartridge. If your happy with your old 270 or 270WSM but want the extra punch, just re-barrel with a faster twist. Or if you got the coin and want another rifle just buy/build a new one in the new cartridge. I'm thinking of doing a little of both with my 300WSM, a new 270WSM barrel with a fast twist. Or maybe not. I've said this before, with bullets from 110 up to 175, the 270's are a pretty good option for a great all-around cartridge.
.270wcf vs 6.8 Western & 270 WSM
- Thread starter Eric Alexander
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Moose47
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Latest Hodgdon 6.8 Western Data: 24" barrel---1:8 Twist--170 GR. Ber EOL-- Hodgdon Retumbo @65.5C 2903FPS 62,700 psi, what do you think will happen when you pair this load with a Browning Hell's Canyon Long Range 26 " barrel. If you don't have a 270,280AI or 270 WSM the 6.8 Western would be a good choice !! Just Saying.
Capt RB
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I don't feel retumbo is a good powder for the short mags. Some of the 300 rum shooters have experienced powder bridging in very cold weather. WIth the short column you will run that risk.
Moose47
Well-Known Member
Hodgdon listed several powders were listed, this was the closest load to the one in the post. Just making a point about the 6.8 Western caliber.
NYHUNTER444
Active Member
Guys, I've been researching this cartridge.
Yeah it's new. Yeah, it may be a fad.
But I think they are onto something with this one.
They've managed to stuff a heavier and longer bullet into brass with slightly less case capacity and have it shoot faster, longer, straighter, and deliver more energy downrange with appropriate expansion making this a true longer than typical range elk cartridge.
Nobody will ever dispute that the .270 is an excellent all around cartridge but this one has me intrigued.
Yeah it's new. Yeah, it may be a fad.
But I think they are onto something with this one.
They've managed to stuff a heavier and longer bullet into brass with slightly less case capacity and have it shoot faster, longer, straighter, and deliver more energy downrange with appropriate expansion making this a true longer than typical range elk cartridge.
Nobody will ever dispute that the .270 is an excellent all around cartridge but this one has me intrigued.
Everything you're stating is true! Had they just put a 1:8 twist on all the 270 win and 270 WSM a decade ago we wouldn't be having this discussion. But back in the day, guys weren't shooting over 500 yds at game animals. Optics were straight 4 or 6 power. It was a big deal when we got a 3-9x40. All the rage was a duplex crosshair in the 80's. So, realistically high BC and fast twist barrels had no demand until 8 years ago. Funny how things change even in one person's lifetime.
Eric Alexander
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It will shoot faster than the .270 WCF but why do you say straighter? Is this 6.8 Western supposed to be more accurate?
Don't get me wrong, I've been looking at it , too. But rebarreling a .270wcf with a 1:8 twist, 26" barrel will yield performance that's close, and retain the nice sure feeding of the longer tapered cartridge.
Not sure the ROI is there.
Don't get me wrong, I've been looking at it , too. But rebarreling a .270wcf with a 1:8 twist, 26" barrel will yield performance that's close, and retain the nice sure feeding of the longer tapered cartridge.
Not sure the ROI is there.
NYHUNTER444
Active Member
The ballistic coefficient lends itself to being straighter shooting, and by that, I mean less subject to wind drift.
Time will tell for me, I have a 27" light palma 1:8 twist coming maybe in 10 weeks? I will bet the RL26 velocities will be even better with the longer barrel for cook time. There is no doubt the 6.8 Western is a nice cartridge but good luck on brass when a plain jane .270 with 1:8 twist with longer barrel will be in same neighborhood. Heck I can still find .270 brass at range!
Eric Alexander
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the same high BC bullet on a 270 case may come out 100fps slower, but if it is travelling down a 1:8 twist barrel , where does the 'straighter' come in?
NYHUNTER444
Active Member
Again, this cartridge uses longer bullets so during testing, it was found that they are far less susceptible to wind drift and drop.
I'm just reporting what I've discovered when studying their testing.
Clearly, the 270 is a great round.
The 6.8W is simply better suited for elk at longer ranges.
maybe he should have used flatter instead of straighter but we understand where he was going flatter shooting less wind drift. and as for brass you can neck down and fireform 7mm saum brass pretty simple and better brass.
I am testing a 6.5 western now with simple neck down and fireforming for brass.
will be doing the original 6.8 western this summer just for fun
I am testing a 6.5 western now with simple neck down and fireforming for brass.
will be doing the original 6.8 western this summer just for fun
NYHUNTER444
Active Member
Post results please !
I am likely going to get the Winchester XPR chambered in 6.8W.
I found them for $469.00.
The Brownings are over double to quadruple....
If I like the cartridge that much, I may bump up to a Browning !
