Have you verified the Accubond BC? Berger is good with their posted numbers. Others not so much. Now if Berger would do loaded ammo support for the 6.8 W with their .277 170 EH, that'd be a good one.
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6.5PRC, 6.8 Western, 7SAUM
- Thread starter HuskerHunterFisher
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Me either
Lotta guys are getting more speed out of the 140 in a PRC than that. My 6.5 Sherman Max is idling at 3,000 fps with the Berger 156 (G1 0.679 / G7 0.347 verified out to 1,210 yds) and some guys are pushing close to that with their PRC's. Granted that's pushing it harder than I like. Tough to catch though with the 6.8 W in available factory loads.I think that the 6.8 Western pushing 170 gr Accubonds have a BC or 0.620 while the 6.5 140 gr has a BC of 0.509. The 170 gr bullets out of the 6.8 Western have a muzzle velocity of 3020 fps and 2835 ft pounds of energy. From what I can find the 6.5 PRC 140 gr appears to have a muzzle velocity of 2900 fps and 2614 ft pounds of energy. Bullet drop for the 6.8 Western with a 200 yard zero is 6.4 inches, the 6.5 PRC is 7.0 inches. This info is derived from Winchester/Browning since they are the only ones making 6.8 Western ammo, The 6.5 PRC comes from Nosler.
Gentlemen, you may draw your own conclusions.
Outfits like Unknown Munitions can do you some fine custom loads that are just as convenient if not more so than factory. Just hit them up when you need more and they load and ship. Costs a bit to send in your rifle if you wanna get it really dialed in, but worth it in the long run for demanding shooters who don't reload IMO. Did some for me in the past that all did 2.5" or less at 650 yds. 7 SAUM is a very capable and fun one for sure.
Berger said they considered 6.8W but will not load unless Lapua makes brass. However, Choice ammunition loads the 170 Berger
Lou
Trm82
Well-Known Member
3020 fps with a 170 !! That's definitely a top end load for a 6.8w that wouldn't happen with factory ammo.I think that the 6.8 Western pushing 170 gr Accubonds have a BC or 0.620 while the 6.5 140 gr has a BC of 0.509. The 170 gr bullets out of the 6.8 Western have a muzzle velocity of 3020 fps and 2835 ft pounds of energy. From what I can find the 6.5 PRC 140 gr appears to have a muzzle velocity of 2900 fps and 2614 ft pounds of energy. Bullet drop for the 6.8 Western with a 200 yard zero is 6.4 inches, the 6.5 PRC is 7.0 inches. This info is derived from Winchester/Browning since they are the only ones making 6.8 Western ammo, The 6.5 PRC comes from Nosler.
Gentlemen, you may draw your own conclusions.
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I think that the 6.8 Western pushing 170 gr Accubonds have a BC or 0.620 while the 6.5 140 gr has a BC of 0.509. The 170 gr bullets out of the 6.8 Western have a muzzle velocity of 3020 fps and 2835 ft pounds of energy. From what I can find the 6.5 PRC 140 gr appears to have a muzzle velocity of 2900 fps and 2614 ft pounds of energy. Bullet drop for the 6.8 Western with a 200 yard zero is 6.4 inches, the 6.5 PRC is 7.0 inches. This info is derived from Winchester/Browning since they are the only ones making 6.8 Western ammo, The 6.5 PRC comes from Nosler.
Gentlemen, you may draw your own conclusions.
The cream rises to the top. Despite Hornady and other companies not annointing the 6.8 Western it's popularity continues to rise. Once people shoot it and use it on game they quickly realize it is a fantastic cartridge. I was skeptical and having twenty three big game rifles in the safes already, hesitating on buying one. Man, am I loving it! It's all I shoot now at everything. Sold the PRC's and went and got a duck blind instead. Don't miss em. Kept the Creedmoor and the 280 AI. No regrets. You will love that 6.8 and the Western name cool factor 
is top shelf!
is top shelf!
Until more ammo, brass, component and rifle manufacturers pick it up, it is destined to fall into the obscure/enthusiast category like the SAUM and WSM cartridges.The cream rises to the top. Despite Hornady and other companies not annointing the 6.8 Western it's popularity continues to rise. Once people shoot it and use it on game they quickly realize it is a fantastic cartridge. I was skeptical and having twenty three big game rifles in the safes already, hesitating on buying one. Man, am I loving it! It's all I shoot now at everything. Sold the PRC's and went and got a duck blind instead. Don't miss em. Kept the Creedmoor and the 280 AI. No regrets. You will love that 6.8 and the Western name cool factor
Montanaatheart
Member
I'm running a TL3 action then using a buddy's vise to swap between 6.5 creed, 6.5 PRC and now waiting on a 6.8 W barrel. I want that heavier bullet the 6.8 will have in case I run into an elk. Not that a 6.5 PRC can't get it done I just want more of the "anchor" that the heavier bullet will give me. My 6.5 with the 22" barrel just doesn't give me the speeds with a 156 Berger. The creed will be more of a trainer for me.
What made you go 6.8 Western rather than a 7 mm or 30 cal cartridge? There is a difference between a 6.5 PRC and a 6.8 Western, but there is definitely more overlap between the two than with something bigger.
Not criticizing, just curious.
Montanaatheart
Member
Staying with a short action along with overall weight. I have a 7PRC shooting 195s for but IMO it's too much bullet for deer and antelope. I don't want a pin hole pass thru. I also have 180s for the 7, but like what I gain for elk and bear with the 195s and I'm conserving barrel life. If I had it to do again I'd just go the 6.8 and not the PRC as there's a lot of overlap. (I mentioned the 156 speeds earlier) I'm not concerned with factory ammo as I'll be reloading. I plan on shooting 170 Berger EOL. I picked up ADG (200 rounds to start) and ADG is doing another run in a couple months. Check with Unknown Munitions if you're interested in those.
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I would beg to differ that there's is nothing obscure about thr SAUM or WSM...
