6.8 western be 6.5prc

[IHFarmer07]

I think you guys have it a bit backwards. These super high quality brass makers are the "niche market" and the big ammo companies are the big sellers. Now that is important for precision junkies like us but whether lapua sells brass for a round or not means little how successful a round is or will be. Look at some of the oddball stuff they offer. They are targeting a very specific crowd who will pay more for small quantities/high quality which is something that is waste of time for big guys who do well selling a lot more at lower cost/quality

Lou

It does matter when your reloading precision ammo for hunting and competition. Those super high quality brass makers have and sell way more brass than you know and in the same quantity as the lesser quality manufacturers. There are many precision hunters/shooters that won't buy a chambering because lapua, perterson, alpha or ADG don't make the brass. If your only shooting to 300-400 yards the extra cost of better made brass probably isn't for you as you don't need the consistency and consistency at long range is very important.

 

[IHFarmer07]

That would be a pain. I've noticed 8 twist barrels listed for the 270 wsm's on brownings site for there x bolts. I wonder if they had to go through the hoops on that one

They probably had to jump through some sort of hoops or pay in some way I would think. Otherwise why couldn't Remington have saved most of its chamberings like the saums and others and why are some of these new modern chambering just an updated version of previous chamberings but with different rifle twists, don't know for a fact on the saami approval deal but there has to be something to it.

 

[WildRose]

From what I've read they are all worried that all the guys with their older 10 twist barrels would be picking up the 165 or 175 grain bullets thinking the heavier weight bullets would be great only to have terrible results at the range. Then they would bad mouth or cancel culture that manufacturer. People aren't smart enough to read and take the advice on the box use 1:9 twist or faster. It's too bad. But I can vouch for your post saying non vld bullets shoot just fine out of my 8 twist. I can shoot 130 MRX which are old discontinued Barnes into one hole groups all day.

You're probably right since the big guys don't stamp the tw rate on the barrel.

All it would cost is a few cents per rifle to solve that issue.

 

[WildRose]

I would think it would have to go through the saami approval process again and the reloading manuals will have to be re-written for that change. Just a guess but all saami approved chamberings have a curtain rifling twist on the approved print.

I really don't know why they'd have to go back through SAAMI approval. They would however certainly need to update their loading manuals to include the longer Heavies.

 

[mbse20]

It does matter when your reloading precision ammo for hunting and competition. Those super high quality brass makers have and sell way more brass than you know and in the same quantity as the lesser quality manufacturers. There are many precision hunters/shooters that won't buy a chambering because lapua, perterson, alpha or ADG don't make the brass. If your only shooting to 300-400 yards the extra cost of better made brass probably isn't for you as you don't need the consistency and consistency at long range is very important.

It is not so much the brass as it is your reloading dies. You don't want to overwork the brass.

 

[IHFarmer07]

I really don't know why they'd have to go back through SAAMI approval. They would however certainly need to update their loading manuals to include the longer Heavies.

Yeah I don't know 100% on the saami approval but why else do things happen the way they the way they do with some of these chamberings. Maybe something to look/research into.

Also, when updating they're reloading manuals for longer heavies, wouldn't they have to update the pressures and then in return have to update the saami spec of the cartridge? Idk, lol this brings new questions on how the saami procedures work. I have seen some prints be revised from saami, don't know what hurdles have to be jumped over to be revised though.

 

[WildRose]

Yeah I don't know 100% on the saami approval but why else do things happen the way they the way they do with some of these chamberings. Maybe something to look/research into.

They cater to the mass market and those of us that like to shoot those long, heavy for BC bullets are a tiny fraction of the hunting market.

Mass production is about selling the most you can of an item at the lowest cost of production even if that results in a smaller profit per bullet, when you sell hundreds of millions of them it really adds up.

The same is true for the rifles. Typically no matter which Manufacturer it is the "Long Range" rifles are small, limited runs done maybe once a year as compared to their standardized counterparts or they are done through the custom shop to order.

That's why the prices for the LR models are usually substantially higher, fewer widgets requires a higher markup to still be profitable.

 

[WildRose]

It was the number 1 selling gun caliber in 2021. Its here to stay.

According to what source?

Considering the rifles were not even available until late summer early fall I find that claim to be rather incredible.

 

[Maol]

We all know it shoots a 6.8/.277 cal bullet. It doesn't shoot a .284/7mm bullet and the two are not interchangeable.

What exactly does the 6.8 Western do that isn't already being done by the 6.5's, 7mm's, .270 win or 270wsm?

What demand is there for it?

What it exactly does is it shoots heavier hunting high BC projos from a short/medium action out to a 1,000, and it does it with a Magnum class recoil just like you would expect. Does a 270? Nope. 270 WSM? Not to 1,000 and not the heavies. Its the same for the 6.5s.

The 6.5's in short actions are a pick your rifle weight, distance and recoil kind of menu. I like the 6.5 Creed. Needmore? Go PRC, we have and run both.

What about the 7s? They're great in a short action. 284 Win, 7-08. Like 'em both. Actually thinking about 284 Win maybe in AI, IDK.

BTW there is nothing wrong with 6.8 SPC ll (More versatile than the original being @ 200-300 fps faster) with the right throat, twist, in 3R, it is great slayer to 400+ & does it in a light mini action out of a short handy barrel w/puny recoil. Want to go to 600 and still use a mini action you can use a 6mm. Varmints? Close in to 4-500 save money and go 223/5.56. or a .204 Practical. To use a light mini action to 800 and past? Do it with a 224 Valkyrie. All with minimal recoil and efficient powder use, but you could load the 6.8 Western down for most of it if you wanted and get by.

Want one caliber to rule them all in a short action? It's probably a 308, ranging from 110gr to 180gr.

Until now. The .277/6.8 Caliber takes you from 85gr to 175gr. With monos and bonded and tipped projos, there isn't much you can't hunt in North America outside of the great bears with the .277. If you want more smack or reach, get a long or magnum action and go big.

Maybe your right, the 6.8 Western is DOA or will fizzle in the pan. Yet the military is betting the .277/6.8 caliber is the answer for them. They won't be doing it in a mini action though, they'll be doing it in a short action sized case, just like the 6.8 Western. If history is any indicator the military selection will become mighty popular before it is done. That may have more to do with the 6.8 Western's future than anything, and determine what eventual demand there is for it.

 

[WildRose]

What it exactly does is it shoots heavier hunting high BC projos from a short/medium action out to a 1,000, and it does it with a Magnum class recoil just like you would expect. Does a 270? Nope. 270 WSM? Not to 1,000 and not the heavies. Its the same for the 6.5s.

The 6.5's in short actions are a pick your rifle weight, distance and recoil kind of menu. I like the 6.5 Creed. Needmore? Go PRC, we have and run both.

What about the 7s? They're great in a short action. 284 Win, 7-08. Like 'em both. Actually thinking about 284 Win maybe in AI, IDK.

BTW there is nothing wrong with 6.8 SPC ll (More versatile than the original being @ 200-300 fps faster) with the right throat, twist, in 3R, it is great slayer to 400+ & does it in a light mini action out of a short handy barrel w/puny recoil. Want to go to 600 and still use a mini action you can use a 6mm. Varmints? Close in to 4-500 save money and go 223/5.56. or a .204 Practical. To use a light mini action to 800 and past? Do it with a 224 Valkyrie. All with minimal recoil and efficient powder use, but you could load the 6.8 Western down for most of it if you wanted and get by.

Want one caliber to rule them all in a short action? It's probably a 308, ranging from 110gr to 180gr.

Until now. The .277/6.8 Caliber takes you from 85gr to 175gr. With monos and bonded and tipped projos, there isn't much you can't hunt in North America outside of the great bears with the .277. If you want more smack or reach, get a long or magnum action and go big.

Maybe your right, the 6.8 Western is DOA or will fizzle in the pan. Yet the military is betting the .277/6.8 caliber is the answer for them. They won't be doing it in a mini action though, they'll be doing it in a short action sized case, just like the 6.8 Western. If history is any indicator the military selection will become mighty popular before it is done. That may have more to do with the 6.8 Western's future than anything, and determine what eventual demand there is for it.

6.8 western be 6.5prc

I agree the old 270 W is losing ground but it is still very popular and will be for long time. Those other rounds need all those different bullets to do what it does with a 130 just fine;) By the way old 30/30 beats the 7rm and 300 win in sales too. Any case the new battle rifle will be a...

www.longrangehunting.com

Already covered that.

The .270wsm has already given us a .277 that works in short actions giving "magnum performance".

DOD isn't entertaining the 6.8W for the new battle rifles but as I said, if they go with a .277 of any sort it will breathe new life into the bullet.

The reason the 06 dominated the last century was the fact it was the round our soldiers depended on in two world wars and in Korea. Whatever round the DOD eventually settles on will spur a whole lot of expansion in the civilian market as a result. As soldiers we tend to want similar platforms in the same cartridges we are issued and spend years getting familiar with. That's the only reason a round as inferior as the 5.56 ever gained much traction at all in the civilian market.

I get what Winchester is doing I just don't see it becoming "the round" for this century when we already have a saturated market for a "deer round" anyone can shoot and be successful in the field.

There's just nothing the .277's offer that is significantly different from the 6.5's and 7mm's already dominating the market.

 

[Maol]

I

6.8 western be 6.5prc

I agree the old 270 W is losing ground but it is still very popular and will be for long time. Those other rounds need all those different bullets to do what it does with a 130 just fine;) By the way old 30/30 beats the 7rm and 300 win in sales too. Any case the new battle rifle will be a...

www.longrangehunting.com

Already covered that.

The .270wsm has already given us a .277 that works in short actions giving "magnum performance".

DOD isn't entertaining the 6.8W for the new battle rifles but as I said, if they go with a .277 of any sort it will breathe new life into the bullet.

The reason the 06 dominated the last century was the fact it was the round our soldiers depended on in two world wars and in Korea. Whatever round the DOD eventually settles on will spur a whole lot of expansion in the civilian market as a result. As soldiers we tend to want similar platforms in the same cartridges we are issued and spend years getting familiar with. That's the only reason a round as inferior as the 5.56 ever gained much traction at all in the civilian market.

I get what Winchester is doing I just don't see it becoming "the round" for this century when we already have a saturated market for a "deer round" anyone can shoot and be successful in the field.

There's just nothing the .277's offer that is significantly different from the 6.5's and 7mm's already dominating the market.

To keep it short and simple, as you said, 'already covered that'. The 6.8 Western has the advantage of the new heavy and high BC bullets that the WSM doesn't. i.e. the 165-grain Nosler AccuBond LR and the 175-grain Sierra Long Range Pro, with more coming. The same can be said for the all the 6.5's in a short action. Re the 7's, the 284 Win is close but doesn't beat it. for a 7mm to beat it at distance takes a long action cartridge.

I get that you don't seem to see that as significant. However I do because it definitely puts it in the short action 'Elk Rifle' category. I actually am a fan of the 284 Win, which does run a close 2nd until BC beats it at distance. If Winchester coulda, woulda, shoulda with 270 WSM, the Western wouldn't even have made it to the drawing table. They didn't, and now it lives. For how long? As we both said lets see what the Army's new 6,8 cartridge does to it.

 

[Priley]

IMO the 300win mag is the best do it all for North America. 6.8w has a number of things going for it but I think they should have not sacrificed the case capacity for a short action. The new bullets that are coming out are long and longer. They arent going to shrink in length by any means. A simple rebarrel of a 270, upgrade to 270AI or a 270WSM with a faster twist match barrel nets better ballistics for the most part. But if it gets the shooting community more options for 270 bullets it's a win win for all.

The best?? How? Are you hunting Antelope with a cannon?? The .300 Win Mag is a bit overkill on deer and antelope but does fit the ticket for moose, bear, elk and such but is a beast, and smaller framed people and youngin's have trouble with recoil. As far as rebarreling a .270 Win or .270 WSM there is a cost that a lot of folks can't afford. The 6.8 comes in FACTORY loads with the high BC 162 gr and 175 gr bullets. I know all kinds of people that hunt and shoot factory loads and those won't be found in .270 Win or .270 WSM. Pure fact. The same could be said for the .300 PRC vs the .300 Win Mag. 260 vs 6.5 Creedmoor.... It goes on and on. Technology has come a long way and we need to use that ability to get more people interested in hunting. Fighting won't get us there and neither will the bashing of new round's coming out. If you don't like the changes then don't get on board just sit back and watch the rest of us try the new things and we can all shoot and have fun.

 

[mbse20]

The best?? How? Are you hunting Antelope with a cannon?? The .300 Win Mag is a bit overkill on deer and antelope but does fit the ticket for moose, bear, elk and such but is a beast, and smaller framed people and youngin's have trouble with recoil. As far as rebarreling a .270 Win or .270 WSM there is a cost that a lot of folks can't afford. The 6.8 comes in FACTORY loads with the high BC 162 gr and 175 gr bullets. I know all kinds of people that hunt and shoot factory loads and those won't be found in .270 Win or .270 WSM. Pure fact. The same could be said for the .300 PRC vs the .300 Win Mag. 260 vs 6.5 Creedmoor.... It goes on and on. Technology has come a long way and we need to use that ability to get more people interested in hunting. Fighting won't get us there and neither will the bashing of new round's coming out. If you don't like the changes then don't get on board just sit back and watch the rest of us try the new things and we can all shoot and have fun.

A rifle can be rebarreled for 500 bucks easily. That is a precision barrel from shilen, mcgowen, criteon( kreiger). You can pick your chamber and twist rate. No bashing the 6.8 from me..read all the above^^^^ Even in 277 though I would not pick the sierra 175 or nosler 165 for a Midwestern whitetail. I really like the new bullets though. They make the 277 class more of a universal hunting caliber for North America game.

 

[Priley]

That's my point why would you spend $700 or more on a good rifle then spend another $500 plus gunsmith fee's to put another barrel on it?? That doesn't make any sense. Just a waste of money and a good barrel. My reasoning behind the 6.8 Western is for an all around rifle. You can still shoot the lighter bullet's for coyote's to mule deer, and load it up with the heavies for elk, moose, and bear. That's a bug plus for folks that don't reload. Everyone has a little different idea on what they want but smaller framed folk's and kid's can get more out of the lighter recoil also.