6.8 western be 6.5prc

[WildRose]

So this your prediction ? Thank You
I've finally found someone in my 60 yrs that knows absolutely everything gun related !!!!!! I can go to any post on this site and find your absolute 100% correct answer to everything. Thank you so much again

Well no, but at least having some basic understanding of the history and of the market is really helpful.

 

[Deleted member 109523]

Well no, but at least having some basic understanding of the history and of the market is really helpful.

Again!! ThankYou!!

 

[Buck300]

Heres a good read.

Best Medium Caliber For Hunting - Long Range Only

What makes the best medium caliber for hunting. Ryan talks pros and cons of popular medium caliber cartridges for hunting.

www.longrangeonly.com

 

[CMP70306]

So this your prediction ? Thank You
I've finally found someone in my 60 yrs that knows absolutely everything gun related !!!!!! I can go to any post on this site and find your absolute 100% correct answer to everything. Thank you so much again

I mean, he isn't wrong, both Winchester and Remington released a total of 9 short mags into the market around 20 years ago. The only two with really any market share left are the 7 Saum and the 300 WSM, 6 of them aren't even offered in really any capacity and the 6.8 Western was designed to replace the .270 WSM.

The only one neither made was the 6.5 short mag so handloaders created the 6.5 SAUM which languished for a while but never really gained mainstream acceptance. It wasn't until Hornady introduced the 6.5 PRC, itself based off the failed .300 RCM short mag, that a 6.5 short mag idea really took off.

The 6.8 Western sits directly between the 6.5 PRC and the 7 SAUM both cartridges with more available bullet weights, options and factory support. In reality it's saving grace is that it has ammo available that will sell rifles in the short term but who knows how long that will translate to increased sales long term.

 

[lewislance13]

The .270 is not a 7mm, it is a .277 caliber vs the .284 of the 7mm.

Match bullets have been produced for the .270 for decades.

270 Cal 135 Gr. HPBT MatchKing - Sierra Bullets

This 135 grain MatchKing® bullet #1833 is the heaviest match grade bullet currently available in Sierra's line in 270 caliber. Designed for long-range accuracy, a long ogive point with small meplat and a boat tail shape give this bullet outstanding

www.sierrabullets.com

Rifle Bullets - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

Even an average hunt can become a memory that will last forever with Hornady^® bullets.

www.hornady.com

170 Grain Match 270 Caliber (.277 Diameter) Berger EOL Elite Hunting Bullet (Bx of 100)

The Extreme Store offers you the best long range hunting gear in the industry, including optics, bullets, brass, shooting accessories & more!

www.extremestore.us

Actually the decimal equivalent of 7.0mm is .275. So yes it is a 7mm bullet

 

[mbse20]

I had "heard" the 6.5 PRC didn't fit a remington 700 short action. Is that true?

 

[HunterMann]

What it needs is a demand that just doesn't exist.

For a factory round to succeed tens of thousands of rifles need to be sold in that caliber and millions of rounds of ammo bought annually in the first ten years.

There just isn't any great demand for a new .277.

If they could have put rifles and ammo in the hands of the top shooters in LR competition to shoot and win with and done a huge rollout campaign as was done for the Needmore it might have had a chance of really gaining some traction.

That's what's driving the market these days and has for more than a decade.

It's not even a substantial improvement over the 7mm wsm and Winchester wasn't bright enough to roll out a new cool Model 70 chambered in it.

Browning doesn't sell enough rifles to have any significant impact on the market and the Winchester Offerings aren't lighting the world on fire either.

It'll gain a dedicated but small following and that's about it.

Actually, the market (and marketing) has changed and thousands of firearms or million of rounds sold are no longer required for a successful product. New design and manufacturing technologies have greatly reduced the minimum number of units required for a production run to be be profitable. Design and production can be tuned to create many more NEW!, BETTER!, products and that is what today's marketing hype is all about. It's not about dominating a market or competitors; is is all about maximizing production and 100% sales of that production. Look at the model of the fast food industry, where millions of lemmings rush to get their "limited time only" special sandwiches and "seasonal" drink concoctions. All sold with a premium price tag... While sales of the classics like the Model 70 may remain flat, people are buying the new and different.

 

[CMP70306]

I had "heard" the 6.5 PRC didn't fit a remington 700 short action. Is that true?

Technically yes, actions set up for BDL style floorplates are set at 2.8" COAL while most AICS mags allow 2.95" COAL. So the 6.5 PRC will run fine in AICS mags but may need some tweaking for actions that were set up for BDL feeding.

I found this issue out when I built my dads custom on a defiance deviant action, since they are set up to feed from BDL bottom metal at 2.8" COAL the feed ramp had to be notched to allow it to feed from an AICS mag. My Nucleus action however can only use AICS mags and was already set up to handle the 2.95" COAL.

 

[COBigJohn]

When I had to make the decision for my two sons, they both received Savage Model 110's in .270 Winchester. Over the last 4-5 years, both have told me multiple times.... "Thanks for choosing the .270, Dad. It's about the only ammo I can find and it is still reasonably priced."

As soon as I say that.... the last gun I personally purchased for myself was a 6.5 PRC. But I don't have ammo yet. The cheapest I can find online is $100 a box.


........

 

[Mark37082]

This was an interesting thread. It got off the rails a bit, but interesting none the less. I believe there are a great number of people on this forum that like to be different than the masses. Whereas, I have owned many of the extremely popular rifles in 308, .284, 223, etc., I still like to be a little different every once in while. Not too different (wild cats), but less main stream than say a 6.5 Creed. If you reload, it opens up the options. You can source and buy a couple hundred pieces of quality brass, you will be set for the life of the rifle IMHO. Different strokes for different folks. Now where can I buy 200 280ai pieces of quality brass? Sorry…I couldn't help that last question jumping out there.

 

[vancewalker007]

I had "heard" the 6.5 PRC didn't fit a remington 700 short action. Is that true?

It can fit with some modifications but it runs better in a medium action. With the really long bullets like the 147 ELDM, 150 ABLR, and 156 EOL a COAL of 3+ inches saves some powder space and allows the reload to get closer to the lands. The SAAMI 2.955 OAL is still usable but a hair more magazine gives the user more flexibility. My 156 EOL load is right at 3.1 in COAL and I am sitting about 15 thou off the lands.

 

[mbse20]

Technically yes, actions set up for BDL style floorplates are set at 2.8" COAL while most AICS mags allow 2.95" COAL. So the 6.5 PRC will run fine in AICS mags but may need some tweaking for actions that were set up for BDL feeding.

I found this issue out when I built my dads custom on a defiance deviant action, since they are set up to feed from BDL bottom metal at 2.8" COAL the feed ramp had to be notched to allow it to feed from an AICS mag. My Nucleus action however can only use AICS mags and was already set up to handle the 2.95" COAL.

I was told the bolt stop had to be machined. Bolt didnt quite go back far enough on a 700SA.I dont remember the entire context anymore though, I abandoned the idea there.

 

[dougduey]

Heres a good read.

Best Medium Caliber For Hunting - Long Range Only

What makes the best medium caliber for hunting. Ryan talks pros and cons of popular medium caliber cartridges for hunting.

www.longrangeonly.com

Thanks for posting that article. Very good read and it confirmed my own opinion and why I don't own any .277 caliber, but have multiple 6.5 & 7mm rifles in my safe.

 

[Danehunter]

I have a 6.5 PRC Browning X-Bolt Pro for any game here in Nevada. It is a very flat shooting cartridge, uses a "medium short" action and is not a barrel burner plus the recoil is kinda-sorta like a .308.

As mentioned above the ammo supply for 6.5 PRC is better and there are a LOT more 6.5 bullets available for reloading than 6.8 bullets.
Eric B.