6.8 Western or 300WSM

[tx338]

Another vote for 300wsm. If ammo/components were not an issue, I'd look hard at 300 PRC.

 

[Papa762]

There's no doubt about it the 300 WSM is far more proven and will do everything you wanted to do, but since you don't load your own ammo, what would be wrong with a 300 win mag? You can buy ammo for that cheaper, it's been around since Christ was a corporal, and it'll do everything you ever wanted to do, it's just a plain Jane good cartridge, I know you didn't ask for any other cartridge suggestions, but that's my two cents

Yeaaa! I have been impressed with my old Sako 300 WM. Perhaps I could keep it and still keep my head up. I'm old and so is my WM.

 

[Rusty85]

Personally I'd with the 300 WSM but I'm a big fan of it as well. Take a look at the top of the 1000y benchrest world and you'll always a 300 wsm especially if there was any wind involved.
Also Unknown Munitions is offering it in a a lot of bullet options if you don't reload and want the best ammunition available. They will also help you find a load for it.
The 300 WSM with a 215 Berger in a mid to long action is an extremely deadly combo. I have two one built on a Tikka and the other is a XM length Defiance.

 

[tknuts103]

6.8 Western

 

[Scooter 45ACP]

Hey Fellas I am new to the site and I am looking for some suggestions. I am 52 years old and have been hunting and shooting all of my life. I live in the Lowcountry of South Carolina and I own and operate a sporting clay range and I have a private rifle range also.
I am thinking about buying a new rifle and I really like the way the 6.8 western looks on paper but not really sure its going to be around long enough to prove itself unless some other companies start making ammo for it (I'm not a reloader). So my other thought was 300WSM. I know one is a 30Cal and the other is a .270 so there is that. I don't want a 270WSM because I can't go past 150gr. Thoughts?

Since you're not a reloader go with the 300 WSM, the 6.8 Western is nothing more than a 270 WSM with a faster twist to stabilize heavier bullets, to me if Winchester was going to introduce a new cal. it should have been a 6.5 WSM maybe thats just me but that said ammo is normally more available in 30 cal and they'll certainly be around long after we're gone

 

[Ranger Rick]

Last year I built a 6.8 Western with a Defiance Ruckus XM action, Defiance XM BDL bottom metal, & a 1:8" twist Hawk Hill barrel. It shoots great and this rifle is lighter than my Tikka .270 LA. The .270 killed many elk for me, but my 6.8W is so good, I sold the .270.
I also like my 6.5PRC and 7SAUM.

 

[Buckys]

wp2ten, it wouldn't hurt to offer some insight into what capabilities you want to end up with - e.g., what motivates the heavier bullet that rules out 270wsm? Are you wanting a short action?

Given that you don't reload, I would suggest that you go ammo shopping online and figure out what you could buy today in 6.8western versus 300wsm. Here you have 1 6.8 western choice, more than half a dozen 7wsm choices and even more 300 wsm choices:

Rifle Ammunition, Multiple Ammo Caliber | Sportsman's Warehouse

Buy rifle ammunition at a Sportsman's Warehouse store near you or online. We carry major brands, calibers, types: FMJ, SP, HP, BTHP, SST, Ballistic Tip & more.

www.sportsmans.com

 

[Magnum44270]

300wsm or 300prc

 

[budlight]

I would greatly support the 300 WSM, while there are bullets in excess of 150 grains for the .270, they do require a faster twist than you see in factory rifles. The 300 allows you a huge range of bullets and its proving the test of time.

Apparently you don't know that the factory 6.8 is a 8 twist and factory ammo is 165 and 175 grain

 

[CNY Yote Hunter]

300 wsm is my preferred choice. Same as others have said, wide range of weights available, I've shot 130 grain to 200 out of mine and I love that versatility

 

[Pauleye]

Another fan of the 300WSM. I am 70 plus and find it still easy to shoot. Yes I still hunt

 

[Buano]

I am curious as to how you plan on using this rifle.

The 6.8 Western is a long-range tweak of the .270 WSM that doesn't seem to be worth the risk of obsolescence unless you are planning on shots in excess of 600 yards. Yes, it has more thousand-yard-potential than the .270 WSM, but if you can't find ammunition in 10 years it will not make you happy. As you don't reload, ammunition availability is an even bigger issue. There is an out if the worst happens, if ammunition becomes unavailable you could easily have your rifle rebarrelled in .270 WSM or .300 WSM.

The .300 WSM is a very good 30-caliber round with about the same range and trajectory as the .270 WSM. Yes, it will throw a heavier bullet down-range than the .270 WSM, which makes it a better elk rifle, but nothing native to South Carolina requires such a cannon. (I'm not against cannons, and have several myself, but I like to match what I'm shooting to what I'm shooting at.)

I can't make a recommendation as to which is better for you unless you let us know how & where it will be used.

My favorite cartridge for where you live is the .25-06. It shoots quite flat, and will reach out and drop deer & hogs at 600+ yards while not destroying game shot at closer ranges. If you want a longer range rifle suited for hunting where you live I would recommend you look at the 6.5 PRC and similar cartridges. Each of those is quite capable of taking a deer or hog at 800 yards, or an elk at 600 yards.

 

[JAYgs8163]

I just built a 7mm WSM and am now building a 300WSM. 300WSM would be my choice as there are so many quality components for it if you're reloading. ADG now making brass as well as Norma and Nosler and not to mention so many projectile options. Such a versatile round. Tons of factory ammo options if you're not a reloader.

7mm WSM you'd probably have to build as not many factory rifle options available. Hornady is now making brass for the 7WSM and for me it's been excellent. Still quite a few factory ammo options also.

 

[terry 338rum]

i wish you had listed your use for this rifle but a general suggestion would be to purchase either a 300wm or 7mm. Both are time tested and good for reloading if you want to at a later date.