Anyone know the fate of the 6.8 western?

[OG-danimal]

Curious about what the fate of the 6.8 western will be. Anyone have any hot tips on if shot show is going to have any 6.8 news? I want to rebarrel my 6.5prc and this is a top contender, but without some more support I'm likely to go to a different route.
Cheers

 

[southpa]

Man I have been waiting for the ADG brass to hit so guys can put it to the test. Although im not a a fan of cartridges less that 7mm, for some reason i want to see what this 6.8 can do. It's kind of talking to me. Is there any reason this would be a choice over the 270wsm? I'm not hip on the WSMs but I've read the choice for longer ranges would be the 6.8? Don't know why?

 

[OG-danimal]

I'm not sure the differences there. I am also considering a 270 Sherman short. Same performance in a true short action. Anybody have one of these?

 

[southpa]

Right. Well if I had to guess the 6.8 is just going to slide off into oblivion. With the similar performance already out and the introduction of this new high pressure craze I don't rightly see the 6.8 gaining a ton of traction. But again well see what the ADG brass does for it but it seems like it may be a one and done run of brass for this chambering?

 

[Lou270]

ADG did an initial run of the 6.8W brass. Folks are using it now. Said another production run in Feb. As for fate of the 6.8W, there is a following. The fact the 7PRC is big time underperforming with factory ammo while the 6.8W is meeting claims knocked some shine off the 7prc which knocked the shine of the 6.8W rollout to begin with. Win/Browning (Win by the way is vastly bigger than Hornady and can support what it wants) are doing a good job supporting it with a variety of loads so does not look like going anywhere Win "advertise" it on the "deer shows" like Drury outdoors and Archers Choice and several others. These shows have big followings (ie million subscribers) but on average don't purchase every new gimmik like the prc etc that get pushed by Hornady influencers so the 6.8W growth may be more organic.

All of the bullet guys except Hornady make heavy/high BC 6.8 hunting bullets and they work in the short action platform (vs the heaviest highest bc match types which do not). There are not many match offerings if that is your thing though Berger just announced a 150 hybrid target 277. I think with the rollout of the 277 fury you will see more target type 277 bullets coming out. The 27 cal has long been a hunting only caliber and the 6.8W is no exception. 22, 6.5, 7, 30 all military in origin. The 277 Fury has a 1-7 saami twist and rolling out now. It will be popular down the road since it is the combat rifle cartridge and unlike the 7bc is actively getting pushed with high pressure hybrid and normal brass case (which opens up the "good" brass guys).

Time will tell on 6.8W but naysayers have been saying it is dead from start and every year they say next year it will be gone but still kicking and slowly growing. At a min I expect It will be a niche / cult round like a 280ai or 7-08 but the 27 cal bullet offeringwill continue to grow a lot on non-hunting side with 6.8x51/277 fury roll out and already uber established on the hunting side

Lou

 

[FEENIX]

Curious about what the fate of the 6.8 western will be. Anyone have any hot tips on if shot show is going to have any 6.8 news? I want to rebarrel my 6.5prc and this is a top contender, but without some more support I'm likely to go to a different route.
Cheers

You answered your concern.

 

[southpa]

ADG did an initial run of the 6.8W brass. Folks are using it now. Said another production run in Feb. As for fate of the 6.8W, there is a following. The fact the 7PRC is big time underperforming with factory ammo while the 6.8W is meeting claims knocked some shine off the 7prc which knocked the shine of the 6.8W rollout to begin with. Win/Browning (Win by the way is vastly bigger than Hornady and can support what it wants) are doing a good job supporting it with a variety of loads so does not look like going anywhere Win "advertise" it on the "deer shows" like Drury outdoors and Archers Choice and several others. These shows have big followings (ie million subscribers) but on average don't purchase every new gimmik like the prc etc that get pushed by Hornady influencers so the 6.8W growth may be more organic.

All of the bullet guys except Hornady make heavy/high BC 6.8 hunting bullets and they work in the short action platform (vs the heaviest highest bc match types which do not). There are not many match offerings if that is your thing though Berger just announced a 150 hybrid target 277. I think with the rollout of the 277 fury you will see more target type 277 bullets coming out. The 27 cal has long been a hunting only caliber and the 6.8W is no exception. 22, 6.5, 7, 30 all military in origin. The 277 Fury has a 1-7 saami twist and rolling out now. It will be popular down the road since it is the combat rifle cartridge and unlike the 7bc is actively getting pushed with high pressure hybrid and normal brass case (which opens up the "good" brass guys).

Time will tell on 6.8W but naysayers have been saying it is dead from start and every year they say next year it will be gone but still kicking and slowly growing. At a min I expect It will be a niche / cult round like a 280ai or 7-08 but the 27 cal bullet offeringwill continue to grow a lot on non-hunting side with 6.8x51/277 fury roll out and already uber established on the hunting side

Lou

Waiting to see what the first quarter run proves for this cartridge as there isn't anything out I can find on it now.

 

[Lou270]

Man I have been waiting for the ADG brass to hit so guys can put it to the test. Although im not a a fan of cartridges less that 7mm, for some reason i want to see what this 6.8 can do. It's kind of talking to me. Is there any reason this would be a choice over the 270wsm? I'm not hip on the WSMs but I've read the choice for longer ranges would be the 6.8? Don't know why?

I have 1-8 270wsm on a kimber 8400 wsm and couple of 6.8W. In the 3" mag there is no difference. The one advantage of 6.8W is you can get factory ammo loaded with heavier bullets but if handload doesn't matter. The WSM has 4-5 gr more powder capacity (shoulder more forward) so if put in LA with more freebor and seat bullets out a bit more can get more velocity.

Lou

 

[Lou270]

Waiting to see what the first quarter run proves for this cartridge as there isn't anything out I can find on it now.

There are a couple of active FB groups where guys are starting to show results. The initial run happened at beginning of hunting season so think most guys were doing that vs loading. I just shot it for first time yesterday in 6.8W xbolt spr (20") with ramshot grand

 

[bultinkle]

Crystal ball says….

Who knows


The easy button is always to buy enough brass to burn atleast one barrel and then don't worry about it

 

[comfisherman]

Considering winchesters history with cartridge support no matter how good the idea.... I'd say future doesn't look bright.

Conversly, with a premium brass brand available does it matter. Since it's a fast twist long neck 270 wsm... we have pretty good idea on barrel life. Guessing 4 boxes of adg brass could get you most the life of the barrel. Most my adult life cartridge availability had been sketcy, grab enough of the brass wrapper you prefer and off to the range you go.

 

[Lou270]

It is kind of odd to me it took a while for somebody like ADG to start making 6.8W brass. The Win brass literally lasts about 5 mins online before soldout when they do a dump. I am not saying the 6.8W is the next 6.5 creed but there is a good demand there at least for the smaller brass guys. Very happy that ADG stepped up. Have seen a few posts where guys are liking 6.8W cases necked to 25 cal as well so maybe we can start a new family

Lou

 

[Idaho Lefty]

Curious about what the fate of the 6.8 western will be. Anyone have any hot tips on if shot show is going to have any 6.8 news? I want to rebarrel my 6.5prc and this is a top contender, but without some more support I'm likely to go to a different route.
Cheers

A "Step Up", on your Magnum action, would Be, a 7 PRC or, 7 RSAUM ( Both, will Be HERE, Longer than, the 6.8 Westerner,. IMO ).
Fabulous ADG Brass is, avail for Both and All, the Great 7 MM Bullets you could, ever want !
My son Spun, a 7 PRC Proof, "Pre-Fit Barrel" on, a Tikka Action and is Putting, 5, 180's, into the Low 3's to, 1/2 MOA @ very Close to, 3,000 FPS !
If, action Length is, a a "Worry" Do, the 7 SAUM ( My personal Favorite ) and install, a Newly Designed, PVA Brake ( Call, ASK them about, the NO, "Blast / Concussion" at, the Shooter, NEWER Brake, Designs ).
Good Luck with,.. YOUR, "Choice" ! Cartridges Go by, the "Wayside" WHEN Sales Volumes,.. slow down from, Lack of Factory "Support" and,..
User enthusiasm ! ( IMO, the 8 Twist, 7 MM-270 WSM would have Been, a Good Design, But there are, "Some", Heavy .270 Bullet, Users ).
ENOUGH to Save It ?? Who Knows ???
I Believe that, the .270 WSM, 1-10 Twist,.. Launching 140's at, 3,200 FPS was, a "Fairly Popular" Cartridge and IS still, in Use Today, by Quite a Few "Hunters" that, can get within, 600-700 or, so Yards of, Big Game.

 

[Lou270]

Considering winchesters history with cartridge support no matter how good the idea.... I'd say future doesn't look bright.

Conversly, with a premium brass brand available does it matter. Since it's a fast twist long neck 270 wsm... we have pretty good idea on barrel life. Guessing 4 boxes of adg brass could get you most the life of the barrel. Most my adult life cartridge availability had been sketcy, grab enough of the brass wrapper you prefer and off to the range you go.

I keep hearing this but Win has had more success than anybody. 270, 243, 308, 300 historically. The 300 wsm still has more sku than 6.5 prc and 270 wsm has more than 7prc. They have had their stinkers like wssms and 7wsm but so has hornady…rcms, 338 marlins, 450 marlin and bunch of others you can't get ammo for at all. At least Win will give you a run of 325 wsm power points In recent times, not popular here but the 350 legend is wildely successful and 6.8W had a big punch from 7prc but staggering back up. Just annoys me that people think Hornady is the only company than can do something but that is very near sighted

Lou