Talk me out of 6.8 Western

[Buttermilk]

I've got a new to me savage striker in 260 Rem. I'm wanting to re-barrel it and make it a dedicated Elk handgun. 6.8 Western is stuck on my mind but I know brass isn't easy to come by and it has pretty much started life as a dead cartridge. I've got a guy that hand loads for me regularly, so I could have loads made up. I'm looking at going with an xcaliber 14" barrel with TI pro 2 brake.

Change my mind!

What short action caliber Elk capable to 400 yards in a 14" barrel would you push me towards?

I've considered the 6.8 Western myself on an XP-100 build. I've yet to do one. Perhaps in the future.

I think the 6.8 Western would be a good choice, but ammo availability, if you're a factory ammo shooter, might be an issue. If you're a handloader, brass and bullet availability will also be a concern. I think ADG makes brass for the 6.8W (need to confirm), and if so, that would be my choice of brass.

I'd personally pick a slightly longer barrel length than 14"-15", perhaps at least 16.5"-18.5", but that is my preference.

As already stated, there's several choices that will meet your criteria, even your current 260 would be fine.

But, if you're anything like me, build what you want, and enjoy it. I've used a 30 Nosler at close range (65 yards) to kill deer, and a 7mm RSAUM at 10 yards to kill deer, both XP-100's. They work fine even at close range.

 

[Buttermilk]

6.8mm Western - Atlasdg.com

IF THE PRODUCT IS OUT OF STOCK – SIGN UP FOR THE WAITLIST TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE! At ADG, we distribute our products direct to dealer. This means that we do not give additional discounts to wholesalers or distributers and our distribution network is a completely...

atlasdg.com

Some of the best brass out there. I use their 30 Nosler brass. Excellent stuff.

Don't let other dissuade you from building what you want, if indeed that's what you want.

These short barrels do quite nicely with magnum rounds. I, and others, have been doing large capacity cases with short barrels for years. They work just fine, both accuracy wise and velocity wise.

 

[SSG Graybush]

I've got a new to me savage striker in 260 Rem. I'm wanting to re-barrel it and make it a dedicated Elk handgun. 6.8 Western is stuck on my mind but I know brass isn't easy to come by and it has pretty much started life as a dead cartridge. I've got a guy that hand loads for me regularly, so I could have loads made up. I'm looking at going with an xcaliber 14" barrel with TI pro 2 brake.

Change my mind!

What short action caliber Elk capable to 400 yards in a 14" barrel would you push me towards?

270 wsm is a MUCH better choice. The 6.8w was made shorter for long bullets which made the case slightly smaller. RL16 works great in my 270 wsm and 58.2 grs pushes any 130 gr from 3050 to 3178 fps with good accuracy from a 24" barrel. You could probably step down to RL15.5 for a faster burn for the pistol, idk. But RL16 is faster burn and speed then H4350.
The 6.8w has made for high bc bullets to fit better in a SA then the 270 wsm. But the 270 wsm to 500 will out perform the 6.8w due to its slightly bigger case.

 

[MT-JONAS]

Yes. The 6.8 has a slightly smaller case but was designed for different twist than the .270wsm. Which overall makes the 6.8 more effective in factory guns. I understand this isn't a factory deal here but the 270 wsm surely isn't much better under any circumstances. Only slightly better for less ideal bullet weights

 

[Ernie]

@CVA-444
Find brass or loaded ammunition in stock to ensure you can shoot it, once it is built.
This is your build so build what you want

My next build is a center-grip 7mm SAUM clone XP-100 (Borden Alpine clone XP action).
I used to have a 7mm SAUM XP for years, until, I shot the throat out of it.
It has been rebarreled to 25 PRC now.
I just sent the 7mm SAUM dummy round to Nine Run Gun.
When it comes to 400 yard max elk with a 14" (I would probably do 15"), a lot of cartridges will get you there.

 

[Ernie]

Yes. The 6.8 has a slightly smaller case but was designed for different twist than the .270wsm. Which overall makes the 6.8 more effective in factory guns. I understand this isn't a factory deal here but the 270 wsm surely isn't much better under any circumstances. Only slightly better for less ideal bullet weights

Well said

 

[TexasPride]

7-08. Easy button.

 

[Jim’s Hunt]

First of all your bottom metal won't accept those rounds and your bolt face will need to be replaced. You would be better off buying a new dedicated action and bottom metal and stock

 

[Ernie]

First of all your bottom metal won't accept those rounds and your bolt face will need to be replaced. You would be better off buying a new dedicated action and bottom metal and stock

Put in a single-shot follower, and replace the Savage head...Easy-Peasy
He probably won't even have to put a single-shot follower in, just push the case forward like you would with a single-shot.
Nothing wrong with a ground-up custom rig though, just a lot more money.