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6.8 Western Ammo

6.8 Western Ammo: In Depth

The 6.8 Western is a relatively new yet impressive cartridge that has quickly gained attention in the shooting community. Designed for long-range hunting and precision shooting, this caliber offers an optimal balance of power, accuracy, and manageable recoil. With its ability to deliver high ballistic coefficients and maintain energy at extended ranges, the 6.8 Western has positioned itself as a versatile option for both big game hunters and long-range shooting enthusiasts.

History and Development

The 6.8 Western is a testament to modern cartridge design, born from a collaboration between two industry giants: Winchester Repeating Arms and Browning Arms Company. Introduced in 2021, this cartridge was developed to meet the growing demand for a cartridge that could excel in long-range hunting and target shooting scenarios.

The development of the 6.8 Western was driven by several key objectives:

  1. To create a cartridge that could maintain energy and accuracy at extended ranges.
  2. To design a round that could fit in standard-length actions, making it more accessible to a wider range of rifle platforms.
  3. To offer performance that could rival or surpass existing long-range cartridges while producing less recoil.

The 6.8 Western is based on a shortened .270 WSM (Winchester Short Magnum) case, necked up to .277" (6.8mm) to accept heavier, more aerodynamic bullets. This design allows it to propel high ballistic coefficient (BC) bullets at velocities that maintain energy and resist wind drift at long distances.

Despite its youth, the 6.8 Western has already made significant waves in the hunting and long-range shooting communities. Its rapid adoption by major ammunition and firearms manufacturers speaks to its performance potential and market appeal.

Performance

The 6.8 Western offers impressive ballistic performance, particularly in long-range applications. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:

  • Velocity: Factory loads typically drive 165-175 grain bullets at velocities between 2,970 and 3,000 feet per second (fps). Lighter 150-grain bullets can reach velocities up to 3,120 fps.
  • Energy: The 6.8 Western delivers substantial energy, with many loads producing over 3,000 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle. Importantly, it maintains energy well downrange, often delivering over 1,500 ft-lbs at 500 yards.
  • Trajectory: With its high BC bullets and impressive velocities, the 6.8 Western offers a relatively flat trajectory. This flat trajectory contributes to easier long-range shooting and reduced need for holdover adjustments.
  • Wind Drift: The combination of high BC bullets and good velocities results in excellent wind drift resistance, a critical factor for long-range accuracy.
  • Recoil: While not a light-recoiling cartridge, the 6.8 Western produces less felt recoil than many comparable long-range cartridges, making it more manageable for extended shooting sessions.
  • Accuracy: The 6.8 Western has shown excellent accuracy potential, with many shooters reporting sub-MOA groups at extended ranges.

Applications

The 6.8 Western's performance characteristics make it suitable for a variety of applications:

  • Long-Range Hunting: Its ability to maintain energy at distance makes it excellent for ethically taking big game animals at extended ranges.
  • Big Game Hunting: With its power and penetration, the 6.8 Western is suitable for a wide range of big game, from deer and elk to moose and bear.
  • Precision Long-Range Shooting: The cartridge's inherent accuracy and wind-bucking ability make it a strong contender for long-range target shooting and competitions.
  • Tactical/Law Enforcement: While not its primary market, the 6.8 Western's long-range performance could make it suitable for certain tactical or law enforcement applications.

Available Firearms

As a relatively new cartridge, the number of firearms chambered in 6.8 Western is growing. Here are some notable options:

  • Bolt-Action Rifles:
    • Winchester Model 70
    • Browning X-Bolt
    • Christensen Arms Mesa
    • Savage 110 Ultralight
  • Semi-Automatic Rifles:
    • Winchester XPR
  • Custom Rifles: Many custom rifle builders now offer the 6.8 Western as an option, allowing for highly personalized builds.

As the cartridge gains popularity, it's likely that more manufacturers will introduce rifles chambered in 6.8 Western.

Available Ammunition

The 6.8 Western offers a growing selection of factory ammunition options:

  • Bullet Weights: Common bullet weights range from 150 to 175 grains, with 165 and 170 grain options being particularly popular.
  • Bullet Types: Available bullet designs include:
    • Polymer-tipped bullets for long-range accuracy
    • Bonded core bullets for controlled expansion on big game
    • Traditional soft point bullets for general-purpose hunting
  • Brands and Types: Major manufacturers offering 6.8 Western ammunition include:
    • Winchester Expedition Big Game Long Range: 165 gr AccuBond LR, 2,970 fps
    • Browning Long Range Pro Hunter: 175 gr Sierra Tipped GameKing, 2,835 fps
    • Hornady Outfitter: 175 gr CX, 2,850 fps
    • Federal Terminal Ascent: 170 gr Terminal Ascent, 2,920 fps
  • Reloading: The 6.8 Western is also well-suited for handloading, allowing shooters to develop custom loads tailored to their specific needs.

Comparisons

To better understand the 6.8 Western's capabilities, it's helpful to compare it with other popular long-range cartridges:

  • vs. 6.5 Creedmoor:
    • Advantages: Higher bullet weight options, more energy, especially at longer ranges.
    • Disadvantages: More recoil, less barrel life, less widespread availability.
  • vs. .300 Winchester Magnum:
    • Advantages: Less recoil, fits in shorter actions, comparable long-range performance.
    • Disadvantages: Less energy at shorter ranges, fewer factory load options currently.
  • vs. 7mm Remington Magnum:
    • Advantages: Fits in shorter actions, potentially better barrel life.
    • Disadvantages: Slightly less energy, fewer factory load options currently.
  • vs. .270 Winchester:
    • Advantages: Significantly better long-range performance, more energy retention.
    • Disadvantages: More recoil, less widespread availability of ammunition and rifles.

6.8 Western Bullets FAQs:

Yes, the 6.8 Western is well-suited for elk hunting, offering excellent penetration and energy retention at typical elk hunting distances and beyond.

The 6.8 Western generally offers higher bullet weights and more energy than the 6.5 PRC, potentially making it more versatile for larger game. However, the 6.5 PRC may have a slight edge in wind drift due to its smaller diameter bullets.

The effective range depends on the shooter's skill, the specific load, and the target. For hunting large game, many consider it effective to 600 yards or more. For target shooting, it's capable of engaging targets beyond 1,000 yards.

No, while both use .277" diameter bullets, the 6.8 Western requires its own specific reloading dies due to its different case dimensions.

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