6.8 Western Cartridge Full Profile | 6.5 PRC vs 6.8 Western vs 270 Winchester

To learn more about popular hunting calibers like the 6.8 Western, 6.5 PRC, and 270 Winchester, visit: huntingguns101.com/optin16151...
Browning and Winchester raised a few eyebrows when they announced the 6.8 Western to the world in early 2021. Many people were understandably very skeptical of what the new cartridge offered to hunters that they couldn’t get with a more established cartridge. The fact that they released the 6.8 Western in the middle of a global pandemic and a historically bad ammo shortage didn’t help with perceptions either.
Is the 6.8 Western just a fad that people will forget about in a few years when the next big thing comes along? Does the 6.8 Western provide enough benefits for hunters and shooters to justify making the switch over to the new cartridge?
In this video I discuss the pros and cons of the brand new 6.8 Western cartridge from Browning and Winchester in detail, plus I also provide some information on the 6.5 PRC vs 6.8 Western vs 270 Winchester so you can decide which one fits your needs as a hunter.
To read a more detailed analysis of the 6.8 Western and comparison of the 6.5 PRC vs 6.8 Western vs 270 Winchester visit:
thebiggamehuntingblog.com/6-8...
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6.8 Western
6.8 Western vs 6.5 PRC
6.5 PRC vs 6.8 Western
6.8 Western vs 270
270 vs 6.8 Western

[@spread4me75]

Great video, in my area 6.5prc rifles are super common and 6.8 western rifles are non existent however, 6.8western ammo is available and 6.5 prc is not. Im a huge fan of the 6.5prc as a hunter and long range shooter

[@jw3946]

One option is to rebarrel a 270 WSM to a 7 1/2 twist. Now you have a rifle that can shoot the long range bullets as a 6.8 Western and can shoot all of the 270 WSM factory ammo. This is what I did.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

That's a very good idea. What velocities are you getting out of those heavier bullets with your rebarreled 270 WSM?

[@mot0rhe4d40]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog Would like to know that answer myself. Been a big fan of the 270 WSM since I bought my first one, the year it was released.

[@jw3946]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog I use H4831SC for both the 165 Nosler and 175 sierra’s, pushing them both at about 3000 FPS. Great accuracy. The Nosler is a 1/3 moa bullet, the Sierra is just under a moa. I shoot the 165 Nosler at 600 and 1000 yards. At 1000 yds it’s velocity is 1600 FPS, about 1000 ft-lb of energy. I would not take the shot, but a clean deer kill shot at that yardage. I am a true believer in 6.8 Western technology, a standard 270 or 270 WSM can’t compete at 1000 yards. But love them both, especially the 270, it is gun with fantastic history.

[@falba1492]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog - First off, there’s a bit more powder capacity in the 270 WSM. This is what I’ve been saying all along. Just change the twist rates of the 27 WSM, like Remington was forced to do with the 260.

[@jw3946]

@@falba1492 You are correct, lots more capacity for powder in the 270 WSM case. I could push the velocities way above 3000 FPS. No need to, I shoot the 165 Nosler with high accuracy out to 1000 at 1600 FPS. If you do rebarrel, only savage and Winchester short actions rifles will work with for rebarrel.

[@patrioticguy1791]

I'm a PRS competitor, but I'm not sure how willing I would be to make a shot on game, especially big game, past 600 yards. I was completely thrown when you told me it had more energy at 500 yards than the 300 win mag. That's amazing. Definitely something to think about.

[@michaelnelson1911]

If you were writing a paper,!you would get an A. Well done!!! Thanks for the information. I have a 270 which I love and I can’t decide if I need the next new thing. Thanks for sharing.

[@austindorsey8809]

Thanks for this. It was very informative, as always 👍🏻

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@osiris5432]

This was great information and incredibly helpful for making me make a choice! Have you ever considered more use of graphic table for all the numbers you run through for people who are visual learners? There's so much great info that it would help a lot! Again thank you for the info!

[@chadcharbonneau2154]

In the process of building a custom 6.8 right now and the desicion to go with that cartridge was mostly driven by ammo availability. Can't wait to get it shooting!

[@jesusarendon9931]

Sticking to my 270 Winchester differences aren't that dramatic tried and true can find dyes if I want that little of a difference of improvement I can always change the twist rate on my barrel just order a new barrel sometimes you just can't really beat a classic

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Not a darn thing wrong with that!

[@matthewstoch8670]

Great info bro...I shoot a 270win myself and had been thinking why I didn't just go with the wsm version years ago...this 6.8 western has great stats and is quite intriguing

[@matthewstoch8670]

Oh and I shoot/hunt/live in the southwest myself...Arizona

[@TheWarriorsMind]

I own all three. If I could do it over again, I would just rebarrel my 270 Winchester with a 1-8 twist barrel and reload. I have never shot at a deer/elk over 400 yds. A factory Nosler 270 win. with the 150 gr LR has over 1500 fpe at 500 yds. That's just fine.

[@aaronwilcox6417]

100%. Your right that these are about 500yd capable and rebarreling a 270win w/1x8 twist would be fine. I'm not into buying new stuff or new fluff that is hard to find and expensive.

[@johnreynolds6499]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Thanks for watching!

[@rpk5250]

We have the Creedmoor to thank for the broadening ideas of cartridge development

[@Halcyon1861]

Actually the guys shooting 6.5x55 already had open minds. Creating another 6.5mm just verified what they already knew.

[@falba1492]

I just can’t see this cartridge doing anything better, that can already be done with a 7 Rem Mag. I would have just marketed 270 Wins & 270 WSMs with improved twist rates. I have a Steyr 270 Win, with a 1:8.6” twist. I can shoot most of the heavy for caliber bullets.

[@hotramen5952]

its inherently accurate due to case design and saami chamber specs. its more efficient, which means less powder, less barrel burn, and less recoil. its short action, which lends to accuracy, and allows for a lighter rifle. so, what is better my guy? take a $550 winchester xpr. the 6.8 westerns will on average be more accurate. they will be just a tad lighter, they will kick a little less, and the barrel will last a little longer. if you reload, you will use 5-10 grains less powder. its only positives. it may not be worth it TO YOU, but it is just hands down better than the 7mm mag.

[@kentgoldings]

I’m wondering if there will be a future demand for heavier 6.5 mm bullets for people who want to hunt with their PRC. There are 150 grain HPBT match bullets from Sierra. But, 6.5 bullets are pretty hard to get right now.

[@serranodavid3247]

30 AUGHT 06 Is still king.

[@adamelam6385]

You should have added a 150 grain wsm in there. It will outperform the 6.8 Western out to near 500.

[@cabinbills6743]

Availability and price of the western will keep the 270 atop the heap as reigning King .

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

There's a really good chance that's true. After all, in normal times, the 270 Winchester is more popular than the 7mm Rem Mag and maybe even the 300 Win Mag in terms of raw ammo sales. That probably won't change any time soon with the 6.8 Western.

[@cabinbills6743]

Big Game Hunting Blog the old saying is “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”

[@mot0rhe4d40]

That is possible Bill, except I have had poor luck finding a lot of popular hunting rifle calibers going into this hunting season. 30-30 and 243 being exceptionally hard to come by. And when found, vendors were asking $50 a box.

[@adamshaw8214]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog is it actually more powerful than a 270win?

[@jtjackson365]

That is until some "budget" offerings like Ruger American or Savage Axis series come available. Saw similar talk when it came to the 6.5 creedmore. $500 rifle vs $1000 rifle would increase popularity.

[@cottonkiller8081]

I think 300 WSM 270 WSM in the 6.8 western would be a good comparison

[@gc641]

270wsm all day long, 150gr pill good for most big game for me, nice review

[@jw3946]

I love the 270 WSM, but a rebarreled 270 WSM with a 7 1/2 twist or 6.8 Western is a game changer. Since rebarreling my 270 WSM, the accuracy of all of my bullets over 140 gr has improved. And now I can shoot to 1000 yards wit ease. The future is high BC bullets.

[@dilorenzopiero5162]

New to this world of hunting. Would you do a video 6.8 western vs 6.8spc vs 7mm magnum thank you

[@perrinayebarra]

I feel like if 270wsm was designed 10 years later it would be 6.8 western.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

I think you're right

[@cliffcasper5158]

The 7mm mag beats this round hands down. There are several ways it does. It has no ammo shortage in Canada. It has more energy down range in 175 grain bullets and more feet per second at 500 yards. The only sacrifice is 10 more grains of powder on 7mm mag because it has more powder capacity . That said I own a 6.5 prc and very happy with the lower recoil and accuracy and lower powder than both 7mm mag and the 6.8 western Food for thought.

[@deletethis5489]

.270 has em all beat . sorry

[@rockie307]

7mm rem mag is a long action requiring a rifle 2.5" longer and almost 3/4 a pound heavier burning more powder to match the 6.8 western and still doesn't match the 6.8 sectional density in factory loads. There both good and not much difference really just depends on the route you take. If trajectory energy and speed are all your worried about both get crushed by ultra mags, 27 28 30 nosler, 300 win mag, 300 prc, the weatherby mags ect. Atleast the 6.8 western is available in handier rifles with longer barrel life and higher sectional density which never hurts.

[@Halcyon1861]

The 30-378 has more energy than the 7 mag.

[@jmgates09]

Frontline Rejects was able to stabilize the 165gr accubond in his 1in10 twist 270wsm and i think Reloading Weatherby got it to stabilize in his 270win

[@Halcyon1861]

I just got into my Bergara 6.5 prc and only have fired a box out of it. I can tell you, it gets downrange quick and it isn't to be taken lightly. It is a short magnum and it sounds like it. Do you need to get rid of your 270 Win? Up to you. But you have to realize that the 6.5 prc is doing the same velocities with 140 plus grain bullets. I almost went with the 6.8 western and I'm glad I didn't.

[@benschildgen4994]

Ok, I will probably always hunt with my .30-06 for deer, hogs, and best in the Midwest, except for Iowa I have to use a shotgun or straight wall cartridge, which I am looking at the .350 Legend. I want to start actively going for pronghorn and am thinking .25-06 I also want to go for Mule deer, sheep and Elk. I have been thinking about a .300 Win.Mag or 7 Rem.Mag, but now am confused and the 6.8 Western looks very attractive, which one of these would you buy? Or should I go with a .300 Weatherby, or .300 RUM? As far as recoil goes, I have shot a .375 H&H, also my slugs and Turkey loads kick way more than my .30-06. I will be ever grateful for any insight you could share with me.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Hi Ben. I personally lean towards the 300 Win Mag for the sort of hunting you're planning on doing. That said, the 7mm Rem Mag will also work very well in that role. If you were going to buy this rifle today and were most concerned about ammo and rifle availability in the short term, then it might make sense to go with the 6.8 Western. I have no reservations about the capability of the cartridge on elk, deer, sheep, pronghorn, etc. My only concerns are with ammo availability in the long term. That stuff is pretty easy to find at this instant, but it's anybody's guess what things will be like in 10 years. But then again, there's definitely value to having access to quality rifles and ammo NOW, which is a big advantage in favor of the 6.8 Western. I guess we'll just have to see how this comment ages in a few years...

[@hotramen5952]

1st. that .350 legend is a great choice for the straight wall regulations. 2nd. your looking for a rifle you want to pack and hike with, take longer range shots with on game up to elk. you seem to like having rifles for different jobs, so i would suggest the 6.8 western in a 6-7 pound rifle for this job. because it actually perfect for it. and if it needs to take a hog or deer in the midwest, it will do that just fine too. i wouldnt suggest a big .300 in a light rifle because you simply don't need to deal with the recoil in a light rifle to do this job. good luck with whatever you choose/have chosen!

[@chipsterb4946]

The 6.5 PRC doesn’t appeal to me. If I’m shooting targets, I’d prefer the 6.5 Creedmoor which was designed for that purpose. 270 Winchester is a great cartridge. For hunting ballistics, it beats 6.5 Creedmoor IMHO. The 6.8 Western is a cool new design, but if I’m going that route I want the 7mm PRC. Even heavier bullets, great ballistics, and great down range energy.

[@miketyson8933]

Yea that's no lie! EVERYWHERE I go ai see 6.8 Western ammo! Maybe not as many people have bought into the rifle when they already have a .270 its not worth the price of buying a new rifle and new ammo. I got rid of all my rifles a while back it was just too easy to rifle hunt for me, I picked up the bow and I loved it, the elk in September seeing more animals and better weather. However this 6.8 Western is catching my attention, but I do and have been leaning towards the .270 WSM....but out here in the West the bigger bullet does seem to make a lot of sense to choose.....choices, choices! I have gotten back into rifles because all the damg bears Ive been running into and I am rifle hunting for deer as well, but my Christensen MPR 300 WM is over kill for the deer unless im shooting long range. I may have to look really hard and heavy at this 6.8 Western!!!

[@TrueLineOutdoors]

Very interesting I still like the 7mm. For Alaska would you still use something like 300 win mag or PRC? Also what twist rate would you recommend for the 300 win mag?

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

For me personally, I'd be using a 300 Win Mag for most game in Alaska. The 6.8 Western will do really well up there though. I have a friend who used his 6.8 Western to take a very nice caribou.

[@TrueLineOutdoors]

Makes sense. I love the ballistics of these calibers but a 300 win mag seems the ticket for big game for me. I think the 6.8 Western has a good place for the hunter who wants a good do it all rifle without a ton of recoil. Similar to 7mag. A solid choice for deer and elk. Elk and up I would go 30 caliber magnum. Really enjoy your videos just found you. Have a great season.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Thanks! Same to you!

[@ramrodfishingoutdoors8155]

Thanks for that review I’m building another AR 15 platform and I think I might try that 6.8 if I can find the parts happy shooting 👍🤠🔫🦌🦃🐇🐿

[@bchecker6307]

This will not fit in an ar-15 platform,...you are thinking of the 6.8 spc

[@justinfore1640]

thay are 270 wssm uppers

[@tylarhaugan7908]

270 win with 7 1/2 twist would be fun

[@phild9813]

I think my only complaint of the new western is I wish they would’ve just gone to a 30-06 length and not taken away powder capacity from the 270 wsm. In reality most hunters probably benefit more from the extra velocity and getting a longer MPBR than they do with getting a higher BC bullet, particularly given reasonable hunting ranges.

[@falba1492]

If you look at the charts, it’s amazing the energy that can be delivered with a high BC. That being said, stay away from cup and core. Those are nothing more than match bullets marketed as hunting bullets. I’m glad Winchester & Browning are loading Accubond LR’s.

[@tandtoutdoors5154]

I would take the 6.8 western over the majority of rifled in the same group just based off of performance. I have a Christensen arms woth a 20 inch barrel and a suppressor to absorb alot of the recoil and it shoots light out with most ammunition.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Which model Christensen Arms did you get in 6.8 Western? I have a CA Ridgeline FFT in 7mm PRC and it also shoots great!

[@Halcyon1861]

The 6.5 prc is what the creedmoor manbun boys thought they had. They were like, well the creedmoor is more powerful than the 6.5x55 lol.

[@deltaforcereviews]

rifles the problem of the 6.8 and ammo the problem for the 6.5 prc.

[@beardedrancher]

It's a great round on paper. Don't have one myself but wouldn't mind a model 70 chambered in it. Can't afford that though.

[@maxcoatlhunter4322]

If I were giving a choice between the 6.8 Western and the 270 WSM I will choose the 270 WSM.

[@nelsfreeman7465]

I think 6.8 is the next 556

[@deltaforcereviews]

We’d all wish that. I wish the 6.8 spc was the new 556

[@jw3946]

If the 270 WSM would have come out in a 8 twist barrel back in the early 2000s, I believe it would have been as popular if not more as the 6.5 Creedmoor. I don't think the 6.8 Western will ever go away, but would be surprised if it becomes very popular. Shooters/Hunters that I shoot with seem to like the 6.5 PRC over the 6.8 Western especially for deer hunters. Probably will become more popular in the western states. Midwest not so much.

[@christianxbolt]

As of today January 31 2024 can't find a rifle or ammo

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Multiple in-stock rifle and ammunition options for the 6.8 Western (including the 165gr ABLR loading) here: thebiggamehuntingblog.com/best-6-8-western-ammo-for-hunting/ and here: thebiggamehuntingblog.com/best-6-8-western-rifles-for-hunting/

[@billpeirce7127]

Recoil is more than the 7mm mag on 6.8 western.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Yeah, they're likely very close in recoil depending on the exact load, but with the 6.8 Western generally having a little more free recoil energy.