26:30 This is the entire point of the 6.8 Western, it can handle, from factory, heavier bullets with higher BCs. It's not a gimmick, and it does have some advantages over the 270 WSM. I think the biggest problem is the marketing claiming that it beats the 7mm remmag, that was a bad idea for them to go in that direction. They should've framed it as an improved 270 WSM.
Well the point of the 6.8 western is that it can take the high bc bullets and correct twist rate. Rem mags have a hard time loading high bc bullets and have them fit in traditional chamber dimensions. Case is slightly different than 270 wsm, similar to 300tc and 6.5cm.
I call winchester ballistic BS. 7 Rem is superior in every bullet weight. Then including it against the 300 Win, their own cartridge is even a bigger joke. There's more than enough Hornady Kool-aid to go around. So much Winchester O'D on it. Lol
Great video! I agree… they are manipulating the #’s comparing it to 7mm Rem Mag. Despite that, I still bought a rifle in 6.8 Western bc it is still better than 6.5 CM & the old .270 Win. I bought a 6.8 Western bc I don’t own a .270 Win, a 6.5 PRC, a 7mm PRC nor do I own a 7mm Rem Mag. I do own a .338 Win Mag though for very large game.
Excellent video. The 6.8 Westerner is interesting, and I was going to buy one (I really "needed" that caliber..........Haha) But when I looked at all the details, and the ballistics, I could not justify adding a new rifle, since I already have a .270 WSM, and all the reloading tools (dies) for my .270 WSM. They are almost twins...
Really good information 👍👍. As far as hunting out west, I've been mule deer hunting 3 times since 2014 and had no problem taking mule deer with my 30 06 and 308. In the part of New Mexico I was hunting you could see a whole lot farther than anyone could shoot. My longest shot out of 3 was 315 yds. That's a long shot for a whitetail deer hunter from Alabama who hunts heavily wooded areas.
Honestly, a 270 Win pushing a 150gr bonded bullet at 2800 - 2900fps will kill everything in lower 48 just fine. I don't see the need 500+ yard hunting.
Thanks. Great truthful presentation. I strive for shots 300 yards or less.For me it's 30-06 for Deer, Antelope and .338 Win mag for Elk and bigger. Both in Winchester model 70s. I live in Oregon. Premium bullets on all.
I had my 270 built with a 1:9 to easily handle the heavier end bullets(150-160) before finding sweet loads with the 130gr speer hot cor and 140gr sst…. The only mistake I made was not building it on a left handed action!!
I'm 69 years old and have been shooting since I was 8 years old and taught by my grandfather. Over the years hunting, bench shooting, military action and police I discovered that all of the myriad of calibers was all just marketing hype to sell more guns and new type caliber ammunition. So, you might be wondering what I like. My choices are: 22lr, 12 gauge shotgun, 22-250 w/60 grain bullet, 25-06 w/ 100 gr, 270 w/140 and 30-06 w/180 grain bullet. That's it! What next you might ask. LEARN TO SHOOT because it is not the gun, it's not the caliber, IT IS, THE NUT BEHIND THE BUTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fifth generation Harding County South Dakota hunter here.I think there is such a thing as Western cartridges. I mean, you ever see what a 130 grain .270 does to a deer at 30 yards? But it's money on deer at 300 yards. You would take your 30-30 all day long for the Eastern woods, and I'd use mine here on the prairie if it's all I had. But, it sure wouldn't be my first choice. If I need to slow the .270 down for closer range shooting, I can simply buy a box of 150 grains off the shelf. I can shoot groups like that with my pre 64 Model 70. Ya. It has iron sights. This gun is a one trick pony. What do you get over the .270 Win for all your money? You get to buy $100 boxes off Gunbroker. Meanwhile, the .270 Win, which is a true Western cartridge,(300 plus yard PBR) is just putting deer in the truck. As you mentioned, ethical Western hunters seldom shoot at game over about 350 yards, so why reinvent the wheel?
I’ve got a LAW M704 with a PacNor barrel chambered in 270 Ackley Improved. I had PacNor put an 8” twist in it. I shoot 170 grain Berger’s out of it at 2,850 FPS at paper out to1,000 yards. I do it because it’s fun trying to shoot a light hunting rifle at distance at paper. However, when hunting, I back it down to 150’s and 130’s. I don’t take shots past 400 yards when hunting so the sectional density and retained energy is more than adequate for all game I hunt.
I know that two years passed on... But yesterday was the first time I shot this calibre... Bought an XPR for my youngest son and both spent the afternoon shooting (zeroing the scope to the rifle and moderator) using the only ammo we could find here in Portugal... Browning BXS ammo @ outrageous high price... Tested the rifle and ammo combo and ... Accurate, pleasant even but... Uninpressed! Let's see how it performs on game when season comes... 👍👍
Great video. I have a .270WSM and I love it. I have a 130 grain E-Tip load that shoots 1 hole groups at 100 yards and runs 3402FPS. Also have a 150 grain Partition load for it at 3102FPS. Shoots half MOA at 100 yards. Both have mild recoil and keep velocity and energy very well for hunting yardage. Never really saw the need for the 6.8 Western. I also have 2 308's, one is a 1957 Model 88 and the other is a Howa Carbon fiber 24 inch barrel in a Hogue stock. Just working up loads for the latter and have 2 loads for the 88 that are right around 3000FPS with 150 grain monolithic.
Excellent no BS assessment with facts and ballistics to back it up. I was one of those people that asked you about this one about a week ago. It's a real insult to our intelligence how stupid marketing people think that we are. I really enjoy your approach to your videos you really cover a wide range on whatever subject you're approaching. After watching your previous videos it's my conclusion that if I wanted to hunt anything in North America with two rifles the 25-06 and the 30-06 would be the perfect Duo . Thank you greatly appreciated 👍
I have a 6.8 western I know this is a year ago but I have a cpr and I would recommend it. Shoots great and there is plenty of ammo now. It's an extremely accurate rifle and it hits hard. Compared to a 270 there almost identical except bullet wight that's all.
thank you sir for your work. it does not go unnoticed. thank you for clearing up the smoke to show the playing field. continue to cut through the hype especially for those of us who can't afford to be taken advantage of financially
When you compare Winchester's 7mm mag 168 grain load to their 6.8 Western 165 gr. load, the 6.8 actually has a higher muzzle velocity, a greater ballistic coefficiency, and a higher sectional density. So it does outperform the 7mm mag comparatively.via Winchester box stats. For me, I'll stay with my 270 Winchester for most game. I am thinking about upgrading my barrel to a 1 in 8 twist.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but the 7mm RM pushes those bullets faster. Since BC doesn't matter at ethical hunting distances (MPBR), the 7mm shoots flatter. Sectional density means nothing these days; almost any mid-weight monolithic or bonded bullet will get complete pass-throughs.
I hope anyone looking into this cartridge doesn’t stop at this video for all the information they get.. there is plenty of truth in here but there is a lot of information that doesn’t jive with what I’ve seen. For instance, throughout the entire pandemic I have seen dozens of boxes of the ammo at any of the retailers around me. Less popular means more ammo when people panic buy. I get the marketing is annoying but this truly is a modernized 270 and it is a solid option for anyone that doesn’t already own one.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Why would want to spend the extra money if you can even find the 6.8 Western. Just doesn’t make sense when we have the 30-06 and .270 Win to do the job just fine at ethical shooting distances. The gain the 6.8 shows is pretty much insignificant at out to 300 yards Thanks for the video.
100% awesome job. Interestingly, here in Montana earlier this year the only thing on the shelves was 6.8 western ammunition. I bought a 6.5 PRCN couldn’t find ammunition dies or brass for it. Again, great job. Good luck this hunting season.
No one has answered my question yet. What does it do the 7 mm Remington Magnum does not do? Less recoil, less muzzle flash? This video answered all my questions about this cartridge. Thank you
@ronbeckybeasley3566 overated sure but still quite high quality. I dont have any of the American weatherby guns but i have a vanguard and its very nice
Thank you for producing this video, lots of great data and information. But I have a slightly different view of the 6.8 Western Cartridge. I have both the 270 WSM (No change in SAAMI Spec) in a 7½ Twist Barrel and a 6.8 Western. They both shoot all high BC bullets (175 Sierra TGK, 170 Berger Elite and the Nosler 165 ABLR) accurate up 1000 yards. Both of my rifles like the Nosler 165 the best, less than one-inch groups at 200 yards with a muzzle velocity of just over 3000 fps and 1650 at target. The others groups are just over an inch. My barrels are both SS Brux Rem Varmint, so they are to a higher standard than a factory barrel. I shoot 600 and 1000 yards weekly, so I have experience with both. There is very little difference between the two with the same hand loads for all bullets. I do agree, why come out with a new cartridge, the 6.8 Western. Simply, Winchester and Browning could have just come out with the “270 WSM Western”, a 270 WSM with a 7½ barrel twist. Just think of the money us shooters would have saved, no need to purchase new rifles. With that said, I will say (which will distress some), the 270 with a 7½ twist or the 6.8 Western will clearly out shoot the 270 Winchester or 270 WSM at yardages 500 yards and over. Even shooting the 145 ELDs from both at 600 yards the higher twist barrels delivers a better group. So, I have totally bought in to the high twist barrels and high BC Bullets no mater what yardages I am shooting. I think the 270 Winchester is a great gun, so much history. But, if I were to rebarrel, it would be one with a 7½ to take advantage of the high BC Bullets. My barrel lengths are both 26”, I exceed by 50 fps all of the published velocity data by Winchester and Browning. It is obvious a 24” barrel will have a lower velocity. This was an error in this video. My view. The “6.8 Western” is a better cartridge than the standard barreled 270 Winchester and 270 WSM as it shoots the heavier higher BC bullets, as well as shoots amazing at 1000 yards. Don’t discount this this cartridge, it has more positive attributes than this video portrays. For an average hunter, just shooting up to 300 yards, our 270s are more than needed, but if one is pushing 500 yards the higher twist barrels are superior. I think the 6.8 Western will be with us for a long time. Should add, I have 6mm Creedmoor and 6.5 Creedmoor. These are my favorite two cartridges.
My 6.8 western is just waiting to stretch its legs. Stuck working right now, but later this spring I will be running it out to 1,000 and beyond. I’m really looking forward to working on load development with it and really seeing what it’ll do. One thing that wasn’t mentioned, but kinda goes without saying, about the comparison data between the 270wsm and the 6.8 was the wsm data was a perfected hand load, and the western is factory box ammo. Not exactly apple to apples there. I’m really looking forward to seeing what we’ll get out of the 6.8 with hand loads, and multiple bullet options. (Attention Berger) I think it’s going to be a great performer.
@@padna7946 You will enjoy the 6.8 Western. I am shooting 1000 yards tomorrow, 175 Sierra and 150 Nosler bullets. I cannot get the 170 Elites to group, don’t know why. Best is about 3” at 200 yards. All the others are an 1” groups or under. My best bullet is the Nosler 165 ABLR. Give those a try, but currently they are very hard to find.
I saw videos on the 7mm PRC and promptly went out and bought a 7mm Remington magnum rifle. Why? I own a 7mm RUM and a 375 and 416 Ruger. The ammo makers introduce new cartridges that they stop backing in 10-20 years.If I'm gonna shoot long range I shoot 257 and 300 Weatherby.
ironically though, Hornady refuses to manufacture 6.8W ammo, or even components for the cartridge. It may be because they see it as competition for the 7PRC, who knows.
I bought a kimber 8400 270 wsm back in 2008 for $750.00 after my 7mm m70 was stolen. Not because of the caliber but the wood was just beautiful. After hunting with it I realized how much meat damage it was causing on shots within 150 yrds. My question is I'm having it rebarrel done to a 1 in 8 twist for heavier bullets since I bought a regular 270 for the lighter bullets I was wondering about the 175gr sierra game changers for elk at max range of 400 yrds. It's the only heavy bullet I can find at a good price. Bought 400 just because I was afraid of availability. Trying to go heavy for less meat damage if shots are close but still want good expansion or should I just stick with my old standby of 140gr interlocks?
Switch to a monolithic bullet like the TTSX or GMX. Out of the magnums, they do less meat damage than a 308 with cup-n-core lead bullets. Of course, stop taking high shoulder shots if you care about meat.
As Gun Test said years ago about the Sierra Game Kings , they are a poor varmint bullet , pretending to be a big game bullet . They come apart and go all over the place , this was a number of years ago, as I now never use them other than to target shoot, can't say if they have improved
Excellent video, lots of useful information. I've been killing deer and deer sized game for over 30 years with my poor old obsolete .270 Winchester and I've yet to see any 130 to 150 grain bullet bounce off any animals hide. I don't believe that I will be making the switch to a 6.8 Western any time soon.
Lol you're going to be eating your words because the 6.8 Western is hitting harder then the 7mm rem mag at long range IN A SHORT ACTION!! Its a beast of a round, updated 270 WSM
@Mike Tyson 1. No one cares about short action 2. Only outshines other calibers st like 4-500 yards. 3. Ammo costs 100$ here in Canada for 6.8W Only benefit is reduced recoil
My handloaded 33 yr old ABolt 7 Rem outshoots buddies 6.8 by a lot...... There's a good chance he'll have to work an extra 5 yrs to pay for the money he's investing in this adventure lol. Mine loves H1000 160gr AB at 3080 fps and 7828ssc 150gr TTSX at 3175 fps.
I never go with all these designer cartridges, I stick to the classics which always have readily purchasable ammunition like .30-06 and 7mm REM Mag and .308 Win. Just my opinion
Great content as always. I too always take the claims made by the bullet/ammo manufactures with several grains of salt. I’ve always believed that if you want a more accurate apples to apples comparison when comparing bullets of different calibers, you should be comparing bullets of similar sectional densities or ballistic coefficients. I laugh when they just arbitrarily compare one caliber to the other with no specific metric. The result means little or nothing.
Great video. I considered this cartridge and went with a 280 AI instead. I reload and didn't want to deal with the belt on the 7mm Rem Mag. In the 270 bullet size, I think the 277 Fury will kill it off - demand and supply as military cartridge.
This was an outstanding video and I appreciate it. I hunt northern Alberta and know very well what kind of cartridge is needed for western hunting (270, 30'06, 7mm-08, etc,) I appreciate your comments about ethical hunting distances.
Thanks for seeking and sharing the truth. I do, however, dispute your claim that you can always get a shot opportunity within 300 yards. As an elk hunter in Colorado for 5 years now, I've encountered numerous situations that required a 400 ish yard shot.
😱WoW, thanks for your “thoughts” of this caliber. You really went out of your way to please your viewers to put to together this 30+ minutes video review. I’ve been watching to see if this would fit my need for a setup to take up north to Alaska, and judging by your thoughtful analysis I also do not see that this will fill the slot between my go to 270Win and my backup 375 H&H that both shoots really well. I’ll be focusing on getting a really well fit and finished used custom FN or Swedish Mauser in 30-06 or 338-06 (I will be reloading this round) since I want to stay away from magnum cartridges other than what I already have. 🙏🏼
They cherry pick loads but if you compare the 7mm rem mag to the 6.8 western they are pretty damn simular with the heavier weight bullets. It's actually pretty damn efficient and bad ass to be able to match the 7mm mag out of a short action with a 24" barrel. Go check the weight of the rifles straight off the browning website. 7mm mag power in a rifle almost a pound lighter and a few inches shorter is a big advantage in my eyes. I personally like more choices and believe this one is a good cartridge. Being realistic everything since the 30-06 wasn't needed so if your gonna say that about the 6.8 western say it about the 270 280 7mm rem mag and 300 win mag. None of them really perform any better than the 06 at hunting ranges and the magnums require heavier longer rifles burning much more powder with 25% less ammo capacity. Atleast the short actions do have a advantage in weight and length. 6.8 western will be an ideal mountain rifle for people who hike miles in the backcountry where weight and length matter.
You can go up to max pressure in the 6.8 Western, but it will never match the ballistics of a max pressure load in 7mm Rem Mag. That thought is a complete fantasy created by Winchester. On your other point, would not a 270 Win be just as much "mountain rifle" (BTW, I hate that term just as much as I hate "western cartridge"). The long action weighs only 2-3 ounces more, which isn't even noticeable. In fact, on Winchester's website ( www.winchesterguns.com/products/rifles/xpr/current/sporter.html ), they list the 6.8W and 270WIN, both at the exact same weight with 24" barrels. The 270 WIN would easily kill the same "mountain animals", but so it with far less recoil in a lightweight "mountain rifle".
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 6.8 has way better ballistic coefficient and sectional density than 270 win. Obviously there's not much reloading data for the 6.8 yet but the factory loads are pretty much equal to the 7mm mag ballistics in a rifle the same weight as the 270 winchester as you said. And yes the 270 can kill the same animals does that mean the other cartridges are not useful? Good thing about America is you have choices if you like something buy it if you don't then don't. I don't understand why anyone that likes guns would be against the 6.8 western it's pretty good for its purpose.
My 6.8 Western will be here on Tuesday. Hopefully I'll get it zeroed in and able to take it muley hunting next weekend. Also a late cow elk tag could be nice
You are spot on in this video, however the only real difference between the 6.8 and the 270 WSM is the twist rates on factory guns and the length of the throat in the chamber. If you customize a 270 WSM and put a faster twist rate barrel, and lengthen the throat your basically doing what Winchester did. It really is nothing more then marketing something new, it keeps the wheels of free enterprise rolling. For those that buy into hype they’ll probably run out and buy one (can’t not have the latest and greatest), however I am noticing that the only cartridges that were left on shelves a while back when things were really lean were 6.8 western and it’s the only rifle brass my local retailer has any stock of, both indicators that people are not buying it.
If one were to re-barrel their 270 Winchester with a 8.5 or 9 inch twist it would handle the longer and heaver higher BC bullets. With the 270's longer case length bullets would not have to be seated as deeply in the case as in the 6.8 Westerner, perhaps closely approaching the velocities of the 6.8.
DD Thanks for another great video. I was initially intrigued by the 6.8 Western but then reality hit and I realized much of what you point out - no real stats, reloading data, ammo availability, rifle availability. Then I realized it is just another collaboration by Browning and Winchester just like the WSM of years ago. Of course these companies are now owned by the same larger corporation. Too much marketing and unreliable data. I'm sticking with the 7mm Rem Mag. And to me the most important stat you point out is the MPBR - all had about 300 yards with 3 inch target.
MPBR is something lost on this new generation. They all want to spin turrets and consult calculators and charts. If you have time to do all that, you're either too far away or you're going to miss your shot opportunity.
MPBR is certainly becoming a lost technique. I just can’t make sense of a hundred yard zero for hunting. I do wonder how many opportunities are lost due to spinning knobs. Many, I suspect, both to wasting time instead of shooting and spinning to the wrong setting. I see it all the time on the UA-cam hunting channels.
That’s funny about the ammo the only think on shelves here in Albuquerque is 6.8 western. Thought about buying one just because I could find ammo for it.
Where I live, nobody is stocking 6.8W ammo or rifles. I think they don't want to purchase items they feel will not sell. Strange thing though, is that these same stores are fully stocked with 28&30 Nosler ammo and brass that looks like it has been sitting for years.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 not sure where you are from but Ammo of all sorts is starting to slowly trickle in. 308 270 30-06 is pretty common to find on Walmart shelves but we don’t have any nosler calibers or weatherby for that matter that I have noticed in the local sporting goods stores. I hunt with and reload my 300 wsm. I have plenty for hunting pre pandemic but I’m not going out wasting it for fun. I also scored a pile of 30-30 the other day which I’m not opposed to use for hunting deer and elk with.
Great video, I just picked up a browning x bolt in 6.8 western because I was curious as well. From that I can tell the case is the case is similar but not the same, I know the case is shorter and the shoulder angles are different as well. Until recently (10ish years) they just started to make heavy high bc bullets for 270. Could you extend your velocity and energy charts out to 1000 yards? I would like to see what 6.8 western holds up at distance.
I hunt within 300-400 yards. When I punch paper and ring steel at 1000, I would use one of the many cartridges more suited to that (the 6.8 Western isn't even in that conversation). Being a hunting channel, hunting within MPBR of a 3" target means my charts only matter to 300-400 yards.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 I’m just simply curious because with long range hunting becoming more of a thing( pumped by gun writers and magazines/ hunting tv). We should have the conversation about cartridges capabilities and why to or not to hunt with them at extended ranges. So maybe what I’m asking is to see how much velocity and energy this round carries stacked up to other cartridges at extended hunting rages because I believe it was developed to shoot at longer ranges. I’m not saying it’s the cartridge to end all or I’m fully taking the bait but we should explore every aspect of a cartridge even past most peoples hunting ranges. So maybe show out to 600 yards.
@@homerangeoutdoors When you shoot at animals from ranges where they can't see you, hear you, and don't even know they are being shot at; you have to dig deep into what is considered ethical, or even still considered hunting at that point. I have not taken a shot at over 300 yards on an animal in 20 years (and that is hunting frequently all the western states). Stalking your prey or setting up an ambush is more in line with my personal ethics. Don't brag about how far you shot, brag about how close you got.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 I totally agree, that’s why I mainly bow hunt. Im not trying to get into the ethics, just the fact about the round out to extended range. If ethics are considered where do we draw the line at scopes that give us super human vision or rangefinders that tell us exact yardage and angle to target even the rifles we use are more technologically advanced then most people know what to do with. I’m just wondering about the facts of the cartridge out to extended ranges.
The entire idea is to sell products. To create a need that may not exist. Like the series 80 firing pin block. Its a solution looking for a problem. When you look at the history of hunting. Those who hunt out west have been taking game with what was available at the time, before 2000, and have successfully taken game. The manufacturers will continue to introduce products to satisfy the perceived needs of today's hunter. I hunt with a .30-06 for years and I rarely take a shot longer than 300 yards. If the shot is further then I'll stalk my game until I am close enough to take a shot under 300 yards, preferably 200 yards or less. That's hunting. Stalking your game until you are close enough to take a humane and ethical shot. When you think about all of the available calibers on the market there is so much overlap in performance; .308/.30-06 is there much of a difference to make a difference. Only in the mind of hunters who swear that if you're not shooting a .308 you're not a real hunter. The same goes for the 6.5 CM. Hunters swear by it but how many of them have taken the time to become proficient with the equipment they currently had before they upgraded? Damn few.
The 30.06 is the ( Old Timers) Soldiers round. Ammo was cheap after the War and We love the round. I wouldn’t change my M1G. The 7mm round is the sweet spot, whether it’s a STD .284 or the magnum loadings. All shooters know this, well maybe they don’t. Love your channel.
I’ve been watching a lot of 6.8 videos lately based on the fact that in my town there’s probably 40-50 boxes of 20 rounds between sportsman’s and a few local it had me thinking well might be fun to see what it could do. I have a bolt gun similar to proofs switch rifle so switching barrels is easy, so i could shoot the ammo for brass and develop a load then I hit myself upside the head to remind myself I have a 7 rem mag that legitimately shoots 1/4 moa, absolutely no need for it but it had me thinking. Great breakdown of this cartridge I really liked how you broke it down you brought more data to the table than just and opinion
Hey desert dog, greetings from your fellow california lifelong hunter. Love your content, you give a lot of good solid unbiased information grounded in experience rather than sponsors and group think. This is kind of off topic, but I could not help but notice the zebra painting on the wall in your background. My grandfather is an artist and has painted and sold many zebra pieces all over the state. Being that we are both california residents i could not help but wonder if that is one of my grandfathers pieces. Who is the artist of that piece if you don't mind me asking ?
Painting was done by Ben Lee. The eyes drew me to this painting. If you've ever seen a zebra's eyes in the wild; in the right light, they are not black soulless eyes, but a golden color with piercing pupils. I had to buy it because of the eyes.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 wow that is amazing. It is not one of my grandfathers piece's, but it is beautiful. I have been hunting for a little over 10 years, though i am still fairly young in my hunting experience. One of my biggest goals in life is to make it to africa at some point and get a chance to hunt exotics. Thank you for the content and the knowledge, god bless
Been shooting the 270 wsm since its inception i run both my loads with ADI 2213sc which is the same as hodg 4813sc an have my 150 loads with in a 100 fps of the 7RM velocity's cant really see a difference in either cal in reality , any animal isn't gunna notice the 100 fps less.
Nice review. I myself purchased a new X bolt chambered in 6.8 western. Hard to find a rifle lately in 270wsm, I've been looking for years. I figured this would get me pretty close to what I was looking for, sounds like I was right. Great stuff, thanks for your intel.
The 6.8 Western cartridge will fail. Also Winchester and Browning are the same company. Heavy weight high BC bullets are the worst choice for taking big game. You cannot find Reloading equipment or load data, because no one want to support a failed idea. My Ruger M77 MKII in 270 Winchester with a 1 in10” rifling 22” barrel will absolutely crush elk at ethical (300 yards) distances. Nosler’s 160 grain Partition bullets gets the job done.
Thanks for the video. But I think a viewer might lose the perspective. At 13:00 etc you are using reload data for comparison. And that's good, FOR RELOADERS. But it should be understood that any chambering comparisons for reloaders and for buyers of stock ammo are TWO VERY DIFFERENT THINGS. Let me explain. You compare the best loading data you have found, achieved by load development "until the primers flatten", right? Such maximum does not depend on a chambering much, just on the primer, and with the same primer you get the same max pressure. Well, ammo manufacturers cannot do that. They have to follow SAAMI spec, and their lawyers force them to underload even below that. And SAAMI says 65,000 psi MAP for 6.5 Western/27 Nosler/270WSM, and only 61,000 psi for 7mm Rem Mag. +-4% standard error of course. In the similar manner, you compare with 270WSM with 165gr ABLR bullet (for 8.5" twist barrel). Guess what? For non-reloader, such loading DOES NOT EXIST!! Why? Because SAAMI lists 10" twist for 270WSM, most barrel manufacturers make it in 10", and ammo manufacturers make it so it can fit into the magazine and be stabilized with their (sub)standard loads in 10"-twist barrels, even short ones. Hence the reality that the heaviest 270WSM load available on ammoseek is 140gr, and it costs $4/rd! While 6.8Western is available in 175gr or lead-free 162gr. You see, they did not just slightly shorten the casing of 270WSM that you as a reloader have mentioned, they also significantly increased COAL (from 71 to 75mm) and shortened rifling twist, meaning much longer, more efficient, higher sectional density bullets will sit right, fit into the magazines and be reliably stabilized in every rifle. Meaning no elk or moose or caribou with 270WSM (ethically) vs whatever you want outside of Africa with 6.8 Western. Again, FOR AMMO BUYERS WITH STANDARD RIFLES, not for reloaders with custom barrels. And guess to whom ammo manufacturers sell their cartridges? It's a very similar situation to 30-06, a barely stronger (and sometimes weaker, see "Garand loads") cartridge than 308 for ammo buyers, while THE WHOLE HALF INCH of extra powder stack for reloaders.
The case design of the 6.5 creedmoor compared to the 260, is basically the same as the 6.8 Western compared to the 270 WSM. The 260 case is shortened a little, case tapered a little less and the shoulder angle changed a little, to form the 6.5 creedmoor. The 270 wsm case was shortened a little, case tapered left basically the same and the shoulder angle left the same, to form the 6.8 Western, but then the 270 wsm shoulder angle is steeper than the 260 remington shoulder angle in the first place. To say that the case design of the 6.5 creedmoor is anything like "revolutionary ", or all that much different, compared to the 260, than the 6.8 Western is, compared to the 270 WSM, is an exaggeration.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 which is the 308 case shortened a little, steeper shoulder angle, and case taper lessened a bit. You do the same thing to the 260 Remington case and get the exact same results. The 6.5 case is nothing revolutionary.
I own a browning x-bolt max long range and use the browning 175gr ammo. And shoot 3 round groups in less then an inch. From what I’ve seen is the xpr doesn’t shoot very good in 6.8
many of this "new calibers" do not add anything to the 30'06, 270, 9,3x62, 7x57 and other traditional calibers. In many countries, Argentina in particular,. though some of us have traditional long range calibers like 300 Wby, 300 Win, or 45/70 or _European 8x57 and many others we, almost 100% have a .308 because it is our Armed Forces standard caliber and we can obtain officially sold ammo at affordable prices. Bullets, gunpowder, brass are scarce and under importations rulings . So our policy is "stick to traditional calibers and buy the best available bullet.
With my .264 WM 1:9 Twist, I have found that using bullets designed for AR platforms are generally shorter with higher BCs can stabilize quite well giving me long range energy that just might change the game slower twist barrels have been subjected to.
Does this mean you use a Model 70 with a 26” barrel, or similar, maybe a custom rifle, or do you have a rifle with a 24” barrel and hope that the 1:9 twist rate will give the right spin to the AR friendly bullets (which right now I’m thinking Grendel) ?
Glad you did this video, I was curious with the Western myself, but it appears it's more trouble than it's worth, with all the data and component issues. And the main one for me,it doesn't offer anything, that is not already on the market.
I would really like your opinion on the 6.5 prc. Especially since many manufacturers are chambering for it. I just got my first kill on a mule deer with one and it performed well. But so has my .270 for decades now. Enjoy your honest channel.
A solution looking for a problem that doesn't exist. If you don't mind that recoil, shoot a 180gr 30 caliber instead. If you just want a flat-shooting deer cartridge, get a 25-06. But likely, you will never find a happy medium like your 270Win provides. You already own the perfect deer cartridge.
I was very interested in the 6.5 PRC when it first came out. But after I sat down, and worked out some tables, I just could not see a clear advantage over the 270 Win.
@@falba1492 I would say the advantage is the very high BC, but that really does not come into play unless you take long distance shots over 400 yards, which I have NEVER done while hunting. My personal furthest is 337 yards on a mule deer. Most of my kills are under 200. After 700 yards, the energy of the 6.5 PRC is close to a 300 WM. But the 6.5 PRC does not feed as well as my long action .270 win. and ammo supplies and reloading supplies are pretty much super high priced or non existent right now. I am not having buyers remorse, but maybe hindsight is 20-20 when compared to the .270 Win.
@@sheepdawg6946 - The 6.5 PRC is notoriously long, on the extreme side of being a short action. So I’m not surprised it doesn’t feed smoothly. Early on, I decided if I got one, it would have to be built on a long action, like the Sako S20. To tell the truth, I’m not sure how well that action feeds. That being said, it’s a good caliber, but you could have complimented your 270 Win with something better. If you took a step down, I’d do a 243 Win or a 6.5 CM. If decided to go up, the 30-‘06 is a fine choice. I was seduced by the 300 H&H, and haven’t looked back. Then I was hit by insanity and stepped up to a gorgeous 338 Win Mag. Love it, but what the hell was I thinking?!
@@falba1492 I have two .338 win mags and nothing in between that and my .270 win. It's a big jump from the .270. Maybe I should look at the common 7 mag for my next build. Desert Dog recently did an excellent review of the .338 and he brought up points I never really considered. For my style of hunting, I may have been better off with the 300 win mag since there is not a clear advantage for the .338 until after maybe 400 yards.
Yes I feel into the hip and bought 4 boxes 175gr. Browning. Ended up not buying the gun now I have 4 boxs of ammo. Great $200 collecting dust. Anyone in central Wisconsin need them let me know.
This is my favorite all things guns and hunting channel. Thank you for what you do, and what you share with us.
26:30 This is the entire point of the 6.8 Western, it can handle, from factory, heavier bullets with higher BCs. It's not a gimmick, and it does have some advantages over the 270 WSM. I think the biggest problem is the marketing claiming that it beats the 7mm remmag, that was a bad idea for them to go in that direction. They should've framed it as an improved 270 WSM.
Excellent, in-depth, we’ll-researched video. Thank you.
Congrats on Ruger’s hunting skills. I was planning a trip to Africa with my son as well, but the Sino plague ruined our plans last year.
Thank you for the compliment. By the way, your channel is one of the few that I enjoy and watch on a regular basis.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 have you tried out simplemindedfella channel. He test hunting bullets and different velocities. I found it interesting.
Well the point of the 6.8 western is that it can take the high bc bullets and correct twist rate. Rem mags have a hard time loading high bc bullets and have them fit in traditional chamber dimensions. Case is slightly different than 270 wsm, similar to 300tc and 6.5cm.
Meant to say 6.5cm and 300 relationship.
This is exactly the point of the 6.8 Western. You can fire a heavy for caliber projectile than the previous .277 caliber
I call winchester ballistic BS. 7 Rem is superior in every bullet weight. Then including it against the 300 Win, their own cartridge is even a bigger joke. There's more than enough Hornady Kool-aid to go around. So much Winchester O'D on it. Lol
Great video! I agree… they are manipulating the #’s comparing it to 7mm Rem Mag. Despite that, I still bought a rifle in 6.8 Western bc it is still better than 6.5 CM & the old .270 Win. I bought a 6.8 Western bc I don’t own a .270 Win, a 6.5 PRC, a 7mm PRC nor do I own a 7mm Rem Mag. I do own a .338 Win Mag though for very large game.
This was very helpful and interesting
I especially liked that you broke down the ammo and gave us some education on bulk ball powder. Thank you.
Excellent video. The 6.8 Westerner is interesting, and I was going to buy one (I really "needed" that caliber..........Haha) But when I looked at all the details, and the ballistics, I could not justify adding a new rifle, since I already have a .270 WSM, and all the reloading tools (dies) for my .270 WSM. They are almost twins...
Really good information 👍👍. As far as hunting out west, I've been mule deer hunting 3 times since 2014 and had no problem taking mule deer with my 30 06 and 308. In the part of New Mexico I was hunting you could see a whole lot farther than anyone could shoot. My longest shot out of 3 was 315 yds. That's a long shot for a whitetail deer hunter from Alabama who hunts heavily wooded areas.
Honestly, a 270 Win pushing a 150gr bonded bullet at 2800 - 2900fps will kill everything in lower 48 just fine. I don't see the need 500+ yard hunting.
Thank you! You seem to be the only one that talks about the pros & cons. That I am impressed by.. Not just the good stuff.
Thanks. Great truthful presentation. I strive for shots 300 yards or less.For me it's 30-06 for Deer, Antelope and .338 Win mag for Elk and bigger. Both in Winchester model 70s. I live in Oregon. Premium bullets on all.
30 06 is all u need for elk
@@58harwood same to you sissy
@@58harwood you make no sense go down the comments everyone said a opinion even you but your is stupid and what grown man uses a emoji
I love the statement "Fluff Reviews" I am tired of reviews that Cherry Pick data!
Thank you DD for your time, money and knowledge on this cartridge. Gettin a little tired of the advertisements.
I had my 270 built with a 1:9 to easily handle the heavier end bullets(150-160) before finding sweet loads with the 130gr speer hot cor and 140gr sst…. The only mistake I made was not building it on a left handed action!!
ppppppp I'll k I'll k0 I'm 7ip0 I
I'm 69 years old and have been shooting since I was 8 years old and taught by my grandfather.
Over the years hunting, bench shooting, military action and police I discovered that all of the myriad of calibers was all just marketing hype to sell more guns and new type caliber ammunition. So, you might be wondering what I like. My choices are: 22lr, 12 gauge shotgun, 22-250 w/60 grain bullet, 25-06 w/ 100 gr, 270 w/140 and 30-06 w/180 grain bullet. That's it! What next you might ask. LEARN TO SHOOT because it is not the gun, it's not the caliber, IT IS, THE NUT BEHIND THE BUTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fifth generation Harding County South Dakota hunter here.I think there is such a thing as Western cartridges. I mean, you ever see what a 130 grain .270 does to a deer at 30 yards? But it's money on deer at 300 yards. You would take your 30-30 all day long for the Eastern woods, and I'd use mine here on the prairie if it's all I had. But, it sure wouldn't be my first choice. If I need to slow the .270 down for closer range shooting, I can simply buy a box of 150 grains off the shelf.
I can shoot groups like that with my pre 64 Model 70. Ya. It has iron sights. This gun is a one trick pony. What do you get over the .270 Win for all your money? You get to buy $100 boxes off Gunbroker. Meanwhile, the .270 Win, which is a true Western cartridge,(300 plus yard PBR) is just putting deer in the truck. As you mentioned, ethical Western hunters seldom shoot at game over about 350 yards, so why reinvent the wheel?
Thank you for a no bullshit review ! 👍 🦌
And I LOVE the 30.06 also !
I’ve got a LAW M704 with a PacNor barrel chambered in 270 Ackley Improved. I had PacNor put an 8” twist in it. I shoot 170 grain Berger’s out of it at 2,850 FPS at paper out to1,000 yards. I do it because it’s fun trying to shoot a light hunting rifle at distance at paper. However, when hunting, I back it down to 150’s and 130’s. I don’t take shots past 400 yards when hunting so the sectional density and retained energy is more than adequate for all game I hunt.
I know that two years passed on... But yesterday was the first time I shot this calibre... Bought an XPR for my youngest son and both spent the afternoon shooting (zeroing the scope to the rifle and moderator) using the only ammo we could find here in Portugal... Browning BXS ammo @ outrageous high price... Tested the rifle and ammo combo and ... Accurate, pleasant even but... Uninpressed! Let's see how it performs on game when season comes... 👍👍
Love your videos and I’ve learned so much. You are such a perfectionist.
I can't say much, I've always been a fan of the 264 win mag
Great video. I have a .270WSM and I love it. I have a 130 grain E-Tip load that shoots 1 hole groups at 100 yards and runs 3402FPS. Also have a 150 grain Partition load for it at 3102FPS. Shoots half MOA at 100 yards. Both have mild recoil and keep velocity and energy very well for hunting yardage. Never really saw the need for the 6.8 Western. I also have 2 308's, one is a 1957 Model 88 and the other is a Howa Carbon fiber 24 inch barrel in a Hogue stock. Just working up loads for the latter and have 2 loads for the 88 that are right around 3000FPS with 150 grain monolithic.
Excellent no BS assessment with facts and ballistics to back it up. I was one of those people that asked you about this one about a week ago. It's a real insult to our intelligence how stupid marketing people think that we are. I really enjoy your approach to your videos you really cover a wide range on whatever subject you're approaching. After watching your previous videos it's my conclusion that if I wanted to hunt anything in North America with two rifles the 25-06 and the 30-06 would be the perfect Duo . Thank you greatly appreciated 👍
I have a 6.8 western I know this is a year ago but I have a cpr and I would recommend it. Shoots great and there is plenty of ammo now. It's an extremely accurate rifle and it hits hard. Compared to a 270 there almost identical except bullet wight that's all.
thank you sir for your work. it does not go unnoticed. thank you for clearing up the smoke to show the playing field. continue to cut through the hype especially for those of us who can't afford to be taken advantage of financially
Thank you for your videos and content
Hi from Aus, love the honesty, we can all can the corporate BS, keep the vids commin' 👍🍻😊♥
The classics are only getting better with time & perform just as well with modern components 👍🍻😊♥
When you compare Winchester's 7mm mag 168 grain load to their 6.8 Western 165 gr. load, the 6.8 actually has a higher muzzle velocity, a greater ballistic coefficiency, and a higher sectional density. So it does outperform the 7mm mag comparatively.via Winchester box stats. For me, I'll stay with my 270 Winchester for most game. I am thinking about upgrading my barrel to a 1 in 8 twist.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but the 7mm RM pushes those bullets faster. Since BC doesn't matter at ethical hunting distances (MPBR), the 7mm shoots flatter. Sectional density means nothing these days; almost any mid-weight monolithic or bonded bullet will get complete pass-throughs.
I hope anyone looking into this cartridge doesn’t stop at this video for all the information they get.. there is plenty of truth in here but there is a lot of information that doesn’t jive with what I’ve seen. For instance, throughout the entire pandemic I have seen dozens of boxes of the ammo at any of the retailers around me. Less popular means more ammo when people panic buy. I get the marketing is annoying but this truly is a modernized 270 and it is a solid option for anyone that doesn’t already own one.
I would like to hear your thoughts on the 7mm PRC.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Why would want to spend the extra money if you can even find the 6.8 Western. Just doesn’t make sense when we have the 30-06 and .270 Win to do the job just fine at ethical shooting distances. The gain the 6.8 shows is pretty much insignificant at out to 300 yards
Thanks for the video.
100% awesome job. Interestingly, here in Montana earlier this year the only thing on the shelves was 6.8 western ammunition. I bought a 6.5 PRCN couldn’t find ammunition dies or brass for it. Again, great job. Good luck this hunting season.
Thanks for your review and breakdown!
No one has answered my question yet. What does it do the 7 mm Remington Magnum does not do? Less recoil, less muzzle flash?
This video answered all my questions about this cartridge. Thank you
Where is the 270 Weatherby Magnum in this debate, review?.? My favorite rifle caliber right behind my 308 Winchester and 3006 Springfield………..
I have one too , the second flattests shooting cartridge available
Maybe because Weatherby guns are overrated
@ronbeckybeasley3566 overated sure but still quite high quality. I dont have any of the American weatherby guns but i have a vanguard and its very nice
@@awsomedude12345678 so you own a pos Howa.
@@ronbeckybeasley3566 clearly you know nothing about guns
Thank you for producing this video, lots of great data and information. But I have a slightly different view of the 6.8 Western Cartridge.
I have both the 270 WSM (No change in SAAMI Spec) in a 7½ Twist Barrel and a 6.8 Western. They both shoot all high BC bullets (175 Sierra TGK, 170 Berger Elite and the Nosler 165 ABLR) accurate up 1000 yards. Both of my rifles like the Nosler 165 the best, less than one-inch groups at 200 yards with a muzzle velocity of just over 3000 fps and 1650 at target. The others groups are just over an inch. My barrels are both SS Brux Rem Varmint, so they are to a higher standard than a factory barrel. I shoot 600 and 1000 yards weekly, so I have experience with both. There is very little difference between the two with the same hand loads for all bullets.
I do agree, why come out with a new cartridge, the 6.8 Western. Simply, Winchester and Browning could have just come out with the “270 WSM Western”, a 270 WSM with a 7½ barrel twist. Just think of the money us shooters would have saved, no need to purchase new rifles.
With that said, I will say (which will distress some), the 270 with a 7½ twist or the 6.8 Western will clearly out shoot the 270 Winchester or 270 WSM at yardages 500 yards and over. Even shooting the 145 ELDs from both at 600 yards the higher twist barrels delivers a better group. So, I have totally bought in to the high twist barrels and high BC Bullets no mater what yardages I am shooting.
I think the 270 Winchester is a great gun, so much history. But, if I were to rebarrel, it would be one with a 7½ to take advantage of the high BC Bullets. My barrel lengths are both 26”, I exceed by 50 fps all of the published velocity data by Winchester and Browning. It is obvious a 24” barrel will have a lower velocity. This was an error in this video.
My view. The “6.8 Western” is a better cartridge than the standard barreled 270 Winchester and 270 WSM as it shoots the heavier higher BC bullets, as well as shoots amazing at 1000 yards. Don’t discount this this cartridge, it has more positive attributes than this video portrays. For an average hunter, just shooting up to 300 yards, our 270s are more than needed, but if one is pushing 500 yards the higher twist barrels are superior. I think the 6.8 Western will be with us for a long time. Should add, I have 6mm Creedmoor and 6.5 Creedmoor. These are my favorite two cartridges.
Any thoughts on the 6.5PRC, 300 WSM and 280 Ackley Improved for hunting?
>ⁿ
My 6.8 western is just waiting to stretch its legs. Stuck working right now, but later this spring I will be running it out to 1,000 and beyond. I’m really looking forward to working on load development with it and really seeing what it’ll do. One thing that wasn’t mentioned, but kinda goes without saying, about the comparison data between the 270wsm and the 6.8 was the wsm data was a perfected hand load, and the western is factory box ammo. Not exactly apple to apples there. I’m really looking forward to seeing what we’ll get out of the 6.8 with hand loads, and multiple bullet options. (Attention Berger) I think it’s going to be a great performer.
@@padna7946 You will enjoy the 6.8 Western. I am shooting 1000 yards tomorrow, 175 Sierra and 150 Nosler bullets. I cannot get the 170 Elites to group, don’t know why. Best is about 3” at 200 yards. All the others are an 1” groups or under. My best bullet is the Nosler 165 ABLR. Give those a try, but currently they are very hard to find.
Well said , I just posted a similar comment then read this.
Another awesome video as usual. Thank you DD
Ah, wisdom. Very good assessment.
Dog of the Desert: Here's where it's at: .30-06 via my M-1 Garand. Or, the .375 H&H from my M-70. I really enjoy your postings. You are the real deal.
270 wsm owner,,,,great cartridge, better results! Wife took her moose with it,,,can't give a better review than that!
Well stated. Thank you for an intelligently made and honest video.
I saw videos on the 7mm PRC and promptly went out and bought a 7mm Remington magnum rifle. Why? I own a 7mm RUM and a 375 and 416 Ruger. The ammo makers introduce new cartridges that they stop backing in 10-20 years.If I'm gonna shoot long range I shoot 257 and 300 Weatherby.
It seems as if Hornady's team of genius marketers are moonlighting over at Winchester. Great vid, DD!
ironically though, Hornady refuses to manufacture 6.8W ammo, or even components for the cartridge. It may be because they see it as competition for the 7PRC, who knows.
@@mikemelina7395 could be. 🤷♂️
Moonlighting or drinking Moonshine it's all the same bs in the end.
I bought a kimber 8400 270 wsm back in 2008 for $750.00 after my 7mm m70 was stolen. Not because of the caliber but the wood was just beautiful. After hunting with it I realized how much meat damage it was causing on shots within 150 yrds. My question is I'm having it rebarrel done to a 1 in 8 twist for heavier bullets since I bought a regular 270 for the lighter bullets I was wondering about the 175gr sierra game changers for elk at max range of 400 yrds. It's the only heavy bullet I can find at a good price. Bought 400 just because I was afraid of availability. Trying to go heavy for less meat damage if shots are close but still want good expansion or should I just stick with my old standby of 140gr interlocks?
Switch to a monolithic bullet like the TTSX or GMX. Out of the magnums, they do less meat damage than a 308 with cup-n-core lead bullets. Of course, stop taking high shoulder shots if you care about meat.
As Gun Test said years ago about the Sierra Game Kings , they are a poor varmint bullet , pretending to be a big game bullet . They come apart and go all over the place , this was a number of years ago, as I now never use them other than to target shoot, can't say if they have improved
Excellent video, lots of useful information. I've been killing deer and deer sized game for over 30 years with my poor old obsolete .270 Winchester and I've yet to see any 130 to 150 grain bullet bounce off any animals hide. I don't believe that I will be making the switch to a 6.8 Western any time soon.
Lol you're going to be eating your words because the 6.8 Western is hitting harder then the 7mm rem mag at long range IN A SHORT ACTION!! Its a beast of a round, updated 270 WSM
@Mike Tyson
1. No one cares about short action
2. Only outshines other calibers st like 4-500 yards.
3. Ammo costs 100$ here in Canada for 6.8W
Only benefit is reduced recoil
My handloaded 33 yr old ABolt 7 Rem outshoots buddies 6.8 by a lot...... There's a good chance he'll have to work an extra 5 yrs to pay for the money he's investing in this adventure lol.
Mine loves H1000 160gr AB at 3080 fps and 7828ssc 150gr TTSX at 3175 fps.
I never go with all these designer cartridges, I stick to the classics which always have readily purchasable ammunition like .30-06 and 7mm REM Mag and .308 Win. Just my opinion
Great content as always. I too always take the claims made by the bullet/ammo manufactures with several grains of salt. I’ve always believed that if you want a more accurate apples to apples comparison when comparing bullets of different calibers, you should be comparing bullets of similar sectional densities or ballistic coefficients. I laugh when they just arbitrarily compare one caliber to the other with no specific metric. The result means little or nothing.
Great video. I considered this cartridge and went with a 280 AI instead. I reload and didn't want to deal with the belt on the 7mm Rem Mag. In the 270 bullet size, I think the 277 Fury will kill it off - demand and supply as military cartridge.
This was an outstanding video and I appreciate it. I hunt northern Alberta and know very well what kind of cartridge is needed for western hunting (270, 30'06, 7mm-08, etc,) I appreciate your comments about ethical hunting distances.
Yep...when the Marketing firms on the east coast deem something "Western", It's usually just the opposite.
Ill stick with my 30-06. Nice video.🇺🇸
AWESOME VIDEO MAN! Can you please do a video on the. 220 swift or the 22-250
All good things to consider..... Thanks
This is a well researched and honest video. Thank you.
Thanks for seeking and sharing the truth. I do, however, dispute your claim that you can always get a shot opportunity within 300 yards. As an elk hunter in Colorado for 5 years now, I've encountered numerous situations that required a 400 ish yard shot.
You've made some good points and comparisons. Thumb up for the info.
😱WoW, thanks for your “thoughts” of this caliber.
You really went out of your way to please your viewers to put to together this 30+ minutes video review.
I’ve been watching to see if this would fit my need for a setup to take up north to Alaska, and judging by your thoughtful analysis I also do not see that this will fill the slot between my go to 270Win and my backup 375 H&H that both shoots really well.
I’ll be focusing on getting a really well fit and finished used custom FN or Swedish Mauser in 30-06 or 338-06 (I will be reloading this round) since I want to stay away from magnum cartridges other than what I already have. 🙏🏼
Take a look at .35 Whelen, Ive shot plenty of very large bear with it. Its a hell of a round.
Great as always, wheel well and truly reinvented 😂.
They cherry pick loads but if you compare the 7mm rem mag to the 6.8 western they are pretty damn simular with the heavier weight bullets. It's actually pretty damn efficient and bad ass to be able to match the 7mm mag out of a short action with a 24" barrel. Go check the weight of the rifles straight off the browning website. 7mm mag power in a rifle almost a pound lighter and a few inches shorter is a big advantage in my eyes. I personally like more choices and believe this one is a good cartridge. Being realistic everything since the 30-06 wasn't needed so if your gonna say that about the 6.8 western say it about the 270 280 7mm rem mag and 300 win mag. None of them really perform any better than the 06 at hunting ranges and the magnums require heavier longer rifles burning much more powder with 25% less ammo capacity. Atleast the short actions do have a advantage in weight and length. 6.8 western will be an ideal mountain rifle for people who hike miles in the backcountry where weight and length matter.
You can go up to max pressure in the 6.8 Western, but it will never match the ballistics of a max pressure load in 7mm Rem Mag. That thought is a complete fantasy created by Winchester. On your other point, would not a 270 Win be just as much "mountain rifle" (BTW, I hate that term just as much as I hate "western cartridge"). The long action weighs only 2-3 ounces more, which isn't even noticeable. In fact, on Winchester's website ( www.winchesterguns.com/products/rifles/xpr/current/sporter.html ), they list the 6.8W and 270WIN, both at the exact same weight with 24" barrels. The 270 WIN would easily kill the same "mountain animals", but so it with far less recoil in a lightweight "mountain rifle".
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 6.8 has way better ballistic coefficient and sectional density than 270 win. Obviously there's not much reloading data for the 6.8 yet but the factory loads are pretty much equal to the 7mm mag ballistics in a rifle the same weight as the 270 winchester as you said. And yes the 270 can kill the same animals does that mean the other cartridges are not useful? Good thing about America is you have choices if you like something buy it if you don't then don't. I don't understand why anyone that likes guns would be against the 6.8 western it's pretty good for its purpose.
My 6.8 Western will be here on Tuesday. Hopefully I'll get it zeroed in and able to take it muley hunting next weekend. Also a late cow elk tag could be nice
Did you get one?
Good info!! Just subscribed
Thank you for the sub!
Was curious about the round. Thanks for info!
Right on Brother i there with you 👍
Great video - thank you. Sound, sincere and sober review 👍🏻
Great show.
You are spot on in this video, however the only real difference between the 6.8 and the 270 WSM is the twist rates on factory guns and the length of the throat in the chamber. If you customize a 270 WSM and put a faster twist rate barrel, and lengthen the throat your basically doing what Winchester did. It really is nothing more then marketing something new, it keeps the wheels of free enterprise rolling. For those that buy into hype they’ll probably run out and buy one (can’t not have the latest and greatest), however I am noticing that the only cartridges that were left on shelves a while back when things were really lean were 6.8 western and it’s the only rifle brass my local retailer has any stock of, both indicators that people are not buying it.
Thank you for finally someone coming up with straight talk and straight truth about a bunch of BS that's fed to us by all these gun rags
If one were to re-barrel their 270 Winchester with a 8.5 or 9 inch twist it would handle the longer and heaver higher BC bullets. With the 270's longer case length bullets would not have to be seated as deeply in the case as in the 6.8 Westerner, perhaps closely approaching the velocities of the 6.8.
🎯, again!
Let's give it some time, hell the valkyrie had a rough start, and now is a reliable Lazer that will slay yoties and put together groups around..5 moa!
DD Thanks for another great video. I was initially intrigued by the 6.8 Western but then reality hit and I realized much of what you point out - no real stats, reloading data, ammo availability, rifle availability. Then I realized it is just another collaboration by Browning and Winchester just like the WSM of years ago. Of course these companies are now owned by the same larger corporation. Too much marketing and unreliable data. I'm sticking with the 7mm Rem Mag. And to me the most important stat you point out is the MPBR - all had about 300 yards with 3 inch target.
MPBR is something lost on this new generation. They all want to spin turrets and consult calculators and charts. If you have time to do all that, you're either too far away or you're going to miss your shot opportunity.
MPBR is certainly becoming a lost technique. I just can’t make sense of a hundred yard zero for hunting. I do wonder how many opportunities are lost due to spinning knobs. Many, I suspect, both to wasting time instead of shooting and spinning to the wrong setting. I see it all the time on the UA-cam hunting channels.
@@phild9813 What’s the ideal zero range?
That’s funny about the ammo the only think on shelves here in Albuquerque is 6.8 western. Thought about buying one just because I could find ammo for it.
Where I live, nobody is stocking 6.8W ammo or rifles. I think they don't want to purchase items they feel will not sell. Strange thing though, is that these same stores are fully stocked with 28&30 Nosler ammo and brass that looks like it has been sitting for years.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 not sure where you are from but Ammo of all sorts is starting to slowly trickle in. 308 270 30-06 is pretty common to find on Walmart shelves but we don’t have any nosler calibers or weatherby for that matter that I have noticed in the local sporting goods stores. I hunt with and reload my 300 wsm. I have plenty for hunting pre pandemic but I’m not going out wasting it for fun. I also scored a pile of 30-30 the other day which I’m not opposed to use for hunting deer and elk with.
@@josephchavez8280 I can't recall the last time I have seen ammo at a Walmart store
Great video, I just picked up a browning x bolt in 6.8 western because I was curious as well. From that I can tell the case is the case is similar but not the same, I know the case is shorter and the shoulder angles are different as well. Until recently (10ish years) they just started to make heavy high bc bullets for 270. Could you extend your velocity and energy charts out to 1000 yards? I would like to see what 6.8 western holds up at distance.
I hunt within 300-400 yards. When I punch paper and ring steel at 1000, I would use one of the many cartridges more suited to that (the 6.8 Western isn't even in that conversation). Being a hunting channel, hunting within MPBR of a 3" target means my charts only matter to 300-400 yards.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 I’m just simply curious because with long range hunting becoming more of a thing( pumped by gun writers and magazines/ hunting tv). We should have the conversation about cartridges capabilities and why to or not to hunt with them at extended ranges. So maybe what I’m asking is to see how much velocity and energy this round carries stacked up to other cartridges at extended hunting rages because I believe it was developed to shoot at longer ranges. I’m not saying it’s the cartridge to end all or I’m fully taking the bait but we should explore every aspect of a cartridge even past most peoples hunting ranges. So maybe show out to 600 yards.
@@homerangeoutdoors When you shoot at animals from ranges where they can't see you, hear you, and don't even know they are being shot at; you have to dig deep into what is considered ethical, or even still considered hunting at that point. I have not taken a shot at over 300 yards on an animal in 20 years (and that is hunting frequently all the western states). Stalking your prey or setting up an ambush is more in line with my personal ethics. Don't brag about how far you shot, brag about how close you got.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 I totally agree, that’s why I mainly bow hunt. Im not trying to get into the ethics, just the fact about the round out to extended range. If ethics are considered where do we draw the line at scopes that give us super human vision or rangefinders that tell us exact yardage and angle to target even the rifles we use are more technologically advanced then most people know what to do with. I’m just wondering about the facts of the cartridge out to extended ranges.
The entire idea is to sell products. To create a need that may not exist. Like the series 80 firing pin block. Its a solution looking for a problem.
When you look at the history of hunting. Those who hunt out west have been taking game with what was available at the time, before 2000, and have successfully taken game.
The manufacturers will continue to introduce products to satisfy the perceived needs of today's hunter.
I hunt with a .30-06 for years and I rarely take a shot longer than 300 yards. If the shot is further then I'll stalk my game until I am close enough to take a shot under 300 yards, preferably 200 yards or less. That's hunting. Stalking your game until you are close enough to take a humane and ethical shot.
When you think about all of the available calibers on the market there is so much overlap in performance; .308/.30-06 is there much of a difference to make a difference. Only in the mind of hunters who swear that if you're not shooting a .308 you're not a real hunter.
The same goes for the 6.5 CM. Hunters swear by it but how many of them have taken the time to become proficient with the equipment they currently had before they upgraded? Damn few.
I think it’s a good cartridge but all newer calibre rifles are grossly overhyped that’s the norm! Like the 7mm PRC and the Hornady data BS
What knife is the stag handled, sheathed knife on the 3rd from bottom shelf on your right, in the video?
The 30.06 is the ( Old Timers) Soldiers round. Ammo was cheap after the War and We love the round. I wouldn’t change my M1G. The 7mm round is the sweet spot, whether it’s a STD .284 or the magnum loadings. All shooters know this, well maybe they don’t. Love your channel.
I’ve been watching a lot of 6.8 videos lately based on the fact that in my town there’s probably 40-50 boxes of 20 rounds between sportsman’s and a few local it had me thinking well might be fun to see what it could do. I have a bolt gun similar to proofs switch rifle so switching barrels is easy, so i could shoot the ammo for brass and develop a load then I hit myself upside the head to remind myself I have a 7 rem mag that legitimately shoots 1/4 moa, absolutely no need for it but it had me thinking. Great breakdown of this cartridge I really liked how you broke it down you brought more data to the table than just and opinion
Your videos are great man. No BS. Just facts from actual experience.
Hey desert dog, greetings from your fellow california lifelong hunter. Love your content, you give a lot of good solid unbiased information grounded in experience rather than sponsors and group think. This is kind of off topic, but I could not help but notice the zebra painting on the wall in your background. My grandfather is an artist and has painted and sold many zebra pieces all over the state. Being that we are both california residents i could not help but wonder if that is one of my grandfathers pieces. Who is the artist of that piece if you don't mind me asking ?
Painting was done by Ben Lee. The eyes drew me to this painting. If you've ever seen a zebra's eyes in the wild; in the right light, they are not black soulless eyes, but a golden color with piercing pupils. I had to buy it because of the eyes.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 wow that is amazing. It is not one of my grandfathers piece's, but it is beautiful. I have been hunting for a little over 10 years, though i am still fairly young in my hunting experience. One of my biggest goals in life is to make it to africa at some point and get a chance to hunt exotics. Thank you for the content and the knowledge, god bless
Been shooting the 270 wsm since its inception i run both my loads with ADI 2213sc which is the same as hodg 4813sc an have my 150 loads with in a 100 fps of the 7RM velocity's cant really see a difference in either cal in reality , any animal isn't gunna notice the 100 fps less.
Nice review. I myself purchased a new X bolt chambered in 6.8 western. Hard to find a rifle lately in 270wsm, I've been looking for years. I figured this would get me pretty close to what I was looking for, sounds like I was right. Great stuff, thanks for your intel.
Ya I don’t see this round hanging around.
The 6.8 Western cartridge will fail. Also Winchester and Browning are the same company.
Heavy weight high BC bullets are the worst choice for taking big game.
You cannot find Reloading equipment or load data, because no one want to support a failed idea.
My Ruger M77 MKII in 270 Winchester with a 1 in10” rifling 22” barrel will absolutely crush elk at ethical (300 yards) distances. Nosler’s 160 grain Partition bullets gets the job done.
Hopefully it wasn't a case of loose action screws regarding the accuracy.
Nope, I torqued the action after I took it apart to inspect the bedding; or lack of bedding.
Thanks for the video. But I think a viewer might lose the perspective. At 13:00 etc you are using reload data for comparison. And that's good, FOR RELOADERS.
But it should be understood that any chambering comparisons for reloaders and for buyers of stock ammo are TWO VERY DIFFERENT THINGS.
Let me explain. You compare the best loading data you have found, achieved by load development "until the primers flatten", right? Such maximum does not depend on a chambering much, just on the primer, and with the same primer you get the same max pressure.
Well, ammo manufacturers cannot do that. They have to follow SAAMI spec, and their lawyers force them to underload even below that.
And SAAMI says 65,000 psi MAP for 6.5 Western/27 Nosler/270WSM, and only 61,000 psi for 7mm Rem Mag. +-4% standard error of course.
In the similar manner, you compare with 270WSM with 165gr ABLR bullet (for 8.5" twist barrel). Guess what? For non-reloader, such loading DOES NOT EXIST!! Why? Because SAAMI lists 10" twist for 270WSM, most barrel manufacturers make it in 10", and ammo manufacturers make it so it can fit into the magazine and be stabilized with their (sub)standard loads in 10"-twist barrels, even short ones. Hence the reality that the heaviest 270WSM load available on ammoseek is 140gr, and it costs $4/rd! While 6.8Western is available in 175gr or lead-free 162gr. You see, they did not just slightly shorten the casing of 270WSM that you as a reloader have mentioned, they also significantly increased COAL (from 71 to 75mm) and shortened rifling twist, meaning much longer, more efficient, higher sectional density bullets will sit right, fit into the magazines and be reliably stabilized in every rifle. Meaning no elk or moose or caribou with 270WSM (ethically) vs whatever you want outside of Africa with 6.8 Western. Again, FOR AMMO BUYERS WITH STANDARD RIFLES, not for reloaders with custom barrels.
And guess to whom ammo manufacturers sell their cartridges?
It's a very similar situation to 30-06, a barely stronger (and sometimes weaker, see "Garand loads") cartridge than 308 for ammo buyers, while THE WHOLE HALF INCH of extra powder stack for reloaders.
The case design of the 6.5 creedmoor compared to the 260, is basically the same as the 6.8 Western compared to the 270 WSM. The 260 case is shortened a little, case tapered a little less and the shoulder angle changed a little, to form the 6.5 creedmoor. The 270 wsm case was shortened a little, case tapered left basically the same and the shoulder angle left the same, to form the 6.8 Western, but then the 270 wsm shoulder angle is steeper than the 260 remington shoulder angle in the first place. To say that the case design of the 6.5 creedmoor is anything like "revolutionary ", or all that much different, compared to the 260, than the 6.8 Western is, compared to the 270 WSM, is an exaggeration.
The Creedmoor case is based of the 30TC.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 which is the 308 case shortened a little, steeper shoulder angle, and case taper lessened a bit. You do the same thing to the 260 Remington case and get the exact same results. The 6.5 case is nothing revolutionary.
The 6.5 is simply a 250-3000 case, not based on the 308 like the 260. I use 6.5 to make my 250 loads, simply run it in the 250 die
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 I use 6.5 to make 250-3000 rounds , simply run it in the die
I own a browning x-bolt max long range and use the browning 175gr ammo. And shoot 3 round groups in less then an inch. From what I’ve seen is the xpr doesn’t shoot very good in 6.8
How does this round compare to the 6.8 SPC 90 grain?
“Stupid Hype” ... yep, that’s my vote. Thank you for this.
many of this "new calibers" do not add anything to the 30'06, 270, 9,3x62, 7x57 and other traditional calibers. In many countries, Argentina in particular,. though some of us have traditional long range calibers like 300 Wby, 300 Win, or 45/70 or _European 8x57 and many others we, almost 100% have a .308 because it is our Armed Forces standard caliber and we can obtain officially sold ammo at affordable prices. Bullets, gunpowder, brass are scarce and under importations rulings . So our policy is "stick to traditional calibers and buy the best available bullet.
With my .264 WM 1:9 Twist, I have found that using bullets designed for AR platforms are generally shorter with higher BCs can stabilize quite well giving me long range energy that just might change the game slower twist barrels have been subjected to.
Does this mean you use a Model 70 with a 26” barrel, or similar, maybe a custom rifle, or do you have a rifle with a 24” barrel and hope that the 1:9 twist rate will give the right spin to the AR friendly bullets (which right now I’m thinking Grendel) ?
I'll stick with my .270 thanks.
Right on, this thing doesn't do anything for real hunters that the old standards like 30-06 and 270 Win won't do.
Glad you did this video, I was curious with the Western myself, but it appears it's more trouble than it's worth, with all the data and component issues. And the main one for me,it doesn't offer anything, that is not already on the market.
it offers a short action cartridge in 270 capable of matching the 7mm mag with high bc bullets at a reasonable price. times are changing boomer.
@@joshlower1 Hasn't changed that much for me to want and buy one.
Last time I was at the Cabelas, they have 6.8W on the shelf for $17.99
I would really like your opinion on the 6.5 prc. Especially since many manufacturers are chambering for it. I just got my first kill on a mule deer with one and it performed well. But so has my .270 for decades now. Enjoy your honest channel.
A solution looking for a problem that doesn't exist. If you don't mind that recoil, shoot a 180gr 30 caliber instead. If you just want a flat-shooting deer cartridge, get a 25-06. But likely, you will never find a happy medium like your 270Win provides. You already own the perfect deer cartridge.
I was very interested in the 6.5 PRC when it first came out. But after I sat down, and worked out some tables, I just could not see a clear advantage over the 270 Win.
@@falba1492 I would say the advantage is the very high BC, but that really does not come into play unless you take long distance shots over 400 yards, which I have NEVER done while hunting. My personal furthest is 337 yards on a mule deer. Most of my kills are under 200. After 700 yards, the energy of the 6.5 PRC is close to a 300 WM. But the 6.5 PRC does not feed as well as my long action .270 win. and ammo supplies and reloading supplies are pretty much super high priced or non existent right now. I am not having buyers remorse, but maybe hindsight is 20-20 when compared to the .270 Win.
@@sheepdawg6946 - The 6.5 PRC is notoriously long, on the extreme side of being a short action. So I’m not surprised it doesn’t feed smoothly. Early on, I decided if I got one, it would have to be built on a long action, like the Sako S20. To tell the truth, I’m not sure how well that action feeds.
That being said, it’s a good caliber, but you could have complimented your 270 Win with something better. If you took a step down, I’d do a 243 Win or a 6.5 CM. If decided to go up, the 30-‘06 is a fine choice.
I was seduced by the 300 H&H, and haven’t looked back. Then I was hit by insanity and stepped up to a gorgeous 338 Win Mag. Love it, but what the hell was I thinking?!
@@falba1492 I have two .338 win mags and nothing in between that and my .270 win. It's a big jump from the .270. Maybe I should look at the common 7 mag for my next build. Desert Dog recently did an excellent review of the .338 and he brought up points I never really considered. For my style of hunting, I may have been better off with the 300 win mag since there is not a clear advantage for the .338 until after maybe 400 yards.
what is the new cartridge with a 80000 saami spec?
.277 Sig Fury.
Yes I feel into the hip and bought 4 boxes 175gr. Browning. Ended up not buying the gun now I have 4 boxs of ammo. Great $200 collecting dust. Anyone in central Wisconsin need them let me know.
Collector items in the next year.
Could you please share your approach to make accurate handloads ? Thanks !
Subscribe to my channel and go through my videos. I did a couple of reloading vids.
I have a 7rem mag, why on earth would I need a 6.8 western? A traditional calibre like the 30 06 is easier find everything for at a cheaper price.