6.8 Western or 300WSM

[wp2ten]

Hey Fellas I am new to the site and I am looking for some suggestions. I am 52 years old and have been hunting and shooting all of my life. I live in the Lowcountry of South Carolina and I own and operate a sporting clay range and I have a private rifle range also.
I am thinking about buying a new rifle and I really like the way the 6.8 western looks on paper but not really sure its going to be around long enough to prove itself unless some other companies start making ammo for it (I'm not a reloader). So my other thought was 300WSM. I know one is a 30Cal and the other is a .270 so there is that. I don't want a 270WSM because I can't go past 150gr. Thoughts?

 

[Rick Richard]

I think you may be answering your own question. Go with something that has been around for awhile and where ammo/ components are more plentiful/available. Just my opinion and good luck.

 

[Beluebow]

No experience with the 6.8 Western.......but I'm big fan of the 300wsm, tune windows are typically wide and stupid accurate with a wide range of bullets. The down side to the Whizzum is components....Norma is stopping bulk shipments and ADG just had a short run of brass that lasted about 30 seconds lol. The Berger 215 Hybrid is the "bullet".....it is also a Unicorn sprinkled in fairy dust.

 

[Zen Archery]

I didn't see a plan for the rifle if you are just wanting a range gun both of those calibers are gonna be pricy in the ammo/reloading side.

 

[JohnnieB]

I would greatly support the 300 WSM, while there are bullets in excess of 150 grains for the .270, they do require a faster twist than you see in factory rifles. The 300 allows you a huge range of bullets and its proving the test of time.

 

[wp2ten]

I didn't see a plan for the rifle if you are just wanting a range gun both of those calibers are gonna be pricy in the ammo/reloading side.

Looking at Browning X-Bolt LR.

 

[nealm66]

I think if some of the higher quality brass manufacturers would start making 6.8 brass it wouldn't be a bad choice at all. Recently had someone asking about it for his daughter. I leaned him towards the 6.5 prc

 

[wp2ten]

I agree. From what I have read and seen about it, it looks like it will be a good round.

 

[Buttermilk]

6.8 Western. It'll be around.

 

[xsn10s]

I'd probably go with a 300 WSM or 270 WSM barreled with a fast twist barrel..

 

[Old Rooster]

Take a look at bullets in a magazine showing different makes and calibers and you'll see way more 30 cal bullets than any other caliber.
I sold most all my rifles one time and stayed with 30 cal as they will be here long after I am gone.
300WSM!

 

[vancewalker007]

The 6.8 Western was made for the off-the-shelf segment of the market that wants better performance you can get with heavy for caliber (high BC) bullets when reaching out past their normal hunting ranges. From the longer SAAMI throating to the faster twist factory barrels, and heavy factory bullet offerings the 6.8 is set up nicely for longer range shooting. Now, that said the 300 WSM with a long throat, hand-loaded ammo, and a faster twist barrel will match and likely exceed the 6.8 Western. The 300 WSM also obviously has a longer run time so things like case choices, rifles, and reloading tools are more available. I think handloading the 6.8 would be a fun adventure personally but I'm weird that way. The Berger 190 VLD and IMR4350 shot lights out in the two 300 WSMs I used to load for with out a lot tuning effort. I like short mags.

 

[WildRose]

Hey Fellas I am new to the site and I am looking for some suggestions. I am 52 years old and have been hunting and shooting all of my life. I live in the Lowcountry of South Carolina and I own and operate a sporting clay range and I have a private rifle range also.
I am thinking about buying a new rifle and I really like the way the 6.8 western looks on paper but not really sure its going to be around long enough to prove itself unless some other companies start making ammo for it (I'm not a reloader). So my other thought was 300WSM. I know one is a 30Cal and the other is a .270 so there is that. I don't want a 270WSM because I can't go past 150gr. Thoughts?

Between the two I'd go with the 300wsm, but honestly you'd probably be better off with a 6.5 or 300PRC long term.

 

[Texanjohn]

There's no doubt about it the 300 WSM is far more proven and will do everything you wanted to do, but since you don't load your own ammo, what would be wrong with a 300 win mag? You can buy ammo for that cheaper, it's been around since Christ was a corporal, and it'll do everything you ever wanted to do, it's just a plain Jane good cartridge, I know you didn't ask for any other cartridge suggestions, but that's my two cents