6.8 Western vs 6.5 PRC

[Deerhntr71]

I am looking at a Browning Speed in either a 6.8 Western or 6.5 PRC. I hunt mostly Whitetail here in North Dakota, but have some pretty long shots. Would maybe be used as a backup or lighter carry gun for elk, as I have larger calibers.
Any thoughts.

 

[laker]

6.5 prc has better brass options and factory ammo. I personally don't see the 6.8 western making it but I could be wrong

 

[can1010]

if your a reloader the 6.8W has better bullet weights available and plenty of quality brass but will need to be fireformed. for the non reloader it is really a toss up for factory ammo availability. the 6.8 with 130 class bullets will be more than needed for whitetail and then the 165-175 class for the heavier stuff would be my choice.

 

[Jud96]

Both cartridges are very similar. The PRC has more factory ammunition options, and it has much more support for reloading such as brass and dies. The PRC has also been around a little longer so the Western still could take a little longer to catch on. However, I don't think the 6.8 will ever gain as much popularity as the 6.5 PRC.

Having said all of that, I think of the 6.8 Western as essentially a 6.5 PRC that shoots 20-30gr heavier bullets at very similar velocities. That will provide a little better performance on big game such as elk. I think both are good options and I think ultimately the PRC is the best all around option for most scenarios. With you wanting this to be a backup elk rifle, that would lead me to choose the bigger cartridge, the 6.8 Western.

 

[can1010]

the 6.5 PRC and 6.8W cases are not even close to each other, they use totally different parent cases with the 6.8W having a 10gr capacity advantage and since i have wildcatted the western case up/down i can till you that the 6.8 case will outrun the PRC case by over 100 fps with same bullet weight and diameter

 

[orkan]

Are you a factory ammo shooter or hand loader?

If hand loader, then 6.5PRC specifically because lapua brass is available for it.

 

[can1010]

fireform ADG 7 saum in 6.8w chamber just as good as Lapua and made in USA.

 

[Deerhntr71]

I read on another forum that the Browning has a fast twist,I I know it's a 7 in the 6.5 PRC. Does that make it hard to stabilize the lighter weight bullets?

 

[Deerhntr71]

I read on another forum that the Browning's fast 1 in 7 twist limits the choice of bullet weight in the 6.5 PRC. Is this correct? Said that their rifle wouldn't shoot lighter bullets very well.

 

[MH WASH]

Go 6.8W if you want to shoot heavier bullets with more recoil. For deer, the 130-140 class bullets are plenty, and the 6.5 PRC will out perform the 6.8W in that weight class. It's just like comparing the 6.5CM to the 270Win.

 

[JAYgs8163]

I read on another forum that the Browning's fast 1 in 7 twist limits the choice of bullet weight in the 6.5 PRC. Is this correct? Said that their rifle wouldn't shoot lighter bullets very well.

That's not a accurate assessment. The 7 twist will be just fine and even better on the heavier Monos which are light to start with. Like the 131 Hammer Hunter bullet requires minimum twist of 1/7.5. You will be good to go. Having the faster twist is a benefit in this case as we're not talking a big difference. Mine is 7.5 and I wish it was a 7.

 

[Recon$$]

My opinion, go 6.5 PRC because of availability and popularity. I've had outstanding success shooting mulies in your neck of the woods pushing 140 vlds at 3100 and I'll be back this year as well toting the same rifle.

 

[PapaSmurff]

That's not a accurate assessment. The 7 twist will be just fine and even better on the heavier Monos which are light to start with. Like the 131 Hammer Hunter bullet requires minimum twist of 1/7.5. You will be good to go. Having the faster twist is a benefit in this case as we're not talking a big difference. Mine is 7.5 and I wish it was a 7.

I agree with you about twist rate 100% JAY. It's actually difficult to "over stabilize" a bullet, especially any long heavy high bc bullet like the ones most of us prefer these days.

 

[mbse20]

I read on another forum that the Browning's fast 1 in 7 twist limits the choice of bullet weight in the 6.5 PRC. Is this correct? Said that their rifle wouldn't shoot lighter bullets very well.

Generally, if your chasing insanily tight groups at 300 yards or less that would be a fair assumption. For deer and larger I would pick the 6.8. Deer and smaller would kind of a be toss up for me.