6.8 Western

[elkhunter11]

Today I helped a young friend sight in a new Browning X-Bolt Speed in 6.8Western. He bought the rifle as as a 300-400 yard maximum deer rifle, knowing next to nothing about ballistics. I hadn't really looked at the ballistics myself, but seeing that they are using a 175gr bullet at only 2800fps or so, it certainly wasn't a great choice for my friends intended usage. With the factory load, it shot right around 1-1/2moa, adequate for my friends application, but not what I would want for a long range rifle, which was what that rifle/cartridge is intended for. Perhaps when he builds up some brass, we can develop a 130-140gr load, that is more accurate, and a better choice for a medium range deer rifle.

[raised by wolves]

175grains is a very heavy bullet for a 6.8. Twist rates and barrel lengths aside, you have the right idea in moving to the lighter bullets as the 6.5, 6.8, and 270s are amazing with bullets in the 130 to 150 grain range. The 130 grain is more than adequate for killing a deer at 400 metres.

[bob812]

Isn't it just basically a 270 WSM with a longer Throat.

[rugerfan]

That 175 will still be doing 2100+ fps at 400 yards. If he’s up to the task of making hits at that range I don’t think it’ll have any issues killing a deer.

[Pioneer2]

and getting tires at Walmart. Open her up .............. use a 130gr.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by rugerfan

That 175 will still be doing 2100+ fps at 400 yards. If he’s up to the task of making hits at that range I don’t think it’ll have any issues killing a deer.

I just don't see the point of such a heavy bullet for deer, when I can use a 130gr bullet at 3300fps out of a 270wsm. At 500 yards and less, all the heavier bullet gives you is more bullet drop, and more recoil.

[rugerfan]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I just don't see the point of such a heavy bullet for deer, when I can use a 130gr bullet at 3300fps out of a 270wsm. At 500 yards and less, all the heavier bullet gives you is more bullet drop, and more recoil.

I’m as much of a velocity nut as anyone here. That doesn’t make the other option a bad choice though. That heavier bullet also has more energy and better sectional density, not the most important thing for a whitetail but still a factor.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by rugerfan

I’m as much of a velocity nut as anyone here. That doesn’t make the other option a bad choice though. That heavier bullet also has more energy and better sectional density, not the most important thing for a whitetail but still a factor.

If a 130gr .277" bullet won't kill a deer you are doing something very wrong.

[rugerfan]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

If a 130gr .277" bullet won't kill a deer you are doing something very wrong.

Never claimed it couldn’t.

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

If a 130gr .277" bullet won't kill a deer you are doing something very wrong.

Right! I’ve killed elk with 130 corelokts before. To the OP a 175 does seem heavy for the 6.8 western but I have to admit I don’t know a ton on the cartridge. Was a good article a few years back in either Peterson hunting mag or guns and ammo. Just a reinvented 270wsm imo but one that ammo was widely available for during the latest purge.

[1dayillgetaram]

Originally Posted by rugerfan

I’m as much of a velocity nut as anyone here. That doesn’t make the other option a bad choice though. That heavier bullet also has more energy and better sectional density, not the most important thing for a whitetail but still a factor.

This
I would imagine that someone with average reloading skills will be able to get this rifle to shoot better than any factory ammo. I’d try the bullets it was designed for first

[rugerfan]

Originally Posted by 1dayillgetaram

This
I would imagine that someone with average reloading skills will be able to get this rifle to shoot better than any factory ammo. I’d try the bullets it was designed for first

The bullets it was designed for being the heavy for caliber class such as the 175 in his factory load? I agree that better accuracy could be achieved though.