“Tag: 6.8 Western”

Between the .270 Winchester and the new 6.8 Western, which cartridge is the better all-around choice for the hunter? Contributor Philip Massaro examines the pros and cons of each.

Any way you cut it, this cartridge is a long-range winner. It maintains its energy at distance, and it’s plenty accurate, too.

Is the new 6.8 Western as good as it sounds? Here’s a closer look at its accuracy, velocity, aerodynamics and maximum lethal range compared to four popular, proven cartridges.

Winchester’s new 6.8 Western 162-grain solid copper load sports the company's Copper Impact bullet, boasting a muzzle velocity of 2875 fps. It shoots accurately, hits hard and penetrates deeply.

With respect to overall performance and ammunition availability, here are the five best all-around cartridges for North American big-game species.

Any of these five cartridges will set you up for a successful mule deer hunt anywhere they reside.

Winchester and Browning have collaborated to produce the 6.8 Western—a new take on the concept of the .270 WSM, using heavier bullets and a faster twist rate than previous iterations of the Winchester cartridges have used. Essentially, the 6.8 Western picks up where the .270 WSM leaves off, and delivers a whole lot more.

The all-new 6.8 Western brings the .277-inch bore diameter to life in a cartridge with a muzzle velocity that won’t burn up a throat prematurely, and offers the heavier, higher BC bullets that have been so popular among long-range shooters and hunters.

Engineers at Browning and Winchester teamed up to create a cartridge that offers magnum performance with a modern high-BC projectile, yet is chambered in a short-action rifle for shorter bolt throw and less weight. The 6.8 Western was designed to be the ultimate long-range cartridge that is capable in any big-game hunting scenario as well as long-range target shooting.