As we get closer to the end of the year we are inevitably going to see more new products unveiled leading into SHOT Show season (SHOT Show 2021 has been cancelled due to COVID). One of the 1st major announcements is a NEW cartridge – 6.8 Western – which was produced as a collaborative effort between Browning and Winchester. Our sister-website of TheFirearmBlog caught wind of this back in early November when the 6.8 Western cartridge received SAAMI approval. The round itself is extremely similar in design to a traditional .270 Winchester Short Magnum, but with valuable improvements.
- HEAVIER BULLET WEIGHTS than 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC & 270 WSM
- MORE ENERGY than 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC & 7mm Rem Mag
- LESS RECOIL than 300 WSM, 300 Win Mag & 300 PRC
- LONG, HEAVY BULLETS ideal for Big Game Hunting & Long-Range Precision Shooting
- SHORT ACTION for fast cycling, high accuracy & reduced rifle weight
To start off with, Winchester and Browning will be producing a trio of ammunition offerings to support this new cartridge for shooters and hunters alike. When you look at the list below, you will notice that this round hosts much heavier bullets than a traditional .270 WSM round. All of these new ammunition offerings of 6.8 Western come in standard 20-count packaging from Browning and Winchester with their associated price-points listed below:
- Winchester Expedition Big-Game Long Range | 165 Grain Accubond LR | S68WLR | MSRP $38.99
- Winchester Ballistic Silvertip | 170 Grainn Ballistic Silvertip | SBST68W | MSRP $37.99
- Browning Long Range Pro Hunter | 175 Grain Sierra Tipped Game King | B192500682 | No MSRP at this Time
Between Browning and Winchester there will be 3 large series of rifles offered. Within Browning you will have the option of 8 different X-Bolt models chambered in 6.8 Western which will be some of the most premium offerings available. Through Winchester and their XPR series of more affordable bolt-action hunting rifles there are 7 selections that can be made. Finally, through the staple Winchester Model 70 series which blends both traditional and modern bolt-action hunting rifle styles with their legendary Model 70 action, you can pick from 5 new offerings. All of these rifles and their associated MSRPs are listed below:
- X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Long Range McMillan | MSRP $2,279.99
- X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Max Long Range | MSRP $1,459.99
- X-Bolt Max Long Range | MSRP $1,339.99
- X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Speed A-TACS AU Camo | MSRP $1,299.99
- X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Long Range | MSRP $1,319.99
- X-Bolt Western Hunter Long Range | MSRP $1,139.99
- X-Bolt Western Hunter | MSRP $1,099.99
- X-Bolt Hunter Long Range | MSRP $1,329.99
- XPR | MSRP $549.99
- XPR Compact | MSRP $549.99
- XPR Hunter True Timber Strata | MSRP $599.99
- XPR Sporter | MSRP $599.99
- XPR Renegade Long Range SR | MSRP $1,069.99
- XPR Stealth, Suppressor Ready | MSRP $619.99
- XPR Hunter Scope Combo – True Timber Strata | MSRP $769.99
- Model 70 Super Grade | MSRP $1,519.99
- Model 70 Featherweight | MSRP $1,079.99
- Model 70 Featherweight Compact | MSRP $1,079.99
- Model 70 Extreme Weather | MSRP $1,599.99
- Model 70 Long Range | $1,529.99
So, in a world where the 6.5 Creedmoor has been king for awhile in both long-range hunting and target shooting, what do you think of this NEW 6.8 Western being brought to market by Winchester and Browning? They immediately brought to the table strong support through dozens of rifle offerings and kicked it off with 3 ammunition choices of their own. Will other ammo companies join the bandwagon and produce this round? As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
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