Thread: 6.8mm Winchester Western

Greetings all,
I found the latest copy of Rifle Mag on my chair today after my dearly beloved returned from town. In it was an article by Brian Pearce on the 6.8 Winchester Western. This is an ever so slightly shortened .270 WSM intended for faster twist barrels. Factory loads include pointy projectile up to 175 grain. I spotted an article on this round a while back and aside from one breathless enquiry on the Forum about when they would be available there had been nothing. Browning and possibly others are chambering it. Other than the slightly shorter case the difference seems to be in the barrel twist of 1 in 7.5 inches. Why it was deemed necessary to come up with a slightly new case rather than just increasing the .270 WSM twist has me baffled but I suppose this is the USA and nothing that happens there surprises me these days. Winchester previously used the Westerner name for one of their .264 Win rifles and that calibre struggles on life support so we will see what happens to the 6.8 Western. Would I buy one? Hell no but I have too many safe queens already. Brian's rifle shot the 165 Accubond LR at 2,955 fps in a 26 inch barrel, about what my 7mm SAUM does with the 162 AMAX.
Regards Grandpamac.