6.8 Western vs 6.5 PRC

[Deerhntr71]

Considering a Browning X-Bolt Speed in 6.8 Western or 6.5 PRC. Just wondering if anyone has thoughts on these two calibers.

 

[7mmMag]

Depends on what your intentions are. The 6.8 is designed for 165-175 grain bullets and the 6.5 is designed for 140-147 grain bullets. The 6.5 will be flatter shooting because of the higher velocity and because .264 bullets has better BC than .277 bullets. The 6.8 will obviously have more kinetic energy though. The 6.8 will have a lot more recoil.

 

[Deerhntr71]

Be mostly a deer rifle.

 

[Kurtr]

The 156 Bergers in the prc are nasty. My brother has the browning and it’s a nice gun.

 

[remm]

Not sure how ammo availability is right not for the 6.8 but good luck finding any 6.5prc if you don't reload.

 

[SupressYourself]

6.8 / .277 anything is for the gays. Fight me.


Unless Elk or Moose are also in play, 6.5 Creed is more than enough gun, friendlier to shoot, and gives you far more options for both guns and ammo.

 

[Wall-eyes]

Both great as said above one little heavier bullet than other. For all the hunting I have done with pops over the years DYI or guides. Being able to shoot the gun accurately with the biggest bullet to take the game down instantly. Not alot of difference between the two I have looked into it before. I bought my kid the 280 nosler. He is a big man and has shoot a lot of my big calibers with EZ. I put in a lot of money, time and when that animal of a lifetime comes out I want it dead. BIGGER IS BETTER.

 

[Callem'In]

I shoot a 6.5 PRC and as Kurtr said the 156 Bergers are a knock out. Mine shoots great to 1000 with Hornady ELD-X, and the Bergers, Shoot not quite as well with the 140 Federal Terminal Ascent, but still fine for most people. Ammo availability is going to be key in this debate, even for reloaders as good components are hard to come by.

 

[svnmag]

6.8 / .277 anything is for the gays. Fight me.


Unless Elk or Moose are also in play, 6.5 Creed is more than enough gun, friendlier to shoot, and gives you far more options for both guns and ammo.

Pretty much what I was going to say. Although betraying my NDA secret code name, current ammo/scopes render anything "hotter" unnecessary for deer. Time to freshen my eye liner and retie the manbun. FWIW, I'll still tote the mag for the foreseeable future. I can shoot it. We're a good couple. I know her moods.

 

[hoythunter]

I've got a hells canyon 6.5 prc tried real hard to get it to shoot 140 accubonds never could get a load figured out (its twisted fast). Couldnt get it to group with the factory eldx ammo either. Sent it back to browning and they wouldnt tell me what they did to it but they got it to shoot factory hornady (i couldn't when it came back). My cousin took it and got a load developed using the 143's havnt picked it up yet but hopefully good to go now. I find myself grabbing my Tikka 7mag over it for hunting every time.

 

[Kurtr]

I've got a hells canyon 6.5 prc tried real hard to get it to shoot 140 accubonds never could get a load figured out (its twisted fast). Couldnt get it to group with the factory eldx ammo either. Sent it back to browning and they wouldnt tell me what they did to it but they got it to shoot factory hornady (i couldn't when it came back). My cousin took it and got a load developed using the 143's havnt picked it up yet but hopefully good to go now. I find myself grabbing my Tikka 7mag over it for hunting every time.

it doesn’t like light bullets at all. Push the 156 Bergers or 147eldm and it will shoot them good.

 

[Migrator Man]

6.8 western ammo is easier to find. 6.5 PRC is nearly impossible

 

[SupressYourself]

Pretty much what I was going to say. Although betraying my NDA secret code name, current ammo/scopes render anything "hotter" unnecessary for deer. Time to freshen my eye liner and retie the manbun. FWIW, I'll still tote the mag for the foreseeable future. I can shoot it. We're a good couple. I know her moods.

The 7mm Rem Mag is often overlooked because the design is a bit dated, but it's a great long range choice. I'm launching a 180 ELDM at 3020 fps. That'll shoot flatter than a 300 PRC (or 300 Win Mag) with a 225 ELDM out to nearly 2000 yards, and do it with about 10% less powder.

 

[Kurtr]

The 7mm Rem Mag is often overlooked because the design is a bit dated, but it's a great long range choice. I'm launching a 180 ELDM at 3020 fps. That'll shoot flatter than a 300 PRC (or 300 Win Mag) with a 225 ELDM out to nearly 2000 yards, and do it with about 10% less powder.

My brother got some 245 berger eol for his 300 prc those are some thumpers. he pushes the 250 atips at 2650 so should be a little faster with the bergers

 

[JMF]

The 7mm Rem Mag is often overlooked because the design is a bit dated, but it's a great long range choice. I'm launching a 180 ELDM at 3020 fps. That'll shoot flatter than a 300 PRC (or 300 Win Mag) with a 225 ELDM out to nearly 2000 yards, and do it with about 10% less powder.

What powder are you using?

 

[SupressYourself]

What powder are you using?

With a 26" barrel, I can do that with either 69.1 of H1000, or 67.4 of RL26 in Peterson brass. I'm still trying to decide which is best.

 

[svnmag]

The 7mm Rem Mag is often overlooked because the design is a bit dated, but it's a great long range choice. I'm launching a 180 ELDM at 3020 fps. That'll shoot flatter than a 300 PRC (or 300 Win Mag) with a 225 ELDM out to nearly 2000 yards, and do it with about 10% less powder.

Holy hell. Truthfully I'd be a bit skairt to touch that sumbitch off. I'll stick with the Fusion 150's at 3110. 3in high @ 100 in the boiler room to 350. Kills 'em extra dead.

 

[bucksnbears]

Just get a plain old .270/7mag and live life.
Most people by these "new" cartridges to say "I've got this new cartridge ":;:exactly

 

[PrairieGhost]

The 7mm Rem Mag is often overlooked because the design is a bit dated, but it's a great long range choice. I'm launching a 180 ELDM at 3020 fps. That'll shoot flatter than a 300 PRC (or 300 Win Mag) with a 225 ELDM out to nearly 2000 yards, and do it with about 10% less powder.

I'm 74 years old with rotator surgery in both shoulders, and still you just made me want another rifle. I wish my 270 had a faster twist becausevI have had my eye on heavy bullets for a few years. I have never owned a .284 in anything. At my age with artificial knees I think my mountain hunting may be over, but I would like a 7msg just because.

 

[SDMF]

I wish my 270 had a faster twist because I've have had my eye on heavy bullets for a few years.

Re-barrel w/1:7 or 1:8. Chamber to 270Win so you can continue to use the brass you already have.

140gn Badlands Super BullDozer @3050-3150 via r26 from a 22" bbl.

Thank me later.

Regarding the OP, nobody would want to have to make a living on the difference between the 6.5PRC vs. 6.8 Western as it applies to actually killing game. Personally if faced with only those 2 choices I'd opt for the PRC as my gut tells me it'll have greater commercial support in the long-term both ammo and brass availability will be better w/the PRC.