It was roughly one month ago that TFB broke the news that several companies were working on getting new cartridges approved by SAAMI – the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, Inc. Two of those cartridges the general public was already aware of in the .277 SIG Fury (from SIG Sauer) and the 6.5 Weatherby Rebated Precision Magnum (6.5 RPM – from Weatherby). The final one was something new to everyone: 6.8 Western? What is that?

Well, we finally have more news on that cartridge! Winchester and Browning have been working in collaboration to bring to market their NEW 6.8 Western cartridge and are immediately supporting it with bolt-action rifle and ammunition offerings. Some of the highlights from this new cartridge can be read below, and TFB’s previous article on 6.8 Western can be read HERE from our Assistant Editor Matthew Moss:

• 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

This new 6.8 Western cartridge is interesting because it is very similar in size, geometry, and its ballistic potential to .270 Winchester Short Magnum (.270 WSM) except for one small detail – it deploys heavier, longer bullets. Similar to the same principles that makes the 6.5 Creedmoor a knock-out, the 6.8 Western has long dart-like bullets that provide a long bearing surface on the rifling of your firearm. This creates a higher ballistic coefficient; thus, more accurate ammunition. Speaking of ammo, all of the new ammunition offerings of 6.8 Western will 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 Grain Ballistic Silvertip | SBST68W | MSRP $37.99
• Browning Long Range Pro Hunter | 175 Grain Sierra Tipped Game King | B192500682 | No MSRP at this Time

To support the introduction of the new 6.8 Western cartridge, Browning and Winchester are not only going to be producing ammunition, but a multitude of firearms as well. All of the Browning rifles that will be offered will come through their X-Bolt series and will be some of the highest quality and most expensive that are first to market. Within the brand of Winchester firearms, you will have the option of purchasing 7 different models from their XPR series of more affordable bolt-action hunting rifles, and 5 models from their staple Model 70 series which blends both traditional and modern bolt-action hunting rifle styles with their legendary Model 70 action. All of these offerings with their associated MSRPs can be read 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

Browning X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Long Range

• 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

Winchester Renegade Long Range SR

• 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, who is ready for another cartridge to add to their ammunition shopping list or reloading bench? I always get excited about new cartridges like this because it is great to see arms makers push the envelope on what is possible in accuracy, velocity, energy, all of the above! The real question is will this round be around 5 years from now? What do you think of the 6.8 Western? As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.