6.8 Western for Africa?

[Northern Shooter]

I'm curious if anyone has brought over a 6.8 Western yet? It seems like a great all-rounder for plains game.

Able to shoot the heavier bullets 160-175gr that the 270Win can't stablilize.

Has anyone tried it? what were the results?

 

[cmk]

Someone probably has. But does it really bring anything new to the table? A 30-06, 7x57 or even the newcomer 308Win could do the same thing.

It would probably be seen as a bit light for bigger PG like kudu, zebra, wildebeest, eland etc. Maybe not allowed for that purpose in all countries.

If one is bringing a smaller rifle dedicated to smaller game, I'm certain it would perform. Just like a myriad of other cartridges. Probably not so easy to find ammo locally, though, if yours got lost in transit.

 

[Uncharted_NT]

Sounds like a job for you!

 

[WyoBull]

Took my 7mm RUM for plains game shooting 160 gr Barnes TSX and it absolutely crushed everything I shot.
No reason your 6.8 Western would not do the same thing with the right bullet.

 

[Northern Shooter]

I really like Browning's 175gr load.

Sectional Density of 0.326, should work on the larger PG.

 

[375Fox]

I really like Browning's 175gr load.

Sectional Density of 0.326, should work on the larger PG.

There’s nothing wrong with the cartridge, but these heavy bullets are made for target shooting not hunting. They’ll probably work fine on most animals, but bonded bullets or monolithic bullets will give reliable performance on game especially if you are aiming in the shoulder like African game. Looks like there is a Nosler Accubond made for the 6.8. That would be a good compromise of reliable hunting bullet for the cartridge.

 

[Northern Shooter]

There’s nothing wrong with the cartridge, but these heavy bullets are made for target shooting not hunting. They’ll probably work fine on most animals, but bonded bullets or monolithic bullets will give reliable performance on game especially if you are aiming in the shoulder like African game. Looks like there is a Nosler Accubond made for the 6.8. That would be a good compromise of reliable hunting bullet for the cartridge.

Is this the one you are referring to? It uses Sierra Tipped GameKing bullets and appears to be marketed as a hunting bullet.

 

[khesser]

For Africa plains game the Eland would be the only animal I might not want to shoot with the 6.8 Western. Winchester has what looks like two good options for the 6.8 Western. With a 7 PRC shooting Federal 170gr Terminal Ascent ammo I took a big Kudu at 580 yards. I see no reason why you couldn’t do the same with the 6.8 Western.

 

[YancyW]

Just don't shoot any of those Kevlar and hardened steel covered animals they have over there.

 

[375Fox]

Is this the one you are referring to? It uses Sierra Tipped GameKing bullets and appears to be marketed as a hunting bullet.

It’s marketed to sell. There are no properties to that bullet that make it a hunting bullet to me on African game. It’s a thinly jacked non-bonded bullet designed for accuracy. Most African shots will be maybe 75-200 yards. At high velocity and shoulder shots on a bigger animal like a kudu, that bullet will likely fragment and retain very little mass to penetrate. At long distance where the velocity has slowed and behind the shoulder shots, it’s probably an acceptable hunting bullet, but I still wouldn’t use because there are better options as a hunting bullet today.

 

[Reg26]

Yes, took red hartebeest, impala, and springbuck with one using 160 grain Hammer HHT. I switched to a larger round for oryx, kudu, and eland, but probably would have worked for everything.

 

[FlyGuy]

With the right bullet, it will be superb for plains game hunting, up to and including eland.
Especially in more open terrain.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Interesting. I'd never heard of 6.8 Western before now. Certainly never seen either gun or ammo on the shelves. Personally (key word!), I'll stick with calibers and guns that have been around for more than a century.

Third safari in 2022 my 30-06 reloads crapped on me. I should have checked the brass more carefully. Fortunately, the lodge owner had plenty of new brass, so after dinner PH and I pulled the bullets and primers, saved the powder, and loaded up a fresh batch. There are advantages to shooting boring old "standard" calibers

165 gr Partitions have served me very well on plains game, although at close range they can be messy. Effective out to 330 yards. I shot a couple of animals much further but not with my gun. Generally I prefer 220 yards or less. However, some plains game like black wildebeest and springbuck can be a challenge getting a shot within that range. But challenge is what we're after, right? Easy stuff is just target practice at live animals.

Weight and velocity make me think the 6.8 Western should do the job with quality bullets. Hope your ammo doesn't get lost in transit. Then you'll be renting a rifle. Which is okay.