6.8 Western Reloaders

[mistadventures]

What seems to be the go to for powder these days? Just wrapping up a build using a Tikka T3 action and Carbon Six carbon barrel. I plan to reload for it one of these days. Mainly shooting the 165 ABLR's or the 170 Elite Hunter EOL's.

 

[Bfish22]

I load for a buddy’s 6.8. His gun really likes h1000 with the 165 ablr.

 

[Gila]

I had barrel problems during break in so haven’t been able to work up loads yet. I think Gerry has the most experience and has some good loads. Look at the thread history here and the Nosler forum for some load info. Just about any belted magnum powder will work for the 6.8 Western heavies. I loaded up retumbo and magnum but haven’t shot yet. The new RS Grand is getting great velocity also. Just so you know the Sierra 175 gr TGK has a lower BC than the bullet Sierra makes for Browning. The 165 LRAB and the 170 EOL have excellent BC and are my focus at this point.

 

[mistadventures]

I had barrel problems during break in so haven’t been able to work up loads yet. I think Gerry has the most experience and has some good loads. Look at the thread history here and the Nosler forum for some load info. Just about any belted magnum powder will work for the 6.8 Western heavies. I loaded up retumbo and magnum but haven’t shot yet. The new RS Grand is getting great velocity also. Just so you know the Sierra 175 gr TGK has a lower BC than the bullet Sierra makes for Browning. The 165 LRAB and the 170 EOL have excellent BC and are my focus at this point.

Yea I noticed that Sierra TGK BC issue, after some research looks like Winchester has Sierra add some special sauce to give it a little extra. Although I'm curious to see that new Winchester BC max bullet and what it can do in the 6.8. Apparently its coming in at 175gr. Like you I am interested in the 165 ABLR and 170 EOL's, just hear a lot of horror stories with Berger bullets for hunting so trying to figure that out.

 

[Gila]

Yea I noticed that Sierra TGK BC issue, after some research looks like Winchester has Sierra add some special sauce to give it a little extra. Although I'm curious to see that new Winchester BC max bullet and what it can do in the 6.8. Apparently its coming in at 175gr. Like you I am interested in the 165 ABLR and 170 EOL's, just hear a lot of horror stories with Berger bullets for hunting so trying to figure that out.

Just read about the BC Max bullet. Apparently it is an expanding bullet. Winchester is making the jacket thicker to penetrate better. Also they have a new boat-tail design. The bullet will have a heat shield tip. Looks somewhat similar to the ELD-x.

 

[mistadventures]

Just read about the BC Max bullet. Apparently it is an expanding bullet. Winchester is making the jacket thicker to penetrate better. Also they have a new boat-tail design. The bullet will have a heat shield tip. Looks somewhat similar to the ELD-x.

They also hardened the lead core, and changed how the jacket and core are mated together. But in the end yea it should be similar to what an ELD-X is doing. A match grade bullet but for hunters. Not sure would have to read more on the ELD's but I have seen via cut aways of the BC max that they are also paying a lot of attention to balance. Making sure one side of the jacket being thicker than the other. Be nice to see how it actually holds up.

 

[streamerfish]

My top 3 would be N570, H1000 and Magpro. I've never loaded with it, but ramshot grand might be worth looking into. But H1000 and N570 are very well proven mainstays, and Magpro and (accurate powders in general) is very underrated.

 

[kevingm1987]

H4831SC was slow
Staball was good, but was shooting 140gn with it
N570 is my preferred powder for the 165. Heard good things about N565 as well

 

[Leaf Litter]

Both the 165 ABLR and 170 Elite Hunters go like stink with N570, but it is a tad too slow for anything other than 26" barrels or more and burns barrels fast (as do 560 and 565).

I've used Magnum and Magpro with success as well, but prefer the cold weather consistency of stick powders over ball. That might be mostly for my own peace of mind.

Retumbo is excellent for precision, velocity, and temperature stability. I've switched to Retumbo for most of my loads from the 141 HHT (3250 fps) to 170 Elite Hunters (3000 fps).