6.8 Western Success - 6x7 Elk + Muley

[RedSnake]

Just returned from a 5 day combo elk/muley hunt in NM. Very pleased with how the 6.8 Western performed in open country. I put together a lightweight build for easy stalking — tikka action in a carbon fiber game scout with a 24” CarbonSix featherweight prefit topped with a March Compact 2.5-25 x52.

Dual loads — Berger 170 gr @ 3011 fps and Hammer Hunter 126 gr @ 3325.

After a 1.5 mile stalk, the mule deer was taken at 250 yds with the 126 HH — took 3 steps, spun, and dropped. 6x7 Bull Elk at 380 yds with Berger 170 — first shot hit low and back slowed him down and finished him with a HH thru the shoulder.

 

[Geewhiz]

Congrats on what appears to be one heck of a good trip!

 

[B23]

Well done!

Most probably aren't aware but you run the numbers on a .277 170gr Berger at 3000fps and it's some stout medicine and pretty damn flat shooting too.

 

[MThuntr]

Congrats on the success! Can I ask why you're mixing loads while hunting?

 

[RedSnake]

Congrats on the success! Can I ask why you're mixing loads while hunting?

126 HH for 400 yds and in.
170 Berger for 400-1000 yds

Both loads share the same zero

 

[SouthPaw]

126 HH for 400 yds and in.
170 Berger for 400-1000 yds

Both loads share the same zero

And that zero holds true for each bullet with the barrel fouled by the other?

 

[RedSnake]

So far yes. Will have to see after multiple rounds if it is a factor. Also Berger is with Retumbo and the HH is with RL-16 so time will tell with that too.

Berger zero confirmation



Hammer Hunter after Berger zero.

 

[oilman87]

Congrats on the successful hunt!! Would you mind sharing your load recipe for the 170 EOL?

 

[RedSnake]

Most accurate load was 1 gr under Hogdgons max.

Win brass
Fed GM215M
Retumbo 64.5 gr
CBTO 2.2770”

 

[oilman87]

Thank you!

 

[Lou270]

Very cool! Congrats!

 

[yak]

Congrats on the animals and its great to see another 6.8 Western put to work. Mine has stacked up multiple pronghorn and elk this year with no issues. Very cool to see the POI between your two loads matching up. I hadn't thought about carrying multiple loads around until now...although it does complicate things. I'm shooting 175g TGK and killed elk at both 40 yds and 500 yds.

 

[RedSnake]

I’ll be using the 126 HH on texas whitetail and axis next week.

 

[Smithb9841]

Congrats on the bull and buck. I really want to build a 6.8 western but am just worried It won’t take Off and brass will be too Hard to come by.

 

[kad11]

126 HH for 400 yds and in.
170 Berger for 400-1000 yds

Both loads share the same zero

Do you carry separate dope charts? Did you tune the two setups to hit together at 100 yds?

I've got a Tikka 300 wm and have been using factory Barnes 190 lrx, but I've been thinking about hunting with a 225 eldm in the chamber, 190 lrx in the mag, and spare 225s on the stock. I'm eventually going to rebarrel this rifle to a short action magnum, but I'd like to optimize what I've got until I use up my stockpile of 300 wm brass.

 

[Mikelk]

Congrats. Working a load on my new 6.8 western. Your data will come in handy.

 

[westcoasthunter]

I have used the 126 HH in a custom 270 wsm 26” barrel getting 3450fps with RL-23 killed a bull at 430 ish. Bull sent 10-15 yards love that bullet

 

[Coloshooter]

Nice

 

[Coloshooter]

Nice set up!

 

[cacklercrazy]

I have used the 126 HH in a custom 270 wsm 26” barrel getting 3450fps with RL-23 killed a bull at 430 ish. Bull sent 10-15 yards love that bullet

That's some hot stuff!