Good afternoon guys! I would like some advice on a designated deer caliber in between the 6.8 western and the 6.5 PRC. I hunt in southern AZ in wide open country. Shots are normally around 300 yards and could be as long 700yds. I have my 300 prc thumper rifle in the Seekins PH2 which I love for bigger game like Elk etc now it’s time to buy another rifle
If you’re accurate with the 300prc the deer can’t be dead enough and it is a fun cartridge to shoot with. You could even make lighter loads just for deer too
Is this one for deer only? If so, you’d have fun with a 22 creed or 6 creed. But sounds like you want bigger than that?
Reloading or factory?
That doesn’t make the “wanting another rifle” go away 
If 6.8 is your ceiling, then it seems the 6.5PRC is your best bet for extended distances. At least SAAMI calibers. If you reload and are willing to go the wildcat route, the 6.5 SAUM could be fun, same for the 6.5 SS.
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Thx for the advice guys! I shoot factory ammo and I’ve always been intrigued by the 6.8 western. I don’t have any experience with the other creed rounds but I do prefer the 6.5 PRC or bigger love the podcast and video keep up the good work
I really like my 6.5 prc, I like the little extra ump… that covers just in case…. I too don’t reload and literally shy away from the 6.8 for the lack of of factory options
Yeah if you’re doing Factory ammo only then the 6.5 PRC makes the most sense between those two by far. Even if you reload, the number of well-made bullets that are designed to take advantage of the improvements of the 6.8 Western are quite limited.
The 280AI and 7SAUM would both meet your requirements. However yet again I would consider them strictly for hand loaders. Factory ammo options just aren’t that good and they are expensive. The only thing out there bigger than the 6.5 PRC that has a good Factory support for ammunition would be the 7 PRC, or 7RM.
I will also recommend the 7SAUM if you are a handloader. It is a very accurate round. For box ammo you can’t go wrong the the 6.5 prc.
I have a 6.8w and I’ve liked it but it recoils far too much for top tier shooting from realistic positions. Like someone above said, no such thing as too dead, therefore I use the caliber that I can shoot into the vitals 100% of the time. For me that’s 6 creed. No brainer for deer and many think so for much bigger animals as well.
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Are you using a brake or suppressor on the 6.8 western? I agree that it’s often too much for light rifles—especially without a suppressor.
It’s got the stock browning “recoil hawg” brake on. I tried with a bare muzzle for less concussion but it was terrible. With the brake it’s fine from a bench but field shooting and spotting impacts is challenging (though I did spot my impact on a bull elk a bit past 400 with an ideal shooting position). Much more excited about match bullets and small calibers than bigger calibers that are hindered by bullets that intentionally do less damage (copper or bonded).
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