Dear Ron, would you suggest the 6.8 Western or 6.5 PRC?

Q: Hello Sir. I'm emailing from New Zealand with a question. I'm a hunter here in New Zealand and shoot with a Hells canyon 300 win mag. However, I’m keen to get into longer range hunting and target shooting. I am a fan of Browning and like the look of the new 6.8 western, but they are not yet available in New Zealand yet so my gun store is trying to sell me a 6.5 PRC from Christensen Arms. I guess I'm asking which one would you suggest?. I've been watching your YouTube videos and love the way you put out the facts without the bulletin. Keep up the great work.

A: Hi John! That's easy. Go 6.8 Western if you want/need heavier bullets, 6.5 PRC if no heavier than about 156 grains will suffice. Length and case capacity of both are extremely close as would be bullet B.C. max for both. I took a big whitetail at 777 yards last Nov. with the 6.8 and 175-gr. Sierra. Took a red stag near Wanaka 2 years ago with a puny 6.5 Creedmoor, but at just 150 yards or so, and a tahr at 545 yards, one shot each. Suggests to me the 6.5 is plenty big enough for your biggest game, the PRC adding 200 fps to the Creedmoor so… Toss up. 

The roar must be about finished there now, eh? We're just getting into green-up. Nine of our mule deer does and fawns returned to the ranch yesterday. Time to get the fence up around the garden and orchard! Cheers mate!