Why no Nosler load data for 6.8 Western

JN270 · Jul 11, 2026

I recently purchased a 6.8 Western to try out. I saw some 165 grain Nosler ABLR seconds and thought they would be good to try out. I was surprised to see no load data by Nosler.

I managed to find a load on Hodgdon. It is surprising there is no Nosler Load data. They have 160 Partitions, 165 ABLR, and 170 Ballistic Tips in .277. If they are selling bullets it would make sense to have some load data. Is there a reason they don't have any data?

Blkram · Jul 11, 2026

The 6.8 Western is a relatively new cartridge developed by a competitor. And correct me if I am wrong, but I do not believe that most of the major rifle and ammunition manufacturers have offered this chambering in their rifles and ammunition lines yet.
They may be working on load development data now, and just have not published it as yet, as it has not been finalized.
They could be waiting to see how much demand there is for the new cartridge before spending the research dollars on this cartridge.

Perhaps one of the Nosler reps will weigh in soon on your question with a more official response...

SJB358 · Jul 12, 2026

There is a pile of rifles chambered in them. WW, Seekins, Fierce, CA, Browning, etc.

Might be worth a call to Nosler to see what they have, cause I'd think they'd have a clue. I do know there are way more 6.8's out there than 27 Noslers.

TEXASforLIFE · Jul 12, 2026

Call nosler and ask although there isn't info on the reload data site.

With 270wsm and 6.8western being very close to the same there's a very good starting point

JN270 · Jul 12, 2026

I somewhat get the competitor aspect. However, how many Hornady cartridges does Nosler provide load data for? Is the primary business selling bullets or their Nosler cartridges?

There are a handful of rifle manufacturers chambering. I get it's not the most popular. It's just strange that there's no load data by Nosler. Sierra and Barnes have load data.

I did email Nosler last fall and they simply replied they didn't have load data for the 6.8 Western. I honestly forgot about that when I purchased these bullets. I did find a load on Hodgdon. Its just a bit disappointing that Nosler doesn't have at least a couple loads to help people get started.

TEXASforLIFE · Jul 12, 2026

JN270 said:
I somewhat get the competitor aspect. However, how many Hornady cartridges does Nosler provide load data for? Is the primary business selling bullets or their Nosler cartridges?

There are a handful of rifle manufacturers chambering. I get it's not the most popular. It's just strange that there's no load data by Nosler. Sierra and Barnes have load data.

I did email Nosler last fall and they simply replied they didn't have load data for the 6.8 Western. I honestly forgot about that when I purchased these bullets. I did find a load on Hodgdon. Its just a bit disappointing that Nosler doesn't have at least a couple loads to help people get started.

Barnes dies have data last i checked. You can call or email Sierra for data answers. If interested in berger they will give data also.

Just checked and Sierra list 6.8western in their online data.

JN270 · Jul 12, 2026

TEXASforLIFE said:
Barnes dies have data last i checked. You can call or email Sierra for data answers. If interested in berger they will give data also.

Just checked and Sierra list 6.8western in their online data.

Yes Barnes and Sierra both have load data. Sorry if I miss stated that.

Lou270 · Wednesday at 7:04 PM

Nosler has been relatively MIA the last several years. Hardly see their bullets on shelves or much presense except they push their new whitetail ammo. I asked them while back about 6.8W data and said they were building a new test tunnel or something and would be out eventually. Hopefully, they are just re-vamping or something as both Federal and Weatherby stopped loading their bullets as well. On a podcast Weatherby said could not get bullets and started loading Hammer

Lou