.270 WSM for a do it all cartridge?

Acronin

Acronin

New member
I've been wanting to build or buy an all around lightweight rifle thats capable of killing Deer and Elk out to 400yds if necessary but not too much for pronghorn. I know there are the old stand by which I'm not opposed to (.30-06, .270, .280, .308, etc...). But im looking 100% short action. Otherwise it would be .280AI and not look back, but I have a 7mm rem mag in long action and its a beast.

So I've been doing research and it looks like the 270WSM is a legit contender and why its not talked about more is beyond me...yeah yeah yeah BC in .277" bullets yadda, Yadda,yadda. Seriously, this this is flat with 140-150yd bullets in the .500 BC range. What more does a guy need?

Tikka Makes a superlite in .270WSM and im really considering getting one.

I know, I know...6.8 western. Yes, got it. I still don't think the 270WSM gives up anything to it. Wind drift out to 1000, sure. My shots, I hope, will be inside 500yds.

This cartridge seems to beat the standard .270 by quite a bit (200 fps+).

What does everyone think about it?
 
.270 WSM has more factory ammo options but the .284 bullet options are larger if you handload. Not as much .277" options on the market. It does look very promising on paper, I dont shoot em but the WSM's seem to be making a small comeback.
 
My nephew has a browning 270 WSM that is a solid 3/4 inch gun he's killed a lot of game with it. I shoot a factory Savage Weather Warrior in 7mm WSM. Also built up a custom heavy barrel in 7mm WSM for long range. I picked up a 325 WSM barrel for the weather warrior if I need to kill bigger stuff. I like the short magnums. Back in the day I owned a lot of long magnums, 7MM & 8MM Rem and 300 Winchester. The only long magnum I have left is a 375 H&H and I'll probably keep it. I agree the 270 would be the best choice. I think the 7mm has a lot of advantages but I don't think you'll be able to find a 1000 rds of new brass like I did when I started and brass is hard to find now. I've killed coyotes with the 7MM while deer hunting they are not fur friendly. Good luck with your journey
 
I love the info! Thanks. I looked st the 7WSM because I do love the 7mm bullet selection. Also considered 7SAUM, both are impressive.

I'm already looking for brass for the .270WSM. I feel its just a good combination for what I'm looking for in this rig.

Andy
 
Look at the new 6.8 Western. It's basically a fast twist .270 WSM and I'd guess being brand new, it will have more factory support on ammo and brass than the .270 WSM currently has.
 
There are many great cartridges to choose from. Staying with your original plan of 270 WSM would unlikely be a decision you would regret. I’ve used my friends Tikka 270 WSM to kill a couple pronghorn. It has worked great as an elk gun for him too. As already mentioned, the only downside is the bullet selection for 6.5, 7mm and 30 cal will likely be better. There are many great options for 270 bullets so I don’t think that should be a big factor. 6.5 PRC is another cartridge you may want to consider.
 
Yes thanks for that recommendation. The 6.5 PRC made the short list. The only issue with 6.5 I have is that you are limited to, realistically, 140gr bullet. Yes I know there is a 160gr Round Nose but seriously...

I know Speer and Nosler make bonded bullets or partition type. Making a mono thats 140gr will make it too long to stabilize.

But then again .277 is really only getting me an extra 10gr with a 1:10 twist.

6.8 Western may need to take another look at. I just know there won't be a rifle I like that has it chambered. I doubt many other manufacturers will chamber it until its off the ground a bit.

Hmmmmmmm good thoughts gentlemen.
 
Stick a 130-140gr Barnes TTSX in that 270wsm, and there is nothing I would not hunt with it, for most of the world, much less N & S America.

Bullet weight is a constant sticking point between the 270's and the 7mm's, with the edge going to the 7mm's.

However, a thin, USA dime, a ten-cent piece, weighs about 35grains.

Can a 600lb animal tell the difference between 3 dimes hitting it and 4?
 
Originally Posted By: borkonAh heck. Just stick with a 7_08.


I was in the same boat as the OP, and went with a Tikka in 7mm08.
 
Originally Posted By: Acronin
I know, I know...6.8 western. Yes, got it. I still don't think the 270WSM gives up anything to it.
It's kind of a well it depends kind of thing. The 270 WSM has a little more case capacity than does the 6.8 Western but due to its case design when you put them in a standard short action with overall length restrictions and the bullets have to be seated deeper in the case so they fit in the magazine the 6.8 Western pulls even or ahead and has more useable case capacity. Basically the same idea they used with the Creedmoor. Doesn't mean one is better than the other per say but rather a little better designed case dimension to be used in a short action. Take the OAL restriction off or put them in a mid length action and the 270 WSM wins all day long.

Another issue and this one is kind of a big one finding WSM brass isn't very easy. Norma makes pretty good brass but good luck finding it in 270WSM and when you do it's usually crazy expensive. ADG is supposed to be making 300 WSM brass soon so maybe they'll make 270 and 7mm WSM as well.

If it's of any interest there are a few new high BC bullets coming out for the 270 in the 160-170gr range.

I was talking to my dad a couple days ago about the 165-170gr high BC 270 bullets and he was pizzzed about it. He was a diehard 270 guy forever but got into shooting long range and up until Berger came out with the 170's a few years ago their weren't really any high BC .277 offerings so now he's pretty ticked off because in his words, oh yeah they wait till I'm and old man and NOW they decide to come out with the 270 bullets I wanted 20 years ago.
 
My do all rifle is a Win. M70 Extreme Weather in 300 WSM. I shoot 130 gr. Barnes TTSX bullets at deer and antelope, and have a 180 gr. TTSX load, for big or dangerous N. America game. I don't do long range competitions, but get decent groups out to 500 yards. I have thought about a 270 WSM, but given this fine shooting M70, I just haven't been able to rationalize that purchase.

Given the 270 Western's influence of the VLD bullet offerings, if long range was added to the list of purposes for the rifle, I would opt for that over the 270 WSM. But if it is just hunting ranges, even typical western ranges, I would likely go with the 270 WSM. It is very popular, and I don't see factory ammo offering going away anytime soon.

Squeeze
 
I've been bouncing back and forth between a 270Win and 300Winmag since i shot my last deer. Up until this year my 6.8SPC has been great and it worked great for me this year at 320 yards which is about as far as I'm comfortable shooting it.

I'll keep watching this thread to see what comes up. So far it's steering me in one direction....
 


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