Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Rehash of one tired subject, the " New Rifle Search"

Well this is my first post and it’s a retread of an age old tired subject. New rifle search. I currently have many rifles ranging from .338 Lapua down to .223 in various platforms and makes, most are bolt action rifles. I have been looking at various forums and the ever present internet for something to “get into” so to speak. I have settled on obtaining and shooting a “short magnum” for no other reason than “it’s out there”. I have looked at the WSM’s, the RCM, and Remington’s Short entries as well. Looking locally there are no other short magnum rounds for sale in my area or within about 75 miles except the WSM calibers. I do reload however spending $30 for 25 brass is not my thing when I can by a box of 20 rounds for $33-$38..and then reload the brass.

I see merit in the .270 WSM as there is a definite advantage there gaining some speed and energy down range. However looking at the 7mm WSM and the 300 WSM, each fall short ( not terribly ) of something already in the safe. I think the .270 WSM would be an excellent round for hunting and target shooting. My days of venturing back to Africa or heading to Alaska to hunt big or serious game are not viable options for me right now..so that is off the table so to speak. I am looking to hunt small and medium game and that’s about it. I do not own a .270 in any form..something that I somehow overlooked. Many questions are being raised and some are :

IS the .270 WSM viable? Should I be looking at another WSM?

Will there be continued support for ANY WSM cases in the near future?

Are the WSM or basically any other “Short Magnum” dead or near so and this is a bug hunt for nothing?

I have looked at other Short Magnums such as the .338 RCM but again zero support in my area and anything purchased in the form of rounds incurs that dreaded “Hazmat” fee. Heck I have even looked at 350 Rem Magnum/358 Win as well. I do not think there is anything wrong with something hauling the mail at 2500 – 2700 fps with a 225 grain bullet, however the same bumps in the road are there.

Many thanks in advance for any and all help.

Think you'll find (as I did),that there's no magic in the 270 WSM other than a bump in velocity over a standard 270. Nothing wrong with this of course but it drops the cartridge squarely into the performance category of the 7mm Rem Mag with a slightly shorter bolt throw.It won't do a single thing the 7 rem Mag will to do as well and maybe better due to a few really good 7mm bullets.

It will work fine of course but offers no major advantage,while leaving the best (heaviest) 7mm bullets on the table....a factor if you play at long range.

I like and use the standard 270 Winchester because the cartridge has been good to me. But if taking a step up in powder capacity over the standard 270, I leave the .277 bore size behind,and move on to 7mm....this after having owned a pair of 270 WSM's and a 270 Weatherby magnum.I could need see what they did that a 7 RM did not do at least a well.

'Small to Medium game'?? Is that up to deer size? You mention some heavy hitters. I think I'd be down in the 7mm-08 or so range. I do like the 7mm, plenty of bullet options.

Next I like more compact & lighter guns, some depends on location and style of hunting.

I do have a 300WSM, nice but a little more than I need or want for deer hunting. Yes, it would work.

One of the 7mm short mag types would be fine if you want more than the 7mm-08. I'd do a little research and try to buy something that has a little life going forward. Some of those newer chamberings have become almost obsolete within a few years of introduction. It's nice to have the factory ammo available if needed.

I have plenty of rifles. When I'm going deer or bear hunting I use a 284 Win, which is just a 7mm-08 + a bit.

6.5 SAUM in GAP flavor.

I prefer something with more brass available.

Wondering where the OP lives that shipping ammo requires Hazmat fee?

Get a 270 WSM it isn't going to fail any time soon. I believe it is only second to the 300 WSM in popularity and much more popular than any other short mag.

I will disagree a bit with Bob in saying it will do pretty much anything a 7mm Rem mag will do in the field.

I'm with Bob on this one for the game you describe - 270 win or its near twin 280 rem. I started with the 270 in the 1980's and had both a 270 and 280. Sold the 270 and shot a bunch of deer size critters with the 280 and various 140-160 grain bullets. I also had a 7RM at the time and use it almost as much. They all worked fine.

I recently bought a Kimber MT in 270. Not so much for the 270 but for the rifle. I'm launching 150 Partitions at 2900+. It will be going elk hunting this fall and likely get the opportunity to shoot a few deer. I'm pretty sure it will work on both critters. If it was a dedicated deer rifle, I'd likely run a 130 Partition in it somewhere north of 3000 ft/sec and bet it would work well. <G>

I've not played with the 270 WSM but have with both the 7 and 30. I like both. The 30 is my elk rifle - except this year. The 7s do have a wider variety of bullets with both integrity and BC but I've not found the 277 cal lacking. Run a few simulations on a ballistic program and I think you'll see that the 270 WSM doesn't do anything the 7 does and maybe not as good in some cases.

At the end of the day, if your not going to shoot past 400 yards the point in mostly moot. You can set up any of the cartridges I mentioned to hold on hair at 400 and kill them. If your looking past 400 then the 7s likely a bit better.

I've fiddled with and loaded for exactly one 270 WSM... it left me pretty much underwhelmed. I'm one that thinks the 1925 version of the 270 WSM is a better all-around cartridge, ie, plenty of brass available no matter what crisis is in DC, shootable, barrel friendly, enough for all NA game. The "standard" 270 remains one of the two cartridges I use most here in MT. I have two 270's, a lightweight and midweight, and those are really the only two rifles I actually "need."

But you really didn't ask any of that (grin).

Were I going back to the WSM's, and wanted one as you apparently do, I'd go back where I started and use the 300 WSM on a Model 70 platform. I used the cartridge quite a bit for a nine or ten year stretch starting I got my first in 2001. Brass is more available than the 270 version, and in terms of loading I found it, like the 308 Win, very eager to please accuracy-wise. Really, it's a fine all-around cartridge for anything in NA. I just got to the point where I don't like recoil all that much!

Depending on powder and bbl length, it's pretty easy to push a 180 between 2,950 and 3,030 fps.

my 02

I would not get into any WSM with the expectation of it feeding flawlessly without a few trick moves. (some feed, some do not)
I've been fortunate with a WSM and SAUM that feed pretty well but not like the feeds-like-greased-sausages-270Win feeds them.

If an extra round in the belly is your huckleberry, the WSM ain't it either. (compared to the 270 Win)

If you go the WSM route, be sure to purchase enough brass for the expected span of ownership of the rifle - although I've noticed that whenever I see WSM brass on a shelf somewhere, it's almost always 270WSM.

OP,
If you never had any 270 I'd vote for the old girl, 270 Win.
I tried the WSM 'thing' and wasn't impressed. With the 270 Win brass is more affordable and available if you reload and ammo is half the price if you don't and you can buy it everywhere. Any advantage the WSM has would be filed under M for "mythical" in 99.6% of hunting applications IMO. The SA WSM usually has a 24" barrel and the Win a 22 so weights are a wash in many cases and the Win can be had in some great lightweights. I found the WSM fixed a non-existent problem in an unacceptable manner. However, the WSM are fun to play with and if you want one buy one. Keep American green, spend money.
I have noticed some nice WSMs are available at good prices in the secondary marketplace so you should be able to snag a bargain.

The best advice the OP is going to get right there. However, it sounds like he wants to play the short magnum game. We've done this right Bob: BTDT for damn sure. I'd suggest he get a 300 WSM to play around with. They are fun, but eventually he'll do a full circle if he has any sense/wits about him and come back to a 270/30-06 class of cartridge. That or like you suggest, the 7mm rem mag. Good advice Bob, but sometimes you just have to let the youngsters play and find out for themselves....

What more can be said? These 3 guys and Bobin and old doe shooter pretty much nailed it...

I wanted to thank all for the brutal honesty..I definately think that's what is needed here for myself.

I have the over indulged gun safe fodder...300 win mag, 7mm Mag, 7-08, 308 and so on and so on..I have a 30-06 I had shot the barrel out of and I still hang onto it as it may not shoot those awesome groups but it still holds minute of deer pretty darned well. I was just looking for something to tinker with...its certainly not a need...but again the common viewpoint appears to be this enterprise will just reinforce the ideals of older and much venerated calibers that have stood the test of time. Heck looks like a regular .270 may be the ticket. I know for sure I can walk into any store..lol..even old hardware stores and pick up a box of ammo for it.

Once again thank you for all of the input and the time you all spent helping me out. Sorry if I mispelled anything here..looks like my first shot today is me and this here keyboard.

One other thing that Brad brought up I'd reinforce - don't overlook availability of components. For example, I bought 200 once fired win 270 cases for $40 last fall. I can find 150 NPT about anywhere on line. This is in direct contradiction to finding components to feed my 257 Robts. Ended up buying 3 boxes Horn Super at $35 each just to have some brass. I can find 270 in any Walmart or hardware store in deer/elk/moose country.

bwinters- the availability of components was and still is a concern. Brad's point is a sterling one to be sure. I hit my local Gander Mtn store and they had all three WSM calibers in stock from $30 a box to $65 a box. I looked over at the 270 and there was a sale of good old Remington Core Lokt at $20 a box..LOL..and about 20 different offerings in 300 Win Mag..I didn't even stop to look at 7 MM Mag...

I have a new .260 Remmy I am tinkering with..and its a lot of fun...but after a careful self examination.. the "Short Magnums" appears to be a path well traveled with it just as stated..coming back to a known starting point. Fools are born every minute..but the greater fool is one whom ignores sage advice..and momma didn't raise no fool..

Thats easy!! Sako A7 300WSM. It will be easily MOA out of the box and it will feed slick as snot. If you don't like the original stock get a soft touch version or a McMillan Sako Classic w/edge fill.

I've got a safe full of rifles, but have only owned one short mag, a 300WSM. It was ok, but nothing impressive, and it left. A good friend owns it, but I think it's been a while since he's hunted with it. I've pretty much abandoned magnums in general, although I still have a couple of 7RemMags that cover any magnum need I might have. Because of the cost of supplies, any WSM would have to be available dirt cheap to catch my interest.

Find something else to spend your money on.

I have a 300 WSM and like it. I don't NEED it,but like the round. Unless I'm missing something all of the load data I see on 270 WSM is only slightly faster than 270 WCF. The 300 WSM beats 30-06 by 200-300 fps and is only about 50 fps slower than 300 WM. I can see a niche for someone wanting more punch than 30-06 in a more compact rifle.

But to be perfectly honest the 260/6.5 Creedmoor/7-08/308 class of cartridges do more than most hunters can take advantage of. On game larger than deer I like 7-08 or 308.