Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 270 wsm vs. 7mm wsm

I've got a 30-06 currently, so I want some variety. My 30-06 is a pre-64 (I think featherweight) hand-me-down, and I can't justify taking it out in the elements for every single hunt. Therefore, I'm looking for a stainless/synthetic, struggling on what caliber.

All I can say is you said what I was thinking.

GODUCKS1: I am a 270 WSM shooter mainly because I like the 270. I also like the 7mm hard to choose between the two. IMO no matter what you pick if you like it and it makes you happy you made the right choice.

Hey,Mike! Tim needs a 7mm and you should help him design and build one....I do not want you boys deprived in any way!

Both are pretty much the same with premium bullets, but the 7mm WSM offers slightly heavier bullets. As mentioned previously, the 270 WSM brass is easier to obtain, but Midway and other mail order firms offer the 7mm. To be safe regardless of which you choose, I'd order enough brass (500+ cases) to last a long time.

Basically, either will do the same job, but as a general rule, I prefer a 7mm (it is a widely-known scientific fact that the extra .008" of the .284" bullet vs. a .277" bullet makes the 7mm a REAL game slayer!).

groan......... I just knew that the WSM and other short cartridges were going to spark a whole new round of "whats better, 7mm or .270?"

Standard (non-mag) loadings should suffice for just about all hunting requirements in North America inside 500 yards. The WSM (or other overbore mag) simply delivers a solution with greater velocity and shorter barrel life. Any accomplished shooter can make lethal hits in wind at 500 yards with a .308

The 7WSM shines when you want to shoot VERY long range with manageable recoil in a hunting weight rifle. The cartridge is very consistant, fits in a short action and the capacity balances well to the premium bullet selection for the caliber. I built my 7WSM around the 175 sierra and 180 gr berger match bullets...with a nice brake, it kicks less than a standard .308 and has very good wind and drop performance out past 1000 yards.

If you don't handload... the 7WSM is an exotic...but then, so is the 270 WSM. Most work is done equally well by a basic .308 or 30-06 with premium factory loads.

I've been trying my best.Randy's seen the light now it's Timmys turn.

Mike,
I have been thinken about the 7STW a lot....grins. So far here is what I been thinken. Rem 700 action spiral flute bolt, Skeletonize bolt handle, number 3 Hart 1:10 twist 25inch, brown McMillan Edge, and all the metal cerakoted black. The glass VX3 3.5-10x40mm black matte with the new low turrets and Talley L/W's......

Think I'm in love..Be tough to top that.Should be good and light too.Just wondering why 25 over 26?Also those brown edge stocks are SWEET.Would it be the same as your other one on your WBY Randy?

Mike I am thinken 25inch because most people would go 26inch its just me being a little different. The Brown Edge would be the same as my 257Roy. I really like that stock. It just soots the heII out of me...

Nuttin wrong with different..Why not go 27.Then you'd set the trend.Shoot I'd have to rebarrel..grin

With the Edge stock and a #3 barrel at 25inch thinken it will be a little muzzel heavy already the 27inch would be nice for the fps but think this guy can get it done at 25inch.....

No doubt.You'll want a STW a tad tip heavy.Fast recoiling sob that round.

Should be a fun project.... :GRIN:

You need to get rid of that crappy pre 64. Bring it down to me and I'll gladly take it off your hands...............

I too have a FWT, a 1957 Vintage that will only be taken out in good weather. My SS Classic 30-06 Edge will get the foul weather duty for deer.

Any Cartridge between 6.5 and 8mm will be redundant with the 06. I like the 270 WSM as it is almost a 270 Weatherby and almost a 270 Winchester. But if I were buying/building a rifle now I would think about a pair of rifles in a more classic chamber. These would be an all weather light weight and a classic wood stocked companion. Since you already have the O6 might think about a .270 Win. 280 Rem or 308 light weight or even another 06. Check the price and availability of ammo for these compared to the WSM's. Less than half the price and five times the options.

Maybe buy used and spend the rest on good glass and reloading tools.

For a factory ammo shooter, I'd would go 270 WSM over the 7, as I've yet to see much 7 WSM ammo on any shelf anywhere. However, I personally would avoid both if I were not a handloader.

If I already owned a great round like the 30-06, I'd simply pick up a matching rifle in stainless/syn (either Win 70 or Ruger). That would solve a lot of problems right there.

If I were not wanting another -06, I would clearly go for the 7 Rem Mag when shooting factory ammo.

I think I'm now down to the 270 wsm and the 7mm rem. mag. I would say I'm leaning toward the wsm at the moment, but still contemplating. It seems I can do everything I want with the 270 wsm, with a lighter more compact gun and a little less recoil. Are these assumptions correct?

Thanks

It seems for what you described you are on the right track. The largest critter you are going to hunt in Oregon are Rosies and either caliber you stated will be strong medicine for them. I don't think you could go wrong with either, but I too am looking heavily at the .270 WSM. I am thinking a 7mm-08 will work just as well on our game so I am going that route for my son. Too many good choices out there.

I'd still take the 7 Rem over the 270 WSM.Easy pick.And I like all the 277 cal rounds.