What barrel length are they using? I bet its not listed, but I also bet they are closer than you think in similar barrel lengths. Its a vital piece of info brother.

My load data shows 3045FPS (270win) as compared to 3188FPS (270WSM) with a 24" barrel and a 130 Barnes X.
Cat

I have both a 270 win and two 270 wsm. The win has a 24" barrel,and the one wsm has a 23" and the other a 22 7/16" barrels. The wsm consistently shoot 150 win factory loads across the chrony at 3150 or a little better depending upon temp. The same in the win doesn't break 2900. To say there is no difference between the cartridges is the same as saying there is no difference between a 30/06 and 300 wm. 250 to 300 fps is the difference between a 30/06 and 300wm, looks a little different when you look at it that way doesn't it?
The 270 win is a classic dependable cartridge, but if you are seriously comparing between the two then the WSM has more to offer.

X2
I didn't mess with the powder too much, but simply took H4831.
I'm sure if I went to try and get the optimum out of each , the results would still put the WSM far enough out in front that the it would clearly be ahead of the 270WIN bay a fair margin.
My findings were from messing with Quickload however, real World chrony results are a far better yardstick ( same margin would be evident I would wager!:D)
Cat

Quickload kind of scares me, the more I realize what the variables that are uncontrolled! But my numbers are all across the chrony and yes cat your are correct there is a fair chunk of real estate between them.

"scares me' is a bit of an understatement!!:sick:
although it is only supposed to be a sort of guideline I know several people who have used it as a loading manual - locked up bolts and smoked out ( missing??!!)
primers were the result!

Whenever I employ it , I always cross reference manuals and then start at the low end, but it is good to use for comparing different powders and the trajectory tables and other stuff is good.:D

Cat

i have both as well, and in barrel lengths similar to what you have. i only shoot 130's from both guns and found the wsm to be 275 fps faster than the win. i have never chrony'd factory loads, just what i handload.

Caution is a good thing! We all live longer that way.
If I was going to build up a wildcat or really venture into the great unknown I have some hardware like a RSI Pressure Trace and do the adventure in the real world and safely!

270WSM is a great cartridge
 

Had a awsome old Husky in 270, sold it. When the 270WSM came out I figured it would rule the flat lands like the 243's did back in the 70's and 80's. Unfortunately it has been a slow start. Of the WSM's (7mm, 300 and 270) the 270WSM is the only cartridge to not loose in the bullet weight/speed ratio when compared to the originating caliber.
Needing only the weakest excuse I purchased a Tikka T3 Lite 270WSM. Yes there is a lot of plastic/nylon on the weapon, but can they shoot. It is the only rifle that I have not "tweaked". Recoil is not an issue even though the rifle is quite light. I shoot 140gr Accubonds with RL19 powder and Remington brass (the Winchester brass did not shoot as well) and get awsome groups at 200yds (3/4"!..... seriously). On a side note the T3 is the smoothest feeding rifle I have ever owned. When I first purchased it I had to check the make sure a round was actually picked up and loaded, which it was. It's that smooth.
The rifle can take a beating as well. Took a nice "Billy" out of Sparwood last September. You will certainly appreciate the weight when climbing a big ass hill!
Ultimately the choice between the 270 and the 270WSM comes down to whether or not you reload. If not the 270, as stated in other threads, is available everywhere and is cheaper and will everything is was designed to do.
Straight shooting!!

Seeing as this has been brought to the top I'll add to it. I watched a big mature Bull Elk literally drop in his tracks to a 130 gr .277 TSX launched from a 270 Winchester a couple of weeks back. A partner shot him at a lasered 547 yds and the bullet went low through the meaty part of both shoulders and exited (no bone was struck) destroying the lungs and what looked to be the arteries above the heart. The bullet was launched at just over 3000 fps (chronographed) and was carrying a measly 1250 ft pounds of energy when it struck hair. He hit the ground with aplomb.

Some things are highly overrated, and the practical field difference between most "medium bore" cartridges is one of them.

Just curious if any knows if the wsm is 200fps faster what does equate to in trajectory over 200,300,400 yds? Is the 270 regular 3" lower at 200 yds? Using the same bullet weight of course.

300 yds 1/2" lower
400 yds 2" lower
500 yds 5" lower

Given a 250 yd zero.

Given that line of thinking, wouldn't a 300 mag be better than the 7 mag? Or why stop there, wouldn't a 338 mag be better than a 300 mag?
Oh, wait a minute...he was asking about 270's wasn't he.

Hornady Light Mag
 

IIRC...
I read in one of the Gun Rags that the 140gr 270win hornady light mag (or 130?) was faster than the same weight in 270wsm factory.

something like 3250 for the 270winLM, and only 3230 for the 270wsm

can't remember the specifics, but (Layne Simpson?) the pundit was surprised that the 270WSM was only marginally better in most weights, and slower compared to the LM load

anyone else remember reading this?

Has anyone had any good results loading 270 wsm with Magpro powder? It's suppose to maximize the benefits for the short magnums.

never had a 270win but have the Tikka T3 lite 270 WSM and would not trade it for anything. It is a treat to carry and as stated above the action is the smoothest of all my rifles and of course shoots straight. For the price hard to beat.

RL17 for WSM's
 

For sure add 150 fps and gives me more capacity than imr in both 270 and 300wsm.

On paper the 270wsm sure is appealing, and yes, it does outpreform its predecessor the 270win.

Its all diddly, complete and utter diddly. I am certianly not going to drop my 270win for a 270wsm for a few extra fps. Would it be a determining factor for a new rifle purchase... I'd be lying if I said no.

the 270win has quite the resume, and honestly anything that a 270win will do, a 270wsm will do with slightly more velocity and energy; but what does that mean to you?

The 270win is out preformed by the 270wsm, in factory and handloaded ammo in most instances, however you can load up the 270win and get some pretty stellar preformance. Having a 270win, I can't see my self trading it in for a 270wsm, they are just too similar.

power differences?
 

Is there any difference in power between the two? does the one do more damage than the other?

wsm has about 10% more velocity and energy for comparable bullets.

damage will vary on each specific bullet, and what it encounters.

[QUOTE=ishootbambi;1247046]wsm has about 10% more velocity and energy for comparable bullets.

.......... don't forget about manitoba ................... there the 270 wsm has 110 % more .......... well everything !!! :)

Shot placement and bullet construction....2 most imortant things....forget the rest

When everything is equal however, and all ghe variables the same, the 270WSM is a tad faster so it will hit a bit harder.
If you can't shoot however,neither will help you!:sign0161:
Cat

It will buck the wind a bit better too and at extended ranges it will hit with a bit more velocity...important for bullet expansion. The 270WSM does offer advantages over the 270Win, it just really depends on your hunting style whether you will realize those advantages or not. But for someone to say they don't exist just isn't true.

R17
 

RL17 was made for the short mags. Doesn't work equally well in all of mine and I'm not using it as the default load all the time, but I'd certainly give it a go.

This is kind of allong the lines I tend to think. If you want a longer barrel then it may as well be the WSM or the 7mm rem, if you will be using the gun in situations where a shorter barrel is handy then go with the .270 win.