.308 or .270 WSM?

[kinghunter88]

Iv decided that I'm going with a Tikka but iv been told to buy the .270 WSM instead of the .308. I'm sure plenty of people have feed back on both of these guns and id love to hear it all.

[bighorn1]

What are you planning on using the rifle for and do you re-load ?

if you are looking for a basic hunting cartridge and do not re-load then the 308 may be better as the 270 wsm does not have nearly the amount of fatory over the counter ammo avaliable and it will cost you close to double what factory 308 will.

[Big Daddy Badger]

Originally Posted by kinghunter88

Iv decided that I'm going with a Tikka but iv been told to buy the .270 WSM instead of the .308. I'm sure plenty of people have feed back on both of these guns and id love to hear it all.

What was their reasoning?

Fact is there is nothing wrong with a 308 except the ammo is probably cheaper, easier to find and available in a lot more flavores than the other.

I don't know why people do that.

What do they care?
They don't have to carry the darn thing or buy the ammo...you do.

Theres probably 3 dozen different cals that would do you well but for some reason...they feel the need to live and spend vicariously through others.

Buy either... I'm pretty sure that neither you nor the animals you shoot will notice much of a difference.

[skidderman]

The 308 is likely one of the most under rated caliber. I hunted with one for many years. Took elk, moose. bear; no problem. That was before one could buy premium bullets. You can't go wrong with either. Can shoot heavier bullets with 308 but won't reach as far as the wsm.

[Selkirk]

Originally Posted by kinghunter88

Iv decided that I'm going with a Tikka but iv been told to buy the .270 WSM instead of the .308. I'm sure plenty of people have feed back on both of these guns and id love to hear it all.

That's ^ like comparing apples and oranges ... they're in two different classes of high powered ammunition (magnum vs. standard).

No disrespect meant, but I think you've got some more homework to do. You might want to first decide which class of high powered ammunition you want to choose from, and then make your cartridge choice from there.

A word of warning ... if you go the 'magnum' route and you don't re-load, expect shooting that new rifle to be VERY expensive!

Mac

[MattSako]

270 wsm all the way...

Lol at very expensive... obviously were not talking about 338 lapua amo or even 325 wsm amo.. those are very expensive... 270 wsm is affordable..

[skidderman]

It seems so strange that people can highly recommend one over the other without any facts. Here are the facts taken from the Hodgen loading manual. Real world numbers, not fiction, not my numbers. 270 wsm 150 grain bullet loaded with retumbo powder; max is 3071 fps. A 308 150 grain bullet loaded with a full charge of varget; 2937 fps. The 270 wsm has a 134 fps advantage. In addition if one wants the 308 has the ability to use much heavier bullets. I have no doubt the 270 wsm is a wonderful round but to poo poo a 308; I don't see it in the numbers. Pick the one you like the best, make sure it fits right and have fun. The 308 is indeed under rated.

[DCse7en]

Originally Posted by skidderman

It seems so strange that people can highly recommend one over the other without any facts. Here are the facts taken from the Hodgen loading manual. Real world numbers, not fiction, not my numbers. 270 wsm 150 grain bullet loaded with retumbo powder; max is 3071 fps. A 308 150 grain bullet loaded with a full charge of varget; 2937 fps. The 270 wsm has a 134 fps advantage. In addition if one wants the 308 has the ability to use much heavier bullets. I have no doubt the 270 wsm is a wonderful round but to poo poo a 308; I don't see it in the numbers. Pick the one you like the best, make sure it fits right and have fun. The 308 is indeed under rated.

With 68 gr of retumbo, my 270 wsm pushes a 150 gr hornady between 3135-3165...I had one weird one come out at 3198. Grouping was about 1.5 inches...2850 was all I could get with the 150 gr 308....and that was pushing it pretty hard. Both work well though...they are definitely not ballistic twins by any stretch. Pick one you can't go wrong with either caliber!

[skidderman]

No question in my mind that the wsm reaches somewhat further and does it flatter. The only problem with it is that very few people can shoot well further than the 308 or 7wsm reaches. I switched to a 300 wsm only because I once shot a bull elk at 400 yards and it one lunged him. Almost lost the elk & found it a 2am. I do think the 300 wsm would have had a better chance of double lunging the elk and so might a 270wsm. If I had a decent bullet at the time things may have turned out different. I have only killed at 400 yards twice in 45 years of hunting the first being an antelope. Held the 308 about 2 or 3 feet above it's head & be darned if I didn't hit it. My dad killed more elk & moose with a 308 than I can count. One thing I do know is the 308 cartridges are much much cheaper than any wsm. I have an idea; buy both. Heck, why not. One can never have enough guns. Personally I like to try different things thus the 300wsm. It sits beside a 308 & a 7mm.
Straight shooting!!!!!

[Selkirk]

Originally Posted by MattSako

. . . Lol at very expensive . . .

Laugh all you want ... in the end, it's the OP's decision as to what's expensive for him, and what's not.

Mac

[leeaspell]

Ok, might be a stupid question, but is there a 308wsm?

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by leeaspell

Ok, might be a stupid question, but is there a 308wsm?

There is a 300 WSM, which shoots a bullet .308 in diameter, the same diameter as the bullets shot from a .308.

Although they shoot the same diameter of bullets, on a practical basis one can shoot heavier bullets in the .300 WSM than the .308.

[rugatika]

I wouldn't take advice from anyone that recommends anything other than a 30/06.

[Selkirk]

Originally Posted by leeaspell

Ok, might be a stupid question, but is there a 308wsm?

Not a stupid question!

The .308 is a 30 caliber high powered cartridge. The 300WSM uses the same bullets ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.300_Wi...r_Short_Magnum

So yes, although not documented as such, there is a "308WSM".

Mac

[Selkirk]

Originally Posted by rugatika

I wouldn't take advice from anyone that recommends anything other than a 30/06.

Amen to that ^ ... and Gawd bless you

Mac

[kinghunter88]

Wow!! Thanks you all so much. Im going with the Tikka T3 Stainless light .270WSM and im hoping that this gun will fit me well. This will be my first rifle buy and all your comments have helped me greatly.

[marxman]

30 06 or plain old 270 the 270 shoots pretty flat if your afraid a 30 will fall down i wouldnt get a 270 wsm for my only rifle you need something you can shoot lots and not overheat fast although the plain 270 heats up pretty fast but its cheap like 30 06 or 308

[Mike_W]

Ok let's sum this up a bit...... a 270WSM shoots a .277" diameter bullet and the 308 Win shoots a .308" diameter bullet. The 308 Win can shoot bullets from 120 grains to 220 grains and the 270 WSM can shoot bullets from 100 to 160 grains. Finding factory ammunition for either cartridge at either end of the spectrum would be difficult.
One consideration often overlooked is recoil, a 270WSM is not a crazy recoiling gun but still significant while I personally find the 308 Win to have much less recoil than the 270 WSM. Also the Tikka T3 is a light gun and felt recoil is substantially more than other heavier rifles.

All things said I really like both cartridges and both will suit all your hunting needs in Alberta.

Not to throw a wrench into your question but as your first rifle I would suggest a 7mm-08 which is basically a 308 Win with a 7mm (.284") diameter bullet and pretty much the in between cartridge of the two cartridges you are considering.

Good luck
Mike

[RatFink]

Read this article if you are just starting out:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/myth_busting_calibers.htm
It really analyses the whole magnum myth vs. standard calibers. I found it presents both sides pretty well and lays things out in tangible measures.

[Gray Wolf]

Originally Posted by kinghunter88

. . . 270WSM . . . This will be my first rifle . . .

[rwm1273]

Originally Posted by MattSako

270 wsm all the way...

Lol at very expensive... obviously were not talking about 338 lapua amo or even 325 wsm amo.. those are very expensive... 270 wsm is affordable..

Still nearly double the price of 308, and less selection, and even less selection at out of town stores when you find out you forgot your box of ammo at home.

[Kevlak]

Originally Posted by RatFink

Read this article if you are just starting out:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/myth_busting_calibers.htm
It really analyses the whole magnum myth vs. standard calibers. I found it presents both sides pretty well and lays things out in tangible measures.

That was a good read, thanks for that!

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by skidderman

It seems so strange that people can highly recommend one over the other without any facts. Here are the facts taken from the Hodgen loading manual. Real world numbers, not fiction, not my numbers. 270 wsm 150 grain bullet loaded with retumbo powder; max is 3071 fps. A 308 150 grain bullet loaded with a full charge of varget; 2937 fps. The 270 wsm has a 134 fps advantage. In addition if one wants the 308 has the ability to use much heavier bullets. I have no doubt the 270 wsm is a wonderful round but to poo poo a 308; I don't see it in the numbers. Pick the one you like the best, make sure it fits right and have fun. The 308 is indeed under rated.

Yes they are fairly similar, if you shoot animals right at the muzzle. Look at the velocity, energy, and trajectory numbers at 300 or 400 yards (go to the winchester website, select rounds from the same product line, and compare the ballistics). Quite a difference. That doesn't mean one should automatically choose the 270wsm, just that they are different.

If the OP isnew to hunting, might want to consider the plain jane .270, which has less kick than the wsm and still has pretty impressive numbers and capability.

[rugatika]

Honestly, just about anything in that 270 to 30 cal range will do a fine job in Alberta. If I was a man of endless means, I'd probably have a couple of each. (and has been pointed out many times....lots of cartridges outside those parameters as well)

[Beta-pg]

I've trimmed down my gun cabinet and have 4 rifles left... a .223, .270WSM and a .308. Personally, I like shooting the .308 more. Both the .270WSM and the .308 are Remmy 700's.

[Okotokian]

.

[rugatika]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

.

What an odd post.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by rugatika

What an odd post.

Posted something else, then thought "what do I really care?". You can't delete a post however. All you can do is edit it down to nothing.

[Scott N]

Originally Posted by rwm1273

Still nearly double the price of 308, and less selection, and even less selection at out of town stores when you find out you forgot your box of ammo at home.

While I understand that "stuff happens", any hunter who forgets their ammo at home probably shouldn't be hunting.

[Mike_W]

Originally Posted by Scott N

While I understand that "stuff happens", any hunter who forgets their ammo at home probably shouldn't be hunting.

Yeah but hey I forgot my bolt on my cleaning table once.....only made it about 20 min away before I remembered but yikes that would have been bad after making a 5 hour drive up north only to find no bolt in my gun.