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  #1  
Old 08-06-2008, 11:29 PM
capthook capthook is offline
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Default 270 win vs. 270 WSM

Hello all...

I have had such good luck with my Savage 12FVSS 223 varmint rifle that I have decided to purchase a Savage 116 FCSS chambered in 270 win or 270 WSM. I am very familiar with the 270 win as it has been my primary hunting round for > 25 years with no problems... But I have no knowledge about the 270 WSM except for some reading on the internet... Does anyone here have recommendations with respect to these two calibers?

Thanks

Capthook
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  #2  
Old 08-07-2008, 05:49 AM
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The 270WSM does and will live up to it's billing.
I drive 130gr. bullets to 3325fps, with hand loads, and of the factory ammunition I've chronographed, it usually comes out pretty close to published numbers.
Another hidden benifit is the case life, the blocky designed WSM has. I'm on about my 6th loading for some casings, and Bushrat has gotten around 15 loadings from some of his brass.
Now is the WSM a quantum leap beyond the 270Win? Nope, but it has that certain quality about it that sets it just far enough apart from it to give it a certain apeal.
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Old 08-07-2008, 05:52 AM
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The 270 WSM will give you an honest 200 fps, maybe 250 fps more velocity with any given bullet weight over the 270 Win. If I already owned a 270 Win I wouldn't bother with the short mag, but in your situation I would probably go with the 270 WSM, just because it's a bit more of an already good thing.

I have a T-3 in 270 WSM and it's a nice, flat shooting rifle that seems perfect for hunting deer on the prairie like I normally do. Then again, the 270 Win fits that bill quite nicely as well. The truth is either calibre is a good choice for hunting just about everything in Alberta.
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  #4  
Old 08-07-2008, 08:24 AM
550 CAT 550 CAT is offline
 
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Have a great deal of respect for both 270 cartridges...That being said I think the 7 WSM is the best of the bunch..277 vs 284 I'd take the 7 and not look back..
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Old 08-07-2008, 08:27 AM
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I've seen both the 270 and the 270wsm in action. Both knock down game without a problem but I did see a 550+ yard deer knockdown last year with a 270wsm. The person was using a B&C recticle from a Leupold vx-III 4.5x14LR scope.
I would have never even attemped a shot like that with a 270 or my 30-06.
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  #6  
Old 08-07-2008, 03:02 PM
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I've got a T3 in 270wsm and it's a great gun. Nothing wrong with the win, but the wsm does give you a little better performance. If you want something a little different go for the wsm, it's a cool cartridge, but nothing wrong with sticking to the tried and true 270win either.
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Old 08-07-2008, 08:11 PM
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Don't mean to hi jack the thread but is there much difference in recoil?
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Old 08-07-2008, 08:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pheasantnut View Post
Don't mean to hi jack the thread but is there much difference in recoil?
Check out this chart for reference:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm
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  #9  
Old 08-08-2008, 12:19 AM
kw5891 kw5891 is offline
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Default 270 or 270

i own both i kill deer at 200 yards stay with 270 just from the ammo price. but buying a new gun is fun. for the money a savage 116 or 110 is a great buy but it hard to get a good trade in on them. if you shot 270 wsm i used the wsm 140gr accbound odd shell i shot this 250 pound deer at 60 yards the 140gr blew up like a bomb kill deer but no blood trail going in hole was the sides of a cd coming out smaller than a dime
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Old 08-08-2008, 06:58 AM
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Default Short mags are for guys with short ^%$&*

I would stick to the .270 win..If you want more speed then go with the 7MM rem...The recoil is the same as the .270WSM and speed is almost the same..Call me old school but i dont like any of the short mags..The .300WSM is the same as shooting a .300 win and the 7WSM is a round that wont last. And the .270WSM is like shooting 7MM..Ammo is cheeper for the standerd calibers if your not a hand loader and can be found every place that sells ammo...
You are doing the right thing by asking some questions and take in what everyone is saying...good luck on getting your new rifle and remember God built the .270win and man made the rest...
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Old 08-08-2008, 08:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sickfast View Post
I would stick to the .270 win..If you want more speed then go with the 7MM rem...The recoil is the same as the .270WSM and speed is almost the same..Call me old school but i dont like any of the short mags..The .300WSM is the same as shooting a .300 win and the 7WSM is a round that wont last. And the .270WSM is like shooting 7MM..Ammo is cheeper for the standerd calibers if your not a hand loader and can be found every place that sells ammo...
You are doing the right thing by asking some questions and take in what everyone is saying...good luck on getting your new rifle and remember God built the .270win and man made the rest...
Yup and back when the belted short (2.5") magnums came out all the same stuff was heard, same a this or that, or buy a H&H it's easier to find.
Could some of you sticks in the mud find some original material!
The 270WSM actually does what it calims from a 24" bbl., can your 7mm Rem Mag do that? Bet you not, of all the factory ammo I've chronied for numerous 7mm Rem Mags, and all from 24" bbl's it seems they all come up at least 100fps short of published numbers. Handloads only make published figures when pushed very hard, and then there is the Rem Mags bad habit of having pressure spikes. Then there is case life....nope I'll go the WSM route.
And no the 270WSM does'nt kick even close to a 7mm Rem Mag. typically the rifles are 1/2lb lighter and usually kick about as hard as a 30'06.
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Old 08-08-2008, 10:35 PM
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I've used the same old 270 for over 20 years and I was always happy with my standard hunting load: 130 NP @ 3115fps. Killed everything... no questions asked. But the WSM speeds really had me interested so I decided to play with a few differant powders to see what was possible with the old girl.
Over the Chrono RL-19 gave me 3181fps, Magpro gave me 3278fps. Thats out of a 26"bbl, same 130 NP. Recoil and muzzle blast was no differant ...that I could determine. Accuracy was acceptable, not dime shooters , but not over 2.5". And those were the very first loads I have tried. I think I'll play some more....
If you handload I dont think it makes any differance, buy old reliable or the new kid on the block. Most likely the WSM will handload even faster in fps. If your buying off the shelf and need the speeeeed then the WSM might be the ticket.
All that being said I've never fired a 270 WSM so I cant compare the blast and recoil.
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  #13  
Old 08-09-2008, 09:57 AM
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In regards to published vs achieved 7RM velocities, I agree with Dick. Although I've owned only one rifle chambered for the 7RM, that same rifle has been rebarreled three times for a total of wearing four barrels. Each barrel was replaced at around the three thousand round count. Every barrel shot a load developed around the 150 Ballistic Tip and none broke the 3200 fps mark. Actually, each load was around the 3150-70 mark. Although I've never tested for them, a 140 gr should hit the mid 3200 fps. In practical terms, pretty much the same ballistics as the 3300 fps 130 grain 270WSM. If the recoil of the 270 is noticeably less than that of the 7mm, it would appear the better choice for deer. IMHO, where the 7RM outdistances the 270WSM is with the higher bullet weights, at least in theory.

Yesterday, I finally (did I say %^# FINALLY?) got my hands on my new 7RM. It has a Hart 26" barrel and the load will be developed around the Berger 168 VLD at around 3000 fps. Not sure if there's a 165-170 grain offering for the .277 or what velocities would be achieved.

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  #14  
Old 08-23-2008, 10:11 PM
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I own both a .270 Winchester and a .270 WSM. If I had to do it over again I would not bother with .270 WSM. I get the rated ballistics with factory ammo, but try as I might, I cannot come close to those velocities with my handloads. It ****es me off. Others here claim that they get very impressive velocities, but with my tack driving Sako I cannot. It does drive 3 shots into the low 2's with my handloads. But so does the original .270 without the bull****.

With Nosler's top load of Reloder 19 pushing a 130 grain bullet, I am getting 3080 fps. Speer uses the same load and claim 200 fps more. What is interesting is that on the RCBS website the reloading data comes from the Speer boys and their velocities are the same as mine with the same loads. Unless I am 3-4 grains over book (every book imagineable, though the Lyman is close), I cannot significantly improve upon .270 Winchester ballistics with this lemon.
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Old 08-24-2008, 07:50 AM
Cordur Cordur is offline
 
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Really I think it comes down to barrel length. If you aren't going to be buying a rifle with a 24" barrel there doesn't seem to be much point to buying a short mag just for the sake of velocity. Really to me it would depend on the rifle I wanted to purchase as to what calibre I would choose. The Tikka I would buy the old standby 270 win since it only comes in a long action and has a 22" barrel on most models. On the other hand a Savage comes in a 24" with a short action. Nothing against Tikka here and they are both similarly priced firearms, just the way I look at it.

Comparing the 270 to a larger caliber, in order to gain better bullet weight options, seems like a moot point if you are using the TSX, where speed counts more than mass.
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Old 08-24-2008, 08:47 AM
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I have a 270wsm in a Tikka t3 and love it. I have never had or shot a 270 win so for me to compare I can't, but I can tell you I have had great sucess with my short mag I am shooting a 1/2'' group at 100yds with a 140grn winchester fail safe. My biggest feat so far has been a pretty good bull moose @ 250yds and he only went 20 yds. My gun is very light I'm using Burris optics and it has very little recoil, I got rid of my ruger m77 7mm rem mag for the 270wsm and have no regrets.
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  #17  
Old 08-24-2008, 09:54 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cordur View Post
Really I think it comes down to barrel length. If you aren't going to be buying a rifle with a 24" barrel there doesn't seem to be much point to buying a short mag just for the sake of velocity. Really to me it would depend on the rifle I wanted to purchase as to what calibre I would choose. The Tikka I would buy the old standby 270 win since it only comes in a long action and has a 22" barrel on most models. On the other hand a Savage comes in a 24" with a short action. Nothing against Tikka here and they are both similarly priced firearms, just the way I look at it.

Comparing the 270 to a larger caliber, in order to gain better bullet weight options, seems like a moot point if you are using the TSX, where speed counts more than mass.
FYI
The Tikka T3 comes with a 24" barrel in all of the magnum calibers.
Cheers
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Old 04-03-2010, 10:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 550 CAT View Post
Have a great deal of respect for both 270 cartridges...That being said I think the 7 WSM is the best of the bunch..277 vs 284 I'd take the 7 and not look back..
my sentiments exactly...the best of the WSM's is the least popular,...go figure..slightly more capacity than the shorter 270 and with the great .284" bullet diameter....sounds like a win win, but I guess the market place doesn't agree.
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Old 04-03-2010, 10:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sickfast View Post
God built the .270win and man made the rest...

Amen!

Shot placement is key. Head Heart Lungs... Gopher,Deer, Elk, Grizzly,Cougar, all have fallen to my .270

It's my go to gun when it must be taken
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Old 04-04-2010, 01:37 AM
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Thumbs up 270 Wby Mag

270 Wby Mag in a 26" plus Barrel Holds the .277 crown,and has my vote
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Old 04-05-2010, 02:56 PM
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At one point in time I have owned all 3 . Had a 270 Weatherby ,a 270 win, and 270 wsm. Shot every thing from coyote's to elk , no real notice in performance under 250 yds. But now I only have the wsm left ,and its for sale! But If I buy another ,it would be the 270wsm in a Sako Greywolf.
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Old 04-05-2010, 04:12 PM
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I don't like belted magnums for several reasons, so if i were to get a rifle chambered in any of the 270 "magnums", it would be a 270WSM.
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  #23  
Old 04-05-2010, 06:31 PM
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I have had both the 270 and the 270wsm, now I have only one 270WSM
By far my go to rifle for deer to moose
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  #24  
Old 04-05-2010, 08:42 PM
Stinky Coyote Stinky Coyote is offline
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when i went from vanilla 270 to the whiz bang 270 homework basically said the whiz bang was about 20% more, felt like more than that on my shoulder in 7 lb-ish all in set ups though....since i wanted the power to have the same hit 20% further i decided to muzzle brake my whiz bang...in a heavier gun i think it would be more tolerable but if your a 500 yrd or less kind of guy then the regular 270 would probably be my choice, then there's the short action/long action thing for weight savings that might be a factor(not with tikka though...they are light enough anyhow so either is good choice in it imo)

both are just flippin fantastic
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Old 04-06-2010, 01:49 AM
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i shot a 270 win for many years. when it was time for a new gun, the 270 wsm won simply because it weighed 13 ounces less on the scale. the extra oomph and flatter trajectory are nice touches, but the weight was what sold me. if you walk lots...especially higher than trees grow it is a consideration.
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  #26  
Old 04-07-2010, 08:39 PM
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Unless you have extra money to spend on wsm dies, brass, powders (you might have some from other mag cartridges) or if you don't reload the extra in cost of shells go with the 270 win, its only about 100 fps more. Put that in a ballistics calculator and it isn't worth the extra effort involved (3" at 500 yards) Then factor in availability in small towns, target practice, hunting foreign countries, added recoil. The 270 win and either H4831 or H4350 works great over almost all the bullet wts available. It really makes you wonder where common sense went? Get a 270 win in a 24" long barrel and you will never know the difference in the field, the only difference will be in your pocketbook.
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  #27  
Old 04-07-2010, 08:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie View Post
270 Wby Mag in a 26" plus Barrel Holds the .277 crown,and has my vote
REALLY???What a shocker

The .270 wsm is very close to the weatherby and way cheaper to shoot and and a we bit better than the the .270.win. Gets my vote.
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  #28  
Old 04-08-2010, 04:37 PM
Browning Sharpsh00ter Browning Sharpsh00ter is offline
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Here is some data i found off the winchester ammo site: This is a 130gr accubond 270 wsm
Muzzle 3276

100 3043
200 2824
300 2614
400 2415
500 2224

270 win
Muzzle 3050
100 2830
200 2621
300 2420
400 2229
500 2047
These are just factory ranges w/velocities, I shoot a 130gr berger with RL-17 which chronie out at 3450 avg FPS at the muzzle...my 270wms is my go to gun for sure...
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  #29  
Old 04-08-2010, 05:21 PM
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Browning, that's some impressive velocity.
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  #30  
Old 04-08-2010, 06:26 PM
Browning Sharpsh00ter Browning Sharpsh00ter is offline
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Ya it is. Anyone with a wsm series rifle I would recommend trying RL-17. I get 100 fps faster with the same amount of grains as the RL-19. Topped with 130 gr bergers , it's a deadly combos...
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