270 WSM, 7mm WSM, and 300 WSM

[ForneyRider]

My dad is looking at 270 WSM Winchester mdl 70 for deer season this fall.

He gave me the 7mm Mag, so he has been jumping back and forth between a .22-250 and a 30-30. He really likes the trajectory of the 270 WSM 130gr at 3300fps. Truely, he wants the trajectory of a 22-250, but a bigger bullet, although he really is enjoying the 160 FTX in his 30-30.

I'm thinking the 270 WSM is going to kick like a mule, even worse than a 7mm Mag. He likes his 375H&H, but the safari magnum profile barrel is lot heavier than a typical sporter WSM barrel. With 225gr Hornady's and a soft Varget load, it really is not bad at all.

Is the kick of a WSM any worse than the 7mm Mag? Would the 270 WSM with 130 gr be more kick than a 150gr 300 WSM or 140gr 7mm WSM?

The BC of a 277 140gr is pretty high, comparable to the middle-weight .284 and 308 bullets.

Or am I splitting hair on recoil and trajectory among these 3 WSM's?

 

[bpl]

I think a 270 WSM will kick less than a 7mm Rem Mag. Less powder and lighter bullet. Why not a .243 or 25-06? Have the TX deer grown recently?

 

[ArmedBear]

I think that the recoil will feel fairly similar.

What will make more of a difference is which Model 70 he wants, given that they range from under 7 lbs. to a solid 8 lbs. in those calibers.

The recoil pad that came on mine (a recent Extreme Weather SS) is quite good, and I don't remember feeling any soreness in my shoulder at all, after testing sighting it in with about 45 rounds off the bench (.30-06 165 grains going around 2850). It's a light gun with a light scope.

 

[ForneyRider]

It's target of opportunity hunting. It may be a deer, hog or coyote. The hogs aren't that big usually, under 100lbs is the norm, although a 300+ pounder has been taken. The deer are East Texas deer, smallest of the smaller white tails. We get 10pt from time to time, and there are 14pt taken in the county.

I think the 277 to 308 bullet is plenty for this type of hunting. But not sure on cartridge.

 

[dirt_j00]

My primary deer gun is a Remington Model Seven in .270 WSM. It is a fairly light gun with its 22" barrel. When first sighting it in, I thought the recoil was fairly substantial (the scope caught me between the eyebrows my first time out with it). It does have a nice factory recoil pad on it though, so that helps.

Having hunted with it for a couple years now, and taking several deer with it, I'm really happy with my choice. It is a unique caliber, which I like, the ammo isn't too expensive ($40/box), and it puts meat in the freezer. All while being in a compact, easily maneuverable package.

I can't speak too much of recoil, but it is probably a bit more than the Browning BAR .30-06 I used to hunt with. I can't see how it would have more recoil than a .300 WSM or 7mm Mag. The weight of the gun will probably have an appreciable effect on recoil.

 

[MCMXI]

I have a Remington 700 Ti Alaskan in .300 WSM (24" barrel) and recoil is fairly stout but VERY manageable. I can put 30 rounds through it at the range with no trouble at all (just wearing a shirt) and recoil is nothing compared to my pair of Marlin '95s in .45-70! I can't imagine that a .270 WSM would have more recoil than a .300 WSM.

 

[schlockinz]

Just curious, but what ranges are you looking at? A 25-06 might be doable, save on the recoil and ammo cost.

 

[Silent Sam]

I have not shot a 270WSM and a 7mag out of the same platform (and you really can't) I would bet the 270WSM recoils noticeably less in similar rifles. If you put 150-160gr bullets in both the 300 and 270WSM you would be hard pressed to tell the difference. I have both and they are both good cartridges. For the description you give of its intended purpose I'd go with the 270WSM and not look back. I don't know about east Texas but I know the 270WSM is quite popular among people I know in south Texas where you can see for miles down those senderos. That is for deer, coyotes, and hogs and whatever else happens to show.
I didn't see the 7mm WSM in the title and responded to 7mag in your post. It would fall in the same category though. They all use the same case. If you ever want to use it for hunting larger type game I would go w/ the 300.

 

[JimKirk]

270 WSM(130 gr) is not bad on recoil, only a tad more than a 270 Win(130 gr), less than a 7mm Rem Mag(140 gr).

I would think a 7 mm WSM and 7 mm Rem mag to be the same.

You'll be pushing it to get 3300 fps out of a 130 gr. 270 WSM, closer to 3200, maybe 3250 with a 26" barrel, most are 24"

I have(or have had) a 270 WSM , a 270 Win, 7mm Rem mag, not much difference between any of them as far as recoil.

My vote would be for a 25/06! I like mine.

Jimmy K

 

[Uncle Mike]

+1 AB...that's pretty much the way it is~

 

[rangerruck]

the 270 wsm is the best all around of the wsm's, being bought up at a nice rate. Just read a great article in the last outdoor life, dude took a nice mountain goat at over 300 yds, with one, dead right there; and then of course it rolled down
the mountain. but flat, fast, with good bullets, will take anything you want.
With less kick than any of the mag rounds; I would say like a 30.06 really, maybe still even less. the 7wsm, is a great round as well, and excells at even longer distances- I can imagine that it is a real screamer if handloaded.

 

[retsub]

My dad has a wood stock Browning A-bolt in 270wsm and it kicks noticeably less than my 270win Rem. Mountain rifle.

Honestly, it's not bad at all.

 

[Franco]

Check out Chuck Hawk's rifle recoil chart for actual data. You'll see that the recoil is almost the same between the two guns. 270 wsm is just slightly less than the 7mm rem mag. One thing I've learned is that felt recoil has a lot to do with the fit of the gun and how fast the powder burns. I shoot a 45-70 with full loads and really enjoy the "push" type recoil. However, my 7mm mag, which the chuck hawks table says has much less recoil, hurts like heck -- like a sucker punch to the shoulder. Felt recoil is a very personal thing -- you have to shoot the guns before you decide.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

 

[ForneyRider]

Coyote model has a heavier barrel profile, but a 2-tone look (blued receiver, stainless barrel) and no walnut stock. Should be a little better on recoil with the added weight.

I'll check out the Chuck Hawk's article.

WSM burns plenty of powder, 66gr of ball in a factory 130gr rated at 3250fps.

Much thanks.