Is the .270 WSM any good ?

[gamestalker]

Anyone have a first hand experience / opinion of the .270 WSM. I'm interested in knowing if it produces accuracy that is at least as good as .270 win., and if it does push a little more velocity with properly reloaded ammunition? I'm looking for another BA, probably a Sav. 110 or Rem. 700. I've been loading for the .270 win. for decades now, and the WSM has been in the back of my mind for a while now.

It's not like I have to have another BA for any particular reason based on necessity. I would just like to pick up another tack driver, if the WSM is easily capable of comparing to the original .277" cartridge.
GS

 

[Craigman]

Well, my A-bolt is a tack driver with TSX bullets and BT's. Its all in the luck of the gun you have and the load. Mine is only a 22" so not so sure its noticably faster than the .270win. I do like the short action however and the gun its chambered in.

IMO, if you already have a .270 tack driver and want something new....the .270WSM is only going to hold your interest for a little while. Get something more exotic/different. 6.5 flavor or .358 comes to mind. I picked op a .35Whelen not to long ago and its keeping me occupied pretty well. Very overlooked cartridge IMO

 

[jmr40]

More experience with the 300 WSM, but the comparisons between it and a 30-06 and a 270 WSM vs 270 WCF are valid. You'll gain roughly 200 fps depending on loads. The WSM cartridges were designed to be more efficient from shorter barrels, so Craigmans concers over a 22" barrel may not be that big of a deal.

As a rule the shorter fatter cartridges are more efficient and tend to be a little more accurate and will generate a bit less recoil than you would normally see from a given bullet weight and velocity. Neither may be enough to matter in field shooting conditions.

If you handload the WSM's are very versatile and no more expensive to shoot than any other round. If buying factory ammo they are very expensive. $50-$60 or so for a box of premium ammo.

Ammo capacity is reduced, especially in a Savage. Most standard chamberings are 4+1 or 5+1 depending on the gun. Most magnums are 3+1, but for some reason you can only squeeze 2 of the WSM rounds in a Savage and close the bolt.

The next question. Are you good enough to take advantage of the extra 200 fps? At normal ranges none of the magnums kill any better, they do extend the useful range by 100 yards or so. A 270 or 30-06 are already capabable of greater range than most shooters can use.

If I were considering either the 270, 7mm or 300 WSM over a conventional belted magnum in the same caliber I'd take the WSM any day of the week. It is a slightly improved round.

Between a 270 WSM and a 270 WCF, I'd probably stay with the standard 270.

 

[EchoM70]

Between a 270 WSM and a 270 WCF, I'd probably stay with the standard 270.

As would I, If you reload you can get almost factory .270 WSM performance. Only difference would be WSM is a short action.