Help with caliber

[NEhunter]

Looking to add another rifle just for fun. Most likely be a Sako Finnlight. 270 win, 270 wsm or 300 wsm? These are the 3 calibers that have me interested for now. I currently shoot a Browning x-bolt in 308. Game will be mostly antelope to mule deer in open grasslands and probably elk. Been researching this for awhile now and am stuck on the 270 wsm. Need some extra input. Opinions?

 

[pyroducksx3]

There's no reason why the 270 wsm wouldn't fulfill your needs. The couple 270 wsm's I have shot have been fairly pleasant recoil wise. Bullet selection is a little more limited compared to the 30 cal but there are still plenty of good options. If you were looking to push the envelope on distance I like the 300 win or wsm better but even out past traditional ranges the animals won't know the difference between the 270 wsm or 300 wsm

 

[MRidge]

I came across a deal a few years back on a SUB MOA Vanguard in .270wsm that I couldn't pass. It's the only Weatherby in my collection, but shoots 130gr Accubonds very well. It hasn't made it on any hunting trips, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it as an elk round. Recoil is quite manageable.
You already have a .30 Cal - everyone needs a .270 or version there of don't they.......

 

[NEhunter]

You already have a .30 Cal - everyone needs a .270 or version there of don't they.......

Thats kinda what I was thinking.

 

[hodgeman]

I just picked up an X-Bolt in .270... one of the best shooting rifles I own with absolutely no fuss.

 

[JustOneMoreShot]

The 270wsm is a great caliber. Very flat shooting and has been pretty easy for me as far as reloading goes. You will enjoy it and Sako does make some great factory rifles.

 

[Steve O]

I've shot everything you can think of up thru Yukon moose with standard 270; no reason a WSM would not do the same. Mine all love 140s.

 

[NEhunter]

Alright, thanks guys. Here is what I am looking at so far, I can get the Sako in 270 win for ~$200 dollars cheaper than the 270 or 300 wsm, or I have found a Winchester M70 extreme weather 270 win nib for 879. Is the extra price on the gun and the extra ammo costs worth the ballistic advantage of the wsm? To me, the short action and ballistics on paper really seem appealing. I am set up to handload so I can offset the cost of ammo a little.

 

[Rucker61]

Regarding handloading, can you find .270 WSM brass anywhere? I was in the same boat as you, looking for a second rifle to supplement my .Tikka .308. I ended up with the .300 WSM, and one reason was that I was able to pick up 150 pieces of new brass locally. I use the same bullet in both, the .168gr Barnes TTSX, and there's a 500 FPS difference in my loads. I put a lightweight 2-7x scope on the .308 to use as a mountain gun, and the WSM is there for day hunts for antelope and elk. I carried the .308 for the first four days of elk hunting during 3rd rifle since we were in the timber and shots would have been limited to 100 yrds or so, but took my cow on the fifth day sitting over a pasture about 1/2 mile from the truck. Does .270 WSM get you that much over a .270?

 

[NEhunter]

I have seen the brass online before and Monday I was in a store here and they had a bag of brass. I have 3 stores here in our town that all have factory ammo in stock for 270 wsm.

 

[elkeaterco]

Here is a awesome website for more info on the 270 wsm. Excellent caliber, 150-250 fps over the standard plus shave 2-3" off the overall length. Tikka T3 lite is a excellent choice for the money and is in the 6 lb range. I would recommend matrix VLD 165grn (bc .680) for elk.

http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.270+Winchester+Short+Magnum.html

http://matrixballistics.com/.277-Caliber-rifle-bullets.html

 

[Browtine]

Only downside to the Tikka is you won't be getting a true short action rifle. They are all built on a long action.

 

[Steve O]

I would grab that extreme weather in 270 and NEVER look back. That is a smokin deal on a primo rifle. Heck, how far is it from MI? I've got 4 .270s and that is too good to pass up!

 

[NEhunter]

Only downside to the Tikka is you won't be getting a true short action rifle. They are all built on a long action.

Ya, the SA is a plus to me when looking at the difference between the 270 win and wsm.

 

[Shrek]

Here is a awesome website for more info on the 270 wsm. Excellent caliber, 150-250 fps over the standard plus shave 2-3" off the overall length. Tikka T3 lite is a excellent choice for the money and is in the 6 lb range. I would recommend matrix VLD 165grn (bc .680) for elk.

http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.270+Winchester+Short+Magnum.html

http://matrixballistics.com/.277-Caliber-rifle-bullets.html

The 165 matrix sounds great but unless you are building a custom you can't use it in a factory rifle. All the factory barrels are saami 10 twist which will not stabilize the 165 or 175. They will also be stuffed way down into the case in a standard short action length magazine. For long range work the .277 family has long been hobbled by terrible bullet selection. There are a few options now but you have to have a custom barrel to use them. So many better options than the 270's that are not limited. Of course all things are relative and if you are not going to shoot past 800 ish yards then the 270's aren't going to hold you back. I'm not a Tikka fan but I'd buy it long before I'd pay extra for a Sako.

 

[NEhunter]

So many better options than the 270's that are not limited. Of course all things are relative and if you are not going to shoot past 800 ish yards then the 270's aren't going to hold you back. I'm not a Tikka fan but I'd buy it long before I'd pay extra for a Sako.

Im open to other suggestions on caliber I suppose... Anyone have better suggestions on caliber to run alongside my .308? I dont plan on shooting out to 800. Just really looking for something flat shooting like a laser.

 

[pyroducksx3]

The 270 wsm is a good choice. For people looking to really push the envelope it doesn't really have good heavy for caliber options. For the average hunter looking to shoot to even over traditional ranges the 270 gets it done just fine. A 270 wsm running 130/140 gr bullets will do everything you are looking for. The cool thing about choices is you can get what you want. If you were looking to hunt elk out to 700 yards and beyond is say go 30 cal. If you were looking to shoot coyotes and deer at 100 yards if say go 243. You are looking for a rifle caliber that will shoot flat and harvest a wide range of big game. The 270 wsm can do that it's a great choice, just like the 6.5-06, the 270, the 7 rem mag/wsm, 30-06, 300 wm/wsm guess what all good choices don't beat your head against a wall all these calibers will work well. So get the one you want and start shooting the hell out if it and have a good time. Getting to know your rifle is going to be more important than the difference between any of these calibers

 

[Rucker61]

Im open to other suggestions on caliber I suppose... Anyone have better suggestions on caliber to run alongside my .308? I dont plan on shooting out to 800. Just really looking for something flat shooting like a laser.

Don't know if it's a better solution, but the .280AI is a nice shooting caliber from all I've read.

 

[n2horns]

If you can swing it a 338 edge. A beauty that runs long and smooth. Something smooth and fun to shoot. Deer never know.

 

[pyroducksx3]

This guy has absolutely no need for an edge.