What's wrong with 270 WSM?

MoeFaux

FNG
Joined
Jan 25, 2024
Messages
68
Location
West Michigan
TLDR version - why doesn't this caliber get more love on Rokslide?

Full Version - I started my quest earlier this year to find my perfect western hunting rifle, and in that search I determined that I wanted a caliber packing more punch than the 6.5's, but with a recoil lighter than a 300 Win Mag. Obviously, that's a broad range that includes some timeless classics like 270 Winchester, 308, 30-06, and 7mm Rem Mag as well as a few modern hits like 280 AI, 6.8 Western, and 7 PRC. After pouring over ballistics charts, YouTube commentaries, forum discussions, and ammo prices, I decided the 270 WSM is exactly where I want to be in that range, but I'm curious why there aren't more people coming to the same conclusion.

To be clear, I'm not asking why the cartridge hasn't gained more market share overall, because the nuance of marketing and timing and which manufacturers are chambering doesn't interest me as much as asking why YOU, fellow Roksliders, have decided to pass this one up and in favor of others.
 

nebhunt

WKR
Joined
Dec 28, 2018
Messages
372
Location
Nebraska
I don't think there is anything wrong with the .270 wsm. Have owned several over the years and still own one now. I have killed two elk with the .270 wsm. Both were around 300 yards. Used 140gr Accubonds. Both were hit in the boiler room and was complete pass through. The Kimber was a dream to carry also.
 
Joined
May 6, 2018
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Shenandoah Valley
It's what the main WKR uses himself @robby denning


Personally I prefer the 7wsm because I feel like bullet selection is better in the 7's, but I think commercially it's largely non-existent anymore.

It's also built more around speed than the now popular heavy for caliber bullets, so barrel twist is likely slow in production guns, but I don't know much about the 270wsm myself
 

JFK

WKR
Joined
Sep 13, 2016
Messages
847
As a guy that started hunting with a 270win and came to appreciate what it offers, I thought at some point I’d step up to a wsm. What I’ve learned is that the 270win does everything I need it to with less powder and easier to find brass. What you will hear people say is that it’s handicapped by the 1:10 barrel and the relative lack of high bc bullets in .277. And they are right to a degree, as it’s flanked by the 6.5’s and 7mm’s, both with massively better bullet selection and available top shelf brass.

Rokslide is made up of gun nerds…mostly in a good way. But the amount of analysis and handwringing over cartridge would lead many to believe that what’s worked before has suddenly stopped working. Buy the wsm if it floats your boat. Just make sure you find and buy deep in your ammo or reloading components as it’s definitely being put on the back burner by the industry.
 
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Messages
1,078
Location
north idaho
i have had a 270wsm since 2006. great cartridge. Don't buy one. Trying to find ammo for it is a major pain in the ass. Basically when i find some, i buy all there is. I don't see it on shelves ect.
so great cartridge that lost or never gained enough popularity for the retailers to stock ammo for it.
 

CorbLand

WKR
Joined
Mar 16, 2016
Messages
8,046
Nothing wrong with it. There are just other options that do the same thing but have way better ammo availability.
 

Randle

WKR
Joined
Dec 30, 2012
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2,253
Location
Nope
Around here ammo for it only shows up around hunting season.
We buy for my grandsons 270 wsm when i find it.
 

WKR

WKR
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Jun 14, 2019
Messages
2,033
Worst thing about the 270 wsm is bullet selection.
The case design is good.
 

KenLee

WKR
Joined
Jun 9, 2021
Messages
2,597
Location
South Carolina
Only thing wrong with my a-bolt 2 white gold medallion 270wsm is that I can't find a 56mm magnus I scope with 4a reticle to put on it. For this reason I usually grab my x-bolt 300wsm that wears a magnus I .
 

Titan_Bow

WKR
Joined
Dec 10, 2015
Messages
1,157
Location
Colorado
I’m in the process of turning my Savage 270WSM into a 6.5PRC, really just due to ammo. Mine shot Nosler Trophy Grade 140 Accubonds very very accurately, but that stuff is 90 to 100bucks per box! I’ve enjoyed it, I’ve shot several elk without issues or anything.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

WKR

WKR
Joined
Jun 14, 2019
Messages
2,033
What's wrong with 145 gr eld-x?
I'm shooting silvertips and power max bonded til I run out.
.536 g1 bc
I guess it's more of a preference thing though because if you don't shoot long range bc doesn't matter as much.
 

KenLee

WKR
Joined
Jun 9, 2021
Messages
2,597
Location
South Carolina
.536 g1 bc
I guess it's more of a preference thing though because if you don't shoot long range bc doesn't matter as much.
I haven't shot at game over 400 yards in 11 years. Self imposed limit since I inherited essential tremors.
 
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