270 WSM or 300 Winchester mag

[LouieT]

I am close to buying a new rifle and have a question. I would mainly be using it for mule deer and antelope with an occasional elk hunt every now and then. On paper I like the 270 WSM and I think it would be sufficient for elk, but the gun I want I can only find in 300 winchester mag. My concern with the 300 is recoil. If I was using 150 grain bullets for deer and antelope how is the recoil compared to a 30-06. My 30-06 doesn't have the best recoil pad and it has a pretty good kick to it so I think the 300 with a good pad may not be that much worse on my shoulder. Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,

Louie

 

[a3dhunter]

Get the gun you want! If that means 300 win mag then get it and use the lighter bullet. With a lighter bullet and a good recoil pad I doubt you will know the difference. Remington makes managed recoil loads for deer sized game with the following data:

.300 Mag/150 - +1.0" @ 100 yds, 0 @ 150 yds, -2.7" @ 200 yds, -7.4" @ 250 yds.

.300 Mag/150 - MV 2650, V @ 200 yds 2113; ME 2339, E @ 200 yds 1486
This will put the recoil lower than what you get with factory ammo in a .270.
It goes back to this, get the GUN you are most comfortable with. You have a lot of options with bullet choices.
JMHO

 

[CAelknuts]

A .300 winchester is far more versatile. As for managing recoil, you need to have several things. A good recoil pad, enough weight to the rifle, proper clothing helps too when you're at the range, and hearing protection is important. You can load it down to lessen recoil, as has been mentioned with the "managed recoil" loads. There is nothing wrong with the .270 WSM, but the .300 winchester will do many more things, and very well.

If the rifle you want is available in a .300 but not the .270, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with teh .300 if you don't shoot heavy bullets and don't shot real hot loads that'll kick more. If all else fails, you can have a muzzle break installed. I'm not a fan of them and don't have any on my guns, but for some guys, they are the way to go.

 

[BBB]

the .300 win mag kicks pretty good. I own one and shoot it often but if you are nervous about recoil, go and shoot 10 rounds through one before purchasing it. It may be too much rcoil and then there will be regrets. with that said, It is an awesome, versatile rifle!

 

[canhunter]

Any 300WM or WSM will kick subtantially more then a 30-06 with all things gun wise being equal. A 270WSM shooting 150gr bullets will have very close to the same kick/recoil as a 300WM shooting 150gr bullets. Just remember the ballistics either advertised or real, and caliber does not matter on recoil with the same weght of projectile. Some say the short fat powder column in a SM produces less recoil. Now factor in gun/stock design, recoil pad type, gun weight, etc., and your variables are never ending. Better to hit with a standard caliber then be worried about recoil and miss with any magnum. Shoot one to really find out, but know the ballistics of the load you are shooting to fairly compare. A bud just went from a 06 to a 300WSM, and he was really suprised by the extra recoil. Not a very experienced shooter. He was shooting a old heavy sporterized Enfield with wood stock then switched to a relatively light A-Bolt. Cut his forehead the third shot because of being used to the 06 recoil and not adapting from his more relaxed shooting style. A local gun store has a lot of barely used Short Mags because guys bought them not expecting and able to handle the recoil. Just some things to consider.

 

[fisrtcoueswas80inches]

i own and hunt with a 270wsm... it will do anything tht a 300wm will do. what gun are you looking at that only chambers 300mag?
Casey

 

[LouieT]

I am looking at a Remington M700 LSS. For 2007 it is only chambered in .280 Remington. I found two 2006 models at local stores that are the 300 win mag and three on line that are the 270 wsm. I think I would be happier with the 270 wsm for a long range deer/antelope gun. When I do go on an elk hunt it will also work. I will problably order the gun online since the local stores can't locate any. Thanks for the replys.

Louie

 

[jaybob]

I don't own either, but have 2 friends, each using one. First, they both love them and either way you can't go wrong. they are probablly the best two cartriges out there. Buddy 1 using the 300 had a muzzle break for $75 put on at a local gun shop. He shoots 180 grain bullets and the recoil is managable and he is a light framed man. The guy with the 270SM has an A-bolt and shoots 140 grain bullets. He doesn't mind the recoil but it is a little much for his wife. He said it is more than his 270 but less then his 30-06. Hope this helps.

 

[manny15]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-11-07 AT 09:06PM (MST)[p]
I just bought a Remington 700 SPS in 300 WSM, ordered it three weeks ago for $504.04, it has the R-3 recoil pad from limb saver, it lessons the kick by at least 40% very happy with the gun's accuracy and quality...


MUZZ. 100 YDS. 200 YDS. 300 YDS. 400 Yrd

3130 2910 2690 2480 2290 2100 3590 3090
+1.3 0.0 -6.1 -17.9

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4665583

 

[Camo]

On my 300 I installed a Sims recoil pad and it made a world of difference.

I shoot 168gr. Sierras with 73grns of 4831 and it shoots lights out.

The stock pad was worthless so what ever you decide put on a good pad.

 

[tex270]

I have shot a 270 most of my life, and love the caliber. But about 10 years ago, I watched my cousin shoot an elk with a 300 win mag, and was amazed. So I bought a cheap rem. package deal in 300 win mag. It is one of the most accurate rifles I have ever seen. My wife shoots it with no problems, and I have so much confidence in it, it is all I will use anymore. In my opinion, the 300 win mag is one of the most verstal, accurate cartridges made today. If you shoot one, I think you will like it.

 

[CAelknuts]

Since I already posted my thoughts about a .300 mag being more capable than a .270 wssm, I'll now offer a differing viewpoint to consider.

Do you even have a need for either of these guns? Seriously! Have you considered re-stocking your .30-06 and re-building it into a better rifle than it is? Both the .270 or .30-06 are excellent calibers and you don't NEED a magnum anything, even for elk. Over the years, I've taken some pretty big animals with a single shot using a regular old .270, shooting either 150 grain Nosler Partitions or good old Remington Core-lokts, so your .30-06 would do every bit as well. I've killed elk, Alaskan Moose, Caribou, Zebra, Sable, Mtn. Goat, and other animals bigger and tougher than mule deer with the .270, as well as a number of deer and antelope with it.

Your .30-06 will do just fine for anything you're likely to use it for, and you could end up with a great rifle just by improving upon the one you already own. It can be even more fun to improve an old rifle than just buying a new one, and less expensive.

 

[rackem406]

Get the one you really want. I have a 270 WSM and 300 WBY Mag. I honestly haven't used my wsm on a hunt in 3 years. I always pull out my Wby. As far as recoil goes some people mentioned some good pads, but I think if you really want to see a change get a good muzzle brake. Makes a world of difference. I finally put one on my 300 last year and was shooting it and my 270 wsm at the range together. No lie, the felt recoil for me now is higher on the 270 then the 300.


So much for the 270 wsm being my wife's main hunting gun with the recoil. I guess I'll have to buy a brake, better pad, and light magnum ammo for her to make it more comfortable for her.

Also someone mentioned how well a regular 270 and 30-06 work. I agree, but I think what will sell it or kill it is the decision on how far you want to shoot out. Once you get out past 300 you'll see a big drop on the 30-06 trajectory and while the 270 is flat shooting what will the energy be at on a longer shot??? Just more stuff to cosider.

Rackem

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[manny15]

problem is a good muzzle brake cost as much as a rifle installed

 

[wallhanger]

That LSS is a nice looking rifle. I have both a 270 WSM (TIKKA T3 Lite) and a 300 win mag (Model 70). I too hunt mostly deer with them. My thoughts:

The R3 (sims) pads definitely make a huge difference. the LSS may come with one, not sure. if not, it's easy to install one yourself. Regardless of caliber, I'd put one on.

I don't think the reduced recoil loads are a viable option. If recoil is that big an issue, just get a .308 and limit your shooting range while not having to pack around a bigger rifle.

I shoot the 150 grain bullets out of my .300 -Hornady interbonds- and it kicks, but not as bad as you might think. I originally had the boss muzzle break on it and could not handle the noise, so I switched to the conventional recoil boss. It's definitely doable to get used to it if you shoot some.

In the 270 WSM, I shoot the 140 grain interbonds. The rifle is about two full pounds lighter than the .300, and the bullets leave the muzzle at a similar velocity as the 150 grain .300s. The .270 kicks slightly less out of the considerably lighter rifle, with similar weight bullets. I would think that in equal weight rifles, felt recoil would be noticeably less in the .270 WSM.

Personally, I'm going to shoot the lighter .270 WSM for everything except the big stuff now that I have it. Like you stated, I could also use it for elk, and might, but what's the fun in only having one rifle? Good luck with your choice, but there are lot's of options out there to find the caliber you really want.

WH

 

[wallhanger]

Oops, I meant 140 grain Accubonds.

WH

 

[LouieT]

Thanks for all the input. I went ahead and got the 270 WSM. I think it will work just fine for me and if I do go on an elk hunt it will work for elk just fine. Looking at the ballistics the 270 WSM basically has the power of a 7mm mag. The Remington LSS comes with a R3 recoil pad which is the same as the sims pad. The LSS is one of the nicest looking rifles that I have seen and I can't wait for it to show up. It is coming from back east to my local dealer. I will problable free float the barrel and maybe do some trigger work if needed. Thanks again.


Louie

 

[kingfish]

Perfect choice...

 

[wapiti11]

I have a .270 win and have thought about purchasing a .270 wsm
But I recently started using Hornady light mag ammo in my .270
and I am very impressed with the results and the ballistics are very close to the .270 wsm. I can't justify spending money for a few more fps.

 

[huntFX4]

Which ever you choose, I wouldn't go with the 150 gr bullet in the 300WinMag. The ballistics are terrible to say the least. The regular 270 Win. shoots 140 gr rounds much better. If you choose the 300 go with the 180 gr. Recoil, with a good pad is still managable and the round has much better ballistics.

 

[jchisum]

I have two remingtons in 280. an old 740 and a 700bdl that I bought 5 or 6 years ago. that's a great round that does spectacular work on mulies and antelope at long range. The BDL that I have was extremely accurate out of the box as well. if you hand load you can get near 7 mag performance as well. as for light bullets in the 300, I have a 300 wby and the one time I shot a mulie with 150 gr bullets it shredded a shoulder. there's less damage with 180+ bullets in my experience. the price is recoil though, which I only notice at the range...

good luck..