300WSM vs 270WSM

Ltsheets · Nov 19, 2014

As many of you are already aware from one of my other threads, I have a 300WSM that I'm going to get rebarreled soon. I wanted to start a new thread with a more focused topic. I know this has probably been debated a ton already and if there's a good thread here in the archives that answers my questions, please point me to it.

I only have 2 rifles right now that are "all weather" including the Win M70 300WSM that I'm going to get rebarreled and turned into a custom rifle. The other all weather is a Hill Country Rifles .270 Win that I can use when hunting without my wife, but when she's with me, that's her backpacking rifle. I've done a lot of research on ballistics, bullets, brass and factory load availability, etc., and I'm very torn on what to do. Though I don't intend on this being my last custom gun I ever get done, if it ends up being that way, I want it to be able to handle any North American game up to Brown Bear/Grizzley. I will get at least a .338 if I get the chance to hunt big bear. I know that either of these cartriges will handle all those animals with the right bullet selection. I'm hoping to hear from a lot of you that have had experience with these two cartriges and I want to hear all the pros and cons you guys can come up with. I do reload though I'm still very much a rookie in that aspect. Thanks in advance for your opinions.

quest · Nov 19, 2014

Nothing wrong with either caliber. The 270 WSM is very accurate 1/2 inch groups are common. I like the fact that Nosler came out with 150 AB long range bullet with a high B.C. (.625) for the 270 WSM. If your going to shoot long rang Id go with the 270 WSM. If not both are great rounds.

Ltsheets · Nov 19, 2014

For now my plan is to put a good break on which ever I build so I can both practice a lot at long range, and still take the break off for when I take it hunting. My buddy has enough land to shoot out to 1000 if we want. I too like the idea of the 150 AB LR. At 500 yds it's almost exactly the same energy as a 180 AB 300WSM, which really surprised me. I guess it's the really good BC.

>Nothing wrong with either caliber. The
>270 WSM is very accurate
> 1/2 inch groups are
>common. I like the fact
>that Nosler came out with
>150 AB long range bullet
>with a high B.C. (.625)
>for the 270 WSM. If
>your going to shoot long
>rang Id go with the
>270 WSM. If not both
>are great rounds.

Weiserbucks · Nov 19, 2014

Either one should suit your needs very well . The only advantage to the 300WSM is the ability to load heavier bullets for larger game . The 270WSM is a great round loved by many , its only limitations are lack of heavy bullet selection . If you feel confident in your ability to kill large game with a well placed 150 grn. bullet , by all means go with the 270WSM . If you feel the need for heavier bullets for large game , the 300WSM has a broad selection . In my opinion you cant go wrong either way , both cartridges will cleanly harvest most North American game with proper bullet construction and shot placement .

Ltsheets · Nov 19, 2014

I totally agree on the bullet construction being key. I think that the Barnes are a game changer for "smaller" calibers. The fact that both would suit my needs is why it's such a hard choice! I already have all the reloading components for the 300wsm but the ballistics of the 150AB LR are very appealing in the 270wsm without all the recoil.

>Either one should suit your needs
>very well . The only
>advantage to the 300WSM is
>the ability to load heavier
>bullets for larger game .
>The 270WSM is a great
>round loved by many ,
>its only limitations are lack
>of heavy bullet selection .
>If you feel confident in
>your ability to kill large
>game with a well placed
>150 grn. bullet , by
>all means go with the
>270WSM . If you feel
>the need for heavier bullets
>for large game , the
>300WSM has a broad selection
>. In my opinion you
>cant go wrong either way
>, both cartridges will cleanly
>harvest most North American game
>with proper bullet construction and
>shot placement .

Cahunter805 · Nov 19, 2014

I vote the 270WSM! I responded to your other thread also and will be happy to share load data and help any way I can. If you twist it 9 you can shoot the 165gr matrix vld also. That bullet is a serious hammer in the WSM.

Ltsheets · Nov 19, 2014

Will the 9 twist be ok for 130gr and up? Also, do you have any of the ballistic info on that 165gr matrix vld?

>I vote the 270WSM! I responded
>to your other thread also
>and will be happy to
>share load data and help
>any way I can. If
>you twist it 9 you
>can shoot the 165gr matrix
>vld also. That bullet is
>a serious hammer in the
>WSM.

Cahunter805 · Nov 19, 2014

A 9 twist will handle 130's just fine.
If you want to run some numbers here is what I use. Keep in mind many things affect BC. Bryan litz actually tested the entire line of nosler accubond Longrange and published the BC's. I just can't find the chart he built.

165gr Matrix VLD- G1 .640
150ABLR- G1 .530

Ltsheets · Nov 19, 2014

Awesome. What kind of velocities are you getting with those and out of what length barrel?

Whiterock · Nov 19, 2014

I own both the 300WSM and 270 WSM,both in Browning Abolts.When I go out to hunt I always grab my 270WSM ,just got more confidence in the rifle with less recoil and that tends to make better accuracy for me.So if I had to choose ,the 270 WSM wins .

Ltsheets · Nov 19, 2014

I'm not a recoil shy hunter but less recoil with almost the same energy is one of the main reasons I'm leaning 270WSM. I'm glad to hear this from someone who own's both. I had a 270wsm a long time ago and traded it (regret that) but that was too long ago to remember the recoil, though I remember it not being bad.

>I own both the 300WSM and
>270 WSM,both in Browning Abolts.When
>I go out to hunt
>I always grab my 270WSM
>,just got more confidence in
>the rifle with less recoil
>and that tends to make
>better accuracy for me.So if
>I had to choose ,the
>270 WSM wins .

Zeke · Nov 20, 2014

I have a couple rifles of each of those cartridges and for all the "middle" critters they're both great. Neither one is a big-bear gun to me, not even close, so it would appear these would top out on elk size game.

Both are very usable on elk but the nod would go to the 30 cal since larger/heavier bullets can be used.

With that said, Barnes bullets are certainly game-changers and turn smaller cartridges into little killing machines.

The difference isn't quantifiable but there is a slight difference in "frontal" area. Take that for what it's worth.

For deer, sheep, antelope size the .277 caliber would get the nod and the WSM cartridge is about the best .277 caliber choice.

I can't even tell you how many critters I've killed with both of those "once-new" cartridges but currently use neither on elk.

My 2 cents,
Zeke

Ltsheets · Nov 20, 2014

Thanks Zeke. Elk is likely the biggest game I would use this on as you said in your post. I misspoke slightly when talking about bears. I would def get a .338 or something similar for brown bear. I've been blown away by the ballistics and energy retained by the 150ABLR for the 270wsm. It really closes the gap between a 180gr 300wsm to the point that I don't know if the extra recoil is worth it in a light mtn rifle build.

Zeke · Nov 20, 2014

Ltsheets,
I think you've come to your own conclusion without much help from us.

For practical distances and medium sized game, there just isn't enough difference to worry about.

Now, if you're thinking of a true "long ranger" you'll need/want something different; perhaps a much heavier rifle/scope combo and a caliber with even higher ballistic numbers. There are trade-offs in all gun builds.

But, for real word hunting, it's just damn tough to beat either one of those cartridges and keep the recoil and the rifle on the light side.

Let us know what you do. A little show-and-tell would be in order upon completion.

Zeke

Ltsheets · Nov 20, 2014

I'll most definitely post pics when it's done. Right now it's looking like the build will happen in Jan most likely...sooner if I get some stuff sold around the house to help with the funds. I've just gotta be patient as my wife is on maternity leave right now. It's so hard being patient!!

ZIGGER · Nov 20, 2014

you need the 270wsm and a 325wsm......

ce61 · Nov 21, 2014

The B.C. numbers for the nosler ab are BS, so maybe you should redo the math. .543 for a 270 / 150 according to Brian Litz. ce61

Ltsheets · Nov 21, 2014

Interesting. So the BC numbers that Nosler provides on their website are wrong?

Cahunter805 · Nov 22, 2014

The BC provided by nosler is a static BC that is computer generated and is purely a guess. Most companies don't shoot their bullets and test them for BC. Berger and sierra are pretty good on their BC. Bryan litz actually has been testing many bullets lately and his new book has lots of good info.

quest · Nov 22, 2014

I read a some place that there B.C wasn't to far off.

sageadvice · Nov 22, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Nov-22-14 AT 04:31PM (MST)[p]I don't doubt that "any" performance info on reloading components isn't skewed just a little bit. Seems to me that the important things to remember is that bullets like the Bergers and the Accubond LR series, may not actually have the exact enticingly claimed BC numbers that are printed on the box. They though are still way higher than your run of the mill, cheaper store bought ammo.

Shoot paper with your finished or near finished loadings at distances set out there by the rangefinder you hunt with and measure how far the bullets have dropped. It's the only way you will know for sure.

Being i have only taken one buck of many at over 500 yds and don't plan to even do that again, i'm not sold on the hype that i need any more than a regular old Accubond, fill in your own brand, will give me. To each his own on that.

I did though, just have one of those .277 150 Nos. LR's in front of me set aside a 140 gr Accubond. The LR version looks considerably more aerodynamic to me and it is a very sweet looking bullet!

Joey

"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"

ce61 · Nov 23, 2014

If you do a web search Brian Litz nosler ab it directed me to long range hunting and his bc numbers. Brian has tested a lot of bullets and I think his bc numbers all use the same input and are a better way to compare bullets from different manufacturers. Oh and one more thing, if you want the better long range short mag, go with the 7wsm. JMO ce61

Broomer · Dec 8, 2014

I too have a 300 wsm and I am looking to sell it and get a 270 wsm. This is mainly because I'm heading to Alaska and I'm currently building a 300 ULTRA which is in my opinion the best BiG GUN!

quest · Dec 8, 2014

I believe those B.C are at sea level?

schoolhousegrizz · Jan 28, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Jan-28-15 AT 09:33PM (MST)[p]I had the 270wsm and loved it. It was a tack driver. The boss system stripped out and ruined the barrel. I could not decide to get a new 270wsm or a 300wsm. Finally bought the 300wsm. I shot a deer and an elk with it in 2013. It performed flawlessly. I liked how the 270 shot flatter. Seemed more practical for quick shots, not having to worry as much about hold over. I shot 140 ab. I like the 300wsm energy out at longer distances. I shoot 175 lrx. I would feel more comfortable shooting at an elk at extended yards with the 300 than the 270. I know those 150 lr ab's have more energy than my 140's, but I have heard they are a pain in the ass to get shooting accurately.