Rifle Cartridge Review: 270 Winchester Short Magnum (WSM)

[@stillbill1878]

I shoot an original Kimber 8400 in .270 WSM. It shoots a dime pattern of three shots. Barnes TSX BT 140 gr. in front of a little more generous offering of Magpro than any published recipe calls for gives me 3200 + fps. I sight in two inches high at 100 yards and am dead on out to 400. I have killed everything I’ve shot at with one shot. Large and medium game drop dead in their tracks. This is the finest of all calibers for hunting deer, elk and plains game. My bighorn was dead before his chin touched the ground. The 6.8 is BS. I can’t find .270 WSM (or many other traditional calibers) ammo on the shelves but I can find as much 6.5 and 6.8 ammo as anyone would ever need. The rifle companies are trying to force us all to buy new guns. It is sick. And we are being misled about ammo and components. We have no true advocacy as shooters and hunters anymore.

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome comment and great information! Thank you!

[@timbjork2098]

you are 100% right about ammo trying to get us to buy new rifles. even info coming out if you can still sablize 165ablr. making 6.8 unnecessary ill take the powder load of the wsm with magpro. if i want to go 175 i'll use my 7mm rem mag or put a diffrent barrel on my 270wsm.

[@Bundys]

130 gr 270 wsm Federal Fusion have worked extremely well on whitetails. I haven't ever come close to needing a follow up shot. 1/2" dia. 3 shot group printed out of the box at 100 yards. 2 out of 3 punched the same hole. Would I buy another, you bet.

[@hopefulballistics]

Great information!! Thanks!!

[@Wheelchair-bear]

The 130 gr. Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Bear Claw have been great for me, very accurate , 3360 FPS out of my Browning x bolt. (I can not duplicate that speed with reloading). I have shot 3 elk, several whitetail and mule deer. It has a 0 point blank range of 380 yards, 3" high at 100. My elevation is 3500'. That x-bolt white gold medallion with a 23" barrel, is my go-to gun, probably my favorite. I also have a 270 Weatherby with a 26" barrel, it's nice, a little faster but heavier and longer.

[@branddavis938]

Just bought a Christensen Arms Traverse in 270 wsm...so excited to hunt with it this year!

[@hopefulballistics]

Sweet! Good luck to you

[@timnalexps923]

I love my 270 win and agree with you about the 270 wsm

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome! Thanks for the comment

[@bcjdwbiernfjherwfbowfib]

I have always thought the 270wsm and 300wsm have been cool cartridges.

[@hopefulballistics]

Me too!!!

[@alistairjackson2482]

I hunt in the UK with my 270 WSM 145 grn and I love it, all the deer I cull are down with one round plus the exit wound is minimal. Approximately the size of a golf ball with very limited splinters of bone. We don’t have the large/heavy deer the US is famous for but we do have Red, Fallow Sika and my favourite Roe deer which I hunt on military ranges in the North. Long live the 270 WSM.

[@hopefulballistics]

That’s awesome! What bullet do you shoot?

[@alistairjackson2482]

@@hopefulballistics ELDX 145 grn, I’m away from home currently so I don’t have my shooting journal but I think its at 2895 and rock steady out to 550, nothing “fancy” at that range just heart and lung. But down every time even Sika that are very hard and they can run a good distance with no or very little heart! Very dependable and workman like round.

[@hopefulballistics]

@@alistairjackson2482 awesome! I’ve shot the 145 ELDXs, very accurate

[@raymondparks4734]

If I want to shoot heavier bullets I'll grab my 30-06. I'm glad to see someone else still love shooting the 270wsm.

[@hopefulballistics]

Thank you Raymond! I agree with you

[@alainderoulette]

I have a A bolt in 270WSM and i shoot 150 grain sylver tip . All the deers i shot , i drop them with one shot . I love my 270 WSM. My problem right now is i can't find 270 WSM in 150 grain . Thank's for you very good information ! Cheers !

[@hopefulballistics]

You are very welcome!! Thank you

[@realmetis8002]

Just found some 150 grain partition

[@WillyK51]

Why not reload, Except for primers. Simple, afordable, Fun, and easy to expand to other cals. About $300 will get you a lifetime of tweaking the ultimate load. Started with 12 ga handprimer back in 1970's, 38-357, 30-06 in 1982, 7-08, 358W, and a 7mm Rem Mag or 28 Nosler on the future. The Lee 4 hole turret, my fav. (Got the old 3 turret), adjust the dies in the disc, and exchage for another pre-set cal. 270 bullet selection overwhelming. I order from Midways. Get on the notification list and when your cartridge is available, click buy👍

[@carlwalker7254]

I shoot 130 gr Remington core lokt and i love em. Tried a couple other brands but my rifle seemed to group the Remington better.

[@hopefulballistics]

That’s cool! 👍

[@reidcar4]

Same here

[@robl8343]

I also like the 270WSM. One thing to consider with the standard 270 with 150 grain bullets is you can gain quite a bit of speed with RL26 if you reload.

[@hopefulballistics]

Nice! Thanks for the info

[@longshot5738]

I am wondering, could you not get a .270 barrel with a faster twist rate so you could shoot the heavier bullets as well? I am actually considering getting a 270 wsm barrel for my new Seekins Precision Hit switch barrel Rifle. Seems it should work.

[@hopefulballistics]

Yes, absolutely! Get a 270 barrel in what ever length you want, I recommend 24 inches. Get the twist rate in 1 in 8 or something like that if your going to shoot heavy for caliber bullets. You would have the ability to shoot the heavy bullets and have more case capacity than 6.8 western. If your going to seat your bullets out just don’t forget to measure your magazine and think about the chamber’s length too. A gunsmith could fit it just right for you

[@longshot5738]

@@hopefulballistics Awesome! It is a short action rifle and I purchased an extra magnum bolt head in order to shoot a short magnum cartridge and I have been researching the 270 which has been hitting all the bells and whistles in my head that have tweaked my interest. I had originally thought about the 300 wsm but through my research have found that the bolt would have to be removed in order to remove unspent cartridges from the chamber. You have literally made my day! Thanks so much, I really appreciate your advice. On another note, do you have any advice as to a really accurate load setup for any of the heavier bullet weights? P.S. I Subscribed

[@hopefulballistics]

I haven’t tried them because of the twist, but Berger has a 170 gr EOL that I think would be nice. I plan on using IMR4350 on my 150 Berger VLDs. I haven’t got a lot of experience yet with the WSM, but 140 gr Berger bullets in my 6.5-284 work great. Accubonds, ELD’s, and Matchkings would be great. I would probably start with a 4350, or a 4831 or the like powder

[@longshot5738]

@@hopefulballistics I was actually thinking 4350 and already have some, so that’s most likely what I’ll start with. Once I have the barrel and have tested the load I’ll let you know how it performs. Thanks

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome, I would love to know!

[@tomlarue654]

I just got some 130 grain ttsx for my 270 wby mag. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to use them, but I have them in case I ever get to elk hunting. The box says 3400 ftps. That’s out of a 26 in barrel, which I have.

[@hopefulballistics]

That’s cool! I bet they would be dynamite for elk

[@brianwilson4861]

When I was about 10 or 11 years old and felt like I had out grown my Winchester model 94 trapper 30-30 my dad asked me what kind of deer rifle I wanted if I could have anyone they made. I didn't know a whole lot about firearms at the time but Browning was the best there was I had heard so I asked for a Browning bolt action 7mm rem magnum. Under the tree Christmas morning there was an A-bolt 7 mm rem mag. Made in Japan. Wth? I wanted a Belgian Browning. This thing is big when you're a child. For my birthday a few days later I got redfield 3x9 low profile scope. First three shots were touching at 100 yards. The day before deer season for the next 10 years I'd have a black eye because I had grown enough to need to move the scope forward. I don't think that there's enough difference to really matter between all the cartridges you've mentioned. Sight them in to shoot 3 inches high at 100 yards and you can aim dead on to 300 yards and kill a deer. Every caliber you mentioned are what I consider real medicine for deer sized game and of course larger. You are likely to recover your deer if you hit it anywhere. Precise shot placement is more about avoiding a mess because a bad shot will ruin half the deer. I drug a small doe back to camp in two pieces the first or second season that I had owned my new rifle. I took a job out of state and couldn't get the time off to go home and get my 7 mag so I bought a Remington 300 win mag. On paper there's not much difference but for some reason that 300 was just painful to shoot. I filled the stock with lead birdshot until it's recoil was tolerable and the rifle weighed about 20 lbs. I dumped the shot out and just tolerated it, killed my deer then sold it. Another year passed and I still hadn't been home so I bought a Ruger American in 308 win. It shot good but it's not really anything to write home about as far as quality machined parts but it's still worth the money. I gave that one to one of my best friends.

[@hopefulballistics]

I appreciate you sharing your experience! Thanks!

[@kevindills7936]

I have a 270 wsm 7mm wsm and 300 wsm I love them wish ammo was more available

[@hopefulballistics]

I agree!

[@WillyK51]

If you reload, will have available ammo for ever👍Can even neck up or down the cartridge case.

[@Wheelchair-bear]

The 130 gr. Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Bear Claw have been great for me, very accurate , 3360 FPS out of my Browning x bolt. (I can not duplicate that speed with reloading). I have shot 3 elk, several whitetail and mule deer. It has a 0 point blank range of 380 yards, 3" high at 100. My elevation is 3500'. That x-bolt white gold medallion with a 23" barrel, is my go-to gun, probably my favorite, even though its not a Weatherby. I also have a 270 Weatherby in a Mark v with a 26" barrel, it's nice, a little faster but heavier and longer.

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome, thanks for sharing!

[@timbjork2098]

just got back from the range I got one hole group at 100 with barns ttsx 130, 3220fps, 150 accubond .85inch 2905fps using magpro powder

[@hopefulballistics]

That’s awesome

[@aaroncrawford2457]

270 win and 270 wsm great cartidges...no need for 6.8 western..just put a faster twist rate in the wsm.

[@hopefulballistics]

Thank you for the comment! They are great cartridges!

[@ericdavis949]

hey buddy I have a 270 win and 270 wsm in t wsm I'm shooting 130 blistic silver tip for deer and have had great results with the wsm all of deer that I have harvested did not run more than 40 yards even at 200+ yards

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome! Thank you for the info!

[@TMar129]

I used the winchester ballistic tips on deer a few years ago out of my 270 wsm and they did their job but I don't use them anymore as I found they did too much damage. Both deer were shot under 100 yards and I ended up with a lot of blood shot meat

[@spiceolife]

Wasn't the twist rate why they are moving away from 270WSM, it was being sued and having to pay royalties.

[@hopefulballistics]

I didn’t know that

[@spiceolife]

I believe that is why the 6.8 western is damn near identical to the WSM with little differences like the shoulder height so it won't chamber in a WSM. Every rifle or piece of ammunition sold by Browning or Winchester in 270WSM has a royalty payout. Obviously, no company wants to pay royalties

[@cottonkiller8081]

I like the 270 WSM

[@hopefulballistics]

It’s an awesome cartridge

[@louiskiser9989]

I have a270 shortwsm and a 7wsm and 300wsm so I don't worry about either too light or too heavy

[@hopefulballistics]

Right on

[@jednaranch]

270 wsm I use federal premium 130 grain Trophy Copper or Trophy Bonded for hunting deer and hunting hogs in south Texas . Sako hunter rifle model 75

[@hopefulballistics]

Nice!

[@gc641]

Nice review, my tikka t3 with an accubond lr shoots .5” at 200yds, yes you read it right, I have done some work on the rifle of course, however the velocity is only 2785fps… good enough for me to 400yds, I just love the short fat case

[@hopefulballistics]

Nice!

[@hopefulballistics]

I think it’s a great case design

[@gc641]

@@hopefulballistics i agree, my tikka loves the 130gmx at 3125fps, also sub 1” group

[@hopefulballistics]

I’ve considered getting the 130 GMX’s for my Winchester XPR

[@gc641]

@@hopefulballistics I’m big on all copper bullet, I don’t shoot at game past 300 having said that my 270wsm load out of both tikka and Winchester are 0.75” at 3110fps, ballistic wise that’s enough for me to 400yards. I do make sure I practice in all conditions though, rain/ shine/windy the whole 9 yard. My bonded bullet load is my backup.

[@donaldanderson3249]

Love mt 270's and 270wsm and they don't hurt when shooting them. Oh and I'm getting old so I don't much like hard kicking rifles and more , yes I'm turning into a wuss lol 😆

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks for the comment! I agree the 270 and wsm are great cartridges!

[@bustabass9025]

Amen brother!

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks for watching

[@realmetis8002]

I just purchased a winchester model 70 in 270 wsm I can find 130 grain ammo however I can't find 150 grain bullets here in Canada 😕

[@hopefulballistics]

It’s really tough in the states as well. That model 70 will be sweet though

[@realmetis8002]

@@hopefulballistics love my featherweight can't wait for moose season..I think I will try the 130s I heard a few guys say they did great with shoulder shots with them however I think I will stick to the boiler room lol...any thoughts on ammo? Presently I have federal soft points in 130 gr

[@hopefulballistics]

If you can’t get the 150’s, I would get a monolithic bullet in the 130 gr weight. It should have the best penetration

[@realmetis8002]

@@hopefulballistics awesome thanks for the reply...subed

[@hopefulballistics]

@@realmetis8002 thank you for subscribing!

[@Mike72NY]

it seems inherently accurate for me....printing half moa groups with hand loads 65g of 4831 short cut powder and 130g barnes triple x out of a savage model 16 over the counter rifle....great round...instantly dropped of every animal in its tracks....no exceptions....caveat....no elk

[@hopefulballistics]

That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience! It seems to be the case that it’s an accurate cartridge

[@msb2948]

Great job on truth young man. You really need to try the Barnes solids, especially for the elk. Don't forget the Nosler Partition 160 if you hunt elk or moose in timber. That 160 actually out steps the 7RM in that weight with a better sectional density. Great job!

[@hopefulballistics]

Thank you for the comment and the great information!

[@Lure-Benson]

Clearly you haven't a clue that moose aren't all the same because of different sub species of moose range widely in size with the Alaskan Yukon moose is 1500 pounds then deer guns on these moose is not just stupid it can get a hunter killed. Moose in the lower 48 are normally the Shira Moose which is small in size with long legs and is more the size of a yearly Elk. I have 26 + year guiding moose hunts and brown bear hunts in Alaska which I have nee charged by these moose shot by my clients and thanks to my 338 win mag of my CZ 550 in 9.3x62 Mauser the Moose was put down fast before it was a able to reach us. It is a extremely bad idea to use deer guns in Alaska no matter how much hear say trash talk you've hear !

[@hopefulballistics]

Thank you for adding clarity regarding the different sub species.

[@realmetis8002]

@@Lure-Benson you saying 270wsm isn't good enough for Yukon moose?🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Lure-Benson]

@@realmetis8002 I have guide professionally Alaskan Yukon Moose and Brown bear hunts for 26 years, so I have my guide photos on my Instagram page and in addition to guiding clients on successful hunts I killed a moose each year to hold me over until the next season. So, if you want to start a f cking pissing match that I don't know what I am talking about which firearms work well for the largest of 7 species of Moose the Yukon moose in Alaska then man up with photos of you in Alaska with your 270 and dead Moose to have some kind proof you've at least even own a gun! Armchair hunting - guns & ammo experts like you haven't a clue that hunting in Alaska can turn dangerous and these Yukon moose are also dangerous! These moose are even more dangerous in August through September when hunting season is on during the rut that makes all male deer specie crazy in the head. What makes any 270 rifle a bad choice is shooting these moose is going to take multipole shoots and during this shooting the hunter could be charged and killed, or the moose runs off then is taken over by a bear! I've shot 4 Bull Yukon moose using a 7 mm Rem mag that what I just wrote needing to use multipole 7mm bullets to get the moose down for good happened every time. Now compare the 338 and the 9,3x62 Mauser I use the most every moose I've shot with these guns was done for by 1 bullet. The 9.3x62 Mauser has a significant edge over the 338-win mag to 300 yards because the Barns TSX 286 grain bullet energy and large 36 caliber bullet causes more internal damage than the 338-win mag shooting 225 grain Barns TSX bullets. It really gets tiring seeing some idiot east coast deer hunter writing crap to me when the idiots never in their life been to Alaska. I have hunted Pennsylvania for white tail deer and when hunters that met me thought I was crazy using my 300 Weatherby mag but dead deer are dead with no going to look for a deer that ran off after being shot and shooting a 30 Cal 165 grain Barns TSX makes no meat damage at all.

[@superbeast-lq3ft]

The 7WSM can do every thing a 270wsm and more , too bad it has went south , still has a niche in long range shooting and holds the same amount of powder as a 7PRC. All the WSM S need a mid to long action to get the potential , seems the only one that will stay around is the 300wsm.

[@hopefulballistics]

@@superbeast-lq3ft seems that way

[@daletill5544]

I own one i love it

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome! Me too!

[@tonymills7883]

I hate to pop your bubble but the 270 WSM in a 1-10 twist will stabilize the 165 gr bullet if you don’t believe me try it for yourself.

[@hopefulballistics]

lol. I have videos on my channel doing just that exactly. I popped my own bubble, already.

[@tonymills7883]

@@hopefulballistics that may be where I saw it. Lol

[@Lucysdad66]

The 270wsm will be around longer then the 6.8 the western has already peaked they weren't even showing anything on it at the shot show..

[@hopefulballistics]

I like both. I’ll keep shooting my 270 wsm

[@jasonrottlaender1721]

This is a few months old but I'm commenting on it anyway. Nothing is free. what you give up with the 270wsm is cheaper brass shorter brass life and harder to find ammo at a much greater cost. For about 150-200 fps faster. I like the 270wsm and I had a 1-8 twist barrel put on mine but it really is not that much better than the old 270 win. And it destroys a lot more meat. I wouldn't even worry about a 270wsm not killing elk or moose with it.

[@hopefulballistics]

I appreciate you sharing your experience!

[@scottscheuerman6170]

You know that you can run 300 wsm brass thru your dies and turn it into 270 wsm brass other than the head stamp I’ve have 270 wsm and couldn’t find brass for it but it seemed like 300 wsm brass was easier to find around here

[@cottonkiller8081]

To 270 WSM

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Just came here to say it's a dead cartridge.... A good one, but a dead one none the less.

[@hopefulballistics]

Agree to disagree! Have a wonderful day

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

@@hopefulballistics haha