More Advice guys! 300 WSM or 270 WSM

[rmarshall]

Ok here's my thinking, straighten me out please. I have a 270 WSM it's a CZ Model 3 blued polish with a nice looking wood stock. Love the gun, though it's heavier than i would like. Just keep thinking maybe i should sale or trade for a 300 wsm. Seems they are more of a all rounder, than a 270 wsm. what's your thoughts. One thing is finding brass and bullets right now for the 300 WSM. Not alot around. I have lots of 270 wsm brass and bullets. help me out please. thanks

 

[runtohunt]

I think that you need Both :idea: !! :mrgreen: I would hate for you to wear the barrel out of that 270.

 

[Guest]

For how much would you sell the CZ? Once you know that answer, you can figure out if you can get the 300WSM you want, and still have money left for scope/rings and brass/dies/bullets. That's the first step in any question like this for me, always. What's the net net at the bottom of the page? Once you establish you can afford to make the transaction, it then becomes more of an emotional or rational decision, depending on what you're wanting and why.

In reality, the 300 is likely a little more "all around" than the 270, but not a huge amount. There just isn't much you can do with a 180gr .308cal bullet at 3k that you can't do with a 150gr .277cal bullet at 3k. Sectional density of these two is .279 for the 150gr .277cal, and .271 for the .308 180gr, which is a near identical bullet in terms of capability, penetration, and suitability for game. Just about the only thing for which the 180gr .308cal would be even remotely suitable, which the 270WSM would be unacceptable, would be Brown Bears, but even the 300WSM is not ideal and bordering on inappropriate for the big bears. Step down to elk/moose/black bear/deer/antelope, and I think it's a wash. The 270 will have slightly better trajectory, where the 300 will have slightly higher mass and consequently higher momentum, which equates to potentially a slight advantage in how hard it might hit. I think it's likely negligible, as is the minimal trajectory advantage of the 270. All this is comparing equal bullet weight for caliber, based on SD, of course. I can get markedly flatter trajectory from a 110gr AccuBond in the 270 than a 180gr Partition in the 300, but that's not a valid comparison, as those bullets will be designed for markedly different game purposes.

Ultimately, if you can afford the swap, you just have to evaluate whether or not what you pay (in dollars and change in utility) is worth what you gain. In this case, it's kind of like choosing between Ribeye and NY Strip, though, as either will be very good.

 

[DrMike]

I believe dubyam has pretty accurately summarized the situation for you. I have both, plus a 7mm WSM and a 325 WSM. I like each of them, and the one I'm carrying at the time is the one I like best. I've taken whitetail, elk and moose with my 270WSM and a 130 grain E-Tip; all dropped pretty quickly at the shot. I've taken mule deer, whitetail, elk and moose with the 300WSM; I didn't notice any game hanging around to see if they could tolerate another bullet. My primary loads in the 300WSM are built around 180 grain Fail Safe and/or 180 grain TSX bullets; each worked very well for me. Each of these cartridges do pretty much what you'd expect of them, which is fly accurately and drop game smartly.

 

[Anonymous]

Hard to think there's really any thing wrong with any of the WSM cartridges. I really like my .300WSM.

 

[Rigbymauser]

Ok here's my thinking, straighten me out please. I have a 270 WSM it's a CZ Model 3 blued polish with a nice looking wood stock. Love the gun, though it's heavier than i would like. Just keep thinking maybe i should sale or trade for a 300 wsm. Seems they are more of a all rounder, than a 270 wsm. what's your thoughts. One thing is finding brass and bullets right now for the 300 WSM. Not alot around. I have lots of 270 wsm brass and bullets. help me out please. thanks

Keep the .270wsm. Shoot some 180grain bullets, and it will do just as well as the .300wsm
You should be able to hit the 2900 ft/sec mark. My .270wea will do 3000 ft/sec with 180 grain which
basically leaves my .300 h&h unemployed from now on.

 

[SJB358]

I have the 270, 7mm and 300 WSMs as well. By far, my 270 is my favorite. You can blast 130's along at 3300 pretty easily and 150's at 3100 without sweating it. Mine is very accurate, easy on the shoulder and handles everything up to elk without an issue.

Plus, if you get rid of your 270, what are you going to shoot the new 150 ABLR in?

 

[DrMike]

If you get rid of your 270, what are you going to shoot the new 150 ABLR in?

I have to admire your ability to think ahead, Scotty. Good point that I totally overlooked.

 

[gerry]

I also don't think the 300 Wsm gains you much over the 270 version either when it comes down to it. My good buddy shot a moose with his 270 Wsm and the 130 gr E tip, it did the job nicely. He has also shot 10 deer in the last two years with the same load, he doesn't expect his 300 Win Mag will get much use from now on except for maybe some grizzly hunting.

 

[Vince]

Can't advise you much on calibers as I've only used a 270 WSM, and once at that, to take an antelope.

Lots of game has fallen to the standard 270 but also to the .300 Win Mag. I fail to see why the 270 WSM wouldn't work. With that said I prefer the larger caliber, if given a choice, and would opt for the 300 WSM if I had to choose just one.

 

[Guy Miner]

This is basically just a modern version of the 70+ year old debate about which is better; the .30-06 or the .270 Winchester...

Truth is, they've both been great, all along. Pick your poison, then go shoot & hunt.

 

[Elkman]

This is basically just a modern version of the 70+ year old debate about which is better; the .30-06 or the .270 Winchester...

Guy is right, save your self a lot of grief and buy a Rem 700 in 300 Win Mag, the godfather of american elk cartridges.

 

[rmarshall]

Thanks guys for all the comments, I think I will just stick with the 270 WSM, I guess just deal with the heavy gun or figure out how to lighten it up somehow. Maybe a new model 70 in a featherweight! That probably won't happen. I like scotty's idea of trying the new 150 AB LR, that could be the ticket to more horse power. One reason I was thinking I should switch is my local shop has a brand new abolt for 500 bucks, looks like a good deal to me, but owell I will stick the the 270 wsm. It will do what I need it to do. Thanks all

 

[gerry]

One option to lighten your gun is a Mcmillan Edge, they are pricey but finish in the 22 oz range usually. Not sure how much your wood stock weighs but it would be something to consider.

 

[SJB358]

To me, but probably just me, the same animals I hunt with the 270WSM would be the same animals I would hunt with the 300WSM, and vice versa. The 300 offer a little more energy, but for the most part, both are effective, rifles for a long way out.

 

[LD375]

To me, but probably just me, the same animals I hunt with the 270WSM would be the same animals I would hunt with the 300WSM, and vice versa. The 300 offer a little more energy, but for the most part, both are effective, rifles for a long way out.

+1
Call me stupid, but for Moose/Elk sized animals, I find the .270wsm to be the better killer of the 2 by far..I love the 150gr NP, and Norma Oryx bullets in my .270wsm.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Keep the .270, it's a good medium bore rifle.

When you are ready for a thumper get something in the .338 to .375 range.

 

[FOTIS]

Either. I like the 270 myself, and the 7mm more than either.

 

[DrMike]

I like ... the 7mm more than either.

Agreed.