.270wsm

[huntermn]

Does anyone have experience with the .270WSM? Ballistically it seems phenominal. Can it take down a Moose?

[LLOYD]

Although I don't personally own a rifle in .270wsm, I have shot one at my local range. Needless to say, this is basically a .270 with greater muzzle velocity than the standard round and therefore more power and a little flatter trajectory. Given the fact that the standard .270-.280 rifles have accounted for many moose, I see no reason why this round should not perform well as long as you can shoot it accurately and choose a bullet designed to do the job. (i.e. Nosler Partition, Barnes X, Trophy bonded bearclaw, etc.)
The biggest disadvantage as I see it regarding the .270wsm is the greater recoil and I presume much shorter barrel life, but one can say that regarding any magnum caliber.

[OhioOutdoorsman]

I recently was debating the same sort of purchase myself several months ago.

I almost bought a .270 WSM Browning BLR Laminate/Stainless for deer/bear hunting in PAand NY, eith the idea I could use it for moose down the road. Then, I tried to find ammo for it here in NE ohio and couln't find any within a 2 mile drive (Cabela's in wheeling, WV). So I went with a .308 with its cheap and available ammo with low recoil.

I also have a little hesitation about buying a caliber that is so new. It seems the .270 WSM and .300 WSM are selling well (in states where centerfire is legal unlike Ohio) and ammo will probably be available for them for a while. The 7mm WSM is selling poorly from what I hear.

I really think that the ballistic differences and recoil differences are probably overrated with the WSM. I think there is a difference, but probably not much that really means anything practically for the average hunter.

Here would be a list calibers that I would consider for your purposes:

7mm rem mag
.308
.30/06
.270
.270 WSM
.300 Win Mag
.300 WSM

If you already own one of these, my advice would be to spend the money on target practice or on other equipment.

There are other obsucure calibers (.280 rem, the weatherbys) that would do the job.

Ask yourself how much recoil and cost/availability means to you. Also ask yourself does that extra inch or two or three of drop at 300yds mean anything to you and are you really going to be taking those 300-400 yd shots? Do you have a range that you can practice 300-400 yd shots?

DON'T SWEAT THE CALIBER, finding the game and making a good shot are more important to sucess.
Don't be afraid of going "old school".

[Yooper]

To add a little more to what has already been said too, good bullet placement is crucial. Another thing to think about too is finding the right bullet for what you want to do. That makes you ask yourself, "can I get the right choice of ammo for what I want my gun to do?" Big game calls for a big game bullet. So, can you get the right ammo where you live? (You can always mail order too... Cabela's)

I think the .270WSM will be around for a long time, as will the .300 WSM. And I think the .325WSM will have legs too. The 7mmWSM... Not so much. Yeah, Winchester will make ammo for it, but I haven't seen too much for other manufacturers. I'm getting a new moose gun next spring and I'm thinking seriously about the .325WSM.

Other calibers you may want to look at are the .300 Weatherby and my personal favorite, the 7mm Rem Mag. Both would get the job done. For that matter, think of how many moose have fallen to a .30-06?

[Spin4Trout]

In response to OhioOutdoorsman's quote, "If you already own one of these, my advice would be to spend the money on target practice or on other equipment;" I have to disagree. Any excuse to buy a new gun is a good enough reason to me. As for the .270 WSM, I'd be hesitant about using that on a moose. Yes it can take down a moose, but you'd better put it right on the money. You want something that will be able to break the shoulder bone and still penetrate the vitals. I'd suggest a 7 Rem Mag. Forget about the 7mm WSM since it have not seemed to catch on. The .308 would be fine, don't have as much range. The 300 mags would be good too, but probably not worth the recoil.

[OhioOutdoorsman]

Spin4Trout-

When you've gone moose hunting in the past, do you prefer the .308, .270 WSM, or 7mm Rem Mag. Which one, in your vast expeience, brings down a moose quicker?

For that matter, which one do you like at the range better?

[westjl23]

I currently own a .270wsm and love the way it shoots, but I use it for whitetails and muleys, I have shot several animals with it in the past few years, and while I think it is possible to kill a moose with it, I don't feel it is the right caliber for moose. I would recomend something at least as big as an 30-06 or a .308. I you were going to do a lot of moose hunting and possibly elk, i would lean toward the 300 win, but you could also shoot a heavier grain in an -06 and still do good. I wouldnt let the availibilty of ammo be a factor in your decision, I can buy this ammo and any larger sporting goods store like cabelas and gander when i go.

[grayling]

Can it take down a Moose? Yes, for sure. Things to consider are bullet choices, components, and effective range. Just like the .270 it was designed for long range shooting. Do you have that type of any area to match the ballistics of the round?

Ammo can be difficult to get as in many cases, it (the 270wsm) is still seen as a wildcat even though it is a production caliber. If Moose hunting will be a dream trip for you in the future, where air travel will be the mode of transportation I would consider this.

I have traveled all over North America to hunt (I have been very lucky to do this). Of the 40 or so trips I have taken my luggage has been lost or delayed 5 times. It has always been the bag with my ammo and in three cases my bag showed up but without my ammo. Please remember that ammo cannot go in the same luggage case as your gun, which can make this problem difficult.

In those three cases I had to go out, before I left with my outfitter, and buy replacement ammo. Many of those stores in remote places don't carry a large selection of ammo. In places like AK, the Yukon, BC, Northern Quebec, Alberta, and even Maine most of the standard calibers you would find in the "mom & pop" stores would be .270, 30-06, .300 win mag, and .338 win mag.

If you are itching to buy a new gun, then buy what you want. It is a flat shooter, great ballistics, and hits hard. But realize that the limitations of the gun don't lye with the gun but with it's availability at stores and vendors.

Neat round though! I love odd or new calibers.

Good luck,

Grayling

[Yooper]

Grayling makes good points.

Check with your airline before you fly though as many allow you to carry ammo in the same case/baggage as your gun.

TSA regulations state that as long as the ammo is in an approved container designed to transport ammunition, it can travel in the same case as the gun. An approved container can be made of metal, plastic, or fiber (meaning the box it came from the manufacturer in).

In fact, most airlines PREFER you place the ammo in the case due to the strudiness of the construction and that it MUST be locked according to TSA regs. You just have to meet the weight restrictions. Airlines place a special weight restriction on ammo too. Most allow the international rule of 11 pounds, although some airlines, Alaska Air for example, allow up to 50 pounds.

So realistically, ammo availability shouldn't be a factor in selecting a gun for purchase.

[grayling]

North West, Ak Air, and Delta want them in separate baggage. The whole reason behind that is so no one person can open the weapon cantainer, load it, and pose a threat.

When going through TSA, they will open your case, check the breach, place a orange sticker inside the case, make you close the case, scan it through their x-ray machines, and it will go into the baggage department. Your gun case will remain closed but not locked. I know this is strange but that is what I experienced earlier this fall, summer, and last year as well The case will remained closed but it is not locked. That is their reason behind having no ammo in the same baggage as the weapon.

Just like your regular baggage can't be locked, since it is subject to physical checks through TSA. I know they do physical checks because in Fairbanks you can actually watch them do it from the ticket counters.

When you land at your destination airport, your name will be called and you will be asked to report to the TSA office. They will confirm ownership of the baggage (your rifle) that was checked and ask you to lock the case in order to leave the airport.

I understand if you have experience something different but these are my experiences. Let me know if you have and how it differs. I wouldn't mind comparing notes for future reference.

Thanks,

Grayling

[Yooper]

Well, I think you may have had a strange experience then.

Here are the official TSA regs:

- All firearms must be declared to the air carrier during check-in at the ticket counter.
- The firearm must be unloaded.
- The firearm must be carried in a locked, hard-sided container.
- It is preferred that you provide the key or combination to the screener if it is necessary to open the case, and then remain present during screening to take back possession of the key after the case is cleared. If you are not present and the screener must open your case, the TSA and/or airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact you. If this is unsuccessful, the case will not be placed on the plane since unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) are not permitted on aircraft due to Federal regulations.
- Any ammunition transported must be securely packed in plastic, wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition such as cardboard. Most airlines will accept the original box the ammunition was purchased in. (Check before you fly).
- Firearm magazines/clips do not satisfy the packaging requirement unless they provide a complete and secure enclosure of the ammunition.
- The ammunition may also be located in the same locked, hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it is properly packed as described above.

Anything contrary to these is a violation of federal law.

[LLOYD]

On Wednesday, October 5, I called Delta regarding the issue of whether the ammunition should be stored in with clothing or in the same container as the firearm. After checking this out, they said the ammunition should be stored in the firearm container but the ammo has to be in hard boxes(factory boxes or similar, I presume). Their website is very vague about this issue. I also checked the websites of Northwest and Alaska Air. Northwest says the ammunition should be in the same container as the firearm and Alaska says the ammo may or may not be in the gun case. Last year, I flew Delta to Wyoming on a similar trip and stored the ammo with my bag of checked clothing and had no problems. Problem seems to be that these slight differences are subject to change or that the posted website information is vague as to thes issues. Northwest seemed to have the clearest website on these matters.

[Yooper]

Lloyd - great info. Thanks for calling. You hit the nail on the head of the problem. The airlines put out vague info on their websites so the best thing to do is call.

This has been a fun and worthwhile discussion.

[grayling]

Hey guys,

Thanks for providing that information. One thing is for sure, no airlines seems to have a consistant and clearly definable policy regarding this subject.

Good luck,

Grayling

[turner1978]

I owne a 270wsm and love it. I shoot 140 gr. barnes tsx bullets and have killed 3 bull elk with it and 3 mule deer with it. All with exceptional results. Yes it will drop a moose if hit in the right spot. Is it the perfect moose and elk gun out there? Probably not but the recoil is not really that bad and it is extremely flat shooting and does the job with a well placed bullet. I like mine but I always make sure of my shot before I pull the trigger. Some people do not and that is where a 325wsm or 338 would be a good gun. Not sayin that any one who uses a cannon is a bad shot, I just mean a gut-shot moose/elk can go a long way when shot improperly with such a lightweight bullet. So place your bullets wisely and the 270wsm will never do you wrong.

[LLOYD]

Just an addendum to my above post regarding calling the airlines on firearms regulations. In mid October, I traveled from Los Angeles to Montana for a hunt in Wyoming. Despite what had been told to my via the telephone, both airports(L.A. and Billings) wanted the ammo to be separated from the rifle itself. This did not come as a shock to me since the Outfitter from Cabelas Outdoor Adventures had told me just prior to my travel that he thought it a better idea to separate the ammo into my checked clothing bag and to declare it as such. It seems that a person cant get a straight answer even when taking the time to call ahead on policy.

[oldfordjr]

Does anyone have experience with the .270WSM? Ballistically it seems phenominal. Can it take down a Moose?



Reply:

To answer your question honestly, I just acquired a 270 WSM in a Classic 70 Winchester. The 270 caliber has always been a performer, and the 270 WSM will just make it that much better. If you ever have the time and inclination, pickup a book published and written by Jack O'Connor on the subject of the killing power of this caliber. These are all standard caliber ballistics! The 270 WSM is considerably above those levels, and in some cases equal and exceeding the 270 Weatherby. Jack O'Connor, the former editor of Outdoor Life Magazine, now deceased, has written many excerpts on this caliber, and claims with the proper bullets can be well suited to grizzly bear and many of the larger plain games animals of Africa. Many of which, he had harvested with "one shot" performances.

Additionally, look at the ballistics of Federal's "Vital Shok's" loadings on the 150 grain Nosler! The published ratings are at 3150 fps @ listed energy ratings of 3350 foot pounds of energy! That complied with the high S.D. value characteristics of the .277 caliber, can only result in high energy transfer and penetration. I choose this caliber over the 45-70 for these reasons. Especially, when shots over 200 yards are required. The 270 caliber, as noted by O'Connor, is a bullet designed for the lung and cardiovascular area of an animal. It's rapid release of energy, coupled with large tissue damage resulting
in massive trauma and shock, accounts for the killing effectiveness commonly associated with this caliber. I hope this has been of some help.

Good Luck,

Joe

[camperjo1]

Hey guys, anyone know expected barrel life on 270 wsm?
Also, I have a 30-06 and am thinking of going to the above mentioned for deer and for a short time, elk.
Any thoughts?



Camperjo

[JKM]

This is just from my personal experience but I would say stick with the regular ole 270. I bought a Winchester M70 270 WSM about 2 years ago. It shoots pretty decent but the price for ammo is ridiculous. When I bought my rifle I went to wal-mart to buy a box of winchester ballistic silvertips, 2 years ago a box of 20 rnds was about $25.00 today at the exact same wal-mart the silvertips cost about $35.00. To me the extra speed and energy isn't worth justifying the fact that I could buy twice as many 270 rounds for a less cost. There's no doubt that on paper the ballistics for the 270 WSM are superior to the regular 270 but you will certainly pay more for the extra firepower and I don't see you running into very many situations where a 270 WSM would get the job done when a 270 wouldn't.

If you're into handloading then cost would not be a big issue though.

[700xcr]

This is just from my personal experience but I would say stick with the regular ole 270. I bought a Winchester M70 270 WSM about 2 years ago. It shoots pretty decent but the price for ammo is ridiculous. When I bought my rifle I went to wal-mart to buy a box of winchester ballistic silvertips, 2 years ago a box of 20 rnds was about $25.00 today at the exact same wal-mart the silvertips cost about $35.00. To me the extra speed and energy isn't worth justifying the fact that I could buy twice as many 270 rounds for a less cost. There's no doubt that on paper the ballistics for the 270 WSM are superior to the regular 270 but you will certainly pay more for the extra firepower and I don't see you running into very many situations where a 270 WSM would get the job done when a 270 wouldn't.

If you're into handloading then cost would not be a big issue though.
It is not only the 270wsm,it is all cartiridges that went up in price. I bought Remington 243win factory 100gr. for $13.50 at Walmart when I had the chance. Sportsman Warehouse has same ammo for $19.99 for a box. Prices are elevated due to price of copper,brass and lead. Plus fuel cost for trucking and hazzmate fee for shipping.

[dtrue184]

I fly with my guns several times a year. I can tell you this. The TSA and Airline Agents are extremely inconsistent in how they manage firearms from airport to airport (within the US). I place my firearms in a locked SKB case along with the Ammo. I have yet to have a problem however I’m expecting it to happen anytime now. My luggage has been lost more times than I can count but it’s usually delivered within a day or two.

I just made a deposit on a .270 wsm. Sako 85. Can't wait to get it to the range. My step father and hunting bud have .270 wsm's and love them. The whole group will be shooting them this year. With exception of my bro who shoots a .280 rem A-Bolt. That gun rocks too.

[MOhunter]

I find that regulations or not if you make the inspector look like a moron for not knowing the rules you end up in a small room, and your luggage dissapears for a few days.

heh i've even had luggage check say no firearms on the plane and had them try to call security. heck if it wasn't for the traveling cop behind me flashing his badge and saying yes firearms can be in luggage. I might have missed my flight. you know thats the first time me and my luggage arrived at the same time. I've allways hade to wait a hour or two, or more.

ever notice you can tell the workers who are hunters or sportspersons and anti's when you check a gun.