HD Road King

What is the difference between the .270 Winchester and the .270 WSM? I have noticed that the .270'sare usually offered in these different options. Is there a preference as to which of these is the better caliber? As far as popularity between these two, which one will be the most likely for ammunition availability?

Thanks

ipscshooter

You'll find more ammo around for the .270 Win. And cheaper ammo...

If you want to compare ballistics, try:

www.winchester.com
www.remington.com
www.federalcartridge.com

They all have ballistics tables.

HD Road King

Thanks JP,
That was sort of confusing with the two differnet offerings. I figured that one had to be more popular than the other. What does WSM stand for? I am thinking Winchester, but not sure about the SM.

Mike

ipscshooter

WSM = Winchester Short Magnum.

It's a shorter fatter case than a standard .270 Win. The WSM is a bit more potent. A couple hundred feet per second more than the standard. Seems to me that if you're hunting deer, and your range is going to be 300 yards or less, you may be better off with the milder recoil of the .270 Win.

Whitehorn

Here's the real difference.. In most rifles you can fit 5 270 Win rounds in the mag, while only 3 270 WSM...

Duckbutter48

When have you ever shot over 3 rounds at an animal? Not saying you haven't I've just never understood needing more then 1 follow up shot at most. Im talking big game not yotes and such.

The 270WSM is IMO a lot better if you reload and short actions are usually more accurate then the longer actions rounds. Not always but for the most part.

A 270win is much more popular then the 270WSM but the WSM has only been out a few years so its hard to really compare them. The 270 with a 130 grain bullet is prob the best combo for whitetails you'll find. And since the WSM is a bit faster is also a bit flatter with the same combo.

The WSM's are the most popular sellers in the last4 years or so but mainly the 300 and 270WSM's. Nothing wrong with the 7mm it just hasnt caught on as easy.

HD Road King

Hey thanks guy's,
so if the gun were to be used for pretty much entirely woods hunting, which of would be the one to go with?

bearklr

personally if i was hunting primarily woods I would go with the .270 win. For starters you probably aren't gonna find a shot much further than 200 yards and even that is pushing it so the flatter trajectory isn't gonna play much of a factor. Now, if I was hunting the plains or open grasslands and was gonna be shooting over that distance then I would like a flatter shooting caliber. Also, it's easier to find ammo for the .270 win and you'll have a wider selection so why sell yourself short on the ammo for no real added bonus based on your situation. On that note I hunt with the .270 win and I bought my father a .270 wsm so I like both guns but for different reasons.

HD Road King

Thanks Bearklr,
That helps out, I guess I'll stick with the .270 Win, might as well save the money. It looks like those WSM's are around $5.00-7.00 extra.

M77man

I agree, nothing wrong with a .270 Win. Good all around caliber