270 wsm experience. Good or bad?

[sig220mw]

I asked a gunsmith about the 270 wsm the other day since I used to have a 270 win and wanted another one. Told him that I was considering the 270 wsm instead of the old 270 win. He told me to stick with the 270 win because the 270 wsm had feeding problems with the fatter cartridge.

Any of you know of or have bad experiences with the round?

 

[Maverick223]

Had one and sold it...here are my views/observations on the chambering:

1. Somewhat obscure cartridge with limited availability also associated with a higher cost.

2. Good BC bullets are much more available in 6.5/7mm.

3. Doesn't live up to the promises of a lighter weight rifle.

4. Decrease in bolt throw is negligible IMO.

5. Offers a good increase in power over the .270Win. (more so than any other WSM).

 

[dakotasin]

the wsm's feed ok thru my rifles. the feeding movement is a little jerky and rough, but i haven't had any major issues that would make me dump the guns.

 

[Uncle Mike]

The potential for feeding problems with fat(ter) does exist, however the WSM's do a fine job of feeding through bolt action rifles designed for that particular cartridge.

Some folks have had problems trying to get the fatties to reliable run through modified standard actions. Also some people tend to cant the rifle while executing the loading sequence, which causes the fat cartridge to 'drag' more while entering the chamber, but this effects all cartridges....

I think some folks just plain ol' soft shuck the bolt.

 

[Big Bill]

I had one and gave it to my SIL for his birthday. Here's my take:

1. Expensive and hard to find ammo

2. Plenty of power and range for my purposes

3. Smooth action and flat shooter

4. Great mule deer round - knocks em dead in their tracks

However, if I buy another one, it will be a regular 270. The benefits of the magnum in this caliber don't justify the extra costs.

 

[fishermen0105]

I have a Tikka in 270 WSM and it has to be one of the smoothest actions around. I was able to get two hogs with it this year. I have been very pleased, couldn't ask for any more.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I dont really think feeding is the problem so much as ammo availability and the big question of why do we need another caliber that is the same diameter and does the same thing.

 

[dubbleA]

I have a Sako in 270 WSM and I believe it's action was designed around the WSM family. It feeds smoothly and has never had a issue. I dont have a problem finding ammo around these parts as it's quite popular. My particular rifle loves Winchester Supremes 140gr Accubonds and spits them out at a little over 3200fps. It's a flat shooting cartridge and I think it's going to be around a while. I am not a big fan of the .277" bore but have 3 270 Winchesters though decided to to use the WSM on a doe culling adventure last year in Wisconsin and it was like Thor's hammer on them.

 

[Runningman]

He told me to stick with the 270 win because the 270 wsm had feeding problems with the fatter cartridge.

Had a staggered column Winchester Model 70 in 300 WSM I bought new around 2001. It had feeding problems alright... lots of them. Wasn't very smooth cycling either. Finally gave up and traded it in on a single feed column Tikka T3 300 WSM around 2005. The T3 WSM feeds and cycles excellent. I was more than pleased with the Tikka T3. About two years later I bought my second Tikka T3 in 270 WSM. If does not have any feeding problems either, cycles excellent. Bottom line is look for a single column feed in the WSM series such as the Sako, Tikka T3, and Browning X bolt. The 270 WSM is an excellent round for big game.

As big fan of the 270 Winchester, 270 WSM, 270 WBY I don't think you can go wrong with either of the three. All three seem to deliver excellent accuracy from the rifles I've shot and owned. The T3 stainless synthetic in 270 WSM is a fairly light weight rifle with some fairly decent horsepower behind it for its weight without excessive recoil.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Bottom line is look for a single column feed in the WSM series such as the Sako, Tikka T3, and Browning X bolt. The 270 WSM is an excellent round for big game.

A single column feed in anything is the way to go!

 

[Maverick223]

A single column feed in anything is the way to go!

Not saying results were typical, but my former Browning A-Bolt (in 270WSM) would feed fine from the staggered detachable box.

 

[pikid89]

I think ill stick with the tried and true .270 Win, i mean 85 years of experience is pretty solid
Im not quite sure of the point of paying almost double per box for the short mags and stuff
according to chuckshawks, the max point blank range on a WSM is only 6 yards farther than my .270 (311-305), thats not worth it to me

 

[rangerruck]

the 270 wsm is the best of the wsm's. most gains in power and speed,about 200 to 300 fps faster, depending on your rig, and truly a flat laser shooter. I have shot several, and really I don't see any big diff, in the feeding capabilities, and the round is getting to be more available.
However, they are still expensive. So the regular 270 is still a good choice.

 

[scchokedaddy]

270 wsm

I had 1 too A Bolt stainless best group was 3.5 inches at 100 yards sent back to Browning, 3 months later new one arrived at dealers this one would do 2in at best SOOOOOOOOO its gone now as well as 7wsm back to basics. Wsm's left bad taste in mouth and ammo left dent in wallet. But thats why they make more than caliber, someones gonna swear by it while the rest of us swear at them.

 

[Gordon]

A few years back I aquired an as new New Haven made SS Classic Model 70 in .270 WSM. My regular deer rifle for 30 years peior to that was a 1953 Win Model 70 with a 4x Unertl with dot and cross hairs in Buhler mounts. I was suprised that the new rifle shot 3/4" 100 yard and 2" 200 yard groups with Federal Nosler ammo and was noticeably flatter shooting than the old .270 Win. I shot deer a couple states a couple years with the WSM and then took it and a .375 to Africa on Safari in 2008. I shot 7 species with the .270 WSM , 5 one shot kills and the other 2 needed follow up shots from misplaced hits, and they were smaller animals! I only used the .375 on Eland. I got skunked last year on an out of state deer hunt in the snow, but the .270 WSM was with me!