300 WSM or 270 WSM???

[Twig-Chaser]

I planned to purchase and actully ordered a 300 WSM Sako 85 Finnlight. But... I have spoke to a couple of guys and guides telling me the Ballistics of a 270 WSM are very comparable to a 300 WSM plus a 270 is lighter and faster.

I am not a big tech guy for Ballistics, but as far as I can see a 270 WSM highest grain is 150 and 300 WSM is 180.

I mainly hunt in BC for Deer the odd Moose if i See spike/ fork but dont go out of my way for them and getting into Mountain Goat after my last year Goat Hunt I am hooked!

My questions are:

1) What is your overall opionion?

2) is a 270 WSM large enough for say a Big Old Bull Moose. I know shot placement kills, but i am talking if you hit the shoulder, ect.. does it have enough ummph?

3) 300 WSM more of a multi use gun, if you want to go on a larger game hunt?

Thanks for your comments!

[The Dawg]

1) I shoot a 300wsm and love it.
2) A 270wsm is more than enough for a moose.
3) Both are very versatile and would serve you nicely for any large game.

As for speed out of my 300wsm, Moosin and I loaded up some 165g TTSX the other day and took it to the range. With a load of 66.6grains of RL17, I was averaging 3500fps through the chrony. Max load was around 69g.

I think that 3500fps is plenty of speed :D

[coach]

Both are great. .300wsm shoots a heavier bullet so a little more verstile for larger game. I shoot a Tikka in .300wsm and love it. My hunting partner just bought a Tikka T3 .270wsm in laminated stainless but he already owns a .300RUM. You've ordered a great rifle - probably best to just stick with the decision you made.

[swampthing]

I am using my 270WSM on grizz this spring. I figured I would take the "cannon" and leave the 257 at home.

[blacktail18]

i got both 300 wsm and 270 wsm love them both

[Kody94]

1) I shoot a 300wsm and love it.
2) A 270wsm is more than enough for a moose.
3) Both are very versatile and would serve you nicely for any large game.

As for speed out of my 300wsm, Moosin and I loaded up some 165g TTSX the other day and took it to the range. With a load of 66.6grains of RL17, I was averaging 3500fps through the chrony. Max load was around 69g.

I think that 3500fps is plenty of speed :D


Holy Jeebus! I only used to run 3300fps with 165gr boolits out of my 300 Winnie.

I've never heard of a 300 WSM getting over the low to mid 3200's with 165gr boolitz of any variety. I suspect you may be running a smidge H-O-T. ;)

[Gateholio]

I shoot 130gr TTSX's form my 300WSM at 3500fps. A 165gr bullet going that fast seems crazy, even with RL17.

[spear]

Way more options in bullet choice for reloading a 300 wsm than .277 bullets. Dont think the deer/moose will notice the difference

[Kody94]

A 165gr bullet going that fast seems crazy, even with RL17.

Considering a nominal load for the 300 Ultra Mag is only 3350fps with 165gr boolitz, I'd say so too.

[hoochie]

I had a T3 .300WSM and found that my software showed the .270WSM to be very comparable (165gr .300VS 150gr .270WSM), anyway, the one thing I can say is that in a browning Abolt, the recoil of the .270WSM is felt much more than the recoil in a T3 .300WSM. maybe its the rifle, I dont know. had to put a recoil pad on the .270WSM, could shoot the .300WSM all day

[CTmoose]

I got a tikka t3 300 wsm and I love it, , its accurate at longer ranges and it dosn't do much damage to the animal

[todbartell]

270wsm is lots of gun for moose, if you choose a quality bullet that will penetrate the vitals and break bone. 300wsm works too.........use whatever turns your crank!

[The Dawg]

I shoot 130gr TTSX's form my 300WSM at 3500fps. A 165gr bullet going that fast seems crazy, even with RL17.

64.6 gr of RL17 produced

3392
3347
3370
3391
3412

66.6 of RL 17 produced

3475
3484
3477
3502
3559

Moosin and I started at 64.6, and max in the Barnes was somewhere around 69g if I remember right. We were very surprised at the speed it was producing, and there were no pressure signs.

We are going to use the 64.6 load, as it grouped a little better and itll save wear and tear, as well as powder :D

[Kody94]

64.6 gr of RL17 produced

3392
3347
3370
3391
3412

66.6 of RL 17 produced

3475
3484
3477
3502
3559

Moosin and I started at 64.6, and max in the Barnes was somewhere around 69g if I remember right. We were very surprised at the speed it was producing, and there were no pressure signs.

We are going to use the 64.6 load, as it grouped a little better and itll save wear and tear, as well as powder :D

Are you sure that's a 165gr TTSX and not the 130gr TTSX? Just asking, cuz you are 250 fps higher than just about anyone on the 'net, with the same powder charge. If it is the 165gr you might want to double check your chrony, and make sure its opened up all the way. I've had ultra fast readings in the past where it wasn't quite "clicked" into place (it shortens the distance between the eyes).

The ES on your 66.6 load is verrry wide.

[The Dawg]

Unless Bartell swapped out the bullets, they're 165g :)

Good call on double checking the chrony- Will give that a look next time, as we all thought it was kinda fast.

[troutseeker]

I have .300wsm and think it is a very good all around chambering. I considered the 270wsm but like the fact I can shoot bullets up to 200 grains in the 300wsm and push a 130 grain pill at 3500fps, if I want to!

I too believe that a 165 grain bullet at 3500fps in a.300wsm is probably asking for some sort or trouble, eventually...

[troutseeker]

I have .300wsm and think it is a very good all around chambering. I considered the 270wsm but like the fact I can shoot bullets up to 200 grains in the 300wsm and push a 130 grain pill at 3500fps, if I want to!

I too believe that a 165 grain bullet at 3500fps in a.300wsm is probably asking for some sort or trouble,
eventually... mind you, that jokster Bartell probably swapped your bullets for 110 grain ones!

[Rackmastr]

I went with the best of both worlds and am running a new 7SAUM. Man oh man is it a nice shooting rig.

Between the two choices, I'd probably look at what your primary hunting is and what your main concerns are. If big grizz and moose are on the list every year, then I'd opt for the 300. If you hunt more deer and smaller stuff with the odd big hunt mixed in, go with the 270. Either of them are going to get the job done just great.

[Kody94]

Unless Bartell swapped out the bullets, they're 165g :)

Good call on double checking the chrony- Will give that a look next time, as we all thought it was kinda fast.

ND, here's what makes me the most suspicious....from the Alliant website, they only get 3217 fps with 68gr of RL 17 and a 165gr Speer BT.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipePrint.aspx?gtypeid=2&weight=165&shellid=83&bulletid=188&bdid=885

[Sako 75]

I own a Sako 75 S.S in 270WSM and this is one flat shooting caliber. I am quite sure the 300WSM would be just as flat shooting caliber too. Can not go wrong with Sako rifles. Good choice.

[Twig-Chaser]

Thanks guys! Sounds like both are good choices. I am going to the shop tomorrow and let you know if I change my order or stick with my first choice!

[moosinaround]

I too feel that it may have been the chrony! We will ensure a better set up next time at the range! Even still Dawg, that 300wsm shoots like a dream. Those Savages are freakin laser beams!! A 270wsm or 300wsm are both excellent choices for moose elk, whatever! I would hunt anything in NA with a 30cal. and not feel undergunned. That said, I am looking for a 45-70 or 450 Marlin, just as a brush thumper, and a cool lever gun!! Moosin

[blaker_99]

Ok i'll be the one to say it.....7mm wsm in a browning x-bolt carbon fiber. Light weight, great feel, fairly priced and handloaded upto 175grain barnes.

[Pioneerman]

Go with the 30 caliber you get far more choices of bullets to load for by far and you can always load up or down that is up to you.

[eatmeathuntmoose]

i bought a browning x bolt 300 wsm and love it!
stick with the bigger gun