14 February 2009, 19:15
smokepole paul270WSM for PG
I would like input on the 270WSM for plainsgame.
Thanks,
Paul
14 February 2009, 19:27
Bill/OregonIf the .30-06 is adequate with well-placed shots and good bullets, the .270 WSM should be as well, with Partitions, TSXes, A-frames etc.
14 February 2009, 21:39
Use Enough GunGreat caliber if you shoot it well and put the bullets in the right place. If so, then no problem.
15 February 2009, 03:57
lavacaThe only issue I would raise is the term "plains game." That could include anything from a grysbok to an eland and a whole lot of things in between.
I'd think the .270 WSM would be great for everything up to and including deer sized animals (e.g., impala). I think it would be questionable or marginal at best for gemsbok, wildebeest, zebra, etc. (I'm sure it's been done). Might be ok for kudu, they don't seem that tough in comparison assuming you make a perfect shot, but louse it up and they can run a whole long way.
I think that's totally inadequate for eland. Probably inadequate for wildebeest and zebra. Why push the limit? Get a proper rifle.
For what it's worth, I tend to overgun. My favorite is a .416 and I've shot everything from buffalo down to turkeys with it. Bigger will always do the job if you do. Smaller, not necessarily.
15 February 2009, 04:33
crbutlerI shot all my PG with a .375- Mainly because I don't like wandering around with a gun that won't take care of a "worst case" scenario (read a buff out of no-where.) Having said that, a 7 mag is capable of any of these animals, and a 270 WSM is essentially the same. Feed it premium bullets and you will have no problems. With the exception of Eland, all of these are roughly elk-sized or smaller, and odds are at less than 200 yards.
For Eland, you would not want to take a tough angle shot, but then most of us don't anyhow.
If you're confident in the gun, and you don't want to use this as an excuse to get a new rifle, you are set.
Good Luck with the hunt!