Hey guys, what do you think about the .270 WSM? I am looking at the Savage 11fl in .270 WSM. I would take off the cheap plastic stock and put a Boyd JRS classic rifle on it. For a scope i would put a Leupold M8 6x42. Not sure if i would put a bipod on it or not. Only time will tell. I am looking at going to school out west so then i would need a little bit longer range rig than the Ruger m77mk2 LR in .30-06. I know you guys are going to say that the .270 Winch isnt that far behind, but i want to try something outside of the .30-06 case. Thanks.

NH_Hunter

I just bought a tikka 270 wsm but havent goten to play with it yet. I'd like to hear what the gun savy folks here think of this cartridge.

Jamie

I have a Winchester Model 70 Super Shadow in .270WSM, (also known as "the Walmart Special" $389 including a cheap Simmons 3x9 scope) I really like it. It certainly won't do anything a 30-06 can't also do, but it will do it with a flatter trajectory, and if handloaded, possibly with less recoil. I really like it, but then I am partial to short actions. I have loaded mine with 130 gr and 140 gr Ballistic Tips and Vihtavouri N-165 and have achieved some very good accuracy at velocity around 2800 to 2900 FPS, based on Hornady's manual. Recoil was very manageable with my handloads. The factory loads are pretty stout, the Winchester Supreme Ballistic Silvertip 130 gr loads are rated over 3200 fps and the 150 gr Powerpoints are over 3100 fps. The factory ratings are pretty accurate according to numerous chronographed results on other forums like shortmags.org link: http://www.shortmags.org/shortmags/forum/default.asp
With the factory loads, my Model 70 kicks about like my old 30-06 lightweight carbine, but then my 20" barrel lightweight carbine wasn't pushing any 130 gr bullets over 3200 fps or 150 gr bullets over 3100!
AS for the Savage, I have owned 4 different Savage rifles in .223, .22-250, .243 and .270 Win. and all of them were very accurate and reliable. I will probably buy a Savage for my boys to use this fall, unless I can find another "Walmart Special" for less than $400. I did use my cheap scope for initial load work up, but have replaced it with a Burris Fullfield II 3x9. I am anxious to try it with the new scope, but probably won't get to until next Monday. Work always gets in the way of the really important things.

If you are going to hunt mule deer in the west, I would expect that the 270 wsm would be a fine choice in cartridges. However, if elk is on the agenda, I would recommend something with larger bore diameter. If you have not personally shot a large bull elk , you likely have little appreciation for the toughness of these critters. With a less than perfect shot, which happens more frequently than we like to admit, these animals can really cover the ground (visualize a horse running away for all its worth).

I would recommend the 30-06 with at least 180 grain bullet or better yet 200 grains if you reload and certainly 220 will get the job done probably much better than a 150 gr 270 wsm. If you have your heart set on a wsm, the 30 would be better because of the heaver bullet. A 300 win mag would be even better and a 338 Win about perfect for elk.

If you plan to keep the 30-06 you own, then the 270 wsm would be ok. If you were to trade in your 30-06 stay with a 30 or larger bore.

I think that the 270WSM is the best of the lot since it isn't duplicated ballistically by anything else. It basically is about 200fps faster than the 270 winchester (I loaded for a 1/2 dozen 270 Wins). My Kimber 8400 shoots 1/2 MOA for 3 shots at 300yds in a lightweight rifle. My buddies HS Precision shoots as well or better.
I would also take a peek at the new Tikka T3 in 270 WSM. One of the guys at my hunting lease has one and loves it. I bet you'll love the 270 WSM too.......DJ

Does your buddie happen to have the Pro Hunter Lightweight?

I've had a Win Mod70 Clasic for awhile now and really like it. I shot my deer with it last season. I had problems with the select feed and sent it to the factory 3 times but they didn't fix it. I posted over at Short Mag and a guy told me what to do. Really good shootin' gun, kicks some, takes a lot of powder to reload.

Fun Ain't it?
Tom

No he bought the PHR Professional Hunter Rifle. I thought it a bit heavy for a 270 short mag, but it shoots awesome. I would rather have the lightweight but only if the barrel was 22-24 inches long.....DJ

It's only 200fps faster than the .270win. Bullets are more expensive and you can't hunt anything with it that you couldn't hunt with a 30-06 All that said, it's a cool cartridge I think it'll be the most successful of the WSM line.

I know this is off subject, but do you have a .22 centerfire? Since you are going west to further your education, You may have some opportunities to go long range varmint hunting. A nice heavy barrel varmint rifle might be a better choice.

Terry

Consider the Mod. 11G with the "walnut stained hardwood" stock instead of the useless plastic one. Although it's not walnut it's a good stock and made of a very dense (birch?) hardwood. At least it's solid and functional and if you don't like the finish you do a camo paint job or whatever.
Also, (with either stock) you will need to replace the plastic trigger guard and plastic forend bushing with steel or you will never get consistent tightening of the action screws. This may not matter too much on the lighter cal's but it made a major group size improvement with my Mod. 11G in 7mm WSM.
Check out SavageShooters.com for lots more info.

Jon