Winchester's .270 WSM Outpaces .270 Winchester with Impressive Speed and Accuracy
Winchester's .270 Winchester Short Magnum (WSM), introduced in 2002, has made waves in the hunting world with its impressive performance and unique design.
The .270 WSM boasts a muzzle velocity of 3,150 feet per second (f.p.s.) with a 150-grain bullet, outpacing the .270 Winchester by 320 f.p.s. This speed is achieved with a less-than-caliber neck length of 0.2765" and a maximum cartridge overall length of 2.860".
Designed primarily for hunting, the .270 WSM uses a full-length sizer die for reliable cycling. It was among the first commercial big-game cartridges to employ a 0.277"-diameter bullet. Bullet selection should consider overall length and sensitivity to jump, with lead-core 'hunting' projectiles between 130 and 150 grains performing well.
The .270 WSM offers remarkable performance. A 140-grain projectile reaches a muzzle velocity of 3,018 f.p.s., matching the .270 Winchester's velocity. Winchester took an atypical approach in designing the .270 WSM and its .30-cal. parent, the .300 WSM, opting for a short, wide case with modern, accuracy-enhancing features.
Handloading the .270 WSM is convenient, with cases available from major manufacturers like Winchester, Federal, Hornady, Nosler, and Norma. According to SAAMI, a 130-grain bullet in the .270 WSM attains a muzzle velocity of 3,275 f.p.s., 225 f.p.s. faster than in the .270 Winchester. The .270 WSM's speed, accuracy, and versatility make it a formidable choice for hunters and shooters alike.
