.270 WSM Review: Is the .270 WSM the Perfect Cartridge? (Pros and Cons)

It's hard to argue the effectiveness of cartridges that have been around for decades. They just flat-out work. But every now and then, something new comes along that makes waves and manages to actually improve upon its predecessors. The .270 Winchester Short Magnum (WSM) may just be one of those. 

Designed to give shooters the same ballistics as the tried and true .270 Winchester, the .270 WSM is smashed down to a shorter and fatter case that provides better powder burn and higher speeds. But is it worth picking up? Let's dive into some pros and cons of this cartridge and see if it's the right choice for you!

Pros:

1. Higher Velocity: Compared to the .270 Win, the first thing you'll notice are the higher velocity numbers. This thing is capable of achieving some impressive speeds, rivaling even some of the faster magnum cartridges. That also means flatter trajectories and better accuracy at longer distances, which is perfect for hunters. 

2. Great Long-range Performance: Because of that high velocity we just touched on, this thing is great down-range. Both hunters and long-range shooters alike will appreciate how well it handles long distance shooting and the ability to outperform other calibers that are much bigger. 

3. Short Action: I love a good short action cartridge. They are so much easier to carry around and shoot. The .270 WSM has a shorter overall length than the .270 Win as well as other magnum cartridges. This makes it perfect for hunters concerned about weight and length, as the rifle can be much smaller, lighter, and compact. What's not to like? 

4. Little Recoil: Recoil is often a big concern among shooters, but the .270 is easily one of the lightest recoiling cartridges that is big enough to hunt pretty much all big game. Compared to the larger magnum cartridges, you'll love the fact you can shoot it as much as you want without bruising your shoulder!

Cons:

1. Limited Ammunition Availability: Now the first real downside to the .270 WSM is a big one. It's a little tough to find ammo for this thing. Because it's not as widespread or popular as other calibers, you won't find as much ammo for it on the shelf. Stock up when you can! 

2. Higher Cost: Speaking of availability, when you do manage to find ammo for your .270 WSM, you'll probably be a little shocked at the price tag. Because it's not as mass produced like others, the ammo will be more expansive than you might be used to. 

3. Faster Barrel Wear: We all love a fast gun, but we also have to embrace the downside to that extra speed. The higher velocities of the .270 WSM will wear out your barrel faster when compared to other cartridges. While not a huge problem for guys who aren't shooting super often, you will see more .270 WSM rifles getting rebarreled than others. 

4. Basic Ballistic Performance: While the .270 WSM has great performance for what most people need, it doesn't necessarily provide a huge advantage over other similar cartridges. While I love the round, my trusty old .270 Win or even a .280 Remington is going to provide similar performance at half the price. Is it worth it? Maybe for some guys, for others probably not. 

So after looking over the pros and cons, is the .270 WSM the perfect hunting and shooting cartridge? I've never met anyone who owns one speak bad about it, but I also don't know a ton of people using it. What do you think? Will you be picking one up to try for yourself?

At the end of the day, there's no doubt it's a powerful and accurate cartridge that is well-suited for long-range hunting and shooting. You'll get flat trajectory, high velocity, and manageable recoil, all of which make for a wonderful shooting experience. And if you do decide to try one out for yourself, we can help get you outfitted with a customized rifle sling today!