Author Topic: new rifle, which calibre? (Read 888 times)

22savage · « **on:** November 14, 2003, 05:13:59 AM »

hey guys,
i'm new to this forum although i have been reading here for a while.
Just finished a caribou hunt and decided i need a new rifle.
i was using a 300 win with 180 gr. super-X factory bullets. a broadside shot placed behind the front sholder through the rib cage, through the heart brought him down quick, but did enormous damage to the front sholders although i didn't actually hit the sholder.
I think i might get a 270 or possibley a 270WSM. i already have a 30-30,
300 win, 222-250, 303, and a couple of 7.62x54R.
My question is if there is any advantages of the 270WSM over the 270?
I think this would pretty much round out my rifle collection(for now).

thanks for any help

travis

Zachary · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2003, 06:08:21 AM »

22savage,

First off, WELCOME ABOARD!

As to answer your question, there really is no significant difference between the the 270 and the 270WSM (Trust me, I own both). The WSM does have higher velocity, but you need to outweigh that with the following cons:

1) There are many more rifles chambered in .270 from which to choose, and thus the ability to get a great deal on, and
2) There are much more factory ammo choices in the .270, thus allowing you to not only tailor your loads to your rifle, but also have the confidence in knowing that virtually every sporting goods store will stock .270 ammo.

Zachary

22savage · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2003, 07:03:10 AM »

thanks for the reply.
if there ain't much difference between the two i think i will go
for the 270 win. that 300 win is just too much for caribou.

travis

stork · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2003, 02:09:42 PM »

Buy the 270 win, it is a great cartridge. That WSM stuf is just there for bragging rights. There is no need for that extra velocity at normal hunting ranges anyway.

Arizona Jake · « **Reply #4 on:** November 15, 2003, 03:08:10 AM »

If you are concerned about meat damage, you might consider using Barnes X or Winchester Fail Safe bullets. Unlike lead core bullets, these bullets hold together and minimize bloodshot. I've killed at least 15 critters with Barnes X bullets, raning in size fron babboon, to black bear to eland, with the same results. :wink:

340wby · « **Reply #5 on:** November 15, 2003, 03:28:56 AM »

I second ARIZONA JAKE!
the bullet selected , does 100% of the damage and proper bullet selection goes a long long way towards controlling the type of wound damage,you might want to try BARNES (X) , failsafe, beartooth, or NORTHFORK bullets in the heavier weight ranges and try placing the shot in the lower 1/2 of the chest behind the front leg if possiable where the bullets tend to zip thru the arteries above the heart without hitting bone.
I can diffinately tell you from dressing out several dozens of elk over 33 years that the bullet used has a huge effect on the wound, and useing bullets that expand extremely rapidly agravates the damage if bone is hit, Ive dressed out ELK hit with 7mm mags and 150-160 grain bullets that had far more bloodshot meat that my 250 grain 340 mag normally leaves, its the bullet not the rifle that does 100% of the damage, use a bullet of at least .280 sectional density with a heavy jacket and place your shot correctly and youll have far less bloodshot meat, (BUT BE AWARE that its not at all uncommon for ELK hit with those stronger bullets to run slightly further,yet the exit wounds make the short blood trail, if any easier to follow) again shot placement is extremely important!

Lawdog · « **Reply #6 on:** November 15, 2003, 10:01:20 AM »

22savage,

I agree with 340wby. It's not the caliber of your rifle but your choice of bullets that caused your grief. I've taken many Caribou using my .300 Weatherby and not have near the damage you describe. I use 165 or 180 gr. Nosler Partitions and have never had a problem with them or any great loss of meat. Lawdog

22savage · « **Reply #7 on:** November 17, 2003, 04:01:57 AM »

thanks for all the replies guys. i agree with you 100% about
the bullet causing the damage and not the calibre. The only problem
is that i do not (yet) handload, although i am planning on it.
Thanks for all the replies. I think for now i will look around for a second hand 270 win to tie me over until i start reloading.

travis

rimshot · « **Reply #8 on:** November 17, 2003, 04:34:06 PM »

Great choice! Let us know when you find the gun. I'm a big fan of the .270 Winchester. I've used it a lot.
Rimshot
Homepage: www.bluecollarshooter.com

Dand · « **Reply #9 on:** November 17, 2003, 07:40:33 PM »

If you don't hand load just buy 300 ammo with Nosler partitions or Barnes, Failsafer or Swift A frame, etc - they're all out there these days. I reload, use Partitions and have downloaded slightly (180 gr @ 2900-2950 fps) for the very reason you list. Got tired of losing most of a quarter of caribou to blood shot meat. But lately I've been using 180 Speer hot core spitzers with the same load and haven't had much meat loss. I abandoned the 165 bullets at over 3100 fps - they made a mess.

But I gotta admit, my boss dumped his 300 win for a light weight 270 and has been very pleased with the choice - For caribou. Gun is lighter, recoil less, ammo -even reloads are cheaper.

But for moose he dragged out the 35 whelen.