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7mm wsm vs 270wsm
danielddavis
Member Posts: 42 ✭✭
I found the gun I have been looking for in 7mm wsm... what do you folks in the know think about the difference btwn these 2 calibers?
Comments
Congratulations on having the patience to wait it out!
"...think about the difference btwn these 2 calibers?"
The reality of the difference amounts to 0.007" in diameter and next to no discernible difference in velocity. When you shoot bullets similar in weight, shape and BC, you might see 40-50 FPS but that can be attributed to other variables also. Winchester's ammunition site has some ballistics published if you want to see numbers.
I tested both cartridges as factory ammunition and I shot quite a bit of the 7mm WSM with handloads and I don't think you can make a case for a difference except when we consider extremes. I like the 7mm WSM in a long barrel with an older run of 180 gr. JLK VLD bullets. These offer terrific performance at 1,000 yards for targets.
Best.
As for practical experience, I can say that owning a 7WSM I have some holes that are all in one paper, close enough together, that at ranges that make most people believe it isn't true, to count them all. See what barrel break-in procedures can do?
Conversely, my brother who never started putting in for big game tags in Nevada until a couple years ago, drew a Nelson Bighorn and is now getting that animals head beautified enough to hang on his wall. He shot his bighorn at 265 yds. using 130 gr. Winchester Silvertips from his 270 WSM. It dropped without fanfare.
There is not a lot of difference really between the rounds except, and I think this is big, bullet selection. the 7mm has a lot to choose from off the shelf and more to reload from than does the .270. Which is a shame because it sits between, caliber wise, some of the best ballistically efficient bullets out there. There only needs to be bigger interest sparked for .270 dia. bullets.