.270 and. 300 short mag info

[D-Rock425]

I've had a new rifle on my wish list for a long time and thought I had it all narrowed down to a Browning x-bolt in 7mm mag.  I want a all purpose rifle medium to big game that has some longer range capabilities 300 plus. Are the short mags something I should look into?  What would be the plusses and negatives of getting one over a 7mm mag?

[Biggerhammer]

All of the short mags are exellent cartridges, with that being said. You mentioned 300 yards and beond , which I have done with two of the chamberings mentioned. I have shot mule deer beond 300 yards with the .270 WSM and the .300 WSM. The 7mm WSM would work just the same but I can't speak for it yet, I have stocked my 30" Shilen barreled action chambered in 7mm WSM as of yet. But I can say the 7mm WSM is the ballistic equal to the 7mm magnum. It does it with less powder, less recoil and in a lighter package.

Out to all practical hunting ranges, in capable hands all three with the right bullet weight will work but when you start talking elk, big black bear etc at extended ranges I would be reaching for either the .300 or the 7mm WSM. There is a huge selection of bullets for either that will handle such a chore. Now between the two, 7mm WSM and .300 WSM. If you were to throw them in the boxing ring together for over all performance at 300 yards and beond, when it comes to energy, wind drift, tragetery. The 7mm WSM is going to be the one on top.

A 7mm WSM with a 160gr Accubond at 3100 fps, which is easily done with a 24" barrel. With that bc and speed it is a hard combination to beat for just out right killing stuff. Then againg for all practical hunting ranges all three are a exellent choice, but for all north American big game within in standard hunting conditions, I myself would be picking up the .30 cal.

For the all holds bared, take off the gloves, down right nasty long range big game slam fest at distance. When it comes to the short action chamberings, I'm going to be running a 7mm WSM and a 180gr pill.

[Bob33]

I have both a 270 WSM and a 300 WSM.  I would not feel undergunned for most any North American animal with either of them and the right bullet.  The 270 will shoot a 130 grain at around 3200 to 3250 ft/second.  If you want to go lighter for smaller game, you can push a 110 grain like the TTSX at 3500 ft/second.  If you really like heavier bullets, there are some very good 140 grain offerings.  With a stout bullet like the Barnes TSX, a 270 WSM is going to inflict some serious pain on most any animal.

If I were shooting animals in excess of 500 pounds I'd prefer .30 caliber.  A good 165 grain bullet out of the 300 WSM will provide plenty of horsepower out to a good 400 to 500 yards.  Again, you can go heavier or lighter.  There is a greater choice of .308 bullets than any other size that I'm aware of.

Short magnum calibers can be used in a short action rifle, which has some advantages.  One disadvantage is reduced magazine capacity: most hold three versus four or five.  That really doesn't matter to me, but it may to you.

There's really nothing either wrong or magical about any of the calibers you mention.  They're all proven performers.

[Biggerhammer]

Here is a link concerning .30 Cal Vs 7mm at distance, it explains my decision to go with the 7mm WSM chambering over the .30 cal chambering better than I can. I built mine on a long action, so as to be able to seat the 180 VLD's to their full potential and not take up much needed cartridge space, where powder is needed rather than a bullet seated deeply, as would be the case with a short action. Or one would have issues with campressed loads and problem with consistent COL's due to the compressed charge when it comes to seating heavy bullets deeply with a short action being used. I will also be able to set mine up as a repeator, center magazine fed through either a Badger or HS DBM.

It's a interesting read, cuts through the rumor and fluff.

http://www.6mmbr.com/7mm284.html

Any of the heavier bullets out of the 7mm WSM will hit harder and shoot flatter than any out of the .300 WSM out past 300 yards period.

[700xcr]

I shoot a 270wsm and my son shoots a 300wsm. I have killed a mule deer at 85yds. all the way out to 550yds. with the 270wsm.  I wouldn't be afraid to take an elk with it either. I reload 140gr. Nosler Accubonds. My son reloads a 200gr. Accubond for his 300wsm.