In recent years the short magnum style cartridges are becoming more and more popular for their lightweight and smaller design compared to their magnum counterparts. Two short magnum cartridges that are often compared are the 270 WSM and the 300 WSM, but the smaller more key differences are often left out and not looked at. So in this article, we will look at both these rounds in-depth to see which is truly better.
Here is the short answer:
The 300 WSM has more energy than the 270 WSM, however, it has more drop more wind drift, and less velocity. The 300 WSM is better suited for hunting big game but the 270 WSM is better for hunting at longer range and long range shooting.
since we have looked at the short answer, we can go more in-depth on which cartridge is better, and the specifics of each cartridge.
In-Depth Look at the .300 WSM
The .300 WSM was introduced by Winchester in 2001 and quickly became a popular choice for long-range shooting and big game hunting. This cartridge is designed to make a short action rifle cartridge that is just as if not more effective than its standard or magnum length counterparts. Why would someone desire a short action case? Because short action rifles are often short and lighter than standard length rifles making them better for hunting where a lightweight rifle is required.
The 300 WSM is most commonly used for hunting big game like elk and moose and even smaller game such as mule deer or whitetail deer at long range. In addition to being a hunting round this cartridge has seen some use for bench rest shooting.
Here is a ballistics chart of a 300 WSM with a 180-grain soft point:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2950 | 3478 |
| 50 | -0.2 | 0.1 | 2852 | 3250 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.6 | 2756 | 3035 |
| 150 | -0.9 | 1.5 | 2662 | 2832 |
| 200 | -3.1 | 2.6 | 2570 | 2639 |
| 250 | -6.6 | 4.1 | 2480 | 2457 |
| 300 | -11.4 | 5.9 | 2391 | 2285 |
| 350 | -17.8 | 8.2 | 2304 | 2122 |
| 400 | -25.9 | 11 | 2220 | 1969 |
| 450 | -35.8 | 14.2 | 2137 | 1825 |
| 500 | -47.4 | 17.9 | 2055 | 1688 |
In-Depth Look at the .270 WSM
The .270 WSM is a versatile cartridge that was introduced in 2002 by Winchester. It is based on the .300 WSM case, which has been necked down to accept .277-inch bullets. The idea behind this round was to make a fast hunting round that would be very effective at taking game at longer ranges.
The 270 WSM is a popular choice for hunters who want a rifle that will not kick super hard in a lightweight rifle, while still giving them the ability to stretch out and take big game such as elk or moose well beyond the average hunting distance.
Here are the ballistics of a 270 WSM with a 150-grain soft point:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3100 | 3200 |
| 50 | -0.3 | 0.1 | 3004 | 3006 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.5 | 2911 | 2822 |
| 150 | -0.8 | 1.2 | 2819 | 2647 |
| 200 | -2.6 | 2.2 | 2730 | 2481 |
| 250 | -5.7 | 3.6 | 2642 | 2324 |
| 300 | -9.9 | 5.2 | 2556 | 2175 |
| 350 | -15.5 | 7.2 | 2471 | 2034 |
| 400 | -22.5 | 9.5 | 2388 | 1899 |
| 450 | -31 | 12.2 | 2307 | 1772 |
| 500 | -41.2 | 15.4 | 2227 | 1652 |
In-Depth Comparison
Hunting wise which cartridge you will want will depend on what you are hunting. If you are after the biggest of big game (moose, bison, grizzly bear, muskox ETC) then the 300 WSM is the cartridge to look at. If you desire a round that is better suited for taking animals such as deer, elk, or caribou at long range, you will want the 270 WSM.
For long range shooting the 270 WSM is the better cartridge due to its ability to hold its energy better at longer range leading to it having less drop and wind drift than the 300 WSM.
For recoil-sensitive shooters, or anyone who doesn’t like having loose molars after they shoot, the 270 WSM is better. The 270 WSM has 5-6 less foot pounds of recoil and 2 pounds of less recoil velocity. While that might not be much, in a small rifle as the cartridges often come in, that can be a big difference.
Lastly is versatility, and while in theory, you could use lighter bullets in a 300 WSM, the 270 WSM can still be used to hunt a wider array of game if you are willing to close the distance further.
Conclusion
The choice between these two cartridges ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of the shooter. If you need more power and are willing to deal with a higher recoil, the .300 WSM may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you value accuracy, versatility, and minimal recoil, the .270 WSM may be the better choice.