Two 270-caliber cartridges that have some similarities are the 270 Weatherby magnum and the 270 WSM. these two rounds are often debated for their ability to take game. So in this article, we will put to rest which cartridge is better and see which cartridge truly is better and why.
Here is the short answer:
The 270 WSM has more energy, less wind drift, is more popular, comes in rifles that weigh less, is less costly, and has less recoil than the 270 Weatherby. However, the 270 Weatherby has less drop than the 270 WSM but not by much. Overall the 270 WSM is the better choice.
Since we have looked at the short answer, we can look in depth at each carriage, their best uses, their ballistics, and how they compare to each other.
In-Depth Look at the 270 Weatherby Magnum
The 270 Weatherby Magnum was introduced in 1945 by Roy Weatherby, who wanted to create a cartridge that could match the performance of the popular 270 Winchester but with even flatter trajectory and more energy at long ranges. The 270 Weatherby Magnum achieves this by using a larger case capacity and a steeper shoulder angle than the 270 Winchester allowing it to hold more powder than its competitor. It fires a 130-grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of around 3,000 feet per second, producing a flat trajectory and high energy retention even at long ranges.
The 270 Weatherby Magnum’s main advantage over the 270 Winchester is its flatter trajectory and higher energy retention at longer ranges. At 500 yards, for example, the 270 Weatherby Magnum’s bullet will still have around 1,400 foot-pounds of energy, while the 270 Winchester bullet will have around 1,200 foot-pounds. This makes the 270 Weatherby Magnum better suited for long-range hunting of larger game like elk, moose, and brown bear.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 270 Weathebry with a 130-grain bullet:
| Range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3200 | 2956 |
| 50 | -0.3 | 0.2 | 3086 | 2748 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.6 | 2974 | 2553 |
| 150 | -0.7 | 1.4 | 2866 | 2370 |
| 200 | -2.4 | 2.5 | 2760 | 2199 |
| 250 | -5.3 | 4.1 | 2657 | 2037 |
| 300 | -9.5 | 5.9 | 2556 | 1885 |
| 350 | -14.9 | 8.2 | 2457 | 1742 |
| 400 | -21.7 | 10.9 | 2360 | 1608 |
| 450 | -30.2 | 14.1 | 2266 | 1482 |
| 500 | -40.4 | 17.8 | 2173 | 1363 |
In-Depth Look at the 270 WSM
The 270 Winchester Short Magnum, or 270 WSM, was introduced in 2001 by Winchester as part of their family of short magnum cartridges. The 270 WSM was designed to fit into a short rifle action, allowing hunters to use shorter, lighter rifles without sacrificing the performance that you normally would need in order to have a short action rifle. It achieves this by using a larger case diameter but a shorter overall length. It fires a 130-grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of around 3,200 feet per second, producing a flatter trajectory than the most standard length cartridges in a short action rifle.
The 270 WSM’s main advantage over the 270 Weatherby Magnum is its lower recoil and ability to fit into shorter rifle actions. This makes the 270 WSM better suited for hunting in areas where lightweight rifles and fast target acquisition are important, such as hunting in steep terrain or on foot. Additionally, the 270 WSM is also a great choice for hunting medium-sized game like deer, antelope, and black bear at medium to long ranges because of its energy retention.
Here is a ballistic chart of a 270 WSM with a 150-grain soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3060 | 3118 |
| 50 | -0.3 | 0.1 | 2962 | 2922 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.5 | 2867 | 2737 |
| 150 | -0.8 | 1.3 | 2773 | 2561 |
| 200 | -2.8 | 2.4 | 2682 | 2395 |
| 250 | -5.9 | 3.8 | 2592 | 2237 |
| 300 | -10.3 | 5.5 | 2504 | 2088 |
| 350 | -16.1 | 7.5 | 2418 | 1947 |
| 400 | -23.4 | 10 | 2333 | 1813 |
| 450 | -32.4 | 12.9 | 2250 | 1687 |
| 500 | -43 | 16.3 | 2169 | 1567 |
In-Depth Answer
If you’re looking for a cartridge that can effectively hunt large game at long ranges, the 270 WSM is the better choice. Its higher energy retention makes it well-suited for this purpose, and it can take down larger game like elk and moose with ease. However, it is important to note the 270 Weatherby has less drop than the 270 WSM.
Recoil-wise, the 270 Weatherby is a heavier recoiling cartridge. However, the difference between the two cartridges is only about 5 foot-pounds.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a cartridge that is more versatile and can hunt medium-sized game at medium to long ranges, the 270 Weatherby is a solid option. Its flatter trajectory makes it a great choice for hunters who value a flat shooting bullet.
In terms of availability and cost, the 270 WSM has become more widely available in recent years and ammunition is generally less expensive than the 270 Weatherby magnum. However, the 270 Weatherby magnum has a longer history and may be favored by some hunters and shooters who value the Weatherby name and reputation. The 270 WSM also has less velocity which is going to lead to a longer-lasting barrel.
Conclusion
Overall, the 270 WSM is the better choice. Even though the 270 WSM has slightly more drop, it has better long-range energy retention, less recoil, and the fact that it is more affordable, and less wind drift, making it the better cartridge.