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Rifle · SAAMI

.270 WSM

.270 Winchester Short Magnum

Short-action magnum performance in .270 caliber.

Caliber
0.2772″ · 7.04 mm
Introduced
2002
Case
Rebated
Parent
.404 Jeffery
Primary use
Hunting
Status
Active
Velocity2,900–3,200 fps
Energy2,200–2,900 ft·lb
Typical grains130 · 140 · 150 gr
Identity
Introduced
2002
Type
Rifle
Origin
United States
Inventor
Winchester
Manufacturer
Winchester
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
79 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:10
Primer
Large Rifle Magnum
Case type
Rebated
Pressure & range
Max pressure
65,000 psi
Eff. range
500 yd
Max range
1200 yd
Recoil
14–18 ft·lb

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Berger Hunting VLD 140 gr, 3,200 fps, BC 0.315 G7 · 100 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd31993181-1.5″—
100 yd304528820.0″0.0
200 yd28952604-2.2″-1.1
300 yd27482347-8.7″-2.8
400 yd26052110-19.7″-4.7
500 yd24671891-35.8″-6.8
600 yd23311689-57.7″-9.2
700 yd22001505-85.9″-11.7
800 yd20741337-121.3″-14.5
900 yd19501182-164.9″-17.5
1000 yd18311041-217.5″-20.8

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingBerger Hunting VLD140 gr · VLD Hunting · 3,200 fps · BC 0.315 G7Buy now →
Best for TargetBerger Hybrid OTM170 gr · OTM · 2,950 fps · BC 0.251 G7Buy now →

Buy links open .270 WSM ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀7.040.277✓
Neck ⌀7.980.314✓
Shoulder ⌀13.670.538✓
Shoulder angle35°—✓
Base ⌀14.100.555✓
Rim ⌀13.590.535✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.370.054✓
Neck length7.030.277≈
Case length53.342.100✓
Overall length72.642.860✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .270 WSM is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 81 active loads across 20 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 81 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
BarnesVOR-TX130TTSX BT3,4003,3360.190 G7
HornadyPrecision Hunter145ELD-X3,3503,6130.274 G7
DoubleTapDT Hunter150Partition3,3003,6260.456 G1
PPUSP150SP3,3003,6260.357 G1
WinchesterExpedition Big Game130Nosler AccuBond3,3003,1430.230 G7
BarnesVOR-TX TTSX BT 130gr130TTSX BT3,2753,0960.190 G7
NormaTipStrike 130gr130TipStrike3,2753,0960.430 G1
BergerVLD Hunting 130gr130VLD Hunting3,2753,0960.271 G7
NoslerTrophy Grade AccuBond 130gr130AccuBond3,2753,0960.230 G7
FiocchiExtrema130SST3,2753,0960.254 G7
HornadySuperformance SST130SST3,2753,0960.254 G7
BarnesVOR-TX130TTSX3,2753,0960.190 G7
HornadySuperformance140SST3,2503,2830.275 G7
HSMTrophy Gold150Berger Hybrid3,2503,5170.278 G7
DoubleTapDT Rifle Hunting150Partition3,2503,5170.456 G1

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

9 reloading powders listed for .270 WSM, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

Alliant Reloader 16Reloader 17Reloader 19H4831IMR 4831AR 2217N565Reloader 23Reloader 26
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .270 WSM

12 models in the database chamber .270 WSM. Browse all →

Savage 110 Apex Storm XP .300 Win Mag 24-inchWinchester Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather 6.5 CreedmoorBrowning X-Bolt Hell's Canyon Speed .300 WSM 23-inchBrowning X-Bolt Hell's Canyon Speed 270 WSMWeatherby Vanguard S2 .270 WSM 24-inchBlaser R8 Professional .270 WSM 23-inchBrowning X-Bolt White Gold .270 WSMBrowning X-Bolt Pro 270 WSMBrowning X-Bolt Hunter .270 WSM 23-inchKimber 8400 Montana .325 WSMKimber 8400 Classic .325 WSMRemington Remington 700 SPS 270 WSM

Lineage

Immediate parent
.404 Jeffery
Direct descendants (1)
6.8 Western
Family TreeOpen .270 WSM in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads81 factory loads for .270 WSM↗Reloading9 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .270 WSM↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Part of Winchester's WSM family introduced in the early 2000s. Offered .270 Weatherby Magnum-class velocity in a short-action package, theoretically improving accuracy through a stiffer receiver.

FAQs

What twist rate does .270 WSM use?
.270 WSM typically uses a 1:10 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .270 WSM?
.270 WSM uses a 0.2772″ (7.04 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .270 WSM still in production?
.270 WSM is active; typical availability is common.
What is .270 WSM used for?
.270 WSM is primarily used for hunting.
What is .270 WSM based on?
.270 WSM is derived from the .404 Jeffery case.
What are the best powders for .270 WSM?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .270 WSM include Alliant Reloader 16, Reloader 17, Reloader 19, H4831, among 9 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 81 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →