if you ask me, the wsm's and wssm's are simply a way of getting people to buy new guns, with one exception: the .270 wsm. If you look at the ballistics, the .7mm, .300, .243, or .223 all mimic somthing. A .300 win mag, a .7mm Rem mag. The .243 win, or the .220 swift. These guns really don't give you higher velocity. They kick the same, or so slightly, you will NEVER know the difference if you compared identical guns. They are not more accurate. Even though some say the wider powder column burns more consistantly. But unless you are compressing your load, think of the dead air space on top of your powder when a case is horizontal. But that beautiful .270. think about it this way, it really isn't much better than your standard .270, but it does compete with the weatherby. It's performance looks great on paper, but the cost of guns and factory ammo are simply out of reach for most guys. But the.270 wsm is available to everyone. Props to winchester for that!