I have been struggling with this same question for a while now. I am not sure when I will be able to go out west to hunt elk, but I know that someday I will. I would primarily be using the rifle for whitetails in upstate NY. The place where I hunt has some fields, the longest of which is 326 yards according to my range finder. After doing much comparison between the 270 win and the 270WSM, I have to agree with what was said before, there really isn't that much difference in performance, and WSM shells are very expensive. I already have a 243 WSSM which is expensive enough to shoot. I do not reload yet, but would love to get into that someday. i think i may just wait to buy the rifle a while longer. A friend of mine has a 300WSM and loves it.I have shot it and was impressed.

I think the real problem for me is that I am just so interested in the different calibers availible that I want to own one of each. My wife is a very understanding woman, and never complains when I walk in with a new gun, but I could very easily get out of control with it. My want list just keeps growing!