spuddog

Well even though my wife hates hunting, hates guns and hates spending money (this last one I don't mind so much) she's given me the green light to get the Browning BLR that I've been drooling over for the last 2-3 years.

I have a Marlin30-30 anda 1950's era Husquvarna in 270 win. My son (14 yrs) and I hunt mule deer here in CO and I will go on my first Elk hunt next year. My son will follow, I'm sure. All my shots so far have been well inside of 200 yds, but I still prefer something that shoots fairly flat out to 300 yds, because 300 is my personal ethical limit and don't like thinking too much about drop.

I considered the BLR in 30-06, 270win, 308, 300 WSM and 270 WSM. I was disappointed but I ruled out the long action 30-06 and 270 win because the long action just doesn't fit me. I love the feel of the BLR in 308 but I did some math on the ballistics of the 308 and in the 20" barrel of the BLR and it didn't look so good. It really drops after 200 yds. I really like the versatility of the 300 WSM, but I'm very concerned about the recoil of this round in the light weight BLR. I'm not overly recoil sensitive but I prefer to go toward lighter recoil. I just don't want to hate shooting my big investment and I understand from a few owners that these guns have a pretty stout kick to start with. I am also a bit concerned about the price of ammo for the WSMs. There isn't a cheap alternative other than reloading, but I have a reloader my brother gave me and I figure that I can buy dies and reload once I build up some brass. I'm hoping that ammo doesn't continue to go up in $$$$.

Well that leaves me with the 270 WSM. I really like what I've read about it and I like the 270 in general. I know some will say that it is on the light side for elk, but I don't shoot past 300yds (intentionally) and I'll use Accubonds or Partitions. I feel comfortable with it for what I need.

Is there anything that I'm not taking into consideration?

Spud

bronko22000

I think the 270 WSM is a good choice. But I really don't think the 300 WSM would be that bad and it is a better choice. You can always split the difference and get the 7mm WSM. And being that you already have a 270 Win, the difference between that and the WSM is not that great.

homers brother

Just a little curious about the "math" you've done that makes the .308 not "look so good" at below 300 yards? Thinking about "drop" is something anyone shooting beyond the range their rifle is zeroed at MUST consider.

From the generic tables, it appears that the .270 WSM might impact 3" higher than the .308 at 300 yards with similar-weight bullets. That's not exactly what I'd consider "really drops after 200 yards." If you're wanting a .270WSM, just get one. You're splitting hairs at the ranges you describe, otherwise.

The .270 should be fine for elk, even so. It's most significant limitation is most often the narrow range of bullet weights available for it. You're going to need to throw 140s (at least) for elk, whereas with a .30, you could throw 165s, 180s, 190s, 200s, or even 220s.

spuddog

Bronko22000, I would like to have a round that doesn't come as close to what I already have, but as this will be my gun and my 270 win will probably be used by my son, I'm not as concerned. I think the 300wsm would better round out by battery but I'm ruling it out because of the heavy recoil that's been reported to me; not necessarily the caliber itself, but the caliber in this specific gun. I'm not considering the 7MMWSM due to its lack of popularity.

Homers Brother, I used the 20 FPS/ inch of barrelrule and of course in the 20" barrel the 308 loses a lot more than the 270WSM that comes in a 22" barrel. I'm making some assumptions about the subsequent drop because I don't have any know way to calculate that, but I assume it will be proportionate. That puts the 270 WSM still close to 10" of drop or less and the 308greater than that (I'm guessing). I would use a 140 grn bullet for the 270 WSM and probably stick with it and I would probably use a 165 grn bullet for the 308. If I went up to 180 (or higher) in the 308 the drop would be greater and almost definitely make it closer to a 200 yrd elk gun.

I really appreciate everyone's opinions here and testing my logic. I'm offering my logic as counter points so please don't take it as "he's going to do what he wants to do", or "why ask an opinion if you won't accept it".

Thanks for all of your help! Keep it coming. I know most of you know a lot more than I do.

homers brother

Running a better guess from my exterior ballistics program:

Expecting that you'd drive a 140 gr .277Nosler Accubond at right around 3120 fps from a 22" barrel with the .270 WSM, and a 165 gr .308 Nosler Accubond at right around 2760 fps from a 20" barrel with the .308 Win (both sighted at 100 yards):

Drop at 300 yards is 12.08" for the .270 WSM, and 15.7" for the .308 Win. Either way, you're going to have to compensate for drop. I regularly use the .308 on 12"x12" iron maidens at300, 400,and 500metersand it's not all that difficult to slap them with some practice.

The .308's heavier bullet gives it a 150 ft/lb edge when it comes to muzzle energy.

spuddog

HomersBrother, that is great input. The 308 drops less than I thought and it would open up my optionsfor ammo. I know that I have to compensate for distance, but I was trying to minimize the amount I would have to compensate.If I go with the 308 I would also be able to pick up the gun when I go in. They'd have to get the 270 wsm from another store.

C. Davis

Spuddog,
If 300 yards is your personal limit, then the only real compensation you should make is at sight in. This chart shows you MPBR, (maximum point blank range) for all the cartridges. You just hold dead on out to that MPBR. You can almost do it with everyround you mentioned. I would still foot test these figures at the range and practice at 300 yds. If I were you I would just go with your guts desires, and get it before the light turns red.

I personally think this chart makes the old fashioned .270, and 30-06 look pretty dang good. If you like a short action go with the .308.


http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_trajectory_table.htm


.270 Win. (150 Sp at 2900)
.481
+2.6"
+2.0"
3"@138
287 MPBR

.270 WSM (150 Sp at 3150)
.481
+2.5"
+2.4"
3"@150
311 MPBR


7mm WSM (150 Sp at 3200)
.456
+2.4"
+2.5"
3"@150
314 MPBR

7mm Rem. Mag. (150 Sp at 3110)
.456
+2.5"
+2.3"
3"@150
305 MPBR

7mm Wby. Mag. (154 SP at 3260)
.433
+2.4"
+2.5"
3"@150
317 MPBR


.308 Win. (150 BT at 2800)
.435
+2.7"
+1.7"
3"@135
275 MPBR

.308 Win. (180 Sp at 2610)
.483
+2.8"
+1.2"
3"@125
259 MPBR

.30-06 (150 BT at 2910)
.435
+2.6"
+2.0"
3"@145
287 MPBR

.30-06 (180 Sp at 2700)
.483
+2.7"
+1.5"
3"@125
269 MPBR


.300 WSM (180 Sp at 2970)
.483
+2.6"
+2.2"
3"@150
294 MPBR

C. Davis

spuddog

I really appreciate everyone's input. I took a really hard look again at the 308 and the 300 WSM. I really like the 300 WSM. It's amazing how much we agonize over the ballistics and when it comes down to it, inside of 300 yrds there really isn't much difference. I decided to stay with the 270 WSM and I'm going tostart building up brass to reload with. In the end, it really came down to just a gut feeling. The 270 WSM falls nicely between the 300WSM and the 308. Perfection is a very narrow road. It's more about rational compromises. While all the calibers considered would meet the need this one seemed to feel right. You can crunch numbers all you want, but in the end you still have to make a choice.

Sportsman's Warehouse is having it shipped from another store and it will be in today or tomorrow, then I get to select a scope, sling etc. I'm also going to see if I can sneek in a few other wants on to the bill before the window of opportunity closes.

thanks again,

Spud

dixiedawg80

Spud, we will need to see pics of the new family member, congratulations.

DD