Cool! I now have more reason to get a 270 WSM. Have you ever taken any elk with your 270 WSM? EJ

Factory loads are very good these days. I'd recommend you find a friend/relative who has reloaded and can guide you thru the steps. Mistakes in reloading can be dangerous.

If you plan on reloading I would suggest a 7mm WSM or 300 WSM over the 270 WSM. The bullet variety is much greater in 7mm and 30 caliber than in 270. They will be much better all purpose calibers. The bullet weight range on a .277 caliber is from about 90gr to 160gr, .284 (7mm) is about 100gr to 180gr, and .308 is about 100gr to 220gr. The 7mm and 30 caliber also has many more bullet weights within this range than the 270. My Ruger 77, 300 WSM will shoot a .6" group at 100 yards with 180gr Barnes XLCs at 3000 fps and a .5" group at 100 yards with 150gr Core-lokts at 3300 fps.

Good luck

does it kick less than a regular magnum? EJ

No not really, depends on the gun though. For instance a wood or laminate stock will absorb more of the kick than a lighter synthetic. I opted for the ss/syn combo for the weight and size. Where I hunt there are some areas where you can get some long shots but getting there is through some thick woods where the shots are usually 50-60 yds at most.

Generally, the WSM's kick less than their belted counterparts - if you are comparing apples to apples. The reason, at least in theory, is that although both send the same weight bullet down the barrel at about the same speed - the short mags do it with less powder - and are at a lower point on the pressure curve when the bullet breaks its seal at the muzzle. So . . . . the jet engine effect of the powder gasses driving the gun back into your shoulder is less. This is the part of the recoil equation that muzzles brakes mitigate as well.

The Lee Anniversary Kit with the Lee Reloading Manual is what I have!!!! I have loaded 30-06 with it and have the dies to reload 303 British, 357/38 and 9mm Luger. The only thing I didn't like was the scales. I ended up getting a set of RCBS 5-0-5 scales off eBay. I also purchased a tumbler to clean my brass. As another posted had noted you need a good set of calibers to measure your cases.

Along with the kit you will need a 30-06 case length gauge, so you can trim your cases that have stretched.

You will hear a lot of people put down the Lee stuff, but I have no compliants with my stuff, other than the scale. It works, but I wanted something just a little better. I would prefer a digital scale, but those can get expensive.

I reloaded some 30-06 with Nosler 150 gn ballistic tip (green tip) with 50 gn of IMR 4064 powder. Shells worked great. I shot them in my Remington Model 700. I just got into reloading a year ago, but when I reloaded the Noslers, I used them during the WV buck season and took a nice 5 point buck. Dropped him in his tracks!

Good luck!

Very encouraging! My Birthday is tomorow and I cant wait to see if my wife got me the reloading stuff I wanted! We need to chat and compare notes on reloading in the future, EJ

I shouldn't post whenI'm tired . . . .

WVHunter129, I just got that re-loading kit like yours! It comes with everything but the bullets, powder and primers. I couldnt be more happy! I do think that this little kit is right for me due to the fact that I will only load a hundred every three months or so. I like it! EJ