Published: December 2025 | Last updated: April 2026
The 270 WSM (270 Winchester Short Magnum) was introduced in 2002 as part of Winchester’s short magnum family, derived from the same short-fat case architecture as the 300 WSM and 7mm WSM. The design goal was to deliver 270 Winchester ballistics – or better – from a short-action rifle, allowing lighter and more compact mountain hunting platforms without sacrificing downrange performance with .277-inch bullets.
The 270 WSM’s position relative to the 270 Winchester is analogous to the 7mm WSM relative to the 7mm Remington Magnum: similar or slightly superior velocity from a shorter action, at the cost of a belted case and somewhat less factory ammunition variety. The 270 WSM’s genuine advantage over the 270 Winchester is its ability to drive 130-150 grain bullets approximately 200-300 FPS faster, extending the energy-adequate elk hunting range by approximately 75-125 yards.
For reloading data, see the 270 WSM complete guide. For comparisons, see 270 WSM ballistics, 270 Winchester ballistics, and 270 Weatherby Magnum ballistics.
Core Ballistic Parameters
| Load | MV | BC (G7) | Muzzle Energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 130 gr Nosler AccuBond | 3,275 FPS | 0.248 | 3,094 ft-lbs |
| 140 gr Hornady ELD-X | 3,150 FPS | 0.282 | 3,087 ft-lbs |
| 150 gr Nosler Partition | 3,000 FPS | 0.252 | 2,997 ft-lbs |
| 160 gr Barnes TTSX | 2,900 FPS | 0.298 | 2,987 ft-lbs |
All data below uses a 200-yard zero, 1.5-inch sight height, 59°F, sea level, 24-inch barrel. The 270 WSM is a high-performance magnum cartridge. A 200-yard zero is the standard for open-country western hunting applications.
Bullet Drop (200-Yard Zero)
| Range (yards) | 130 gr AccuBond | 140 gr ELD-X | 150 gr Partition | 160 gr TTSX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 |
| 100 | +1.6 | +1.7 | +1.8 | +1.9 |
| 200 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 300 | -5.5 | -5.9 | -6.5 | -7.0 |
| 400 | -15.8 | -17.0 | -18.5 | -20.0 |
| 500 | -31.2 | -33.5 | -36.5 | -39.5 |
| 600 | -52.5 | -56.5 | -61.5 | -66.5 |
| 700 | -80.8 | -87.0 | -94.5 | -102.0 |
| 800 | -117.5 | -126.5 | -137.0 | -148.0 |
| 900 | -163.5 | -175.5 | -190.5 | -205.5 |
| 1,000 | -220.5 | -236.5 | -256.0 | -276.0 |
Drop in inches. Positive values = above line of sight.
The 270 WSM’s trajectory from a 200-yard zero is among the flattest of any standard production .277-inch cartridge. At 300 yards the 130-grain AccuBond is only 5.5 inches low – inside the vital zone depth of a deer on a broadside shot. At 500 yards it reaches 31.2 inches, requiring dialed turrets but straightforward for hunters with confirmed range.
The trajectory spread between loads is significant – at 1,000 yards the 130-grain AccuBond drops 55.5 fewer inches than the 160-grain TTSX, despite the heavier bullet’s better BC. This reflects the 375 FPS starting velocity advantage of the lighter load, which dominates over BC inside 700-750 yards. Past that point the heavier loads’ BCs begin to assert themselves, but the practical hunting window for the 270 WSM ends well before this crossover becomes relevant.
Compared to the 270 Winchester 130-grain AccuBond at 3,060 FPS from a 200-yard zero (approximately 20-22 inches at 400 yards), the 270 WSM 130-grain at 3,275 FPS drops approximately 15.8 inches at the same distance – roughly 5 fewer inches. That trajectory advantage grows at distance: at 600 yards the 270 WSM shoots approximately 10-12 inches flatter than the 270 Winchester with equivalent bullet weights. This is the legitimate argument for the cartridge.
Wind Drift – 10 MPH Full-Value Crosswind
| Range (yards) | 130 gr AccuBond | 140 gr ELD-X | 150 gr Partition | 160 gr TTSX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.6 |
| 200 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 2.7 |
| 300 | 7.0 | 6.3 | 7.0 | 6.4 |
| 400 | 12.8 | 11.4 | 12.8 | 11.6 |
| 500 | 20.5 | 18.2 | 20.5 | 18.4 |
| 600 | 30.0 | 26.5 | 30.0 | 26.8 |
| 700 | 41.5 | 36.5 | 41.8 | 37.0 |
| 800 | 55.5 | 48.5 | 56.0 | 49.2 |
| 900 | 72.0 | 62.8 | 73.0 | 63.5 |
| 1,000 | 91.5 | 79.5 | 93.0 | 80.5 |
Drift in inches. Half-value crosswind = divide by 2.
The original article’s wind drift table showed identical values for 130 gr and 140 gr loads at all distances, and identical values for 150 gr and 160 gr loads at all distances – a copy-paste error that produced physically impossible data. Loads with different bullet weights, BCs, and starting velocities cannot produce identical wind drift at every distance. The corrected table above reflects the actual BC and velocity relationships between these loads.
The 140-grain ELD-X drifts 12 fewer inches than the 130-grain AccuBond at 1,000 yards despite starting 125 FPS slower, because its G7 BC of 0.282 versus the AccuBond’s 0.248 produces a meaningful advantage that compounds at distance. At 600 yards the gap is 3.5 inches – less than half a deer’s vital zone width in a 10 MPH crosswind, but real and growing at extended range.
The 160-grain TTSX (G7 BC: 0.298) and the 140-grain ELD-X (G7 BC: 0.282) produce similar wind resistance despite the TTSX’s larger diameter and lower starting velocity – the TTSX’s modest BC advantage approximately compensates for its velocity deficit. At 600 yards both drift approximately 26.5-26.8 inches.
At 400 yards in a 10 MPH crosswind, the ELD-X and TTSX drift approximately 11.4-11.6 inches – inside an elk’s vital zone for broadside shots with accurate wind reading. The AccuBond and Partition at 12.8 inches are at the margin. Past 500 yards in variable mountain wind, accurate wind reading becomes the limiting factor for ethical elk shots regardless of which load is used.
Velocity Retention
| Range (yards) | 130 gr AccuBond | 140 gr ELD-X | 150 gr Partition | 160 gr TTSX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 3,275 | 3,150 | 3,000 | 2,900 |
| 200 | 2,942 | 2,876 | 2,726 | 2,659 |
| 400 | 2,624 | 2,614 | 2,462 | 2,427 |
| 600 | 2,322 | 2,363 | 2,208 | 2,204 |
| 700 | 2,176 | 2,242 | 2,086 | 2,095 |
| 800 | 2,034 | 2,124 | 1,968 | 1,990 |
| 900 | 1,897 | 2,009 | 1,854 | 1,888 |
| 1,000 | 1,765 | 1,897 | 1,743 | 1,789 |
| 1,100 | 1,638 | 1,789 | 1,637 | 1,694 |
Velocity in FPS. Supersonic threshold approximately 1,340 FPS at sea level.
The velocity crossover between the 130-grain AccuBond and heavier loads is clearly visible. The AccuBond starts at 3,275 FPS – 375 FPS faster than the TTSX – yet by 600 yards the TTSX at 2,204 FPS has nearly equalized with the AccuBond at 2,322 FPS. By 800 yards the ELD-X at 2,124 FPS is 90 FPS faster than the AccuBond at 2,034 FPS, and past that point the heavier high-BC loads hold a growing retained velocity advantage.
All four loads remain well above transonic past 1,100 yards. The AccuBond at 1,638 FPS at 1,100 yards has 298 FPS of supersonic margin; the ELD-X at 1,789 FPS has 449 FPS. For the practical hunting distances of the 270 WSM (inside 700 yards), all loads maintain comfortable supersonic margins.
For hunting expansion thresholds, the 1,800 FPS minimum for quality expanding bullets is crossed at approximately 875-900 yards for the AccuBond; approximately 925-950 yards for the ELD-X; approximately 825-850 yards for the Partition; approximately 875-900 yards for the TTSX (Barnes typically guarantees expansion to 1,600 FPS for TTSX).
Energy Retention
| Range (yards) | 130 gr AccuBond | 140 gr ELD-X | 150 gr Partition | 160 gr TTSX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 3,094 | 3,087 | 2,997 | 2,987 |
| 200 | 2,497 | 2,575 | 2,475 | 2,511 |
| 300 | 2,225 | 2,322 | 2,228 | 2,289 |
| 400 | 1,987 | 2,125 | 2,021 | 2,094 |
| 500 | 1,756 | 1,894 | 1,797 | 1,881 |
| 600 | 1,554 | 1,737 | 1,625 | 1,726 |
| 700 | 1,366 | 1,564 | 1,450 | 1,558 |
| 800 | 1,194 | 1,403 | 1,291 | 1,404 |
| 900 | 1,039 | 1,258 | 1,145 | 1,265 |
| 1,000 | 899 | 1,120 | 1,013 | 1,138 |
Energy in ft-lbs.
The energy table establishes the 270 WSM’s honest hunting range. For elk (1,500 ft-lbs threshold), the 130-grain AccuBond crosses below that mark at approximately 540-550 yards; the 140-grain ELD-X at approximately 635-650 yards; the 150-grain Partition at approximately 575-585 yards; the 160-grain TTSX at approximately 640-650 yards.
The 270 WSM is a legitimate 575-650 yard elk cartridge depending on load selection – extending the 270 Winchester’s approximately 350-375 yard elk ceiling by approximately 200-275 yards. This is the 270 WSM’s primary hunting argument over its parent cartridge.
For deer (1,000 ft-lbs threshold), the ELD-X and TTSX hold above that mark past 1,000 yards. All loads maintain deer-adequate energy past 850-900 yards. The 270 WSM is a genuine long-range deer cartridge.
The original article’s energy table showed 130-grain muzzle energy of 2,800 ft-lbs, which would require approximately 3,087 FPS – inconsistent with the 3,275+ FPS typically achieved. The corrected figures above use accurate kinetic energy calculations based on the velocity data.
Terminal Performance Profiles
Hornady ELD-X 140 gr
Construction: Polymer tip with Heat Shield to prevent tip deformation in flight, bonded copper jacket to lead core. At the 270 WSM’s 3,150 FPS, the bonded construction is essential – standard cup-and-core bullets at this velocity can experience core-jacket separation at close-range impacts through bone.
Terminal behavior: Expands to 0.48-0.60 inches with 90-95% weight retention. At 3,150 FPS close-range impact, the bonded core maintains integrity through rapid expansion. Penetration in elk-sized tissue: 18-24 inches. At 500 yards where velocity drops to approximately 2,363 FPS, expansion is controlled and consistent. The ELD-X expands reliably to approximately 1,600 FPS – past 925-950 yards in the 270 WSM.
Hunting application: The 270 WSM’s primary factory hunting reference for deer through elk. Energy above 1,500 ft-lbs to approximately 635-650 yards for elk; above 1,000 ft-lbs past 1,000 yards for deer. Hornady Precision Hunter in 145-grain ELD-X is the standard factory offering. The best all-around 270 WSM hunting load for hunters who want one bullet covering close-range timber shots through 600-yard mountain elk.
More details: Hornady ELD-X bullet profile
Nosler AccuBond 130 gr
Construction: Bonded polymer-tipped bullet. The lightest standard 270 WSM hunting load – highest velocity and flattest trajectory of the four loads.
Terminal behavior: Expands to 0.44-0.56 inches with 65-70% weight retention. At 3,275 FPS the bonded construction handles the velocity without core-jacket separation. Penetration in deer-sized tissue: 16-22 inches. At 400 yards where velocity drops to approximately 2,624 FPS, expansion is more controlled.
Hunting application: Deer and antelope inside 540-550 yards where energy exceeds 1,500 ft-lbs for elk on broadside shots. The flattest trajectory of the four loads inside 500 yards – 31.2 inches at 500 yards from a 200-yard zero – makes it practical for pronghorn and mule deer at unknown distances in open terrain where holdover simplicity is valued.
More details: Nosler AccuBond bullet profile
Nosler Partition 150 gr
Construction: Dual-core partitioned design. Front core expands rapidly; partition retains the rear core for guaranteed minimum penetration regardless of impact velocity, angle, or bone contact.
Terminal behavior: Front core mushrooms to 0.52-0.62 inches in the first 5-7 inches of tissue. The partition retains the rear core for 14-18 additional inches of penetration. Total penetration in elk-sized tissue: 20-26 inches. Weight retention 62-70%. The Partition exits on virtually all elk broadside shots and handles quartering-to shots through heavy shoulder reliably.
Hunting application: Elk, moose, and black bear inside 500-525 yards where shot angles may be uncertain. Energy above 1,500 ft-lbs to approximately 575-585 yards. The Partition’s guaranteed rear-core penetration is its argument over the AccuBond and ELD-X when shots arrive from timber at unknown angles through heavy muscle and bone. For the hunter who cannot always guarantee a clean broadside shot, the Partition provides the most reliable outcome.
More details: Nosler Partition bullet profile
Barnes TTSX 160 gr
Construction: All-copper tipped expanding bullet with relief grooves to reduce pressure. Reliable four-petal expansion with near-100% weight retention. Lead-free design for California and other regulated areas.
Terminal behavior: Expands to a four-petal mushroom of 0.50-0.58 inches. Full copper weight retained after expansion. Penetration in elk-sized tissue: 22-28 inches – the deepest penetration of the four loads. Reliable expansion down to approximately 1,600 FPS – approximately 875+ yards. Exit wounds on elk are essentially guaranteed at hunting distances.
Hunting application: Deer, elk, and bear in lead-free regulated areas; or hunters who want maximum penetration depth from any shot angle. The TTSX’s 22-28 inch penetration depth handles quartering-to shots through heavy muscle and bone with reliability that no conventional bullet can exceed. Energy above 1,500 ft-lbs to approximately 640-650 yards. Reduce starting charges 5% from lead-core data; use dedicated copper bore solvents. The 160-grain TTSX at 2,900 FPS produces more muzzle blast than the lighter loads – a trade-off for the penetration advantage.
More details: Barnes TTSX bullet profile
Berger Elite Hunter 140 gr
Construction: Hybrid ogive hunting bullet combining secant and tangent ogive sections. Uses controlled fragmentation – jacket fails at 2-3 inches of penetration, creating a large temporary wound cavity before the heavy rear section drives forward.
Terminal behavior: At 270 WSM’s velocities (approximately 3,100-3,200 FPS in 140-grain), the Berger Elite Hunter is at the upper end of its velocity design range. Close-range shots inside 100 yards warrant care due to extreme fragmentation at full velocity. Beyond 200 yards where velocity has moderated to approximately 2,800 FPS, terminal performance is as designed – dramatic wound cavity from the fragmentation mechanism. At 600 yards (approximately 2,363 FPS), fragmentation is reliable and effective on deer and elk from clean shots. Penetration in elk-sized tissue: 14-22 inches depending on distance.
Hunting application: Deer and elk inside 600 yards where the Berger’s G7 BC of approximately 0.315 provides competitive wind resistance (similar to the ELD-X). For open-country hunters who prioritize BC and trajectory at extended range and can control shot angle to clean broadside or quartering-away, the Elite Hunter is effective. Not the preferred choice for close-range quartering-to shots through heavy bone where fragmentation may limit penetration.
More details: Berger Elite Hunter bullet profile
Practical Range Recommendations
Deer – any load inside 850-1,000 yards depending on selection. Energy above 1,000 ft-lbs past 900 yards with the ELD-X and TTSX. A practical self-imposed 600-yard field limit accounts for wind uncertainty and shot placement pressure in variable mountain conditions.
Elk – ELD-X 140-grain or TTSX 160-grain inside 625-650 yards; Partition 150-grain inside 550-575 yards; AccuBond 130-grain inside 525-540 yards. All limits reflect the 1,500 ft-lbs elk threshold. The 270 WSM extends the 270 Winchester’s elk ceiling by 200-275 yards – the primary practical argument for the cartridge.
Moose – TTSX 160-grain or Partition 150-grain inside 450 yards on broadside shots. Moose require guaranteed deep penetration; both loads provide 20+ inches through any angle inside 400 yards.
Bonded bullet requirement at close range: At 270 WSM’s 2,900-3,275 FPS starting velocities, standard cup-and-core bullets can fail at close-range impacts through bone. Use only bonded (AccuBond, ELD-X), partitioned (Partition), or monolithic (TTSX) bullets for all hunting applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much better is the 270 WSM than the 270 Winchester for elk? The 270 Winchester 130-grain AccuBond at 3,060 FPS holds above 1,500 ft-lbs to approximately 330-340 yards; the 270 WSM 130-grain at 3,275 FPS extends that to approximately 540-550 yards. With the heavier ELD-X or TTSX loads the 270 WSM reaches 625-650 yards. The practical elk hunting improvement is approximately 200-275 yards of additional energy-adequate range – real and meaningful for open-country elk hunters who regularly engage at 400-600 yards. For timber elk hunters inside 300 yards, the difference is irrelevant.
Does the 270 WSM require a magnum action? The 270 WSM uses a belted case but fits a standard short-action magazine box (maximum COAL approximately 2.860 inches) – NOT a long magnum action. This is the cartridge’s design achievement: magnum-class ballistics in a short-action package. However, it requires magazines and actions designed for the WSM case head diameter, which is slightly larger than the standard .308 Winchester case head. Winchester M70 Short Action, Browning A-Bolt, and other specifically 270 WSM-chambered short actions accommodate it.
Is the 270 WSM appropriate for moose? Yes inside 400-450 yards with the TTSX or Partition on broadside shots. The 270 WSM’s energy at 400 yards (approximately 2,094-2,125 ft-lbs) provides adequate moose-hunting authority with quality penetrating bullets. Moose hunting should be limited to the Partition or TTSX – both guarantee deep penetration through moose’s heavy muscle layers. Limit shots to broadside or quartering-away; avoid quartering-to shots at range.
Why is the 270 WSM less popular than the 300 WSM and 7mm WSM? The 270 Winchester’s dominance in the .277-inch bore market means hunters who want a .277 cartridge already have an established choice with overwhelming factory ammunition variety. The 7mm WSM and 300 WSM offer bullet diameters with no direct non-magnum competition at equivalent performance levels, making their value proposition clearer. The 270 WSM exists in the shadow of both the 270 Winchester (lower cost, more ammunition) and the 7mm WSM (similar case, more bullet selection). Factory ammunition exists from Winchester, Nosler, and Federal but selection is limited compared to the other WSM cartridges.
What powders work best in the 270 WSM? Hodgdon H4831SC and IMR 4831 are the traditional accuracy references for the full 130-160 grain bullet weight range in .277-inch WSM cases. Alliant Reloder 22 and Hodgdon H4350 produce excellent results with 130-140 grain bullets. IMR 4451 Enduron and Alliant Reloder 26 provide temperature-insensitive performance valued for hunting in varying conditions. See the 270 WSM complete guide for specific charge data.
How does the 270 WSM compare to the 270 Weatherby Magnum? The 270 Weatherby Magnum produces approximately 150-200 FPS more velocity than the 270 WSM with equivalent bullet weights – driving 130-grain bullets to approximately 3,375-3,450 FPS versus the WSM’s 3,275 FPS. The Weatherby’s advantages are maximum .277-inch velocity and the Weatherby freebore design. The 270 WSM’s advantages are short-action compatibility, better factory ammunition availability, and slightly better barrel life from the more efficient short-fat case. At practical hunting distances inside 600 yards, the two cartridges produce similar results; the Weatherby’s velocity advantage shows more clearly at 700-900 yards.
Editorial note: This article was originally published in December 2025 and revised in April 2026.
