It is true that the 6.5 Creedmoor has swept the hunting world off its feet. The old school shooters and hunters still remain skeptical about it. No matter how much you talk about it the 270 WSM vs 6.5 Creedmoor debate seems to gather steam.
The .270 WSM or Winchester Short Magnum was produced in the year 2002. It is a short magnum cartridge which is unbelted. The 6.5 Creedmoor is a product of the Hornady family. It was developed in 2007 and introduced in 2008. It is a centerfire rifle cartridge and it had been designed especially for long-range shooting.
Let us have a deeper look at these casings that can really add to your shooting experience.
What’s The Difference Between 6.5 Creedmoor & 270 Wsm?
The 270 WSM vs 6.5 Creedmoor discussion is an ongoing contention that seems to be never-ending. We can say that both are good hunting companions. Those that are big-time into gaming or spend a lot of time outdoors hunting will find these to be reliable enough.
We can say that the two are slightly different from each other, but it is you that has to decide which one is right for you. We can guide you with what they are but do not know what level of hunting or shooting you are into, or the conditions of your gaming. We can say that –
270 WSM
Every manufacturer provides it or a variant of the 270 and that pretty much speaks for its popularity. It can be operated with 100 to 150 grains and can be used within 300 to 400 yards with ease. Hence, it is deemed fit for elk hunting and this means it wins the bout of 6.5 Creedmoor vs 270 for elk conversation.
The downsides of the 270 Winchester include high recoil. You must also consider high consumption, as it needs a minimum of 50 grains of powder to perform, unlike 6.5 Creedmoor.
6.5 Creedmoor
This one works fine with bullets that are of 95 to 160 grains. This is low on recoil, which is why it consumes less power. It performs really well at long ranges and has successfully conquered the wind drift.
Since it is a new cartridge in comparison to 270 WSM and this gives you a limited choice when it comes to ammunition selection. That is the only downside of 270 casings that we can think of as of now.
270 Vs 6.5 Creedmoor – Comprehensive Comparison
Finally, we have reached this section that will serve as the decider for you in this 6.5 Creedmoor vs 270 WSM fight. You may ask “Which is better 6.5 PRC or 270,” we say just read this segment to get a better hang of them.
Design
Both have amazing designs that are worth your time and effort. There is no need to say that the two are centuries apart, yet they have been contending for the numero uno position.
The bottom line is these two can be used to strike anything from a distance. It is needless to say that the 270 WSM has been a favorite of hunters for centuries now. Nonetheless, Hornady’s 6.5 Creedmoor is an elegant piece of work that is reliable too.
It has to be remembered that the Creedmoor is sharp, but is less tapered as compared to the .270 WSM. This certainly helps the former to extract faster than the latter. We think this must also be given a thought before you procure either of these.
Ballistics
As we get into discussing the nitty-gritty of these casings, we need to tell you one thing that 270 WSM has a flatter trajectory and 6.5 Creedmoor has a greater ballistics coefficient. That being said, we have noticed that the 270 has more velocity, especially kinetic energy at 500 yards. It also has a considerable bullet drop that makes us believe in the saying “Old is gold.”
Twist Rate
For starters, we have found these two casings to be rather satisfying. Moreover, we have to agree with the popular opinion that 6.5 Creedmoor has a faster twisting rate than the 270 WSM. The .270 Winchester has a heavier projectile than the Creedmoor. In fact, it can be used for long-range hunting and will play along when in the right hands.
Recoil
If your game involves the likes of sheep, bighorn sheep, chamois, Himalayan Tahr, or mountain goat, then .270 WSM should be your ultimate choice. In contrast, the 6.5 has free recoil that helps in faster twisting. Ergo, it is believed to be good for varmints, mule deer, feral hogs, pronghorn, and moose too.
Again, you must pay heed to the wind drift qualities of the 6.5 Creedmoor. It has low recoil and this additional feature makes it boundless when it comes to hunting for deer. Yes, this feature must be counted on when we talk about the 270 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor. What say?
Casing Sizes
Hands down, Creedmoor has a shorter size than the 270 Winchester. The reason for this is that 6.5 was designed for short-range gaming. Quite conversely, the 270 Winchester was designed for standard shooting and long-range hunting.
Although the rim sizes are the same, yet 270 needs more gunpowder for its long-range capabilities. The Creedmoor may need less gunpowder, which means it is lightweight. This allows you to carry more ammo anytime anywhere! That most definitely is a pro you want to know before you get a magazine for your gun.
Is A 270 Wsm Good For Deer Hunting?
Under the average conditions, you can actually use the 270 Winchester Short Magnum to hunt specifically, whitetail deer with ease. You must utilize a medium grain bullet from mid-range (150 yards) for the correct shot placement. We have found this tactic to be beneficial for us and this should also be considered as one of those pointers in this examination of 6.5 Creedmoor vs 270.
Besides deer, you can also use it to hunt coyotes, black bears, and woodchucks. Yes, but you may have to stick to a range of 90 to 150 yards on an average for this. We have heard of a few that have shot an elk with a 270 Winchester too! Some experts can make things like these possible.
As for us, we are humble people that try to do new things with the little knowledge that we have. We learn this way and then share it with you via this blog. We hope to continue doing this.
What Is The Best 270 Wsm Rifle?
It all started with .270 Winchester that was produced in 1925 that marked the beginning of velocity adoring holders. Today, we have a number of these cartridges like the 270 Winchester, 350 Legend, and the 6.5 Creedmoor. Yes, over the past 100 years Winchester has come a long way for sure.
If you want to know the names of rifles that the .270 WSM fits into, then we must talk about the Savage 11 Trophy Hunter XP, TIKKA T3X LITE, CZ-USA CZ 557 American Synthetic, and Browning X-Bolt Hunter to be a few.
The Savage Arms 110 Storm LH seems to be a practical name out of all these names. For this, you don’t have to break your bank and will end up with an accurate rifle to serve your purposes well. This can be regarded as a 6.5 Creedmoor vs 270 wins.
What Is The Best Bullet For A 270 Wsm?
The answer to this question differs based on the type of hunting or shooting you are keen on. For example, if you are into jackrabbits, mule, antelope, elk, deer, whitetail deer, or mountain lions, then the140 GR SBT Sierra GameKing bullets. These are deemed best for hunting. Their ballistic shape and suitable weight make them perfect for medium to heavy gaming.
Again, if your game is based on close range, and you are targeting a deer, then Barnes TTSX could also do wonders for you and your game. You may use Barnes of 140 grains within 400 yards range. Then you have Accubond (130 grains) to be specific within 60 yards, which is another option.
So, you see there is no dearth of bullets that fit well with the 270 Winchester Short Magnum. It is your gaming conditions, object, and weather conditions that define “good” or the “best” bullets for these cartridges.
Our Choice Is…
Amidst this argument 270 WSM vs 6.5 Creedmoor, our choice remains to be simple. We find both of these to be great selections. Some of us prefer velocity, drop, and energy in our cartridges, which is why they side with 270 Winchester.
On the other hand, there are others that want recoil, wind deflection, and compact magazines. They favor the 6.5 Creedmoor for all this and this is the reason we say they are equally good. We have experienced it firsthand and we can say it depends on what you want to focus on.
Our #1 Recommendation
270 WSM Ammo
CARTRIDGE: 270 WSM (WINCHESTER SHORT MAG)
BULLET WEIGHT (GRAINS) : 150
ROUNDS: 20
BULLET STYLE : RAPID CONTROLLED EXPANSION POLYMER TIP
