Thread: Advice on a Weatherby 270WSM

Morning All,

Looking at purchasing a rifle from Napier, I am Chch based,

There is a Weatherby 270WSM on TM, bedded in a B&C stock, comes with a can.

Round count is unknown, but seems like a good deal. Anything I should look out for or ask?

Have been told WSMs can be hard on barrels.

Appreciate any input/advice

My missus has a Weatherby Vanguard in 270wsm and it’s great. She’s shot plenty of deer with it.
It loves Federal blue box in 130 grain, but definitely doesn’t like heavier stuff as much, so we just stick with the 130.
Her one was unknown round count but probly quite low as the previous owner brought it new and only shot deer with it, it’s never been to the range.

I have a wooden stock Vanguard in 270wsm I like it unsupressed
recoil ok. Dies are cheap 2nd hand, have 2 sets . Mine was bought used uknown round count but I have put through about 300ish shoots ok still average of 1.5 in at 100 probably do better with another shooter. Paid $600 9 yrs ago came with a timney trigger.

Factory ammo is very expensive and cases are hard to get also. I reload for a couple of people and they both love them.

New federal brass on TM $179 for 50 not too bad

Round count unlikely to be high. Not much of a range cartridge.

Thanks. I will be running factory ammo to get start off with.

Ive got a sako in 270WSM, I like it, got mine bore scoped, from what have read its the area in front of the chamber that breaks down, they don't like strings of shots, temperature build up so I have a three shot limit then have to let it cool, if its cheap and you have to rebarrel it you would have a nice rifle but ammo is expensive if you don't reload

It can always be rebarrelled in 6.5 prc or 300 wsm to keep things simple

Barrel life is fine. It’s all how you treat them. If you’re mag dumping multiple shots in a row with zero cool down period (see PRC match) you’ll cook a barrel but even most magnums if treated nicely will last thousands of rounds.

I’ve got a 270wsm, it’s ok. Got a 7mm-08 that’s ok too. Have had a 270, 308 (couple), 243 25-06 222 223 22-250 7x57 260 and they were ok too. Caliber doesn’t mean all that much really, some people will argue till they are blue in the face that one is the answer to all your dreams but the fact of the matter is they all kill deer just fine if they are hit pretty right. As people have said 270wsm factory ammo can be more difficult than others to find and definitely more expensive. If it’s been a hunting rifle it should have plenty of life left in it.

Well said that man,well said indeed. If you want a wsm....you want a wsm. But reality is they won't do anything a std 270w won't do with lot less fuss.

The elephant in the room is barrel twist.
The 270 wsm should've got a faster twist than standard for the better BC heavies. But that didn't seem to be a thing about 20 years back when it came out.
The new 270 westerner is a tweaked wsm but with a fast twist and is pretty bloody good really.
To be honest though they should be doing the fast twist barrels on normal 270s too.
Bit like they are doing with 223s now.
Best of both worlds.

270wsm is near the ideal 300 to 600 deer cartridge.

You'll want to see a picture of the muzzle thread and crown. If it has any rust marks or pitting then the inside of the bore at the muzzle will too and the rifle will need chopping and rethreading and crowning before any pitting marks.
This is something to look out for these days with the prevailance of suppressors. People leave them on the rifle after using them and very quickly ruin their rifles muzzle, which is critical for precision.
I've seen this alot recently with very newish 2nd hand rifles.