Flat trajectory, excellent long-range accuracy and mitigated felt recoil define the .270 Weatherby Magnum.
Most shooting enthusiasts think that the .270 Weatherby was developed to satisfy a demand for this caliber after the popularity of the .300 Weatherby Magnum had been established. As a matter of fact, the .270 was the first of the line developed by Roy Weatherby on the necked-down .300 H&H case.
This was in 1943, after experiments with an improved .220 Swift that Weatherby called the .220 Rocket. It was largely actual hunting experience with the .270 WM that started Weatherby on the high-velocity trail. This culminated in his starting a commercial gun business in September of 1945.
General Comments
The popularity of the .270 Winchester made it almost mandatory for Roy Weatherby to include this cartridge in his line of commercial magnum rifles. The .270 Weatherby Magnum has been used extensively, and successfully, on all species of North American big game. It has also achieved notable success on African plains game.
Those who’ve used it claim the .270 Weatherby provides flat trajectory, excellent long-range stopping power on all thin-skinned game and noticeably less recoil than the famous .300 Weatherby Magnum. As an added attraction, the .270 Weatherby Magnum isn’t impractical for varmint shooting. The 100-grain bullet is excellent for this purpose, thus making the .270 Weatherby Magnum a versatile all-around cartridge. However, it’s important to allow plenty of barrel-cooling time with this and all other high-intensity cartridges.
The .270 Weatherby Magnum is easy and economical to reload, and empty cases are available for it. Like the other large-capacity magnum cases, it doesn’t lend itself to reduced loads and is at its best with full or nearly full charges. It’s a fine choice for the hunter who wants to include varmint hunting potential in a big game rifle. It has been one of the most popular cartridges that Weatherby offers.
Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt of Gun Digest's Cartridge's Of The World.
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