“.270 winchester short magnum”

Here’s a look at 10 of the best magnum cartridges for big-game hunting.

Between the .270 Winchester and the new 6.8 Western, which cartridge is the better all-around choice for the hunter? Contributor Philip Massaro examines the pros and cons of each.

Winchester and Browning have collaborated to produce the 6.8 Western—a new take on the concept of the .270 WSM, using heavier bullets and a faster twist rate than previous iterations of the Winchester cartridges have used. Essentially, the 6.8 Western picks up where the .270 WSM leaves off, and delivers a whole lot more.

The .270 WSM and 7mm Rem. Mag. are the most popular magnums among the .270 and 7mm cartridges, and with good reason; both offer sensible ballistics which can be managed by most shooters without being overly hard on your barrel. But which makes the better choice for hunters? Contributor Philip Massaro takes a closer look at the pros and cons of each.

The all-new 6.8 Western brings the .277-inch bore diameter to life in a cartridge with a muzzle velocity that won’t burn up a throat prematurely, and offers the heavier, higher BC bullets that have been so popular among long-range shooters and hunters.

Engineers at Browning and Winchester teamed up to create a cartridge that offers magnum performance with a modern high-BC projectile, yet is chambered in a short-action rifle for shorter bolt throw and less weight. The 6.8 Western was designed to be the ultimate long-range cartridge that is capable in any big-game hunting scenario as well as long-range target shooting.

Nosler has taken the venerable .270 caliber to a new level with the introduction of the 27 Nosler. Conceived as a 21st century upgrade, the new cartridge delivers previously unobtainable downrange ballistics by pairing the ultimate combination of case capacity with modern long-for-caliber bullets.

Federal combined a host of features in its new Terminal Ascent bullet to deliver balanced performance both up close and at distance.

Between the .270 Winchester and the .270 WSM, which offers the best performance for hunters? Contributor Philip Massaro compares the two and picks the winner.