Whatever happened to the Winchester Short Magnums?

tndrfttom · Oct 10, 2019

What happened to the Winchester Short and Super Short Magnum series of cartridges that came out in the early 2000’s? I never find any brass for them at the range or see them used or even mentioned. Other than being suited to fit in “short actions” were they any better than the standard length cartridges they mirrored? I see the Winchester catalog still lists the 270, 300 and 325 WSM as available in their Model 70 but from the picture it looks like the action is standard length which I assume means the magazine length is blocked for the shorter cartridges. So, if I’m correct, where is the benefit if you don’t get a lighter, stiffer, more compact action? Better accuracy? Anybody had any experience with these Winchester cartridges, good or bad?

Echo40 · Oct 10, 2019

You probably inadvertently answered your own question here.

Generally speaking, when one has to question the use, value, or benefit of something, it doesn't sell very well and thusly fades into obscurity due to the lack of a tangible use or benefit.

ISCS Yoda · Oct 10, 2019

Fading into obscurity.....

Sounds right to me, especially with the 6.5 Creedmore taking over the world..............

Kurusu · Oct 10, 2019

It has been

Pursued to death by the Oxymoron Police.

ArchAngelCD · Oct 10, 2019

I never saw a need for those cartridges and thought they were only meant to sell more rifles. Just my jaded opinion.

alwslate · Oct 10, 2019

They went the way of the Dodo bird. Extinction.

The Norseman · Oct 10, 2019

Go get Shorty

I like the 300 Win Shrt Mag. That is probably
because it is in the Family, and I can shoot
it and take care of it.

A circa '90's Browning Medallion Model Engraved
Receiver, Blued, Checkered Walnut Stock, a Long
Barrel with the Boss Muzzle Break Bullet tuner on it.

Got to shoot it recently with 5 Reloads I made
for it to Range Test. Wow, it was impressive
to me, and different, since I shoot Revolvers
mostly.

Before I Reloaded those 5 Cartridges, in my research,
they mirror the 300 Win Mag. One thing that stuck in
my mind the Win Shrt Mag was Smaller but more
efficent with Powder and the Power something to do
with the Cartridge Neck Angle.

Also, to me they are more for Someone that Reloads.
At the Stores I've looked at the 20 count box, and
they are not cheap.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

Fishinfool · Oct 10, 2019

Theoretically, they offered benefits over the cartridges they were supposed to replace - short powder collum, short action, higher velocity, ect. The problem was they cost more, and even though there were some slight benefits, all the cartridges they bettered were already well established. Of the bunch, the .300 WSM was probably the most successful. Probably a very good choice if you want an ultralight rifle with some power, but then recoil becomes more than the average hunter wants. I don't think your average hunter is as accepting of new cartridges as the folks who are into cutting edge tactical, and the WSM series were marketed as hunting rounds. The WSSM series were even more of a flop, even though on paper they did sound good. Hunters are a conservative lot.

Larry

gwpercle · Oct 10, 2019

They were ignored to death by the shooters .

Concerning the short , super short and ultra short 30's , I read all the hoopla , heard the shouting and saw the arm waving but decided they weren't any better than my 30-06 , 308 and 30-30 .
Gary

muddocktor · Oct 10, 2019

My brother bought a 300 WSM gun, but doesn't shoot it a lot. Says it kills on one end and maims on the other.

It does have a rather hard recoil.

Baggy Wrinkle · Oct 10, 2019

I had a Tikka T3 in 300 WSM for a number of years. It does mimic a 300 Win Mag with less powder and less recoil. But it is no less expensive to shoot. I found that it didn’t kill deer any deader than my 243 Win so I sent it down the road. I am now drinking the 6.5 Creedmoor koolaid. Guess I will never learn.

Valmet · Oct 10, 2019

I find the .300 WSM was more successful than the others. Especially those goofy WSSM cartridges (223 WSSM and 243 WSSM and didn’t they introduce a 25 WSSM?)

The 300 WSM deliveres near 300 Win Mag ballistics in a short action, which I can see could be a possible appeal.

twodog max · Oct 10, 2019

I bought a 270 WSM mainly for a Model 70 in a caliber I did not have. Rarely use it as I see no real advantage over the several 270 Winchester I have. I suppose I am stuck with it now. I have shot all the WSM and WSSM cartridges in a friends rifles. IMO they are mostly unnecessary. I feel the same about the 6.5 Creedmore but I won't take the bait there.

white cloud · Oct 10, 2019

I have been shooting for a long while now. I have seen a lot of cartridges come and go and guess it makes money for some people. When the WSMs came out, I was pretty sure they would go the way of 350 Remington Magnum, 6.5 Winchester...the list is long. A lot of people have figured out that an appropriate load in a .30/06 or .270 Winchester kills the **** out of 90% big game most people shoot. Furthermore you can pick up ammo almost anywhere. I am a 66 year old who mainly hunts whitetail. I have had younger shooters advise me that I needed a 6.5 Creedmore or .338 Lapua. Huh? If I am to believe what I see at the range, most people do not need to take shots longer than 200 yards. You really don't need a $5000 rifle or the latest super duper rifle round to get the job done at 200 yards.

growr · Oct 10, 2019

Pawn shops here in Montana are chuck full of them, some won't even take them anymore.
Was pretty short lived for sure. Not dead by any means, as I see Short mag boxes in the trash (no brass however) when I am RO' ing, so there must be some still in use.
I seldom see any of the Ultra Mag cartridges either.
Randy

Randy

brucev · Oct 10, 2019

What happened to the Winchester short magnums? They came up short. (Mea culpa! Mea culpa! Just couldn't resist!) Sincerely. bruce

Mike SC Hunter · Oct 10, 2019

brucev said:
What happened to the Winchester short magnums? They came up short. (Mea culpa! Mea culpa! Just couldn't resist!) Sincerely. bruce

Same will happen to the much ballyhooed 350 legend. Just invented to sell rifles. Nothing more . Nothing less.

kscharlie · Oct 10, 2019

Well, my opinion is considerably different than most here. I feel the "hunting" public really missed the boat on the WSM cartridges. But first, a bit of my "history".

I am right handed but shoot long guns left handed (left eye dominant). I grew up in the 50s/60s and always wanted a Winchester Model 70. When they started making left hand versions in the 90s (I think), I kept telling myself to get one. I procrastinated until Winchester announced they were closing shop. After much thought and self-discussion, I settled on a left hand Featherweight in .270 WSM. Best decision I ever made.

It has the most butter smooth short action bolt I have ever fired. My other rifles in the standard long action are all clunky and rough in comparison. The .270 WSM gives me a near clone to the .270 Weatherby, with far less felt recoil than my .30-06 Rem 700 BDL.

To me, the Featherweight was a win, the short action was a win, and the .270 WSM was a win.

mauser9 · Oct 10, 2019

Good to hear the responses. My old .270 Winchester and 30:06 will continue to serve me.

ArchAngelCD · Oct 10, 2019

Mike said:
Same will happen to the much ballyhooed 350 legend. Just invented to sell rifles. Nothing more . Nothing less.

At least it can be shot in an AR platform.

Whatever happened to the Winchester Short Magnums?

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