Is it possible...

[Patriot_1776]

If anyone is interested, maybe give a small statement or reason for your answer.  I'm kind of curious about the possible competition the 223 WSSM will ensue against other popular 22 caliber/varmint rounds.  BTW, what really gets my interest in this, is the fact the 223 Super Short takes very similarly after the PPC benchrest cartridges; just a little more "muscular".   Patriot

[Lawdog]

I have owned many .22 centerfire rifles(5 .22-250’s and 4 .220 Swift’s) in my lifetime and my Win. M70 Coyote in .223 WSSM is more accurate out of the box than any of them.  The benchrest shooters have known for a long time that the short fat cartridge design is inherently more accurate than the standard cartridge design.  Would I recommend that anyone that owns a .22 centerfire that they are happy with to scrap it in favor of the .223 WSSM, NO.  But if one is in the market for a fast .22 centerfire than they would be foolish to not to consider the .223 WSSM.  Lawdog
 

[hedditch]

It is a barrel burner more so than the 220 swift.  A local custom gun maker says the barrel erodes on the average of .001 per 100 rds and as a result a new barrel is required after 1800 rds.  For a coyote shooter, this is probably acceptable.  For a prairie dog and gopher shooter, it isn't.

[Lawdog]

hedditch,

It is a barrel burner more so than the 220 swift. A local custom gun maker says the barrel erodes on the average of .001 per 100 rds and as a result a new barrel is required after 1800 rds.

Just how many .223 WSSM's has that custom gun maker made?  He is going by rumor.  Any cartridge is a barrel burner if you live on the ragged edge of Max loads.  I have 1,100(+/-) rounds thru my .223 WSSM and it has nothing near the erosion that you have stated(as viewed and measured with a bore scope by two different gunsmith).  I know at least 10 other shooters of the .223 WSSM and they all are reporting results like mine.  If you want your barrels to last stay away from Max loads.  Lawdog
 

[Ramrod]

Patriot_1776. There is no reason why the accuracy shouldn't rival that of the other two rounds. But accuracy is not the whole story.
Will it ever rival them in sales? I say NO.
Will it still be around in 10 years? I doubt it.
This short mag fad will play itself out pretty fast.

[Patriot_1776]

Ramrod,

I'm sure they won't shake the ground according to sales when compared to the other cartridges; my main point was to see what most public opinion would be about this and pretty much the entire WSSM design.  Another thing I've found to be odd, is how the WSMs have (maybe) choked the sales of Remington's SAUMs, as I've heard many RSAUMs are being rechambered into WSMs.  Oh well...  As always, anyone's input is welcome.   Patriot

Will it ever rival them in sales? I say NO.
Will it still be around in 10 years? I doubt it.

I wonder how many 30-06 and 300 H&H fans said that when they first came out with the 300 Winchester Magnum or even the 300 Weatherby Mag... :shock:  :eek:  :lol:

[Lawdog]

Patriot,

Will it ever rival them in sales? I say NO.
Will it still be around in 10 years? I doubt it.

When Winchester first announced they were going to be releasing the .223 & .243 WSSM cartridges they backordered something bad.  I ordered mine in Nov. 2002 and took delivery in June of 2003.  Winchester withheld releasing the .243 due to a last minute shoulder change.  The WSSM cartridges are selling very well and it is rumored that Winchester is considering a .30 caliber WSSM to go along with the .223, .243 and .25 offerings.  Just think .308 Win./.30-06 power in a compact case.  Do I believe the WSSM’s will be around in 10 years, YOU BET.  Lawdog