223 WSSM : Is it a good caliber?

[coyote trapper1928]

What do you you all think?  Is the 223 WSSM a good caliber rifle to buy if you don't reload and don't care about the price of ammo?

Thanks,

[nomosendero]

No, especially if you don't reload. It is doubtful that round will survive whether someone thinks it is a good round or not, if you can't buy factory ammo, you would be out of luck.

[huntswithdogs]

Buy yourself a "standard"223 or a 22-250. You'll be yourself a favor.

HWD

[poncaguy]

I would choose the 243 WSSM  instead.................

[S.S.]

A .22-250 would probably be money more wisely spent.
I do not see this cartridge (223 wssm) being around long.
I would like to have one myself though, but I can't bring myself to buy one.
I have a 270 WSM but I have bought Dies and lots of brass for it just in case.
Do the same with a 223 wssm and you will probably be ok.
Availability would be it's only downfall to me.

[handirifle]

I'd be suprised if ANY of the WSSM's survive.  The WSM's are about the practicle limit for a short case.  There is no real advantage of the 223 WSSM over the 22-250, and ammo is SOOO much cheaper (Winchester white box, 40 rounds $15) and plentiful.

[acloco]

There is a HUGE difference in 22-250 and the 223 WSSM.

Talk to a ballistician....

Powder is in a shorter column than a 22-250 or 220 Swift case.

Rifle can handle more powder because there is more square inches of the cartridge to spread the pressure out further.

Better burn rate.

Shorter OAL.

WSSM's have or are nearly an Ackley Improved shoulder.

Almost 400 FPS faster than 22-250.



223 WSSM                                        22-250
40 GR. NOS BT (Maximum Loads)        40 GR. NOS BT
 DIA. .224"
 COL: 2.200"                                   COL: 2.350"
 
 H414 50.5 4301 62,400 PSI            H414 41.0 3933 47,100 CUP
 
 H380 49.3 4292 62,300 PSI            H380 41.0 3855 39,200 CUP
 
 VARGET 43.5 4278 63,800 PSI        VARGET 39.5 4135 51,100 CUP
 
 BL-C(2) 46.2 4352 61,800 PSI
 
 H4895 43.0 4320 62,900 PSI           H4895 37.0 4060 48,700 CUP


 
 

 

[handirifle]

You're comparing apples to orangs there.  PSI does not equate to CUP.  If you're showing me that the WSSM uses more powder then I say there is NO advantage over the other 22 centerfires out there.  So who cares if the rifle can handle the pressure better.   Not everyone will push one the the absolute max, as those are not always the most accurate load.

The real test is whether or not shooters will buy it, whether there is a percieved or real advantage, over the existing rounds out there. 

You may be right I may be wrong, I guess time will tell.  The 6mm Rem wasfaster than the 243 and according to some, a better round, but it doesn't hold a candle to the 243 in sales, and I'm not sure how many makers still build guns chambered in it.

The WSSM cases limit magazine capicity more than other rounds.  Speed isn't everything when it comes to a hunting gun.

[acloco]

Agree...128%!!!

These are a closer comparison than the quick marketing the manufacturers tried to do when the WSSM came out.  Comparing a 223 with a 223 WSM is/was ludicrous.

I would actually like to try a 223 WSSM on prairie dogs...at..oh....800 yards.

Seriously considering making a purchase....who knows!?!?!?

[huntswithdogs]

After the problems I've had with my wifes 243wssm, I wouldn't consider this one. On paper it looks fine,in reality it sucks! That's why you see them on the used racks. My wife would much rather shoot my 243 than her Browning now. It looks good but right there is where it stops.

Just my 2 cents worth and my opinion.

HWD

[skb2706]

There is a HUGE difference in 22-250 and the 223 WSSM.

Talk to a ballistician....

Powder is in a shorter column than a 22-250 or 220 Swift case.

Rifle can handle more powder because there is more square inches of the cartridge to spread the pressure out further.

Better burn rate.

Shorter OAL.

WSSM's have or are nearly an Ackley Improved shoulder.

Almost 400 FPS faster than 22-250.



223 WSSM                                        22-250
40 GR. NOS BT (Maximum Loads)        40 GR. NOS BT
 DIA. .224"
 COL: 2.200"                                   COL: 2.350"
 
 H414 50.5 4301 62,400 PSI            H414 41.0 3933 47,100 CUP
 
 H380 49.3 4292 62,300 PSI            H380 41.0 3855 39,200 CUP
 
 VARGET 43.5 4278 63,800 PSI        VARGET 39.5 4135 51,100 CUP
 
 BL-C(2) 46.2 4352 61,800 PSI
 
 H4895 43.0 4320 62,900 PSI           H4895 37.0 4060 48,700 CUP


 
 

 

That is without a doubt one of the worst comparisons I have ever seen. I am assuming you pulled this data from a loading book....as opposed to 'real world shooting experience'. All the 22-250s I have worked with will easily make the 40gr. 4000 fps mark with little trouble........
 
The host of issues surrounding the .223WSSMs makes it marketing disaster ....the likes of which will always haunt the Winchester folks.

[acloco]

That is without a doubt one of the worst comparisons I have ever seen. I am assuming you pulled this data from a loading book....as opposed to 'real world shooting experience'. All the 22-250s I have worked with will easily make the 40gr. 4000 fps mark with little trouble........
 
The host of issues surrounding the .223WSSMs makes it marketing disaster ....the likes of which will always haunt the Winchester folks.

Um...yeah.....pick ANY load book...the SAME information and results are there.

[skb2706]

Yep..........the grand total of "any load book" is limited at best.
 
Even your own data shows speeds of less than 140 fps difference. Hence the HUGE difference.

The only real HUGE difference is that the typical .223 WSSM is chambered in a faster twist barrel making it more suitable for heavier bullets. The things I shoot with a .224" caliber rifle don't require heavier bullets.

The original question "is it a good caliber"........my answer yes..........do I want one in place of my 22-250 AI.........not a chance.

[acloco]

Yep..........the grand total of "any load book" is limited at best.
 
Even your own data shows speeds of less than 140 fps difference. Hence the HUGE difference.

The only real HUGE difference is that the typical .223 WSSM is chambered in a faster twist barrel making it more suitable for heavier bullets. The things I shoot with a .224" caliber rifle don't require heavier bullets.

The original question "is it a good caliber"........my answer yes..........do I want one in place of my 22-250 AI.........not a chance.

Not sure on your math bud.

223 wssm                                         22-250

H414 50.5 4301 62,400 PSI            H414 41.0 3933 47,100 CUP             368 fps difference
 
 H380 49.3 4292 62,300 PSI            H380 41.0 3855 39,200 CUP            437 fps difference
 
 VARGET 43.5 4278 63,800 PSI        VARGET 39.5 4135 51,100 CUP       143 fps difference
 
 BL-C(2) 46.2 4352 61,800 PSI
 
 H4895 43.0 4320 62,900 PSI           H4895 37.0 4060 48,700 CUP          260 fps difference

average of 302 fps for the four max loads.


Personally, I believe the round is hype.  What about barrel life?  I sincerely doubt you could get 4 or 5 thousand rounds down the tube, accurately (hold a 1" group at 100 yards).

Couple this with the expense of brass and the cost for the amount of powder to achieve these unreal speeds....better off to go several different routes.

[nasem]

I might get creamed for this but here goes:
I think all the WSSM are pointless.... I don't see them solve any problems that thier standard brothers haven't been solving for the past 30 or 40 years.

I like to shoot far more than I like to hunt and those WSSM super fast bullets have a tendency to shoot out your barrel.  I shoot close to 100-150 rounds a month and I have put close to 2500 rounds in my remington 7400 30-06, and its still shooting strong for the past 3 years.  Do you think a WSSM barrel will withstand 2500 rounds with great accuracy ? I highly doubt it

[Don Fischer]

I think the first answer was the best. All the balistics hype and discussion on heavy bullet's are pointless if the cartridge goes away. And even for the reloader, in time, where do you get the cases? Someone tell me where you can get a 256 Newton case today, you can't, the 6.5-06 is close but not the same case! Wheather or not the wssm's survive might be up in the air but if I weren't a handloader I wouldn't want to find out.

[Eagle Eye]

I would stick with the tried and true .223 over a WSSM in any caliber.  If you want tend to shoot longer range (beyond 300 yards) , go with a 22-250. 

[Reed1911]

I just have to jump in here, the round really does have a great nitch. Shooting 80, 90, and 100g bullets it offers a much flatter trajectory. Droping into the the 75-77g area the .220AI is matching too close to justify the expense of the custom work, and below the 75g area has pretty much been said. Now, yes shooting the long heavy bullets is a custom item and will remain so, but it does actually have a good use   

[tuck2]

It is fun to try out new rounds--Some dont care about how other rounds shoot.  The 223 WSSM should make a fine coyote hunting round ,could be better than the Swift. I would not use it for prairie dog shooting because the barrel would get to hot--short barrel life. In a pinch with a good bullet it could be used for pronghorns and small deer. Some people are not gun nuts who cant go for anything new.