.243 WSSM

[dzrtram]

I called Savage Firearms this morning to ask when I might expect
a .243WSSM with the Accutrigger.  The lady said they were working
on it, BUT, Winchester is having trouble with the ammo and won't
let Savage use it, and Savage doesn't want to make the rifle until
the problem is worked out.  I know I'm not going to get an honest
reply from any of the gun rags, but I'm wondering if you know what
is wrong with the ammo?  I really liked the idea of the .243WSSM,
and I'm really disappointed.  The local gunstores today told me they
aren not surprised and suspected something when Browning failed
to come out with a rifle in this caliber.  Anything you could say that
might inform me more would be much appreciated. :cry:

[reelhook]

It's my understanding that they are burning up barrels real fast and are trying to find a powder that will give them the speed and not the burning  of barrels

[dzrtram]

I was told something similar.  They are looking
at the problem with the barrel, allright, but I heard
they were looking to improve the wear of the barrel.
Maybe they are doing both.
Thanks for the input.  It has been kind of slow on
this site. :?

[Lawdog]

dzrtram,

When Winchester first released the WSSM line(.223 & .243) some early test reports came back with a problem with the shoulder on the .243.  It had nothing to do with barrel wear.  Winchester re designed the shoulder and now the ammo and rifles are available.  Can't tell you what is going on at Savage but with the booming sales of the WSSM line I don't think it will take Savage long to get them added to their offerings.

There is a rumor going around that the barrels are burning out in a few hundred rounds.  WRONG!  Just a false hood.  My .223 WSSM has over 600 rounds thru it and no sign of throat erosion that can be seen with a bore camera by either myself or a gunsmith.  I know others that are reporting the same thing.  I will tell you this that the WSSM cartridges are proving to be accurate.  My M70 Coyote groups under 3/4", most closer to 1/2".  I do have one main complaint about the Coyote and that is that stainless barrel.  I prefer my barrels and actions blued.  I do have my gunsmith researching methods on bluing stainless.  I hope he comes up with something.  Lawdog

[JohnClif]

Lawdog,

Perhaps the best finish I've seen for attractively darkening a stainless gun is Birdsong's Black-T.  We have had perhaps a hundred guns treated by them over the years... everything from AR-15s (in OD green) to multi-thousand dollar high-end 1911s.  My H-S Precision VTD .308 is Black-T'd from the factory and the finish is very attractive and reasonably durable (as durable as a blued finish if not more so).  I also have two custom 1911s with this finish.

You can get the action and barrel done (and scope mounts and rings) and the gun will be very attractive, protected from rust, and you won't need to use any lube in the action.  It's not the cheapest finish, but it is the best of the 'coated' finishes, and we've tried every coated finish on the market.

If you're not familiar with Black-T, it is also used on all black-finish Benchmade knives (Birdsong does a couple thousand a month).  I can't say enough good things about the company or the finish.

[Lawdog]

JohnClif,

Thanks for the info.  I have not heard of Birdsong's Black-T.  I will have to look it up.  Lawdog
 

[Big Paulie]

I am sorry guys, but I really just don't get it.  Somebody better explain it to me.

    Why would anyone want a .243 WSSM?  They simply don't do anything but duplicate the ordinary 6 mm Remington round.  Nothing too exciting about that.

    They are also about the ugliest and un-handiest cartridge I have ever seen.  (I'm serious.  Thousands of pages are written about the aesthetics and beauty of the rifle, its metal and its stock.  Doesn't anybody care what the darned cartridge looks like?  It looks downright silly. )

     I know that the rifles will be maybe a quarter of an inch shorter, but at some point this get's really silly too.  Are you going to go out now and pay another $700 for a new rifle  because your .243 Winchester or 6mm Remington is just too long and too heavy?  
 
     Maybe everyone is getting excited over the .243 WSSM because of the re-loading possibililties.  (I don't reload, so I don't know.)  But, I confidently predict that this round will be a failure.  It doesn't do anything.

(OK, let the screaming commence.)

   Big Paulie

[Lawdog]

Big Paulie,

My granddaughter will argue with you about how the WSSM cartridges.  She says they are S O   C U T E!!  It is for this reason she wanted a Ruger No. 1 in the .243 WSSM.  Also the .243 WSSM holds more powder than the 6mm Remington.  Lawdog