.243 WSSM or .25 WSSM for Deer & Varmint?

[jasonprox700]

I was thinking about getting the .25 WSSM, but then I wonder about the the .243 wssm.  This would be for deer and varmint.  I would be using mainly 75 to 90 grain bullets for varmints with either, but if I go after deer, I would like to be able to go heavier.  With the 75 and 85 grain bullets, which one would be flatter shooting of the two?  I haven't seen too many ballistic charts for these two, and the ones I have seen, seem to be conflicting.  I should add that this will be for an AR-15 (That is the reason for the WSSM).

[huntswithdogs]

I don't know much about the AR Platform,but I'd stay away from the WSSM cartridges. They're going outa here, QUICK FAST AND IN A HURRY!

HWD

[Reed1911]

mmm....don't think they will be gone soon. I'd opt for the .243WSSM, mainly due to bullet selection and availability. There are more suitable choices in both factory and bullets for hand loading in 6mm than in .257.

[GregH]

I was thinking about getting the .25 WSSM, but then I wonder about the the .243 wssm.  This would be for deer and varmint.  I would be using mainly 75 to 90 grain bullets for varmints with either, but if I go after deer, I would like to be able to go heavier.  With the 75 and 85 grain bullets, which one would be flatter shooting of the two?  I haven't seen too many ballistic charts for these two, and the ones I have seen, seem to be conflicting.  I should add that this will be for an AR-15 (That is the reason for the WSSM).

Go with the 25WSSM.  Good round and it gives a little more versatility than the 243 version. I have owned and reloaded for both.  Don't let folks scare you away.  They are good rounds for their purpose, just not wonder rounds as Winchester typed. The 75 grainer will run about 3600 out of a 22 inch barrel and the 90 grainers about 3300.  I use RL-15 for most of my 25 WSSM loading!
greg

[Val]

If you were going to do more deer hunting than varmint hunting, I would recommend the .25 WSSM. If more varmint than deer, the .243 WSSM.

[Coyote Hunter]

Neither, as far as I'm concerned.  The .260 would be my choice as its going to be around for a long time and brass is reasonable.  A .308 would be my second choice.

[Cheesehead]

I think all the above mentioned cartridges are for the AR-10 platform. Consider the 6.8 SPC for the AR-15. The 6.8 continues to grow in popularity.

Cheese

[PartsMan]

If you were going to do more deer hunting than varmint hunting, I would recommend the .25 WSSM. If more varmint than deer, the .243 WSSM.

My thoughts exactly.
Both would work well though.

[Blackhawk44]

Just something to think about (like future brass availability), all WSSM chamberings have been dropped from Browning and Winchester catalogs for 2008 along with 7mm WSM.

[Slowpoke Slim]

I have a 25 wssm in a heavy bolt gun Winchester. I also have a stockpile of brass stashed under my bench to keep it running. I think the day will come when the brass is history. That being said, when that day comes, I'm sure forming dies will come out to form it from wsm brass, which is the parent case anyway. Whichever one you pick, grab up as much brass as you can, preferrably Federal brass over the Winchester stuff.

You will find a much wider selection of varmint bullets in .243 than .257, so depending on how important the varmint side of your plans are, keep that in mind. My rifle REALLY liked the Berger 110 gr MEF varmint bullets. Sadly, that bullet is discontinued, per Berger, the 25 cal varmint bullets were their least popular sellers. When my current stockpile of bullets is gone, I have to decide of I want to try another bullet, or rebarrel my rifle to either 243 or 264. Any bullets I've tried in the varmint construction have all been too light IMO for the long range task I bought it for. My gun likes the 110-120 grainers the best, but the 115 Ballistic Tips tend to just pencil through the prarie dogs at medium to long range.

Of course for deer, the field of 25 cal bullets is more than adequate to the task.

So, it depends on how much varminting you plan on doing with this rig?

I think I would lean towards the 243, and with proper big game bullets, I'm sure it'll be dandy on deer.

[KenSel]

Jason,  I have a Browning 25WSSM and couldn't be more happy with it.  It is an extremely accurate cartridge and IMHO is the perfect deer round.  You can also load it with 75 grain to 85 grain varmint bullets to take care of yotes and such as long as your not planning to keep the pelts.  The 243WSSM even though it shoots a smaller bullet will also destroy the pelts of varmints.  The 243 shoots a little faster and flatter with the lighter bullets but it is also a notorious barrel burner and if the bore is not chromed lined it can wear out rather quickly especially if you do much shooting and in an AR platform I'd guess to say that the barrel would be burned out in short order.  You don't have to worry about that with the 25 because it has the same ballistics as the good ol' 25-06 Rem.  I don't think you'll be unhappy with either of them but if you plan to do much shooting then I would go for the 25 or make sure the 243 has a good heavy chrome lined bore.

huntswithdogs & coyotehunter,  I don't think they're gonna disappear just yet.  They may not be as popular as other calibers but I have a feeling factory ammo and brass/load dato will be available for quite a long time.  There's a lot of other cartridges that don't come close to the performance and usefulness of these rounds and there's still plenty of stuff available from them.  Just my .02

Ken

[luv2shoot]

huntswithdogs & coyotehunter,  I don't think they're gonna disappear just yet.  They may not be as popular as other calibers but I have a feeling factory ammo and brass/load dato will be available for quite a long time.  There's a lot of other cartridges that don't come close to the performance and usefulness of these rounds and there's still plenty of stuff available from them.  Just my .02

Yeah like the 6mm Rem and the 25-06   We spend alot of time, effort and money trying to come up with something equal to tried and true

[Lone Star]

We spend alot of time, effort and money trying to come up with something equal to tried and true

Yeah, like the .308 and the .243, both of which were really no better than the pre-existing .300 Savage or the .257 Roberts - but are the two "new" cartridges gone?  Nope, they are in the top ten and the former stars are pretty much obsolete.  Duplicating existing cartridges has been going on for over a hundred years, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. The ability to get 'long' cartridge performance in a short light platform sells rifles, period.  As long as hunters want to buy little rifles the manufacturers will sell them.  Designing more performance into them is the American way....


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[nomosendero]

And it's nice when we actually get something worthwhile, maybe next time.