Author Topic: .223 vs. .223 wsm vs. .223 wssm. (Read 1829 times)

RIPNBLITZ · « **on:** March 25, 2004, 05:19:45 AM »

I am looking for a new coyote gun, im pretty set on the .223. the question is which one do i need/want. the things to consider are pelt damage, as i would like to keep the pelts, so the question there would be what bullet to use, the range, no greater than 300 yards. the tightest groups at that range. i know there are alot of missing factors like what guns are these being fires from and what loads are being used but over all which is the the bullet i am looking for? please help
thanks to all.
RNB

scruffy · « **Reply #1 on:** March 25, 2004, 06:19:29 AM »

For 300 yards absolute max I'd get the 223, nothing after it, just plain jane, 223. If you were going to have longer range shots out to 350+ yards I'd get a 22-250 or 243.

But for what you described the 223 will be perfect, accurate, flat to 300 yards (aim at the top of the fur for a 300 yard yote when zero'd at 200 yards). It's also cheap and plentiful with alot of selection available!

later,
scruffy

varmit_master · « **Reply #2 on:** March 25, 2004, 06:48:51 AM »

Hi i would go with the 223 on praire dogs ok 300yrds + i would try the 223 wssm i would try it any way because it is one i little bad rd you talking about knonking a hole in something i would like to have one BUT i will stick with my 22 250 good luck VM

Lawdog · « **Reply #3 on:** March 25, 2004, 12:15:25 PM »

RIPNBLITZ,

Of the three cartridges you stated I own two of them, the .223 Remington and the .223 WSSM. Never heard of a .223 WSM but I bet that would be one hot mother. For coyotes out to 300 yards max then I would go with the .223 Remington. I have been having trouble finding a load for my .223 WSSM that won't tear up hides. So far using 55 gr. V-Max and Ballistic Tips I am getting inconstant performance. One time the bullet does it's job and doesn't exit and the next it does exit and the hole is really something. I am thinking about going to Sierra MatchKings and see how they work, maybe even going to Barnes solids. Lawdog

handirifle · « **Reply #4 on:** March 25, 2004, 04:37:36 PM »

lawdog
I have read and heard of reports of problems chambering the WSSM. Any of this true with you?

I see no gain in this round over the 22-250 on paper, BUT I have never fired either one. So it's all what I read.

Even if there is a small gain, to me the price/availability of ammo is an issue too.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 25, 2004, 07:29:54 PM »

LAWDOG
I have been useing the lighter bullets from berger and calhoon and have real good luck keeping the action inside the critters with no pass throughs.
i use them in all my 22s hornet 222 223 22-250 and 220 swift. the lighter bullets seem to erupt on impact whitch contains the energy within. i'm not sure you have heard of the calhoon bullet or not. the man that developed this concept is ( James Calhoon ) he is located in montana. if you need the ad. contact me and i will give you his ad. and phone #. I've been playing with varmint shooting since 1948 and have tried about every thing in the world looking for that that magic round that will do it all every time
but there is no end to the search. i am useing the calhoon bullet in my 17
rem and its about the most amazing thing i have ever seen. i've busted
p-dogs at 250yds and beyond and the sky is full of you know what.
Well i hope this was interesting if not informative. good luck in all your
ventures. Keep your powder dry........Joe

Lawdog · « **Reply #6 on:** March 26, 2004, 03:48:37 PM »

handirifle,

Quote

I have read and heard of reports of problems chambering the WSSM. Any of this true with you?

I see no gain in this round over the 22-250 on paper, BUT I have never fired either one. So it's all what I read.

Even if there is a small gain, to me the price/availability of ammo is an issue too.

First the RUMORS of feeding problems is just that, rumors! I know of 9 guys using either the .223 or .243 WSSM cartridges and none have reported feeding problems. When the .300 WSM first came out Win. did have a feeding problem for a very short period of time but they corrected it. As for there being no gain over the .22-250 on paper goes how does over 300 fps sound. The .223 WSSM is faster than the .220 Swift by 200 fps. let alone over the .22-250. Both the .22-250 and the .220 Swift ARE great cartridges but let's give the Devil his due and not knock a cartridge just because it is new. Sure there are limited number of loads available for the WSSM line up at the moment but just how many loads were available for cartridges like the .243 Winchester, .300 Win. Mag. when they first came out? Small groups and tight lines to you. Lawdog

varmit_master · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2004, 06:59:02 AM »

hi Lawdog have you shot the 243 wssm and if you did how did you like it i would like to have one i have a 22 250 and a new 223 rifle that i havent never sighted in yet i bet that 243 wssm with a 55gr BT would make a hole in a dog i would like to have one but i am waiting on a 257 wby in a Vangurd VM

Lawdog · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2004, 09:52:50 AM »

varmit_master,

I have shot a couple that belong to fellow club members. Very accurate. I got a couple of loaded rounds that were acquired in trade for a couple of my .223 WSSM rounds. My granddaughter likes the .243 WSSM but her reasoning isn't very technical. She justifies her wanting one by saying the .243 WSSM is "CUTE". Oh well. Lawdog

varmit_master · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2004, 08:31:22 PM »

Hi Lawdog i bet that 243 wssm would make one bad coyote gun i like the looks of the 223 wssm But i have a 223 and a 22 250 i dont need another 22 cal But it would be nice to have that 223 wssm save my money for the 257 wby VM