Finally tried my .243 WSSM

[Rum River]

I have the Winchester M-70 Stealth II. Had some surgery so it's been sitting around waiting.

I'm using a Leupold Vari-X III 6.5x20 from Premier Reticle with the Gen-2 Mildot reticle.

Was given some factory rounds as a gift, so used them to burnish the barrel.
A 20 round box of Win. Super-X 100 grain soft points, and a 20 round box of Win. Supreme with 55 grain Ballistic Silvertips.

The groups were disappointing. I don't have the numbers in front of me just now, but groups were nearly 2 inches at 100 yards. I'll post again with the actual numbers for both groups and velocities.

Does anybody have some factory performance data to share? I'd be interested to see a comparison.

[huntswithdogs]

I'd say Congrats on your Rilfe,but I see that I'm not the only one to have disappointing results with the 243wssm. Mine(actually my wife's) will not shoot under 2" with a 3 shot group. If ya try 5....ohWELL!  it makes a pattern instead of a group. Mine was returned to the factory and they said it was OK. By the way,it's one of the Browning Micro Hunters. I've tried differnt scopes and lots of different handloads to no avail. It shoots minute of deer but that's about all.

Sorry,

HWD

[Redhawk1]

I love my 243, but is the 243wssm any advantage to the 243? I don't see the benefit and the more I read about the wssm cartridges the more I will stick with the standard round. I hope you find the problem.  

[Lawdog]

I love my 243, but is the 243wssm any advantage to the 243? I don't see the benefit and the more I read about the wssm cartridges the more I will stick with the standard round. I hope you find the problem.  

If you think of the factory 6mm's by velocity then they list in order this way.

1.]  .240 Weatherby Magnum
2.]  .243 WSSM
3.]  6mm Rem.
4.]  .243 Win.

As for shooters having problems with the WSSM cartridges I have found after reading most of the negative comments that it seems the fault is in the rifle not the cartridge.  I have heard more negative complaints about the Browning A-Bolt having feeding problems or the Winchester M-70 Stealth accuracy problems.  While I don’t own a .243 WSSM I do own the .223 and .25 WSSM’s in the Win. M70 Coyote.  There has been very few negative complaints about this rifle.  Both of my M70 Coyotes shot under MOA sight-in groups and have only gotten better with load work.  I am at a loss as to way so many complaints on the A-Bolt and M-70 Stealth and so few on the M70 Coyote.  I don’t blame the cartridge for this, there has got to be a problem with the cartridge/rifle combination.  Any ideas?  Lawdog
 

[poncaguy]

My Winchester Super Shadow 270 WSM has no problems with loading and ejecting rounds..........I know the wssm's are shorter yet, but think Winchesters are the best rifle for these rounds........unless HandI or Encore comes out with these barrels in WSM and WSSM. :-)

[Lawdog]

poncaguy,

but think Winchesters are the best rifle for these rounds

I totally agree with you.     The thing that gets me is off handed looking at the barreled actions on the M70 Coyote and the Stealth they look to be the same so why does there seem to be problems with accuracy with the Stealth and not with the Coyote?  That’s what I don’t understand.  Could it be a difference between the stocks - synthetic vs. laminated?  Lawdog
 

[poncaguy]

I know my "cheapie" Super Shadow 270 WSM shot 1/2-3/4" groups from the git go. It was my first centerfire Winchester rifle I've ever owned. Usually use Remington 700's, Ruger 77's and Savages. I really like the synthetic stock that came on it, just really feels good when I shoulder it.

[huntswithdogs]

Lawdog,
There's something weird about the Browning set up. There's no ramp to guide the rounds into the action. The bullets bump against the back edge of the barrel and hang up. One of my younguns has an A-bolt chambered for 243 win. It will not feed a round nose bullet at all and pointed bullets will do the same as the WSSM at times. Magazine problem? Maybe.



Redhawk,
 According to the gunwriters and Winchester,this is supposed to be about 300fps faster than our lowly 243win. I'd put my 243 win up against just about any 243wssm out there. I think Winchester just tried to fill a niche market and didn't check this one out too well.

I'll be sticking to all of my "tried and true" chambering. Guess I'm just old fashion.

HWD

[Lawdog]

huntswithdogs,

Lawdog,
There's something weird about the Browning set up. There's no ramp to guide the rounds into the action. The bullets bump against the back edge of the barrel and hang up. One of my younguns has an A-bolt chambered for 243 win. It will not feed a round nose bullet at all and pointed bullets will do the same as the WSSM at times. Magazine problem? Maybe.

That very well may be the answer.  I don't care for the newer Browning bolt actions.  I do like my 20+ year old Brownings though.  All I know is every time someone says they are having feeding problems with their WSSM cartridge it's always a Browning.  When Winchester first came out with the .300 WSM they got a number of reports about feeding problems.  Winchester recalled all the rifles and fixed the problem at no cost to the owners.  This was in the first year and since then n o more feeding problems with any of the WSM line.  It very well could be a magazine design problem.  Maybe someone that knows more about the magazine on the Browning A-Bolt could answer this?  Lawdog