Author Topic: difference between 243 wssm and 25 wssm (Read 757 times)

oriole · « **on:** September 27, 2005, 10:27:48 AM »

What is the chief difference between the 243 wssm and the 25 wssm? Aren't they propelling the same bullet? I am just a bit puzzled as to why the 243 is so much more available than the 25.

Ramrod · « **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2005, 11:54:11 AM »

No, they are not using the same bullet. The 25 uses heavier bullets that measure .257 in diameter.

Lawdog · « **Reply #2 on:** September 28, 2005, 01:30:12 PM »

Quote from: oriole

What is the chief difference between the 243 wssm and the 25 wssm? Aren't they propelling the same bullet? I am just a bit puzzled as to why the 243 is so much more available than the 25.

The difference between the two is 0.062451. The .25 WSSM shoots heavier bullets and is more suitable for larger game. Lawdog

handirifle · « **Reply #3 on:** September 28, 2005, 07:06:49 PM »

This brings an interesting point to mind. the 243 is normally limited to a 105gr bullets cause that's all they make, but David Tubbs, a noted long range shooter, makes (designs) his own bullets and his 6mm bullets run 117 and I think, a 125gr. Very long, not sure what twist he uses, but Savages use a 1 in 9.25 twist and that should stabilize a bullet heavier than 105 gr easy.

A good 115gr game bullet would do wonders for the old 243 in my opinion. Even up the playing fields a LOT.

Lone Star · « **Reply #4 on:** September 29, 2005, 02:55:17 AM »

A 115-grain .243" bullet would help a bit, but you'd never get the same velocity with the .243WSSM, so performance would be lower. The difference in diameter is just 0.014", but the 25wssm has 13% more area for the propellant gas to push against, giving higher velocity. IMO any real advantage for the .243/115 load would be in extreme-range target shooting, not on game. If you need a heavier bullet, get the proven .25wssm.

The .243" is simply a more popular caliber than the .257". The .257s were highly popular until the introduction of the 6mms in 1955, when their popularity began to fade. BTW, the old 6mm Lee Navy cartridge (ca. 1895) used a 112-grain bullet.

huntswithdogs · « **Reply #5 on:** October 03, 2005, 06:24:30 AM »

Most 243's are made to shoot "standard bullets(55-100 grain). To shoot the heavier bullets,you'd ned a different twist barrel. You'd be getting into "custom" guns then. These"custom guns" probably wouldn't shoot the lighter bullets very well.

HWD

Lawdog · « **Reply #6 on:** October 03, 2005, 08:41:53 AM »

Quote from: huntswithdogs

Most 243's are made to shoot "standard bullets(55-100 grain). To shoot the heavier bullets,you'd ned a different twist barrel. You'd be getting into "custom" guns then. These"custom guns" probably wouldn't shoot the lighter bullets very well.

HWD

Point well taken. Sometimes us older hunters/shooters forget small details like that. Lawdog