Author Topic: 243, 243 WSSM or 25 WSSM (Read 2055 times)

rickweed · « **on:** December 17, 2005, 01:54:51 PM »

I want to buy a new Browing A-bolt Hunter. I am considering the 243 but am thinking of the new 243 wssm or the 25 wssm. Any thoughts??

Lawdog · « **Reply #1 on:** December 17, 2005, 02:00:47 PM »

Quote from: rickweed

I want to buy a new Browing A-bolt Hunter. I am considering the 243 but am thinking of the new 243 wssm or the 25 wssm. Any thoughts??

I like all three cartridges but especially the .243 and .25 WSSM. Great cartridges, very accurate and powerful. Can't help you with the Brownming though. I prefer the Win. M70 Coyote instead. Lawdog

kenscot · « **Reply #2 on:** December 17, 2005, 02:48:33 PM »

I have six browning A-bolts and one happens to be in 25WSSM everyone has been a MOA gun or better :wink:

Dave in WV · « **Reply #3 on:** December 17, 2005, 03:47:29 PM »

If you want more performance than the .243 can give a Ruger M77 6mm Rem will give it to you. I'd get a 25-06 over the 25WSSM. I know the future of the 25-06 and can't say the same for any short mags.

rickweed · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2005, 07:06:09 AM »

I have been hearing that there are problems with the 243 wssm and the 25 wssm. Should I just stick with the regular 243? I looked at the balistics and the wssm really isn't that much greater. I just compared the Winshester 100 gr power points, which is what I usually use. If you look at the Winchester 100 gr power point "Plus", the 243 is very close to the 243 wssm. Am I fretting over not much here?

Lawdog · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2005, 11:21:31 AM »

Quote from: rickweed

I have been hearing that there are problems with the 243 wssm and the 25 wssm. Should I just stick with the regular 243? I looked at the balistics and the wssm really isn't that much greater. I just compared the Winshester 100 gr power points, which is what I usually use. If you look at the Winchester 100 gr power point "Plus", the 243 is very close to the 243 wssm. Am I fretting over not much here?

Rumors. Started by those that dont like the new offerings from Winchester for whatever reason(maybe they're afraid that the WSSM's will end the life of one of their favorite cartridges :-D ). Their are no feeding problems. Just ask the owners/shooters of them. Back when Winchester first introduced the .300 WSM their was a few reported cases of feeding problems. Winchester fixed the problem. When Winchester first was going to release the .243 WSSM there developed a problem with the shoulder angle so Winchester postponed the release of the .243 WSSM for a few months while the problem was fixed.

And dont worry about whether or not the WSSMs will be around very long. They are selling way too well for them to disappear any time soon. If you like the advantages that the WSSMs offer then by all means get one. You wont be sorry. Lawdog

poncaguy · « **Reply #6 on:** December 18, 2005, 12:54:36 PM »

243 WSSM!

Don Fischer · « **Reply #7 on:** December 18, 2005, 03:24:58 PM »

Sounds like you already have other rifles. Buy one of the wssm cartridges. If you don't, somewhere down the road you'll wish you had. I can't imagine winchester allowing either to stay on the market if something was wrong with either and both have been out to long for them not to know. Do yourself one big favor tho, don't expect magic from either. A 100 gr 25 cal bullet traveling 3300 fps muzzle velocity will likely preform the same no matter what case it's fired from. I have a 6.5-06. I have it because I wanted one and nobody else within a hundred miles of me does, plenty of reason I think!

kenscot · « **Reply #8 on:** December 18, 2005, 05:29:57 PM »

Took my new 25wssm to the range today no feeding problems here. I'm not looking for a magic pill here I just wanted a quarter bore and I like the idea of 25-06 ballistics in a short action

rickweed · « **Reply #9 on:** December 19, 2005, 02:05:16 AM »

I just ordered an A-Bolt in .243 on Saturday. I really hadn't considered the WSSM models except the guy where I buy my guns asked if I wanted the WSSM model instead. I told him I didn't know much about them so I stuck with the old .243. I didn't get the gun for anything in particular. I live in PA and may use it for deer sometime or groundhogs or coyotes or whatever. As you may have seen in my posting, I had looked at the ballistics for the .243 and the .243 WSSM. They didn't seem that far apart. Especially if you used Winchester's 100 gr. "Plus" shells. I don't reload and won't be shooting tons of shells either. I guess what I am saying is that I am a little on the fence right now, leaning toward the .243. Is there anything compelling to make me choose the .243 WSSM?

GregH · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2005, 04:57:03 AM »

I have owned the 243 and 25 WSSM. The 25 is the more versatile of the 2. Shoot 75 Vmaxes or up to 120 grain big game bullets. It is not quite the match of the 25-06, the latter being usually at least 24 inch barrels. But in my Featherweight , 22 inch barrel, 100's at 3150, 75's at 3600, and 120's at 2925 is plenty stout. Also the light trim guns are nice to carry. Can't beat the 25 WSSM in most situations in my book. I own and have shot for years the 25-06. Not biased on caliber, more on the weight and balance of the weapons.
The 25 is easy to load for, the brass is thick and tough and the ammo nees to be operating in the upper ranges of its intended pressure in order for the cases to seal properly.
Just my rambling, I'll stop now.
GregH

Qaz · « **Reply #11 on:** December 19, 2005, 05:39:01 AM »

Rickweed, I went down this same road and decided on the 243Win because of the greater ammo selection ( easier to find ammo that shoots well since I don't reload) and the 100gr in the wssm is really no faster. Don't let anyone fool you, the 243win will take antelope, deer, elk and moose if you use it right. After I decided on the caliber, I chose what I thought was the most accurate gun ( Remington 700CDL) and I am not disappointed. It shoots everything I feed it great, but the 75gr V-Max rounds are outstanding.
Remember this; You only need so much power to kill an animal, dead is dead and the person behind the gun is the one who determines the outcome.

flintlock · « **Reply #12 on:** December 19, 2005, 08:32:56 AM »

rick...If you don't reload I wouldn't get a .243 WSSM...For the type hunting you are talking about the .243 Federal Premium 85gr Sierra BTHP at 3320 fps will get the job done....And the 55 gr Winchester Supreme loading in .243 is going 3910....Who cares if it breaks 4000???

rickweed · « **Reply #13 on:** December 19, 2005, 12:15:05 PM »

Thanks to all who have given me help. Especially Qaz, Flintlock, and Lawdog. I truely appreciate it. I only joined on last Saturday and this is a great forum. I hope I can help others along the way.

nofun1 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 08, 2006, 04:57:42 PM »

I have or had Brownings in all the calibers mentioned I love the 243 win so I bought the 243 wssm and took 10 years off of my life trying to make shooter out of it. When I finally gave up and traded it . I could only get $325 for it the guy told me it was because of the caliber. They could'nt give them away. Go to any gun store and look how many wssm's they have. Mine have lots . I would deffinately get the 243 win. But if you want a fantastic cartidge in a short mag try the 270 short mag mine is a smoking fast tack driver.

Proud Dad · « **Reply #15 on:** March 13, 2006, 05:13:05 PM »

I know this sounds simplistic but if you look at what makes a cartridge a ssm isn't it just a relatively short case, where the bullet is about 1/2 the width of the case. Well, it has always appeared to me that this is what the 243 is! Maybe that is why the 243 wsm is only slightly faster than the original. Hard to improve on something that good! Yes I own one and I am impressed with the knock-down power. And my sons love to shoot it, too! Proud Dad

mjbgalt · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2006, 05:18:33 PM »

i have had that thought too...that the .243 winchester kinda was a "short mag" in it's own time.

-Matt

smokepolehall · « **Reply #17 on:** March 31, 2006, 12:10:39 AM »

I have never owned either of the newer wsm's. Don't intend to, i have a Rem. 243 i bought in 71. I like it very much, sold my other 2, 243's. Just needed the one. You know deep down which one of those 3 really rings yer bell! All we can do is say our opinions, when you get it we say great choice. Enjoy it when you get it! :grin:

BRL · « **Reply #18 on:** April 18, 2006, 11:37:44 AM »

I would love to own one of these new calibers. Unfortunatley, I'm a lefty. We just get no respect! Lefties get to choose the .30-06, .270 or .308. What fun is that? Although, I do have a .243 in a single shot Handi Rifle and a 7mm-08 in a Browning BLR lever gun. Oh, my .30-06 is a Remington 7400 auto. Hopefully, some day, I'll own a bolt.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #19 on:** April 27, 2006, 06:17:58 AM »

I grew up with a .243 for woodchucks in upstate NY. I wanted to get a 243 to add to my harum of beauties, but got swayed to the .25 WSSM. I do not regret the choice and love the performance.

I took a nice deer this past season at 183 yds, across an open field. It never took a step, but just dropped in it's tracks.

I am having fun working up different loads and testing them. I am in the process of working on the 85 grain bullets now. I'm thinking of doing some coyote hunting soon. We are starting to see a lot of activity in my area for these critters.

Oh yeah, it is a Winchester model 70. Picked it up this past fall. I love this gun.

Todd1700 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 05, 2006, 09:29:38 PM »

Quote

Their are no feeding problems.

Feeding problems aren't why I'd tell the average Joe to pass on a 243 wssm. Unless you reload for it being able to find a store that still sells the ammo 3 years from now is the thing to worry about. Not to mention the limited selection that will be available even if you can find a store that still has a box of them.

And what is the advantage of the 243 wssm? Speedwise there is only about 100fps difference in the 243 wssm and a standard 243 which equals no real world advantage in on game performance. The 243 is already a short action caliber so there is no difference in the size and weight of the guns being chambered for the two.

The 243 has the advantage of many more brands, makes and models of rifles being chambered for it. And not only are standard 243 cartridges available in more types and at more locations but as each month rolls by this particular advantage will grow in leaps and bounds as the 243 wssm fades off into the "Never Caught On" dust bin of firearms history.

Brithunter · « **Reply #21 on:** May 05, 2006, 10:59:23 PM »

Thanks to everyone ................................... I needed a good laugh this morning and this thread gave a good one. I think the reall killer was this comment :-

Quote

I can't imagine winchester allowing either to stay on the market if something was wrong with either and both have been out to long for them not to know

:-D

Some folks just trust everyone......................... we are talking USRAC and OLIN Corp here, which is about the same as Chrysler. Now we all know how much we can trust car companies to provide a save reliable product. what makes you think that the Gun/ammo companies are any different. years ago maybe but not now it's all the same:-

" make a quick buck"

After all there is always another coming along to buy the next wonder thing :roll:

Now I have only just moved into the 6mm arena, I picked up a used Parker-Hale 1200V in 6mm Remington, it wasn't the chambering but the rifle I liked and the price was too good to pass up so..................................................

Now if it had been in .243 win I would have thought twice. Don't like the cartridge much at all and as the new shot mags will not be found chambered in the rifles I like there is about zero chance of my ever getting one :wink: If I did decide to get a new rifle there are plenty of other cartridges to choose from and not only that but I don't really have any need for any other magnums. The standard cartridges should fill my requirments very well thankyou