243 wsm

[time2hunt]

I shot one a couple years ago but haven't seen any around for sale was it just a fad ??
Pro's and con's please
Thanks
Brian

[h20hunter]

Tag....

[BULLBLASTER]

Was it a wsm? Or a wssm? I haven't heard of the 243 wsm. But have read about the wssm in ar platforms. I almost bought one in a bolt gun 10 years ago but I'm glad I got my 243 win instead.

[time2hunt]

Ya it was wssm . They seemed to pretty popular like you said 8-10 years ago and know nothing. 

[Gamblin Guy]

I picked up a Winchester 70 in 243WSSM for my son when they came out, great little shooter.  He's killed 5 or 6 deer with it over the years but decided he liked the 270 WSM now.  Ammo is available but it's hit and miss, I purchased enough over the years to last a lifetime.  Some guys are handloading for it and getting better results than with factory stuff as with most rounds.

They had some feeding issues when they first came out but ours has worked without issue.  There's at least one forum dedicated to the WSM's and WSSM's with some of good info on it.

I've got a NIB Browning Stainless Stalker in 25WSSM that I am still debating on whether or not I want to keep it.  I picked it up for my daughter but she was given a Rem 700 in 6mm for her first deer rifle so she didn't need it.

Got a buddy in Montana with a daughter who shoots the 25 WSSM, it's a great round for deer/antelope out there.

[BULLBLASTER]

Ya. I'm not sure how much is gained by the wssm over the win. Not much if I remember correctly. There was also a 25 wssm.

[runamuk]

I shoot one in an ar platform, it is not mine but the owner of it likes me  ...I want that gun.... it is accurate and it is fun, drawback is its loud and thats why their are earplugs....you also kinda need to reload as ammo isnt as available and as such is more spendy than say regular 243.

[Alchase]

I have a Model 70 in 243 WSSM, it is a good shooter. I bought it for my son in his first year hunting. Walmart had them at crazy prices.

If I was going to buy for a new hunter again, I would go with the 243 win. over the 243 WSSM, mainly because the speed difference really is not enough to make a huge difference.

And the 243 WSSM is not the easiest caliber to find while the 243 win is in almost every store that sells ammo, and as Runamuk stated, the 243 WSSM is more expensive with less bullet combinations available.

Those little fat bullets are fun to shoot, but are hard to load and unload, especially in a bolt action with out a removable magazine.

[Huntbear]

I shot one a couple years ago but haven't seen any around for sale was it just a fad ??
Pro's and con's please
Thanks
Brian

I have one in an AR platform...  I am in Eburg.  It chronos 95 gr. Winchester Silvertips at 3000 ft. per second.  I am slowly working up loads for 90 gr. accubonds.   Very accurate, not a lightweight rifle by any means.  Holler at me if you want to go shoot it.

I may know where one is for sale, as well. If you are interested.

[Maligator]

It seems to me that the wssm cartridges have been left behind and the general public has decided that the 270wsm, 300wsm and to a lesser extent the 325wsm are the few remaining viable choices. This is not to say that reloaders will not continue to keep them alive but IMO they will end up being less and less available as time progresses.

I would stick with the regular 243 cartidge as it can be found most anywhere. Just my 

[bearpaw]

It seems to me that the wssm cartridges have been left behind and the general public has decided that the 270wsm, 300wsm and to a lesser extent the 325wsm are the few remaining viable choices. This is not to say that reloaders will not continue to keep them alive but IMO they will end up being less and less available as time progresses.

I would stick with the regular 243 cartidge as it can be found most anywhere. Just my 

   probably sage advice...

[carpsniperg2]

I just got my 243 wssm a few days ago. Bought a dtech upper and threw together a lower with the best parts possible. Loaded 10 test rounds last night. The leupolds are on there way as well. 58ger at 3900fps+ and 90ger at 3200 fps on the hotter loads. I am starting with 85g hpbt's and 70g btips. Those loads should sit in the 3400-3500fps range.

I got it to run it in a AR15 platform. I didn't want the weight of building another AR10.

[runamuk]

yep super fun fast and accurate, if you are looking for a fun ar for varmints and coyotes its a great one.  Lets just say I "could" shoot the tails off skirrels if I was so inclined .....

[carpsniperg2]

I am trying to get my wife to fill a tag or 2 with it this year. She has never killed any big game with a AR rifle. She said, Nah I will probably just use the 7mm-08 like last year. Then I showed her the purple/pink tipped btips and she changed it to maybe

[Huntbear]

Oh, and ask Chris Meyer at Titan Sports about his .243 wssm on an AR platform..  You will find that people that have an AR built in this round, LOVE IT! 

[runamuk]

I am trying to get my wife to fill a tag or 2 with it this year. She has never killed any big game with a AR rifle. She said, Nah I will probably just use the 7mm-08 like last year. Then I showed her the purple/pink tipped btips and she changed it to maybe

omg...she must go shoot it...she will love it seriously it is the funnest gun ever.....I screwed the pooch on a couple coyotes but have packed it around a few times it isnt any heavier than my hawkeye in 7mm08 .....but target shooting its so fun...that gun makes me look good...lol

[bearpaw]

I think Adam was using that Olympic AR of Chris' on this whitetail.

[carpsniperg2]

That is a great looking buck. The 90g accubonds or swift 90g sft sccir will be money! I might even play with the 90 grain etip.

[Lazzwarbird]

Hey, I have had two of these. The first was a Winchester model 70 Ultimate Shadow. Put three different factory rounds through it and never could get it to group under about an inch and a half with any of them. I got rid of it, now I have a Browning A-Bolt Laminate Stainless Varmint Stalker. It's the only one I have ever seen but it is the most accurate factory rifle with factory rounds I have ever shot. Better than any Cooper, Savage, McWhorter or anything i have got my hands on. Groups five 95 grain ballistic silvertips in the same hole at 100 yards all day. Absolutely amazing coyote gun!!! Just wish I could find a little more info on it....

[carpsniperg2]

What info you looking for lazz? There is a good pile of guys on predator masters that run them. I have talked to several of them. I will be doing a lot of research and load development with mine after harvest is over.

[jay.sharkbait]

What info you looking for lazz? There is a good pile of guys on predator masters that run them. I have talked to several of them. I will be doing a lot of research and load development with mine after harvest is over.

What kind of barrel life do you expect on the WSSM?

BTW the doner rifle you sold me has worked out well and the barrel should be ready in early August.

[Huntbear]

Barrel life will depend on the shooter if they reload.  The hotter you make em, the shorter your barrel life.

With factory ammo, you should not have any issue with hitting 6-7000 rds. 

But many factors play into barrel life, including type of metal barrel is made of, manufacturing processes, then how is the chamber cut, and are you shooting hopped up handloads or loads equating to factory loads.  Also are you using a clean burning powder. 

My AR platform rifle shoots cloverleaf groups all touching... good enough for deer and yotes...

[Lazzwarbird]

Well, here is the A-Bolt. I was just wondering if it was a special run gun or something. I cant seem to find another anywhere. Havent found it in any of the Browning catalogs or in the Blue Book or anywhere else. The stock looks like the one on the Elipses but no thumbhole. Just was wondering what I have. Thanks

[Lazzwarbird]

No idea why that posted so screwed up, let me try again.

[Lazzwarbird]

Another

[jay.sharkbait]

Barrel life will depend on the shooter if they reload.  The hotter you make em, the shorter your barrel life.

With factory ammo, you should not have any issue with hitting 6-7000 rds. 

But many factors play into barrel life, including type of metal barrel is made of, manufacturing processes, then how is the chamber cut, and are you shooting hopped up handloads or loads equating to factory loads.  Also are you using a clean burning powder. 

My AR platform rifle shoots cloverleaf groups all touching... good enough for deer and yotes...

I'm building a 1/7.75 twist .243 Win and expect to set the barrel back at 1500 rounds and replace it at around 2k.

I have never heard of any 6mm making it past 3k rounds with any kind of useful accuracy.

Is there something special about the 243 WSSM that I don't know?

[Lazzwarbird]

Guess I'm no Bill Gates. My pictures aren't uploading so hot but at least this gives you an idea...

[jay.sharkbait]

Well, here is the A-Bolt. I was just wondering if it was a special run gun or something. I cant seem to find another anywhere. Havent found it in any of the Browning catalogs or in the Blue Book or anywhere else. The stock looks like the one on the Elipses but no thumbhole. Just was wondering what I have. Thanks

Didn't Browning develop the WSM/WSSM family with Winchester?

[Huntbear]

Barrel life will depend on the shooter if they reload.  The hotter you make em, the shorter your barrel life.

With factory ammo, you should not have any issue with hitting 6-7000 rds. 

But many factors play into barrel life, including type of metal barrel is made of, manufacturing processes, then how is the chamber cut, and are you shooting hopped up handloads or loads equating to factory loads.  Also are you using a clean burning powder. 

My AR platform rifle shoots cloverleaf groups all touching... good enough for deer and yotes...

I'm building a 1/7.75 twist .243 Win and expect to set the barrel back at 1500 rounds and replace it at around 2k.

I have never heard of any 6mm making it past 3k rounds with any kind of useful accuracy.

Is there something special about the 243 WSSM that I don't know?

Are you competition shooting?  Deer hunting?  Have you tried reading on 6mm BR?  A lot of discussions on barrel life. 

I have never owned a .243 before this one.  My buddy has had a .243 Win. for years, and reloads, and it shoots lights out accurate and has close to 8K down the pipe.  It is just an old Ruger Bolt action..  Nothing special.  IF you are gonna hop up loads to shoot 3500-3800 FPS, and have to ride that velocity rocket, and super heat your barrel up, then yes, barrel life goes to hell... but at 2k rounds, you are now in the realm of .284 & 220 Swift barrel life.

If you shoot heavier bullets, therefore using less powder, you will dramatically reduce throat erosion, and extend barrel life for a good long time.

[Lazzwarbird]

Not sure about the Winchester Browning joint venture but it makes sense since they are just about the only big manufacturers that sold this in a bolt action.

[Huntbear]

Here is an old link to a Browning Stainless Stalker in .243 WSSM with a wood stock.. look similar??

https://www.gunsamerica.com/989894150/Guns/Rifles/Browning-Rifles/Bolt-Action/Hunting/Stainless/Browning_A_BOLT_stainless_stalker_11_in_243_WSSM.htm?ShowRegister=1

And an article about a young man taking a Mule Deer buck with one just like yours in the pictures..

http://www.thediyhunter.com/big-game-hunting-mule-deer-elk-whitetail-deer/83-2011-utah-rifle-mule-deer-hunt-619-yards

[carpsniperg2]

Lazz it could have been a shot show gun or just a limited run that they did from the factory.

What info you looking for lazz? There is a good pile of guys on predator masters that run them. I have talked to several of them. I will be doing a lot of research and load development with mine after harvest is over.

What kind of barrel life do you expect on the WSSM?

BTW the doner rifle you sold me has worked out well and the barrel should be ready in early August.

Glad to hear it. Look forward to seeing it when you get it done.

I talked to mike at dtech and he has made thousands of wssm's 243 25 and his wildcats off the wssm cases as well. This is his words from his pm about what to expect from the wssms. I was kinda shocked at his claims of barrel life.

"I have only replaced 2 WSSM barrels because of fading accuracy. Both of those had around 3000 rounds through them."

He thinks 3k is about the life. I can see it being less if a guy is burning out 55gers at almost 4k. Where only shooting the 90-100gers at 2900-3100fps. It should help make sure a guy can see 3 k out of his uppers.

[jay.sharkbait]

Barrel life will depend on the shooter if they reload.  The hotter you make em, the shorter your barrel life.

With factory ammo, you should not have any issue with hitting 6-7000 rds. 

But many factors play into barrel life, including type of metal barrel is made of, manufacturing processes, then how is the chamber cut, and are you shooting hopped up handloads or loads equating to factory loads.  Also are you using a clean burning powder. 

My AR platform rifle shoots cloverleaf groups all touching... good enough for deer and yotes...

I'm building a 1/7.75 twist .243 Win and expect to set the barrel back at 1500 rounds and replace it at around 2k.

I have never heard of any 6mm making it past 3k rounds with any kind of useful accuracy.

Is there something special about the 243 WSSM that I don't know?

Are you competition shooting?  Deer hunting?  Have you tried reading on 6mm BR?  A lot of discussions on barrel life. 

I have never owned a .243 before this one.  My buddy has had a .243 Win. for years, and reloads, and it shoots lights out accurate and has close to 8K down the pipe.  It is just an old Ruger Bolt action..  Nothing special.  IF you are gonna hop up loads to shoot 3500-3800 FPS, and have to ride that velocity rocket, and super heat your barrel up, then yes, barrel life goes to hell... but at 2k rounds, you are now in the realm of .284 & 220 Swift barrel life.

If you shoot heavier bullets, therefore using less powder, you will dramatically reduce throat erosion, and extend barrel life for a good long time.

I'll be shooting 115 gr DTAC's at around 3000 fps and 115 gr Berger VLD's for hunting.

The DTAC's go trans sonic at somewhere around 1200 depending on temp and altitude.

Target and steels to 1300 yards and hunting a little closer then that.

This rifle has to shoot .5 moa for it to be useful to me.

[Lazzwarbird]

Huntbear, both of those are similar but not the same gun. The one on gunsamerica looks like an aftermarket stock. Maybe this was a shotshow gun or something. I have seen one other that was like it online, but there was no info to go with it. Either way, I absolutely love it!

[time2hunt]

Thanks guys and gals for all the replays my plan was to put it on to my Thompson pro hunter but after some more research and your input I'm going with a 308 barrel I think it will fit my needs for a nice little deer gun and I have l the reloading for a 308.
Thanks
Brian