243, 25, and 223 WSSM??

[goose7856]

Has anyone tried these calibers?? I like how it can be either a varmint killing gun, or a deer gun depending on the bullet choice, but I have heard the accuracy is not all that great.....just looking for a smaller caliber under a 30-06 that wont tear the meat to total shreads, but can also be used for other game........o yea.......i think I want to save up and get a really nice one (im only fifteen [about to turn 16 in 7 days!] so im thinking $700 max for a nice gun should be enough)......what do yall think??

The gun I am looking into is one in the Browning A-Bolt Family.......any suggestions are fine!!

TIA!!

[MGMorden]

Well, I've not had any experience with the A-bolt, but I for a personal recommendation the 6.5x55 Swede (or it's near twin .260 Remington) would do execellent for you.  Light recoil, accurate, and it'll take deer or varmints just fine.  Browning doesn't have them in that caliber, but there are plenty of other makers that do (Tikka, Howa, Winchester, CZ, Ruger, etc).

[Lawdog]

goose7856,

While I shoot a .223 WSSM in no way would I use it on deer.  Sure it's faster than ever the great .220 Swift and is very accurate(don't know where you could have heard that these new WSSM cartridges are not accurate) but the .223 WSSM should ONLY be used on the smallest of deer by the more experienced hunters that have the control to wait for the right shot to present itself.  The .243 and .25 WSSM's are better suited for deer hunting.  Our son bought a .25 WSSM for our new daughter in-law that she used this year to take her first Mule Deer (big forked horn) using 100 gr. Barnes TSX at just over 200 yards.  One shot, one buck.  Many shooters don't like the new offerings from Winchester but don't believe the rumors some are trying to spread about them.  They are NOT barrel burners, there is NO feeding problems and lastly they ARE selling so they will be around.  The more they sell the cheaper the ammo will get and the more loading’s will become available for them.  Lawdog
 

[mountainview]

Sorry Goose, I have not tried any of the short mags yet. In days of yore I was eager to try every new offering that came out but anymore I find myself well satisfied with my long actions. But if your heart is set on a short mag, by all means go for it. I did a similar thing many years when I took a chance on a relative unknown called the 25-06.

[qballs]

I have a .243 in a ruger M77 and I love it for deer.  It has accounted for deer the last 6 years and all were taken with one shot.  I use 95 or 100 grain bullets.  There is very little recoil, and it is a nice light gun.  
Happy hunting!

[HogFan]

goose,

  I grew up in Arkansas and my dad only had one deer rifle, and it was a .243 Winchester. He never lost a deer that I am aware of, and it did little damage to the meat. I now have the gun as my father has since passed on. I did lose a deer, but my scope was broken little beknownst to me at the time. I feel very comfortable taking deer with a .243, and if you just had to have a WSSM, I would opt for the 243 WSSM, or the 25WSSM. I currently have a 270 WSM, that I will be using ext weekend for elk. I currently live in MT and feel the 270 WSM will handle elk and deer, which is what I hunt. If I had been drawn for antelope, that is what I would have used as well. I recently got rid of a 257 Roberts, and am looking to replace it with a 25WSSM in the near future. I am moving to MS, and think the 25 WSSM would be great on deer there and in Arkansas, as well as coming back west to use on antelope and deer. Save the 223 WSSM for varmints, and chose between a 243 or 25 WSSM.

HogFan

[handirifle]

Goose
One other round that wasn't mentioned is the 7mm-08.  Based on the same 308 case as the 243, but just a little heavier bullets.  A real proven deer killer, but recoil is like that of a 243.

I'd suggest either the 243, or the 7-08 since recoil was a concern.  The 25WSSM MIGHT have a bit more recoil than you mentioned, since it is compared to the 26-06.

Both are 250-300yd deer killers.  The 7-08 has less controversy around it too, since some feel the 243 is too light for deer.  (I'm not one of them)

[GregH]

Goose,
  I own a M70 Featherweight in 25 WSSM.  I like it and think it is the best of the WSSM's. My skinny 22 inch barrel will shoot 75's at a chrono'd 3575, 85's at 3350 and 100 grainers at 3150.  Factory 120's go about 2925. Bone stock the rifle shoots about 1.4 inch groups with most bullet weights.
  I use BLC-2, REloader 15, or Varget powder for all the above.  Full power loads will exhibit heavy bolt lift as does the factory loads.
  My Featherweight is short, light , shoots well, feeds as well as other rifles I have had experience with, fit and finish is good. Trigger is at least 6 lbs. at this point.
  I like mine, that being said it is not a true magnum.  It is easy to load for in my opinion, and would be a good choice for deer hunting in general or a good varmint calling gun.
FWIW
GregH

[Real25WSSM]

I picked up a Win M70 Super Shadow in 25WSSM for $399.99 used 3 weeks ago (20 rounds fired through it).

2 weeks ago, I painted some windows for my gunsmith’s house (I’m a painting contractor by trade!), in exchange for some smithin’ work.

He installed a ported muzzle brake on that "skinny" little barrel! Now I have the sense not to shoot it without ear protection (at least more than once).

He got the trigger pull down to 2.5 pounds.

Burris Fullfiled II 4.5 - 14 x 42mm w/Balllistic Plex scope with Silver Leupold Medium Height Rings.

I am here to tell you, that the rifle has a TOTAL weight of 7 and 1/4 pounds with a sling,scope, and bases.

ONE WORD: UNBELEIVABLE.

Our perception of this rifle’s ’recoil", this little rifle kicks less than a 22-250 shooting 55 grainers!

I’m getting around 1.5 3 shot groups at 100 yards with the factory 115 gr. BT’s.

I used to reload A LOT for a 25-06 I once had, I have some 85 gr. Nosler BT’s and 100 gr. as well. We’ll see what I can come up with. Also, have some Sierra 75 gr.


Custom Camo Paint job on the stock.
Let’s just say that It now looks like it is in the SHADOWS!!

Here are the pics:

http://img8.imageshack.us/my.php?loc=img8&image=25wssm1.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/my.php?loc=img8&image=25wssm2.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/my.php?loc=img8&image=25wssm3.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/my.php?loc=img8&image=25wssm4.jpg


I just got done working up some reloads for my new rifle.

both Hodgdon and IMR list re-load data for the 25WSSM. There is no data for H335, but there is data for H4895.

85 GR. NOS BT (Starting Loads)
DIA. .257"
COL: 2.350"

H4895 40.0 3268 50,700 PSI

85 GR. NOS BT (Maximum Loads)
DIA. .257
COL: 2.350"

H4895 43.3 3475 62,100 PSI



On the "relative" Burn rates for smokeless powders,

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/general/burnratechart.php

1= Fastest 103 = Slowest


59. Hodgdon H335

63. Hodgdon H4895

I have extrapolated from other reloads from 4 different reload manuals and I have found that the relative difference between H335 and H4895 is (1) grain for all calibers researched.

Long story getting shorter:

I worked up a load of 43.0 grains of H335, 85 grain Nosler BT, Fed. Match LR Primer, Win. Case trimmed to 1.660", OAL = 2.350"

Results show no excessive pressure signs, etc. I haven't chrono'd the loads as of yet.

I will keep posting future results.

[Lawdog]

Real25WSSM,

He installed a ported muzzle brake on that "skinny" little barrel! Now I have the sense not to shoot it without ear protection (at least more than once).

Even on a 7 pound Shadow was the recoil of the .25 WSSM that excessive that you needed a muzzle brake?  Lawdog
 

[Real25WSSM]

hmmnnn...good question. I never shot the rifle without the muzzle brake.

My same gunsmith installed a muzzle brake on my Rem. Model 7 in .308. I was so impressed with that rifle, I suppose I just as well have one on my Shadow.

Thanks for looking.