New .25 WSSM is a .257.

[Big Paulie]

Well guys, it turns out that the new .25 WSSM actually uses a .257 caliber bullet.  So for those of you who were dying for a .257 WSSM, you're already getting one.

    Now for some analysis.  Since this new round is actually more of a 26 caliber than a 25 caliber, I've been looking at the factory ballistic data for this new round, as compared to the rather new .260 Remington.

  I can find no meaningful difference between what the new .25 WSSM offers, and what the existing .260 Remington offers.  Once again, a new round is being offered that we simply do not need.

    The 25 WSSM is being marketed as a short, compact 25-06.  But the .260 is short enough and does the job just fine

    Perhaps the only "advantage" of the new .25 WSSM  is that it is being offered with factory loaded ammo in a really light bullet .  (I think it is 85 grains.)  Based on past experience, I doubt that this loading will be offered for long.  Who needs a 25-06 that shoots an 85 grain bullet?  Not one in a thousand shooters.  Way way too much power for such a light bullet.

Contrary opinions welcome.

Big Paulie

[Lawdog]

Big Paulie,

Now for some analysis. Since this new round is actually more of a 26 caliber than a 25 caliber, I've been looking at the factory ballistic data for this new round, as compared to the rather new .260 Remington.

All .25 calibers are .257 inches in diameter(.250 Savage, .257 Roberts, .25-06, the mighty .257 Weatherby, etc.).  The .260 Remington is .264 inches in diameter same as the 6.5 mm Swede and the .264 Win. Magnum and other 6.5 mm or .264 caliber cartridges.  Why don't you compare the .25 WSSM to one of the other .257 caliber cartridges?  As for light weight bullets in .25 caliber remember that the .250 Savage got it's original name(.250-3000 Savage) from driving an 87 grain bullet at 3000 fps.  I load 75 grain bullets for varmint hunting in all of my .25 calibers with the exception of the .257 Weatherby.  It doesn't make sense to try to compare a .25 caliber cartridge to a .26 caliber cartridge.  Lawdog
 

[Coyote Hunter]

OK, I'll be contrary.

A couple months ago I purchased a like-new Ruger .257 Roberts.  Since then I have developed 4 different loads, one with a 75g Hornady VMAX at 3609fps for varminting.  The new .25 WSSM should be able to push the 85g Ballistic Silvertip to about the same speed.  This would make an excellent long-range coyote load, just as the 75g does in my .257 Roberts.

That said, I'll just stick with my .257 Roberts.

[Squeeze]

Big Paulie.
 
The 85 gr Nosler Ballistic TIp is the perfect pill for long range varmints, and the .25-06 is  
one of the better choices to get it there, as far as I am concerned.  On antelope, and deer,
I would use step up to 100-115 gr Barnes TSX, but I would not be afraid to use the 85 gr
NBT, on antelope, or deer, if for some reason it was my only choice.  I would be careful
on shot placement, not to hit heavy bone before I hit vitals.  Sure on smaller varmints,
something in 55 gr, and .224" diameter would be easier on the shoulder, and the  
wallet, but just the sight of a hit on the varmint with the 85 gr NBT is worth some of
that cost :lol:   The first load I worked up for my .25-06 was the 85 gr Nosler Ballistic
Tip, because I intended to use it as a coyote gun.  I have worked up 100 and 115 gr loads
for bigger game, but when I want to practice, or want to take out that chuck, pulling  
up fresh grain sprouts, on the far side of the field, the 85 gr NBT is in the chamber.
 
 
Squeeze

[Big Paulie]

Dear Guys,

Thanks for the replies and the info.  I did not know that the .260 Remington uses a .264 bullet!   I stand corrected.  It's always good to learn something new.

That having been said, and reading your replies, however, I believe that  you guys are probably the 1 in 1,000 shooters that I was talking about, and that you are so careful about your loads that you would be handloading your 85 grain bullets in the 25 WSSM anyway, and not just buying the factory ammo.  


Best Regards,

Big Paulie

[Coyote Hunter]

Dear Guys,

...you are so careful about your loads that you would be handloading your 85 grain bullets in the 25 WSSM anyway, and not just buying the factory ammo.  ...

Bought a box of factory ammo for my Marlin 1895 .45-70, but that was hundreds of rounds ago.  

Got some so-called "Factory" ammo with my Marlin 375 .375Win, but it was in a plastic case and after shooting it I decided it was probably bad handloads (which was OK because the seller sold the gun to me and it shoots GREAT with my handloads).   That was also hundreds of rounds ago.

My 7mm Rem Mag has seen quite a bit of factory ammo, but not for 20 years.  

My Ruger .22-250 has never seen a "Factory" round.

My .257 Roberts got 15 rounds of Federal 120g Partitions when I first got it, but has digested nothing but handloads since.

The handguns get occasional "Factory" loads, usually when I am low on brass.

But the .22's ALWAYS get "Factory" ammo!  

[Prince of Wales]

To me the fact that 25/06 ballistics can be duplicated in a small round is not  significant but the result is.
 Look at the rifles it is being chambered to. The Super Shadow and the Featherweight Classic. This round has enabled Winchester to offer a 41" 6lb rifle with 22" barrel and with identical ballistics to the 25/06 Rem. That is news. Best of luck. POW
http://www.winchester-guns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=535&type_id=004&cat=001C
http://www.winchester-guns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=535&type_id=943&cat=001C
http://www.winchester-guns.com/prodinfo/features/results.asp?searchfield=25+wssm