243wssm or 25wssm Yote gun

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RyanBambach

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Hey guys...Havn't posted here to much (mostly just do alot of reading) but thought I would post this as I am having a hard time figuring out what to get.

I am in the works of buying a new coyote riffle and am wanting to spice it up a bit from my other guns and what the others I hunt with are using and it has pretty much come down to either the 243wssm or the 25wssm. I am looking for something in a Varmint barrel and so far am leaning towards a Browning A-Bolt Synthetic Varmint but am open for options.

I do my own reloading and enjoy it very much. I also am looking for a long range ground hog riffle which this will also fit for. I am having a hard time finding the 243wssm here in Ontairo but have found a few 25's. I usually like to load the heavier bullets (85gr in my current 243 Rem-Semi) but like I said...looking for something different.

So my question is which of the two calibers will be best for what I am looking to do? As far as the yotes go...I do mostly calling so the heavy barrel is fine!

Thanks in advance...Ryan
 
Save yourself the expense and availibility of brass and just get a 243 winchester. Its the same size action, and what yote is actually going to notice a couple hundred FPS?
 
BIGREDD said:
25wssm.... Browning Varmint Stalker!
great for ground hogs, coyotes, deer... one of my favorites!
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BIGREDD- I was actually going to PM you after reading a bunch of your posts on your 25wssm. Just curious if you reload or buy factory? what if so..what do you shoot? I am a little worried about pelt damage on coyote but after looking thru Hornady's website I see they have 75gr V-Max bullets for the 25 so I would think that would work pretty good. Velocity is down a little from the 243wssm so that would be pretty good.

The Varmint Stalker is the one I was actually looking at...how do you like it? accuracy and grouping wise? how far out do you shoot? Also, beeing a Varmint Barrel and weighing almost 9lbs...do you just stand hunt with it? come winter I am moving around quite a bit when calling.

Thanks in advance...Ryan
 
RyanBambach said:
BIGREDD- I am a little worried about pelt damage on coyote but after looking thru Hornady's website I see they have 75gr V-Max bullets for the 25 so I would think that would work pretty good. Velocity is down a little from the 243wssm so that would be pretty good.



Thanks in advance...Ryan
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V-Max are the absolute worst bullet to use on a coyote and if you concerned about pelts stay away from the 243 wssm and 25 wssm they are not fur friendly rounds.
.17's, 20 and 22 cals are the way to go for a fur friendly round. Ive found that V-Max bullets with extreme high velocities will sometimes splash and create a real mess upon entry and actually do very little internal damage. Most of the fur hunters I know use good hollow point, be it Berger, Speer ect...even a lead point will do.

Cheers!!
 
Ryan,
Redd shoots accubonds out of his 25 WSSM, and I dont think they're that bad on fur. I've personally seen him smash a dirtpig with it at 495yds in a 30 km crosswind with the same rifle and I think ballistic tips. Are the browning Varmint stalkers accurate? #### yes! The 75 gr Vmax's are just awesome on dirtpigs, and they're cheap. This was nearly all i shot out of my 25-06. You cant beat em at over 3700 FPS. But explosive. So like Scott said, not fur friendly. (Though I didnt shoot a yote with mine, so I cant tell you firsthand)
Chilly willy has a varmint stalker in 243 WSSM and its no different in any respect to the 25 other than caliber. The 243 WSSM is one hell of a round in this rifle, but they're nearly impossible to get your hands on.
I have the same rifle in 22-250, and the main difference from the other two is an extra 2 inches on the barrel, and like the 25, its not chrome lined. I can guarantee you three thumbs up on the varmint stalker.

If your handloading like you said, your laughing.
 
As DB stated I do have a VERY RARE 243 WSSM Browning A-Bolt Varmint stalker with the chrome linned barrel. To say I'm impressed with this rifle is an understatement. After shooting nothing but sub MOA groups with hand loads on paper and dirt pigs all summer, I've went and upgraded scopes to a Leupold VX-L 6.5-20x56 extreme varminter...why? Because this rifle can use every little bit for amazing accuracy. I load the 70 grain BT and make 15lb dirt pigs jump 6 feet into the air on impact and leave a fist sized exit hole! Hodgdon BLC2 is what I load at 46 grains for 3800 FPS +/-. The chrome linned barrel certainly makes cleaning much easier with less fouling. I had to order my 243 WSSM all the way from Wholesale Sports and I'm in Ontario.....yes I paid full blow on this rifle...one of only very few ....but it was well worth it! It was the only one in the country that I could find last spring. I don't see much difference between the 243 and the 25 in capability...but with the advantage of the chrome linned barrel....the 243 won my vote. Just a note....Big Redd loads BT's for varmints with MOLY COATING and AB's for deer and coyotes with MOLY COATING. I have personally witnessed a coyote shot with a 270 WSM and 140 AB get up and run away at 70 yards.....so be sure to use a bullet that will anchor the bastard.
 
are you are seriously considering a cartridge that looks like this?
pix19043454_25_wssm.jpg

:)

i cant imagine a real world (ie: not theorycraft) situation where the tried and tested .243, .22-250, .220 swift. etc would fail to perform where one of these new zomgwtfmagnumpewpewlaserssm calibres wouldnt.

i realise that no matter how i put this its going to sound like a troll but please dont take it as such... just trying to save you and your wallet from buying into the hype of these new novelty calibres. if you really have your heart set on them then just dont mind me :)
 
i should add that you are increasing recoil as well over the .243 (around 7ft/lbs) to almost .308 levels (11-12ft/lbs), if this is a consideration - as well as significantly increased ammo cost - all for a mere 10% performance increase.

also note that the WSSM cartridges are on a pretty steep decline now... doesnt bode well for the lifespan of the cartridge.
 
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Lets be clear...the WSSM is not dying...it has a specialized following...actually the 243 WSSM is the most popular of all by sales figures. Yes the tried and true older cartridges get the job done in most cases....but a much shorter, stiffer action, shorter and fater powder charge and a sharp large shoulder to head space off of all help a little with accuracy. I would bet that manbearpig has never killed anything with either the 243WSSM or a 25WSSM so he wouldn't realize the effect of the increased energy on target nor the extend range that the 243 WSSM offers over the 243 Win with a flater trajectory. To each their own and mines a WSSM!
 
manbearpig said:
i should add that you are increasing recoil as well over the .243 (around 7ft/lbs) to almost .308 levels (11-12ft/lbs), if this is a consideration - as well as significantly increased ammo cost - all for a mere 10% performance increase.

also note that the WSSM cartridges are on a pretty steep decline now... doesnt bode well for the lifespan of the cartridge.
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steep decline?

Wow, all this from someone lookng to save the world, with no practical experience behind either caliber:rolleyes:

Did you pull these recoil calculations out your arse?

Having shot both the 243 browning stalker in 243, and 243 WSSM, there is NO NOTICABLE DIFFERENCE IN RECOIL" in identical rifles. (I own one of em
step up nearly 2lbs to a varmint stalker, and yup, you guessed it... Lighter recoil than my 243 abolt composite stalker.
the 25 WSSM is lighter on the shoulder than a comparable weighted 25-06. (not taking stock differences into account) Having shot both a M77 in 25-06 beside a 25 WSSM that are within a pound of eachother in weight, and both have straight stocks, I'd say your above thought out out of your head recoil figures are pretty much bunk. How significant is ammo cost to a reloader? A few bucks difference in brasscost? pulleeze dude.
:rolleyes::feedTroll::feedTroll:

manbearpig said:
i cant imagine a real world (ie: not theorycraft) situation where the tried and tested .243 Got one, .22-250Got one of them too, .220 swiftOh yeah, the guy with the 243 WSSM has one of em too. etc would fail to perform where one of these new zomgwtfmagnumpewpewlaserssm calibres wouldnt.
Sometimes its not about that... its about being different
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Chilly Willy said:
Ryan.....if your local I'll let you get behind my 243 WSSM Varminter for a real world experience.
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I am located just north west of Waterloo...but could take a drive!!! LOL. I have been calling around and am unable to find a 243wssm. Epp's has a 25 in stock.

I would take the 25 but I do like what I have heard from you on the 243 plus there is a few more selections when it comes to hand loading.

Ryan
 
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I'm out your way in St.Agatha almost every week and could arrange to meet up with you on a Friday afternoon....I've got land there to shoot target at ...100 / 200 / 300 / 400 / 500 yards...what ever you like. Don't be in a hurry...get the cal you really want. I'm sure we can find you a 243 WSSM if that's your choice.
 
Chilly Willy said:
I'm out your way in St.Agatha almost every week and could arrange to meet up with you on a Friday afternoon....I've got land there to shoot target at ...100 / 200 / 300 / 400 / 500 yards...what ever you like. Don't be in a hurry...get the cal you really want. I'm sure we can find you a 243 WSSM if that's your choice.
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Just sent you a PM!
 
DarrylDB said:
steep decline?

Wow, all this from someone lookng to save the world, with no practical experience behind either caliber:rolleyes:

Did you pull these recoil calculations out your arse?

Having shot both the 243 browning stalker in 243, and 243 WSSM, there is NO NOTICABLE DIFFERENCE IN RECOIL" in identical rifles. (I own one of em
step up nearly 2lbs to a varmint stalker, and yup, you guessed it... Lighter recoil than my 243 abolt composite stalker.
the 25 WSSM is lighter on the shoulder than a comparable weighted 25-06. (not taking stock differences into account) Having shot both a M77 in 25-06 beside a 25 WSSM that are within a pound of eachother in weight, and both have straight stocks, I'd say your above thought out out of your head recoil figures are pretty much bunk. How significant is ammo cost to a reloader? A few bucks difference in brasscost? pulleeze dude.
:rolleyes::feedTroll::feedTroll:
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might want to look in a mirror there bub -- you are the troll. i specifically asked that my post be taken objectively and i posted it in as neutral a manner as i could, yet you come out swinging at me as if i pissed in your cornflakes or something. chill the $%#@ out - unless you are incapable of discussing something without resorting to childish insults.

there is a definite and measurable difference in recoil according to the .25 WSSM i shot at the range, my ballistics software and just about every WSSM owner ive talked to. im not saying that 9.5ft/lb recoil of the WSSM over 7.5ft/lbs for the .243 and 11ft/lbs for the .25 WSSM are 'huge increases in recoil', but to the sensitive shooter that 2lbs may be a factor - which is *exactly* how i said it: "...if this is a consideration".

as an owner of a WSSM rifle i wouldnt expect you to offer totally unbiased advice on these rifles. most people who make a poor purchase decision often rabidly advocate that same product to others just to feel better about their purchase.

companies arent even really advertising the WSSM rifles anymore. WSSM rifles are on 'clearout' sale lists everywhere as they try to dump their stock. its not an easy task these days to find a WSSM rifle in most stores regular catalogue/stock that isnt on clearance or a used rifle someone is trying to get rid of.
they are undeniably on a steep decline since people are realising that they carry many, many disadvantages to their parent calibres in echange for at most a 10% advantage in ballistics.

im not saying that you should go out and burn your WSSMs, but to actually recommend them to someone who is looking for a new rifle is not the wisest idea.
 
I would just get a 243 win or 25/06 as the brass will get hard to find for the wssm in a few years.If your just choosing between the 2 get the 25wssm,it's slightly better if you ever want to take it deer hunting.
 
My ballistics calculator... See...
The 25 WSSM is an increase in recoil to the 243, but after shooting a full box of shells, would either leave a mark, or hurt you, or lead to developing a flinch? no... so keep the "significant" word in your side pocket for relivant discussions.
Like any rifle, they make it to Clearance sales. Does this mean Ruger Hawkeye's and Remington SPS's are garbage, and destined for obscurity?
Its called making room for new product.
It happens every year, and seeing that Browning has had a hard time keeping up with demand in they're products, and shipping them, we havent seen a tonne of new browning stuff in canada this year. Which would be why your not seeing a tonne of new ones on the shelves up here. Chyeck a few threads in the states on WSSM's. still pretty popular.

Once agian, who cares if its popular. If it floats someones boat, thats all that matters.
 
you would be suprised at what some people consider a factor in firearm selection.
some people complain about the recoil of a .308 but are perfectly comfortable with a couple ft/lbs less like that of a .243 or 7.62x39.
personally it makes little difference to me - as long as its less than a .300win mag it doesnt really bother me. i was just throwing it out there as another factor to consider. id hardly consider 11ft/lbs 'excessive recoil', but someones wife might compared to a .22-250.

the main reason i wouldnt buy a WSSM is the fact that the cartridge is on a decline. whether this means itll be around for 5 years, or 10, or 15 is uncertain - but the fact remains that it *is* on a decline and both guns and ammo for it are becoming harder to find.
the fact that a cartridge is popular in some forums in the States is not much of an indication of its commercial success. look at the 6.5mm Grendel. i dont see the point, but Americans think its the cat's ass.

i guess it all depends on your budget. all i am saying is that people who recommend calibers like .243 WSSM should ideally be saying something like:
'if you reload and like to experiment with intermediate calibres, and have the money, the .243 WSSM will give you better ballistics than the .243 Win'.
not:
'OMG the .243 WSSM is the BEST get one you wont regret it!!!'
like many people post in all of these types of threads.

too many people get talked into novelty calibers without knowing exactly what they are getting into.
that said, if you reload anyway, a lot of that 10% difference can be made up for in several different calibres that are more established and have more of a future than the WSSMs. i never said they were crap - but they are not for everybody.
 
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