.243 WSSM Anybody tried this?
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Mystic Precision
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The case capacity of the 243WSSM is pretty close to a 243AI SO bore wear is very high compared to a 6BR but low compared to a 257STW.
The 6mm bullets were first campaigned very successfully using the 243. However, barrel wear was considered high from guys shooting a few thousand rds a season and wanting match accuracy. Barrels started to loose that edge around 1000 to 1500rds depending.
So there was a move to the 6BR and the improved versions. All also very successful. Excellent throat life, a bit less recoil but goofy high pressures.
The next trend was to a bigger case all based around some version/modification of the 22/250 case. Long necks, short necks, sharp shoulders, no body taper, etc, etc, etc.
Again, all good stuff and there are now a variety of popular versions. The one that is getting the most press is the 6mm XC campaigned by David Tubbs. By virtue of being an amazing shot and winning almost everything, interest in the cartridge is very high.
Now the bullet race begins. The 105/107gr class was tops for a bit. A great balance in the 6BR family. Then comes the 115gr and the smaller case just can't cut it anymore.
The XC and similar case size may be perfect for this new class of 115 to 120gr VLD bullets in long barrels. All you need is to get over 2800fps for good 1000m performance. Many are reaching 3000fps with 'no pressure signs'....uummm.
Back to the orig question on the 243WSSM. For competition use, on the big side. For a varminter or hunting rifle, sure why not.
The WSSM and improved versions or cases like my 6.5 mystic, are ideally sized for the 6.5 cal and 142gr class bullets. Less powder burnt so increased barrel life over the 6.5-284. These 6.5 bullets still exceed the ballistics of any known 6mm bullet. The gap is closing fast though.
In time, we may well see 6mm comp bullets exceeding 120gr. At which point the 243 and WSSM may just be the right size and the 6mm the only calibre used in LR comp.
Jerry
The 6mm bullets were first campaigned very successfully using the 243. However, barrel wear was considered high from guys shooting a few thousand rds a season and wanting match accuracy. Barrels started to loose that edge around 1000 to 1500rds depending.
So there was a move to the 6BR and the improved versions. All also very successful. Excellent throat life, a bit less recoil but goofy high pressures.
The next trend was to a bigger case all based around some version/modification of the 22/250 case. Long necks, short necks, sharp shoulders, no body taper, etc, etc, etc.
Again, all good stuff and there are now a variety of popular versions. The one that is getting the most press is the 6mm XC campaigned by David Tubbs. By virtue of being an amazing shot and winning almost everything, interest in the cartridge is very high.
Now the bullet race begins. The 105/107gr class was tops for a bit. A great balance in the 6BR family. Then comes the 115gr and the smaller case just can't cut it anymore.
The XC and similar case size may be perfect for this new class of 115 to 120gr VLD bullets in long barrels. All you need is to get over 2800fps for good 1000m performance. Many are reaching 3000fps with 'no pressure signs'....uummm.
Back to the orig question on the 243WSSM. For competition use, on the big side. For a varminter or hunting rifle, sure why not.
The WSSM and improved versions or cases like my 6.5 mystic, are ideally sized for the 6.5 cal and 142gr class bullets. Less powder burnt so increased barrel life over the 6.5-284. These 6.5 bullets still exceed the ballistics of any known 6mm bullet. The gap is closing fast though.
In time, we may well see 6mm comp bullets exceeding 120gr. At which point the 243 and WSSM may just be the right size and the 6mm the only calibre used in LR comp.
Jerry
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
NAPOLEON DYNAMITE said:
Costs? Very similar, once you buy brass. Buy a few hundred quality brass and you're set for a LONG time, at least until your barrel is ready to be replaced with a good brass maker like Lapua (this applies only to 6BR, you're stuck with Winchester for the WSSM's). Lapua makes the best brass, and is really the only option for 6BR, which isn't the worst way things could go. Winchester Brass is OK, and can be 'uniformed' through case weighing and primer pocket reaming etc.
.243 WSSM burns more powder than a 6BR, and thus produces more velocity too. 6BR will make your barrel last longer, this is also a long term cost factor. How far do you want to shoot? 1000 enough? If so, 6BR is appropriate, but you do have to ring it's neck a bit pressure wise. .243 WSSM will have a cakewalk blowing the doors off 6BR velocities (and recoil), but the 6BR is more accurate (at least it should be).
Now if cost is a large factor, I might suggest a commercial rifle in a standard cal (.243 WSSM is off the shelf). Buying a rifle for the action, pulling the barrel, having a smith install your new blank, the inevitable stock upgrade, etc really add up. I typically end up paying about $1500-$2000 on a basic rifle build, or $4000 in the last couple
. This is getting off topic, but the priciest single piece on all my target guns, aside from the barrelled action of course, is the scope. If you want to shoot far, invest here and tune a commercial gun (bed it, tune the trigger, little else is needed to have fun at long range, if you want to compete it's a different story, but I for one only shoot recreationally/non formal competitively). Expect a decent bolt gun in a 6mm bore to run you $900, then about $130-$200 for a multi MOA base (scope base with built in 'slant', gives you more scope elevation for long range, typically 20 MOA), and maybe $1000 on good entry level long range glass. All in all you'd come in around $2000. If you buy stuff here on the board, you might shave off a few hundred $ 
PS, a .243 Winchester, the boring old version
, would suit your purposes well I suspect and is available in many rifles.
Some good info on the 243 WSSM.
I'm considering putting together a tactical, varmint gun.
So far it looks like my choice is the Winchester Stealth II in 243 WSSM. Add a Leopald scope and harris bi pod, and I should be good to go.
Anyone have experience with the Stealth II? Or better yet the Stealth II and this caliber?
I'm considering putting together a tactical, varmint gun.
So far it looks like my choice is the Winchester Stealth II in 243 WSSM. Add a Leopald scope and harris bi pod, and I should be good to go.
Anyone have experience with the Stealth II? Or better yet the Stealth II and this caliber?
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Epoxy7 said:
I have it on good authority that the new Win M70 actions are quite likely the best action of the main stream commercial makers, and Stealth's are nice rifles. Oddly though, if you're reselling, Remingtons hold their value better in my experience. However, if you're just looking to shoot and aren't worried about selling it already before you've got it and the $100 or $200 you might come out ahead with big green in that scenario, then by all means it's a great rifle. (Never played with a .243 WSSM in it though)
Max Owner
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Epoxy7 said:
I am trying to pick one up. Originally in a 22-250, because the WSSMs weren't getting good reviews for being around, long.
But this thread has inspired to look at the 243 WSSM. Trying to find a new Stealth seems to be problematic...... No one seems to have any.
Max Owner
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Epoxy; They still have it listed, but don't know a damn thing about em. Might be getting some in, might not. Someone was to call me back with definite info, but have never heard back from the guy who knows.
Hmm. Ok. I just saw them listed. They didn't have my Ruger MKIII in at first either. Now it's on the way. Here's hoping they have the Stealth II when I go to order. Another rifle I've been considering is the Remington Seldena? SP? Might be nice in 7mm ultra mag. I like the fluted bull barrell, and laminate stock. Not a tactial rifle but still it would be a lot of fun.
Wow,
Old thread revived.
I guess here's the update. I bought Milo's Winchester M70 Coyote from him in 243WSSM. I've been very happy with this rifle. It's not a competition rifle but it sure is purdy, and shoots well.
I never bothered with the 7mm. That being said I'll probably be bugging Ardent next year about how to built a 7WSSM. That wildcat he's got going there looks really interesting.
Old thread revived.
I guess here's the update. I bought Milo's Winchester M70 Coyote from him in 243WSSM. I've been very happy with this rifle. It's not a competition rifle but it sure is purdy, and shoots well.
I never bothered with the 7mm. That being said I'll probably be bugging Ardent next year about how to built a 7WSSM. That wildcat he's got going there looks really interesting.
I have a Browning A Bolt Varminter in 243 WSSM...had to order it from across the country. They were impossible to find! The bonus of the Varminter is the 24" medium heavy barrel which is chrome lined....not like the 25 WSSM which is not. The rifle has been absolutely incredible with 70 grain BT's well past 400 yards. I was so impressed with this rifle / cartridge that I upgraded my scope to a Leupold VX L 6.5 - 20 x56 extreme varminter just to milk everything I could out of her. The piss off however is that in the Super short Browning action and mag config. .... you have to seat the bullet so deep into the case it is wacky....but it shoots!!! Gotta bump the shoulder back on the case after firing too. This would be an excellent choice in a custom rifle that allowed for a shallower seating depth and heavier / longer bullets. Hodgdon BL-C 2 seems to be the right stuff for my rifle.
Milo helped me with some hand loads last summer.
My rifle seems to prefer the heavier 243 ammo. It really liked the 90 to 100 grains we loaded. I seem to recall anything around that was good. My rifle also seemed to prefer having the bullets seated further into the lands/groves.
So... I was shooting fairly well when I ended up having vertical stringing. I noticed that the barrel (semi bull) wasn't free floated. I had a gunsmith free float the barrel and bed the action. Anyways I take it out and start shooting. Stringing is gone. But.... I can't get the scope to track properly. I crank it over 4 clicks (1 inch) at 100 yards to the left. It shoots in the same hole as the previous shot.. Then while scratching my head wondering WTF was going on. I actually saw the crosshairs on the scope vibrate. I Sh!t you not. So the scope appears to be screwered. This scope has a date with the garbage can in a few months.
I have a whole bunch of scopes to buy. This rifle will be getting a new one before this summer. When I learn how to reload (I know just enough now to be dangerous) then I'll give it another try.
I know this rifle can shoot. It's just going to take a little longer to really get it going.
My rifle seems to prefer the heavier 243 ammo. It really liked the 90 to 100 grains we loaded. I seem to recall anything around that was good. My rifle also seemed to prefer having the bullets seated further into the lands/groves.
So... I was shooting fairly well when I ended up having vertical stringing. I noticed that the barrel (semi bull) wasn't free floated. I had a gunsmith free float the barrel and bed the action. Anyways I take it out and start shooting. Stringing is gone. But.... I can't get the scope to track properly. I crank it over 4 clicks (1 inch) at 100 yards to the left. It shoots in the same hole as the previous shot.
. Then while scratching my head wondering WTF was going on. I actually saw the crosshairs on the scope vibrate. I Sh!t you not. So the scope appears to be screwered. This scope has a date with the garbage can in a few months. I have a whole bunch of scopes to buy. This rifle will be getting a new one before this summer. When I learn how to reload (I know just enough now to be dangerous) then I'll give it another try.
I know this rifle can shoot. It's just going to take a little longer to really get it going.
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