243wssm or 25wssm Yote gun

I own a winchester Model 70 Coyote in 243WSSM.

Personally I really like it. There is more recoil than a regular 243, however it is less than a .308.

As for the decline. Well, Browning seems to be the only manufacturer currently making 243WSSM rifles, since Winchester stopped. However I have heard there will be some new Model 70s from Winchester soon. So who knows how that will go. I personally don't like the Browning rifles, but I loved the Winchester Model 70. With Winchester closing up shop we were bound to see sales decline. That's really not a surprise.

The 243WSSM is what I like to call the beginners 6BR. At least that's what I thought of it when I bought it. It's a great concept, a good cartridge and overall a lot of fun. However the biggest problem is the lack of good non hunting off the shelf ammo for it. The Winchester hunting ammo is crap for target shooting. Currently it's the only ammo available in 243WSSM

Where I suspect the 243WSSM will really shine, is with reloading. I had some help with this and the groups started to shrink right up. With the abundance of good 243 bullets out there, it's a decent cartridge if you're into reloading.

For a hunter it might offer some advantages. The extra 200 fps is nice. Sort of like the 30 06 compared to the .308, with the 30 06 having the advantage.

For me, I really liked the rifle, and having a unique cartridge was something that I thought was interesting. It's different than everyone elses. The balistics are good, and it's a decent all around rifle/cartridge combination.
 
The biggest issue I see why other manufactures have not made them is that the actual action is specific to that cartridge....much the same as Sako making an action size for the WSM.....whoooo there's an idea! Why not take a lesson from Tikka and block a WSM action to fit the WSSM??? Why...because it defeats the purpose is why not. A good set of dies for the WSSM's really opens up alot more options for target or LR hunting. I'm going to move on from the Hornady dies to the Redding competion bushing dies in hopes of even better accuracy. I've changed from Remington brass for my 260 over to Lapua 243 Win brass necked up and Nosler custom brass just for that reason..get all the odds in your favour. Next time I'm up to Shooters Choice I'm going to grab 6 bags of brass for the 243 WSSM for supply...but the brass has a long life.
 
Thanks for all the posts guys.

I decieded at lunch today I was going to purchase a Browning A-Bolt Varmint Stalker in a 243wssm. I had a list of 12 shops in Ontario and 2 large shops out in Alberta that caried the rifle. I called local first (Shooters Choice) then to Epp's (epps had a 223wssm and a 25wssm and told me they were discontinued but could order one out of the remaining stock and I might see it by June) I then called a bunch of other shops that were dealers on Brownings Ontario listings. I called the 2 Labaron shops and the one on the west side of Toronto had only a 25wssm, the east side had a 223wssm and a 25...I was bumbed...couldn't find one anywhere! I called out to Alberta and they only had 223's. I then called Labarons in Ottawa??? and they had nothing but said that they know the Markham store (East side of Toronto) had a 243wssm.

I called them back and talked to Dave (he was very helpfull) and sure enough...he had one! the first guy I talked to had a stong accent and miss-understood what I asked for! I went down and picked it up right away.

Best part of the day was they have 10% off anything in the store for December + for $25 you can purchase a card that is good for a year and gives you another 10% off.

Sticker price was $907 and with the 20% off I picked it up for $827.18! thought it was pretty good. I also picked up brass and a few other goodies and will probably land up getting a scope for it (was planning on using my 4-12 bushnel trophy) but that 20% savings is nice on a new scope!

Anyway, was a good day...just have to go out and site this thing in and then the fun begins!

Thanks for all the help and opinions!

Ryan
 
Save your money for a decent peice of glass for this missle launcher. I'd suggest you start off with 70 grain BT's over 46 grains of BL-C 2 and Fed Match primers...works for me. May I suggest a scope that covers a little higher magnification ..... like a 4.5-14 or even a 6.5-20
 
Update- Well, I have had the riffle for just over a month and so far I really like it. Picked up a set of Hornady dies and 6 bags of brass and all the other goodies.* Landed up loading some 75gr V-Max's and like the grouping so far. I have only put 50 rounds thru it but have it zero'd at 300 yards and with out actually testing it on the bench (field use with just the bi-pod) I am grouping at 1.5".** As far as the riffle...I really like it, the medium heavy barrel is actually suprisingly light (it weighs only ounces more than my Remington wood stocked Semi .243).* I currently only have the Bushnell Trophy 4-12x on it for now untill the warmer weather and I can get it on the bench.* As far as recoil...honestly, I don't even knotice a difference from the above mentioned .243Thanks for all the help guys!..Ryan
 
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