223 WSSM

H

huntnpa

Member
I have read alot of information about the 223 WSSM and most are saying to stick with a 22-250 or 220 swift due to throat erosion.

My question is when you’re pushing a bullet at around 3800-4000 fps why does the 223 wssm get a bad rap as a barrel burner and MOST are stating it has a shorter barrel life compared to the 220 swift. Both are pushing the same weight bullets at ~ 3900fps.

Is possible to make a switch barrel gun out of a M70 Coyote? 223 wssm to a 25 wssm?
 
Actually, the 223 WSSM shoots the same bullet a fair amount faster, and eats barrels a fair amount faster... it is the price of speed.



.
 
When you try to burn that much powder as it enters the 224 barrel it tends to over heat the throat causing rapid erosion. If you were to use equal amounts of powder in say a 30 caliber barrel the surface is larger so the heat is spread out more causing less erosion. It's a thing called overbore.

Yes you can do a switch barrel on the 223wssm, the bolt face is your main concern and the 25wssm uses the same bolt face diameter.
 
They had a recall on the M70 Coyote 223wsm a while back they had a problem with the barrel liners burning out after very few shots not many people or gun dealers where aware of this, the browning abolt 223wsm was the better one i cant remember the serial numbers of the recall. The 25 wssm never had a barrel liner only the 223 and 243wssm.Also the factory ammo is crap its to much pressure. http://www.benchrest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9576
 
Last edited:
According the Browning, the chrome lining of the barrels in the wssm's will give about the same barrel life as a 22-250.

The 223wssm is a hotrod, outpacing the '250 and the Swift by a decent margin. Hornaday reported 4600fps with a 40gr Vmax!

Should you decide to get one, get the Browning. I have read numerous owner reports of the Winchester rifles being horrible on accuracy (my son used to own the Win Super Shadow- what a nightmare that was). My son owns a Browning in 223wssm and it shoot's great.
 
I don't know where they come up with a .223 WSSM out performs a .220 Swift. On a 250 it is a little better. I have them all and not seen the WSSM do any better than my Swift. Factory WSSM loads don't run anywhere near their claim that I have seen either. Now I have a .223 WSSM wildcat (.22 TSM) and have seen it run those 40gr V-max's at 4600 fps and they shot very well at 100. Run 80gr Sierra's at 3350 and it is a yote killing machine.

I would never recommend a .223 WSSM over a Swift or a 250 for that matter. No need for it. Dead is dead and the yote is not going to be able to tell the difference between which one hit him. Ammo much easier to get in the others and brass on the WSSM is the hardest crap I have ever seen to work with. Way too thick!
 
the WSSM is a joke, noone is chambering for it anymore, so I think the ammo supply will soon be non existant. It was the answer to a a question no one asked, I only see it as something useful on the AR platform, if someone wants a hot 22 cal AR
 
When first introduced, there WAS an erosion issue. They changed to chrome lined bores and it made a world of difference. Looking at the throats, via Hawk borescope, of both my .220 swift (Rem 700) and my Win 70 black shadow .223 WSSM both with 1200 rounds down the tubes, erosion is just starting to be obvious in both. After the change to the chrome, the .223 WSSM is not harder on bores then the .220 swift. You'll get the same number of shots outta both cartridges.

Too much conjecture and repeating of internet "i heard from this guy" BS about the .223 WSSM. It has alot of diehard fans....me included.
 
I just bought a 223WSSM and it should be here before friday. I got it new (but left over of course) Coyote M70 Laminate - SS. It looks real sweet. I know there are a TON of HATER'S but I like to experiment so......I'll let you know how it turns out.

I'd like to make into a switch barrel 25WSSM but...can't find a gunsmith with the correct reamer. I am going to contact ER Shaw today.
 
SteveM, a peek at the reloading manuals shows the 223wssm as the fastest of the 3. I do agree with you on the difficulty working with the brass. We seem to get 3-4 loads per case, then a neck splits.

SteveG, Browning still chambers for the wssm's.
 
I personally don't believe the 223 WSSM has anything on the 220 Swift. The Swift is the best 22 cal varmint round you can chamber a rifle for. The 243 or 25 WSSM would be a better choice in this short case. If the Swift has any short coming it doesn't like to work in some magazines without modifying the feed rails.
 
Quote:
CAtshooter,

Go to Browning's website, they still chamber for the 223wssm.



I was browsing there a few weeks ago looking for the 223 WSSM, and didn't see the 223, only the 243 and larger...

I coulda missed something.


.
 
So I got the gun and went to the range today. Fired 3 shots of factory, cleaned, one fouling shot and then shot these. Not to bad for a starting out......

PC080031.jpg


PC080032.jpg


I plan to test some more tommorrow and will post my results
 
I bought a winchester super shadow 223wssm new in '04. I love mine. When I first shot if for a group it printed .74" at 100yards with factory winchester 55 gr. psp's. I don't have to worry about shooting 1000-1200+ shots through it, so the barrel wear issue isn't very much of a concern for me. The rising cost of ammo and less availability of it is however.

Todd
 
K, not going by what the book says. Just what my Chrono and handloads say and print. I am currently working on a custom 700 in .223 WSSM. Have seem some promise in it with 4350 and RL-15 running 55gr V-Max little over 3900 under an inch.
 
Back
Top