.243 wssm or .25 wssm??
- Thread starter wysongdog
- Start date
TheDogHunter2
New member
WYsongdog, First off Mike is a great guy that builds a upper right. I live in the great state of calif, and I shoot a calif, legal AR. It holds three in the mag well. I shoot a stainless, ported, fluted 24 inch upper.The load I use is Nosle BT 70gr Varget 38gr and rem primers. This load shoots into 1/2 inch at 100yards. Taking Mikes advice He sent me a RCBS#7 243 mic gage to set up the full lenth sizing die. I have never had a problem with feeding or loading any rounds. I also gave the 25WSSM some thought But I have a 25-06 that shoots lights out.
Can't comment on barrel life on the 243 WSSM as I only have 185 rounds through my Dtech upper. Most of those have been off the bench in load development (working up a load w/H450 from scratch....no loading data available). Have fine tuned loads w/85, 87 and 100 gr. bullets now and am concentrating on field testing.
So far have taken 3 coyotes; one w/87 gr. Horn. BTHP @ 3100 fps. The coyote had stopped to look @ decoy but just as I broke the shot he started to run toward decoy, resulting in a hit too far back. He managed to run about 20 yards into a catclaw thicket, but was not difficult to track! The other two were shot w/100 gr. Nos. 100 gr. solid base SP's @ 3000 fps. Both were DRT. Not too fur friendly, but very effective.
Also shot two whitetail does with the 100 gr. NSBSP's and both dropped where they stood.
So far I have been quite impressed with the caliber/rifle!
Regards,
hm
PS Mike is a great guy to deal with. Helped me in developing the H450 load and, when I hit a snag w/vertical stringing suggested there may be an issue w/something touching the gas block. Sure enough, I was using the forend index/stop on front rest and it sometimes contacted side of GB. Changed position and vertical stringing no longer a problem. Thanks, Mike! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
So far have taken 3 coyotes; one w/87 gr. Horn. BTHP @ 3100 fps. The coyote had stopped to look @ decoy but just as I broke the shot he started to run toward decoy, resulting in a hit too far back. He managed to run about 20 yards into a catclaw thicket, but was not difficult to track! The other two were shot w/100 gr. Nos. 100 gr. solid base SP's @ 3000 fps. Both were DRT. Not too fur friendly, but very effective.
Also shot two whitetail does with the 100 gr. NSBSP's and both dropped where they stood.
So far I have been quite impressed with the caliber/rifle!
Regards,
hm
PS Mike is a great guy to deal with. Helped me in developing the H450 load and, when I hit a snag w/vertical stringing suggested there may be an issue w/something touching the gas block. Sure enough, I was using the forend index/stop on front rest and it sometimes contacted side of GB. Changed position and vertical stringing no longer a problem. Thanks, Mike! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Last edited:
Never owned or shot a 25WSSM. My 24" Oly AR .243WSSM is quite accurate for a factory upper. An excellent [quartering & cross] wind bucker, way out there. I use Winchester 95gr Silver Ballistic tips.
So far, I've connected on 7 coyotes with her. Five were long range, two were close up. Every coyote was knocked to the ground with the 1st hit. One was already on the ground, sleeping /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
All of them regained their footing. Five didn't go far, as I put another rd in them.
I est I've shot 15 box's or so through it. Shoots mighty fine still. I have no interest in the 55gr .243WSSM ammo.
So far, I've connected on 7 coyotes with her. Five were long range, two were close up. Every coyote was knocked to the ground with the 1st hit. One was already on the ground, sleeping /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
All of them regained their footing. Five didn't go far, as I put another rd in them.
I est I've shot 15 box's or so through it. Shoots mighty fine still. I have no interest in the 55gr .243WSSM ammo.
coyote_grimreaper
New member
I have a 25 wssm. Sweet little shooter. Not sure i would do either in an AR platform. Would get a little expensive for me. Good luck
wysongdog
Member
primary use for this upper will be for contest hunting. I will use the .204 the rest of the time, its awesome as long as I do my part. Sometimes I want a little more energy for long range shots. And to use it for coyote hunting during deer season just in case. Because here in the desert I can do both.
Tarry
New member
I have both the 243 and 25 in WSSM bolts. Both have proven to be very accurate but I tend to lean to the 25 over the 243 specially for deer. I am shooting 120 gr PEP factory Winchesters out of the 25 with it zeroed at 200 yd. From a rest it has been grouping just under an inch.
I can't say one caliber is superior to the other but I perfer the 25 for the larger game. If I going to hunt varmits or predator I usually settle on a smaller caliber than the 243 WSSM. It burns a lot of powder to be shooting at coyote size game with. However it not question it will leave then DRT.
Grafts and Sons had Federal 223 and 243 WSSM cases for 9.99 a hundred in their last flyer.
I can't say one caliber is superior to the other but I perfer the 25 for the larger game. If I going to hunt varmits or predator I usually settle on a smaller caliber than the 243 WSSM. It burns a lot of powder to be shooting at coyote size game with. However it not question it will leave then DRT.
Grafts and Sons had Federal 223 and 243 WSSM cases for 9.99 a hundred in their last flyer.
Quote:
And to use it for coyote hunting during deer season just in case. Because here in the desert I can do both.
That was my very reason for having the WSSM built. I mostly hunt predators with my AR during the early deer season. Have shot a few deer with it (all DRT neck shots) but always felt the 223 is just a bit on the light side for deer. Mike convinced me the 243 was the way to go since deer would be my largest quarry. I am really impressed with mine.
We must shoot 4 does to satisfy our ranch owner's game management program or we are not invited back next year. Finished mine up this weekend w/the AR and all 4 were DRT's using 100 gr. Nosler solid base SP @ 3006 fps.
Talk to Mike about the differences; he can give you the pros & cons on the two.
Regards,
hm
And to use it for coyote hunting during deer season just in case. Because here in the desert I can do both.
That was my very reason for having the WSSM built. I mostly hunt predators with my AR during the early deer season. Have shot a few deer with it (all DRT neck shots) but always felt the 223 is just a bit on the light side for deer. Mike convinced me the 243 was the way to go since deer would be my largest quarry. I am really impressed with mine.
We must shoot 4 does to satisfy our ranch owner's game management program or we are not invited back next year. Finished mine up this weekend w/the AR and all 4 were DRT's using 100 gr. Nosler solid base SP @ 3006 fps.
Talk to Mike about the differences; he can give you the pros & cons on the two.
Regards,
hm
lanole
Member
Can't really go wrong with either. I do recall hearing something about having to handload the 25 wssm in the AR because factory rounds were just a bit too long to feed properly(?). Don't quote me on that one though. Then again, if your considering a wssm you must already handload. I own both and they are great rounds in their own right.