.25 WSSM vs. .243 WSSM

T

Trapper Luke

New member
Well goin to have mike build me a gun and was orignally gonna go with the .243 WSSM but was kinda curious to how the .25 WSSM compares ballisticly and everything against the .243 WSSM??

This gun will be my 2nd go to yote gun. Will also see some varmint hunting in the off season with the odd deer hunt thrown in as well.

I also do all of my own reloading if it matters any.

Thanks,
Luke
 
I have been thinking about this too. I think I am going to go with the 243. The main reason is the availability of ammo and the bullet choices. There seems to be a lot more varmint bullets available in 243 and a lot of good choices for deer too. You will be able to develop a little more energy from the 25, 5-10%. I'm looking at it as a long range rifle and for me the ballistics for bullets in the 70-80 grain range are what is pushing me towards the 243.
 
From what little I know about the .25wssm I wouldn't chose it for a 'yote rifle because of what machiv said about bullet selection. There are many more options in 6mm than .25 cal unless you don't use the fur from your dogs.

If you want to use it for distance shots on dogs then the 6mm has some excellent offerings, again like machiv said, in the 70gr-80gr range. The .25 will have similar ballistic coefficients in 20-30 grains higher which will leave you with a dead coyote that has two holes in it.
 
I have a Dtech 25 wssm and would recommend it over the 243.

While it is true that there are more choices in 6mm bullets, there is still plenty of good bullets in .257 for varmint, predator and deer. Actually, it is easier to find bullets in .257 that will fit a standard mag since .257s are shorter than .243s, grain for grain. Compare a 100gr .243 to a 100gr .257 for OAL and you will see what I mean. The .243 will have slightly better BC, but unless you are shooting very long rang, it won't be enough to make a significant difference.

The 25 is also easier on barrels and will generate more velocity from the same weight bullet. More practical for medium size game too.
 
Trapper Luke,

I just put in an order for a 25wssm over the 243 mainly because we hunt yotes, and anything for that matter, in high winds in SD. Thought it would help with wind Buck. I don't really have anything else to base my decision on other than what people have suggested. I'm thinking you'll be happy with either choice.
 
I like the .243 just because of the bullet selection like everybody else said. Especially if your going to mainly use it for coyotes and a .243 is good for deer just shot placement is much more important. I'm sure you'll be more than happy with either. I know I'm going with a .243 wssm from mike once I get the money
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... Just my 2 cents
 
I've shot my .25Wizzer goofin' around out past 700yds plenty o' times with low b.c. (relatively speaking) 75gr Vmaxs. Only killed coyotes to just past 500 with it, though...

75gr Vmax for coyotes, 100gr TSX for deer. Don't need anymore bullet selection than that!

All the really high b.c. .243 caliber bullets mostly need to be single fed to get the most out of them, performance wise, so that precludes using them in an AR in the 1st place. If ya seat 'em down deep to fit in the mag, then your infringing on powder capacity AND makin' em jump to the lands. Generally speaking, high b.c. (VLD type) bullets don't like jumping...

Of course there are always exceptions, but I'll agree with Lakeway's accessment...
 
Cbass makes VLD mags, last I heard he was having good luck with them.

Cbass how you liking that Nightforce?
 
Well, I'll chime in on a personal opinion here, but my lack of tangible data on the 25WSSM lends it as an opinion only.
The 25WSSM would be my choice, BUT ONLY IF you want to utilize 105+ bullets for larger game. If you're using bullets less than 105, I don't find it debatable... strait up 243. I don't feel the 100fps difference in potential velocity is something that should matter since most of us are loading for accuracy rather than all out velocity anyway, and as such, are willing to sacrifice some of one, to gain another. (I'm loading 95's to only 2818fps for best accuracy when I could be using factory 95gr Ballistic Silvertip ammo at 3250fps) A HUGE decrease, but I'm willing to accept it for .5 - .75 MOA out to 400yds.

Originally Posted By: backy33Trapper Luke,
I just put in an order for a 25wssm over the 243 mainly because we hunt yotes, and anything for that matter, in high winds in SD. Thought it would help with wind Buck. In reality, if you're shooting a 25WSSM with a 75gr bullet vs a 243WSSM with a 75gr bullet. The 243 will out perform it in wind simply because of the higher BC and an identical case capacity. I've loaded 105 bullets seated all they way down to an OAL of 2.26" with up to 38gr of Varget will PLENTY of left over case capacity. (I wouldn't go beyond that because of pressure limits, but capacity is not an issue whatsoever)


Originally Posted By: knockemdownAll the really high b.c. .243 caliber bullets mostly need to be single fed to get the most out of them, performance wise, so that precludes using them in an AR in the 1st place. If ya seat 'em down deep to fit in the mag, then your infringing on powder capacity AND makin' em jump to the lands.This is about half right, except that the powder capacity is not even close to a problem when using Varget. Also, if you're having an AR built anyway, just have the chamber cut so the jump is less extreme. With my loads, I can reach OAL #4 per Bergers recommendation with no issues at all. "mbkmkk" shoots 105s just fine so the debate about utilizing higer BC .243 bullets is really quite moot. It's not quite as easy, but it works just fine if you plan ahead.

Load 24 rounds at the following COAL:[*]1. .010" into (touching) the lands (jam) 6 rounds [*]2. .040" off the lands (jump) 6 rounds [*]3. .080" off the lands (jump) 6 rounds [*]4. .120" off the lands (jump) 6 rounds [/list]


Originally Posted By: HoierCbass makes VLD mags, last I heard he was having good luck with them.

Cbass how you liking that Nightforce?
Yes I do, and I love them. And the NF is awesome. POUNDED my first triple last friday out of a 7 pack of hard charging dogs that poured out of some reeds like a swarm of bees. It would have been ridiculously difficult with my other optic. Haven't had good enough weather to test its tracking out beyond 400 yet, but this spring should be fun.
 
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I haven't played with a .243 wssm but I do own a .25 Dtech wssm. I'm finding it really likes RL-17


cbass,

I've always wondered why you shoot the .243 wssm at such a low velocity? I can read so I know it's because you get .5 MOA but haven't you found a load that gets over 3200 fps and yields .5 MOA? Seems you could push a 70-85 grain bullet in a 6x45 barrel of the same length for the velocity you are at and with a lot less powder. Just wondering.
 
Originally Posted By: BBsteelcbass,

I've always wondered why you shoot the .243 wssm at such a low velocity? I can read so I know it's because you get .5 MOA but haven't you found a load that gets over 3200 fps and yields .5 MOA? Seems you could push a 70-85 grain bullet in a 6x45 barrel of the same length for the velocity you are at and with a lot less powder. Just wondering.

I COULD do the much higher velocities probably quite easy if I wanted to load test with medium range bullets, but this isn't the case.

I got the WSSM and never EVER intended on using less than 100 gr bullets. It never even factored into my mindset. I shoot MAYBE 5-8 coyotes a year and all other shooting is done at big game or target shooting to perfect my long range studies. When I first built my rifle, I had no idea how things like barrel twist affected bullet selection, I had no idea how bullet jump affected accuracy, I had no idea how mag restriction factored into seating depth, I had no idea how much neck tension affected pressure and I pretty much had no idea what I was doing.
I just knew what I wanted. I realize now that the rifle I had built, was not built to the specs necessary for the results I wanted and it was all because in my ignorance, I didn't ask for it. That is why I have spent the last 2-2.5 years learning as much info as I possibly can, so I never make the same mistake again, and so that my children and friends never make the same mistakes I did. Also why it might sound like I've been doing this for years. I feel that I've learned more in the last 2 years than your average shooter will learn in 10. This by no means makes me an expert, but I do appreciate the admiration I've received from people that have sought me out for advice, even on topics that I have only studied and don't deal with personally. The things I've learned by reading, let me disassociate myself from personal opinions and give me the ability to provide objective opinions.

That said, I am still doing my best with my limited resources to achieve a 3200+ load with a 95+ gr bullet at my desired sub moa accuracy.

The problems stem from being in college and having to travel at least 2 hours for my load development. I have only had my reloading station set up in my apt since Christmas and haven't found any place in the immediate area where I can do my testing. I'm sure there is somewhere in the area, and if I were to start banging on doors, I could probably even find some private land that would be willing to offer me a short spot, but I just haven't had the chance.
Being new to reloading and having a limited budget doesn't help. I have no intention of testing more than the two powders I already have (Varget and RL17) both were suggested as being some of the best for WSSM's
I could try any of a HUGE pile of different bullets, but I feel that if I can't get the velocity and accuracy desired by testing the 6 bullets I've got with the 2 powders I've got...then there is probably a larger underlying issue. (either my skills at the reloading bench or my skills as a shooter)

For the first 2 years that I reload and tested, I did it all out at a family members spot where we can reload, walk out the door 20 feet, lay in the grass and shoot anywhere from 100-1200yds. The problem is that I have to travel 5 hours each way for this convenience. (and I do it WAY to often the way it is)

SO, I guess the short answer for "haven't you found a load that gets over 3200 fps and yields .5 MOA?"
Nope, haven't found one, but I'm still looking and have no doubt I will find it this summer when I take my reloading set up back home where I can test daily.
 
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Cbass, I don't plan on shooting anything close to 75gr bullets out of my 25 wssm. I'm going to start in that 100 to 110gr range and go from there. I don't shoot enough yotes to worry about ruining pelts and shooting the right bullet, i may just get lucky and find a fur friendly round above 100grns.
 
Originally Posted By: knockemdownAll the really high b.c. .243 caliber bullets mostly need to be single fed to get the most out of them, performance wise, so that precludes using them in an AR in the 1st place. If ya seat 'em down deep to fit in the mag, then your infringing on powder capacity AND makin' em jump to the lands.
This is completely not true! I was shooting out of a magazine every weekend using a 2.315 OAL A-Max and a 2.330 OAL 105 Hunting VDL. I have done magazine modifications similar to what C-Bass has video on, that have been 100% reliable.

People need to think out of the box before they make statements that are not true.
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My rationale for picking the 25 was bigger bullets for big game hunting. I equate it to choosing between the 243 and 257 Roberts. 243 is a great multipurpose round, but the 257 is unquestionably a bigger hammer. When I ordered it I didn't even coyote hunt, so saving fur wasn't an issue. But if you're looking for a fur rifle, neither one is fur friendly imo.

If I wanted one for long range competition or varmints, the 243 with an 8 twist like mbkmkk uses would make the most sense to shoot the high bc 6mm bullets and cbass's vld mags. There are not many if any good target bullets in 25 that I'm aware of, but I think it makes a little better hunting round.

My 25 shoots 75 vmax's incredibly well at very good velocities; this summer I'll figure out a hunting load with 80 or 100 gr Barnes, and I'll be set with those two loads for what I want to do.

Flip a coin. You can't lose either way. Buy one now and get the other later!
 
Originally Posted By: ricky_arthurConsensus seems to be 25 WSSM if you reload, and 243 WSSM if you do not.

I guess I should change my reply to,... Those that own a 243 WSSM will say you should get a .243 WSSM and those that own a 25 WSSM will say, well,... you get it LOL... It's a good sign that both are well liked.

If it's primarily for deer sized critters get a 25, If coyotes on down is the primary use then a .243 is probably a better choice. Although truth be told EITHER ONE would fill both roles admirably.

Oh and Just for the wind, The 30 deg shoulder angle in the 25 wssm gives it slightly more case capacity than the .243wssm. it's a little more than 2 grains IIRC.
 
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