Anyone using a 223 WSSM?

Question - wouldn't a Swift, with it's similar uber speed (maybe 100 fps slower average looking at Hodgdon's site data), burning of similar powder loads (re: Hodgdon's again), etc. have similar bbl. burning qualities. Also, curious of more people's experience with annealing this brass first. Not a fan or detractor of the WSSM's, but what I have read on these, sounds like Winchester's last union-produced guns had some crappy bbl's, and since they produced the only brass, if that quality was crap, or chambers sloppy, issues may abound. Sounds like overall the Winchester's had issues, and the Browning's worked out.

Never heard of a cartridge too fast - just be ready to pay to play - like the above-ref'd drag racing. There was a day that someone probably said that the 222 Rem. was a solution in search of a problem, and was too new, too sharp shouldered, too fast, too barrel burning, and that the Hornet would live on and conquer all forever....or something like that.

I'm seeing well-smithed and designed guns shooting all manners of cartridges into little bitty groups with quality components, and shooters. To me, and I am NOT the best shooter, liking one cartridge over another becuz most groups you've seen are are a tenth or two less is silly. But I'm a hunter/reloader, not a bench shooter. I'd never shoot that bbl. out at 1000 rounds or so.
 
I haven't had much time to tinker with loads yet, but the BL(C)-2 is showing some potential. I used factory Win 55 gr ammo for foulers and it grouped similar to a shotgun blast. The rifle hated H4350 as well. I'm going to try some Varget next. Might have an awesome load worked out about the time the barrel is torched....

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Originally Posted By: Mike BQuestion - wouldn't a Swift, with it's similar uber speed (maybe 100 fps slower average looking at Hodgdon's site data), burning of similar powder loads (re: Hodgdon's again), etc. have similar bbl. burning qualities.

I have asked this several times and no one will answer. I don't see how it could be any different. So, that brings us NOT to the caliber, but to the "Platform" for which Winchester put it out with. Like you said, didn't hear of the same issues that Browning was having...
 
I don't know what the difference would be either, slugger. I have never owned a Swift. The main thing that attracted me to this rifle was the price and the fact that I wanted something light as I am sick of packing my heavy-barreled rifles around. What I found while researching the rifle and cartridge were very poor reviews. However, not being a benchrest shooter getting .19" groups with a Walmart purchased Stevens and Tula ammo, I am quite happy with a firearm if it can stay fairly consistent at 1"+ MOA, not to mention that I am quite intrigued by the WSSM rounds.
 
knockemdown said:
Originally Posted By: LWILLIAMSAnd who only shoots 100 rounds a season. That barrel wouldn't make it half a summer out here. I will take a 75 grain amax out of a 223ai anyday over a 40 grain in a wssm.

What is your 223AI runnin' that Amax, 3100fps, tops? Considering that, just think of how happy you'd be if that same boolit launched ~250fps faster from a 1:8 twist Wizzer!
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And, as for 100 rounds a season, I was referencing the rifle for use as a killin' rig. Find a load, zero the scope & use for blood spillin', as needed
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Obviously, 'hotrod' calibers aren't conducive as "range plinkers", that goes without saying. To relate to autos again, a pro-street dragster ain't much for use as a daily a 'grocery'getter'!!!
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RBOOM, don't sweat it. There is nothing inherently "wrong" with any of the WSSM calibers. Aside from guys just wanting to trash them in favor of pre-existing cartridges.
Hope it shoots for ya!!! If you need brass, I bought 1K pcs a while back, so I've got some extra laying around...
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How much for 100 pics of brass? This is randy post in Iowa 641-691-2705.
 
Brother in Law , had one it was impressive with store bought loads , recoil was a tough one and a sound was devastating. Very very tough to locate ammo , he offered it to me . I passed , I’ll keep my old favorites .223 and .22 Hornet . If I can’t do it with those I’ll just stay home on the porch .
 
There was a run-on brass about 2 to 3 years ago or a little bit more. It was the last time I knew about it I was almost debating on ordering a D tec upper In 243 WSSM but never did. Glad I didn’t because brass is not existent again. If it is, you’re spending an arm and a leg on it and your sweating bricks every time one gets launched out and you can’t find it. I’ll stick to my plain old 243 Winchester because brass is plentiful like mosquitoes where I live. I can deal with 100 ft./s slower. I have factory bolt action rifles that weigh less than 5 1/2 pounds in 243 win. Remington 600’s. They’re also a few high dollar new bolt guns that weigh under 5 pounds currently. The cheapest I think is Howa. I wish they made them in 22- 250 since it’s been a pretty popular caliber for the years versus all the other 224 speed demons. At least brass in 22-250 is pretty common. I used to buy all the new up-and-coming calibers and then I’m running around looking for brass that’s not existent and then when it is your pain as much as I paid for the rifle. Been there, did it, done it, just to chase another hundred ft. per second with another ” new greatest caliber” that shoots the same bullet. Then just like the 223 WSSM it’s out of production and you can’t find components unless you refinance one of your properties to pay scalpers prices for them. lol. yeah, it was fun to own those new oddballs, but I’ve learned over a decades to stick with caliber that I’ve been out for almost 100 years with brass everywhere …especially if you reload you can load whatever velocity you want out of them.
 
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I always thought the WSSM's were a very interesting group of cartridges. I'd never look at one for target shooting or colony varmints but big game with the 25 WSSM and preds with the 223 WSSM would be dandy. A short handy bolt-action rifle could be built and 100 cases could last a lifetime.

I'm a little odd anyway, I shoot a 22-204 and 25-204.
 
Can't speak for the 223 WSSM, but my go to predator, hog & whitetail rifle was a Dtech 243 WSSM w/87 gr. Hornady HPBT bullets @ 3100 fps. Knew brass might be an issue when I had it built so purchased enough FC cases to wear out a bunch of barrels. FC brass was not near as hard/brittle as Win.; can't remember ever splitting a case. Didn't keep a round count on the rifle but hunted exclusively with it for probably 10 years. Shot as good the day I finally sold it as it did when it was new.
 
I hunted a few times with a friend that had .243 WSSM, WOW that thing was loud and fast. one time we were backed up against a row of round bales calling, had a couple respond and he shot the heck out of the electric fence around the hay stack. 🤣 Fun memory but we both got jolted splicing it together.
 
WOW, a thread from 2011. I had to show my son this thread, who still owns his Browning 223wssm, still shoots coyotes with it, still uses a hefty charge of H4831SC under a 60gr Vmax at 3,700+fps, and it still shoots great!

I had read where a guy sectioned a 223wssm Winchester barrel lengthwise and he said the chrome lining showed thin spots, where he could see bluing. If that is true, that could explain the horrible accuracy we got from his original Winchester Shadow in 223wssm.

The Hornaday reloading manual said they hit 4,600fps with a 40gr Vmax!
 
K22-hornet said:
WOW, a thread from 2011. I had to show my son this thread, who still owns his Browning 223wssm, still shoots coyotes with it, still uses a hefty charge of H4831SC under a 60gr Vmax at 3,700+fps, and it still shoots great!

I had read where a guy sectioned a 223wssm Winchester barrel lengthwise and he said the chrome lining showed thin spots, where he could see bluing. If that is true, that could explain the horrible accuracy we got from his original Winchester Shadow in 223wssm.

The Hornaday reloading manual said they hit 4,600fps with a 40gr Vmax!
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My uncles bolt gun in 243 WSSM, he loaded 40gr Noslers at over 4700fps. He traded that gun for a 7mm Wby Mag to build his 257 STW off of, because he already had a 243 Ackley.

The guy that has the WSSM is my neighbor and he’s still got it. Hunts coyotes with it every fall and has since he got it, 10 or so years ago. Still shoots good, still kills. I’m fond of them, I like speed and flat though. That thing is a laser beam out to 400-500 yards. It’s unreal.
 
I've been through several of the WSSM and WSM cartridges when they first hit the markets. Had a Browning 223 WSSM. Best I remember it shot OK but had the fancy Browning stock and knew I would eventually scar it up s I sold it. Had the 243 and a 270 and a Winchester 300 WSM that was a shooting machine but a guy wanted it way more than I did so I sold it. I looked at a 25 WSM a year or so ago but before jumping on it I looked for dies and brass. May as well been looking for chicken lips. None to be found anywhere so I passed on that one. In todays market anything somewhat out of the ordinary, I look for components first before buying. Hard to find is one thing but near impossible to find puts me out of the game. I pretty much pass on all the WSSM and WSM rifles.
 


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