Winchester M70 223 WSSM

T

Two-0-four

New member
My friend wants to purchase a Win Mod 70 Coyote in 223 WSSM and I need to hear from somebody that owns one.
We were at the gun shop today and the guy said he's had 4 of these guns returned because they won't group. The guy said that some won't come closer than 6-8 inch groups at 100yds. Could be, but I find it hard to believe that Winchester would put out something like that.
Anybody have any experience with the 223 WSSM?
 
I don't find that hard to believe at all. Tell your friend that if he just has to have a WSSM, get the .243 version. He will be much happier. .223 versions just seem to have accuracy problems. I am sure that some folks here have some that will shoot but all the ones I have come in contact with were not impressive at all. I have a custom wildcat version and a custom std. 223 WSSM. The std is a pain in the butt to get to shoot well too. Seem to be finicky but with the right loads it shoots pretty well. I am not fond of the WSSM's but if you have to get one, get the .243.
 
Thanks for the replys so far. My friend and I have hunted together for years and try to buy different calibers so we don't have the same stuff. He was looking at the reloading charts for 223 WSSM cause he wants a hot one and this seemed to fit the bill. If accuracy is a big problem with them he might opt for the 243 WSSM. He really wants to try out the WSSM in something. Its a shame Winchester and Browning are the only ones making it yet.
 
I've got the 243 wssm- it groups just fine, but I read in one of my gun mags that some of the early barrels were troublesome, but Winchester has been making sure those are fixed- me, I like the 243 punch.
 
Thats good enough. As long as your satisfied with its performance. My friend is up in the air about this now. He wanted it, we looked at them and when the gun shop guy said there's been trouble I told him I could find out on this forum for sure if it was of any value. Thanks for all the replys.
 
My son bought the Win Shadow 223WSSM in December. To say the groups were poor is being kind. The best groups were 5" and the worst we could measure with a yardstick (no kidding!). We sent it back to Win in mid Feb, and just got it back yesterday. Win sent along 2 test targets that were sub1" using a 55gr Silvertip and the 64gr Powerpoint.

The big test will be this Saturday when we take it to the range with our handloads. I will report the results when we are through.

This thing is fast. 55gr factory Silvertips were at +3,900fps.
 
K-22hornet----I would be so mad when I contacted Winchester they wouldn't even want to talk to me if I bought a gun that shot that bad out of the box. I hope you gave them a piece of your mind somewhat anyway. With all of the complaints you'd think they'd recall all of their WSSM's and take a serious look at the problem. This may sound harsh, but from what people have to say, its an epidemic.
 
Did they tell you what they did to improve the groups from several inches to under an inch? Did they send the same gun back? Did you send it back with the scope you put on it or did they use a different scope than you did?

From what I have seen the problems with the wssms are coming from the model 70 winchesters and not the brownings, and if the factory can fix the problem it must not be major. The cartridges are not the problem as I see it
 
My son works at Gander Mt, and the resident gunsmith said it appears Win did something to the bolt and possibly replaced the barrel(based on the paperwork). It is the same gun. My son has a Zeiss Conquest on it and did not send it along, he did send his sling though, and the sling did not make the return trip. Before we sent it back, we did try a different scope that I knew to be good.

I can't wait to shoot it!
 
Update on sons Win 223WSSM: got to the range today with 3 different bullets and 3 different powders....STILL SHOOTS LIKE A SHOTGUN... Win said they repaired it and sent 2 test targets with, both under 1"...our BEST group today was about 10"...we are bummed. Now,it's either trade the thing off or give Win another chance. Any suggestions???
 
You should hold Winchesters feet to the fire. I know it is a PITA for you but it is the only way they will correct their product. They sold a POS and it is up to them to fix it. If you just sell it off, they will continue selling junk to everybody.

Jack
 
Is there anyway to get Ganders Gunsmith to shoot the gun so you have more proof when you send it back to Winchester that they did nothing to your gun and that it still shoots like crap??? Just an idea.
 
Some of you guys remember this from last year. I had a .22-250 Coyote that didn't shoot worth a rat's patooty. 4-6 inch groups. I sent that little hummer back to Winchester and it took about 4 months, but they sent me a brand spanking new rifle. I called them every Friday to see where my rifle was at. It took em awhile, but they made good by giving me a brand new rig. Now the rifle I have shoots 3/4 inch with the first load I tried for it. Good luck

GJ
 
Back
Top