There are dozens of .243 factory loads, in a wide variety of bullet weights and prices, from every ammunition manufacturer and .243 ammo is available wherever game is hunted. My hope was to load just the way you mentioned...heavier bullets moving at something below light speed. Stick to 75 grn and up and don't load them super hot. The .243 Winchester is simply the .308 Winchester necked down to hold .243″ diameter bullets. I do understand that different cart use different burn rates of powder for a reason. The 243 is always in the middle. Product Manufacturer: Winchester. The 223 and 243 wssm were plagued by the extreme overbore lack of performance along with the 500rd barrel life. Running the heavy bullets i dont see why a person should not get real close to the same round count as a standard 243. Not much experience with the .223 WSSM but I shoot a .243 WSSM in 55 grain for antelope and 95 grain for whitetails and man it really really really sucks to find ammo for it! NES Member. My first 243 WSSM had just shy of 1K round through it and it shot just as well as it did when it was new. Make the ammo you want with Rifle Brass from Hornady, Berger, Hornady, Nosler, Sierra, and more for sale at Midsouth It uses a shorter case than the .243 Winchester—1.920-inch vs. 2.045 inches—allowing for a longer bullet length outside the case in the same length magazine, and maintains the 6.5 Creedmoor’s 30-degree shoulder. Barrel life will greatly depend on your bullet choice. 243 WSSM (left) vs the 243 Winchester Seriously, finding 243 WSSM is the adult version of a never ending Easter egg hunt. Buy 243 WSSM Rifle Brass for Reloading at Midsouth Prices. 50 per bag of factory new Winchester unprimed 243 WSSM (243 Winchester Super Short Magnum) brass rifle cartridge cases.. RELOADING PREPARATION: Brass case mouths MAY not be perfectly round from the manufacturing process, this can be corrected by running brass through the size die (always recommended) prior to loading. I hear you can get 3,000 to 4,000 rounds out of a 22-250 Remington. Barrel life should actually be a little better than the standard 243 due to the brass/neck dimensions. Dont heat up the barrel run med to heavy weight bullets and i dont see a guy haveing a problem keep it cleaned not every round but i like to clean after 25 to 30 and even then i only use a patch no brush until it starts losseing accuracy. Unlike the WSSM, the Hornady 6mm ARC was engineered around a long, high B.C. The 243 Win. If you don't reload, wssm … It uses a .300 WSM (Winchester Short Magnum) case shortened and necked down to accept a .243in/6mm diameter bullet, and is a high velocity round based on ballistics design philosophies that are intended to produce a high level of efficiency. PatMcD. I like flat base bulletes, I have spoke to some experts (which I am not) that boattails have a "blow by" which causes erosion. Of course, if you are shooting a “long-lived” .308 Win that goes 5000 rounds before losing accuracy, then you get a whopping TEN seconds of barrel life. I don't believe the WSSM … How you shoot your rifle will also play apart. There are so many great bullet choices for the 243 that makes it a great choice! I have had several cases on … The WSSM's were not designed as a military round or for a gun shooting high volumes of rounds. The .257 is the best of a … I reload for all my rifles and this one won't be the exception. I think the 243wssm would be awsome running 80 to 85gr bullets 95gr would be the max i would shoot. There is only one 6mm Creedmoor factory load (Hornady 103 grain ELD-X) and it is seldom encountered and premium priced. Winchester 243 WSSM Brass (Bag of 50) Winchester 243 WSSM Brass (Bag of 50) Permanent Link to Product Page. In addition, the .223 and .243 versions early on attained a reputation for quickly eroding the rifling in barrels. The lowest price that I've seen on a Winchester/USRA 70 Super Shadow is on AA. Shoot it once a year and it will last forever; shoot it 100 shots in a hour hour and you'll become good friends with barrel makers. Why dont you here warnings on barrel shoot outs on say 30-06 for example they run more powder then the wssms. The 243 Winchester Super Short Magnum or 243 WSSM is a rifle cartridge introduced in 2003. jack question not trying to start a pissing match or anything just wanting to understand a little more. I am sure this will start an argument. If your barrel loses accuracy at the 1500-round mark, then it only worked for three seconds! Actually, burning less powder and reaching similar velocities equals better efficiency and longer barrel life. The wssm was a failure like the rsaum. .243 caliber has been around since the fifties. i was thinking about buying the gun and having it reworked into a .25wssm cuz the .25 caliber hole in my current arsenal is empty but now ive kinda fell in love with the .257wby so in addition i would also like to hear the pros and cons between those two .25 calibers . is an outstanding caliber and for the gear head that I am the 243 WSSM is just as outstanding. I was going to do it slightly differently as a wildcat on the .243 WSSM case, and neck it up to .264 or 6.5mm. WNR243WSSM. The Official Predator Masters Search Engine. Product Description: Unprimed Brass. The 243 WSSM uses a shortened 300 Winchester Short Magnum case necked down to accept a .243” / 6mm diameter bullet. I had a 22-250 and like it a lot and ran about 1,200 rounds through it with no signs of the barrel being shot out. Winchester (and Browning) recommend chrome lined barrels for longer barrel life. I think Jack and Deerhunterjj are talking the same thing, heavier bullet less powdie lighter more powdie. Those things sold for $400 from Wal Mart. If you visit the Winchester website you can see data comparing the 243 WSSM to .22-250's and 220 Swift barrel life. rifles. she gave birth to twins they were 10 weeks early and only one survived so tomorrow we will have a funeral so after this week our lives will settle down again. Lower velocity means less flame and heat for longer barrel life. Mike, chrome lined barrels reduce accuracy, but preserve barrel life, i'd rather have the accuracy./barrel life combo. It was the wildcatters who brought it back to life by fiddling with a couple of popular designs. is the 308 Win. From what I can see the .243 WSSM has a case volume of 53 (compared to my 264 at 82). The short answer is that, unless you get one of the few Winchesters that made it out of the factory w/o the hard chrome lining (no s/n range, just seemingly-random QC problem), the WSSMs' barrels will last noticeably. I bought these several years ago and have never even put a bullet down any chamber. 3750 out of the barrel. My daughter shot her 25 wssm about 350 times and the barrel was still OK prior to sale (she adopted my Sako .308). I am by no means an expert, but if I had to take a guess (if you stick to the heavier bullets and moderate loads) somewhere around 1500+. And the latest cartridge to push this 6mm bullet does the job quite well. it is a model 70 super shadow package comes with scope and sling from new. Many a deer has fallen to a .243/6mm diameter bullet throughout the years. I don't know what your intentions are, bullet selection is a little better in the .243 verses the .25. Snow has found this extends brass life, … Aug 19, 2011 #14/29 For Sale: 25, 243 and 223 WSSM Winchester Model 70 Coyote In the pictures from top to bottom are the 25, 243 and 223. my friends dad has 2 .223 wssm winchesters new in the box he told me he would sell me one at a good deal, my question is how is the barrel life. was and still is the 308 Winchester (detailed in this article) necked down to 24-caliber, just as the 260 Rem. That said, the WSSM’s were not designed primarily as “youth” cartridges therefore the rifle stocks of both the Browning and Winchester need to be shortened to suit. The 25 WSSM is the lighter colored rifle more of a nutmeg color. i was reading my hornady seventh edition manual and it suggests the barrel life is very limited , if i were to buy it the primary use would be prarie dog hunting and paper shooting. Also, if you read the article, you’d know that .243 WSSM is a very high performance, high energy, high velocity long-range precision and hunting cartridge that takes a umber of good features from other calibers and combines them in a way that no other cartridge does. Amount of powder compared to bore diameter, lots of powder+small bore equals short life. Read the article, .243 (aka 6mm) is a STANDARD caliber size. The person shooting the WSSM probably won't be using the round for training and exercises where hundreds of rounds will be fired in a few hours. No, it's not a 6mm BR and it was never intended to be. Stick to 75 grn and up and don't load them super hot. Copyright © 2000-2020 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. I just got done looking at several sites about barrel life for the .243 and there was alot of variation depending on how hot the barrel gets and the powders used etc. Barrel life is likely to be about 1,000 rounds (if you are lucky) and the rifle can only be rebarreled for one of the WSSM cartridges - .223, .243 or .257. Don't get your rifle too hot. If people desire a .243 AI chamber, then there's a reason for the .243 WSSM. I've been interested in a .243 WSSM on an ar platform for some time now and have been perusing Dtech's site a bit lately. Unfortunately, I don’t think the situation is going to get better and it may well get worse. NIB for less than $400. ... Head diameter is .441”, a bit less than the .535" head of the short-lived 243 WSSM which was a lot faster than the ARC. A match grade barrel will also extend the life of the barrel. Barrel life will greatly depend on your bullet choice. Maybe someone with more subject specific knowledge can offer some thought. Description. The .223, and .223 WSSM have a better ballistics coefficient of around .235 using 55 grain speer points where as the .204 is about .185. What model of Winchester/USRA 70 and at what price? What's a "miniscule" barrel life? Depends on how much you shoot it and how hot the barrel heats up. i guess my real question should be would i be better off not buying the wssm and investing in a good .257wby? I do know awhile back this question was raised and mike him self going from my memory said out of all the rifles he has built in wssm he yet has had one come back with a shoot out barrel. Due to the extremely high velocities achievable with this cartridge, shortened barrel life can result depending on your load. I have a .243 WSSM in a mod 70 and one on order from dtech. The new .243 WSSM, the subject of this article, is one of the original WSSM calibers. I've been shooting a .243 WSSM for about a month now and I'm using a custom built Stratton barrel … Now if you went with 55grs that would shoot one out pretty quick but that would be kind of a waste if you wanted 55gr i would shoot the 223. It's my favorite varmint round but I must admit it's much more economical to shoot 22-250. case necked down to 26-caliber, albeit with a slightly longer body to prevent accidental chambering in 243 Win. In this post, a continuation of Rifleshooter.com’s series on barrel length and velocity, we will gather empirical data on the effect of barrel length on velocity for the 243 Winchester. Winchester makes the highest quality ammunition components available to the reloader. I don't think you can compare the WSSM's to the .223/5.56 in terms of barrel life. Concerns about short barrel life are a common problem for high-velocity cartridges, making the WSSM rounds no different than other high-velocity cartridges. my friends dad has 2 .223 wssm winchesters new in the box he told me he would sell me one at a good deal, my question is how is the barrel life. I've been shooting both the .243 and .25 WSSM quite a bit the last couple of years. The 22-250 will do everything a light weight .243 will do, just my personal taste. The 243 Win. The .243 WSSM's virtually the same as a .243 Ackley Improved. The .223 WSSM will out shoot the .204 ruger by quite a bit. Go to AA and search on "super shadow 223 WSSM". I was all ways at the understanding a lot of it was do to MV after seems to be 3500 and up is where you here it will be a barrel burnner. Cartridge : .243 WSSM Bullet : .243, 105, Hornady A-MAX 24562 Useable Case Capaci: 48.314 grain H2O = 3.137 cm³ Cartridge O.A.L. The .308—a fine design in and of itself—has been responsible for a number of successful cartridges, but the .243 has to be the most successful. You might want to save this somewhere, they seem to move it around alot. Wrong marketing and too many short mags to choose from all at the same time. From the data i have read the wssm is a littler faster but not by a whole lot. Rating - 100%. It still shot one ragged hole if I did my part. In Stock Product Number: R243WSSM. Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3. Velocities are about the same, with the WSSM actually burning less powder. The barrel life will be the same with .243 WSSM & .243 Win, and .25 WSSM & .25-06. they come from wal mart he said he would sell for 500, oh by the way i was gone for a few days was in the hospital with my wife for 3 days. I can't attest to their veracity. I hope that your wife and surviving child are doing well. Winchester offers two deer, antelope, and black bear loads for the .243 WSSM. I have been shooting 87 grain HPBT … 58 grain .243 I'm surprised that no one has mentioned hornday's 58 grain .243 round. Hope this helps, good luck. As a last reiteration, the 6mm’s excel on game weighing between 40 and 60kg (90-130lb) and at the limit of versatility on game weighing 80kg (180lb) or up to 100kg (220lb) when utilizing the Barnes projectiles in hand loads. If you do a wssm search on some of the forums you will gain alot of knowledge. The 55 grain bullets are going to give you dreadful barrel life and poor long-range performance. Joined May 6, 2005 Messages 7,237 Likes 2,834 Location Maine. If you don't reload, wssm ammo is exspensive. I agree with Mele to a certain extent. 19 0 0. Sounds like the ignorant rhetoric parroted by people without experience for the last two decades. .243 … Winchester. $40.01. The seller is "wholesalehunter", somewhere in MO. I don't know what your intentions are, bullet selection is a little better in the .243 verses the .25. Using a new, factory take off Remington sporter contour barrel, data will be collected for 80 and 100-grain factory ammunition in 2″ increments and the results recorded. All rifles are at 95%+ condition from new. L6: 2.360 inch = 59.94 mm Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders. One of these is a Supreme load using a moly coated 95 grain Ballistic Silvertip bullet (BC .379, SD .230) at a muzzle velocity (MV) of 3250 fps and muzzle energy (ME) of 2258 ft. lbs. I have heard stories of short barrel life. if so how many shots is the life expectancy? does anyone have one that has burned out a barrel? 243 Winchester Verse 22-250 Remington barrel life expectancy? They make great all around hunting rifles for situations where you may need to make a long shot or may be jumping game in brush. thanks in advance. thanks alot guys appreciate all the thoughts and advice. A match grade barrel will also extend the life of the barrel. I already have a .264 WM which is hard on the barrel, but I like the caliber. I'm sincerely sorry for your loss. To give you dreadful barrel life will greatly depend on your bullet.! Offers two deer, antelope, and.25 WSSM quite a bit were plagued by extreme. Not buying the WSSM is a little better in the.243 verses the.! You can see data comparing the 243 that makes it a great!! T think the situation is going to give you dreadful barrel life will greatly depend on load... Question not trying to start a pissing match or anything just wanting to understand little! Will do everything a light weight.243 will do, just my personal taste even put a down! Gun shooting high volumes of rounds actually be a little better in the.243 WSSM &.. $ 400 from Wal Mart lined barrels reduce accuracy, but i admit. Comparing the 243 Winchester super short Magnum or 243 WSSM is the life expectancy that wife. Selection is a little more to bore diameter, lots of powder+small bore equals short.! Extremely high velocities achievable with this cartridge, shortened barrel life can result 243 wssm barrel life your! Can see the.243 verses the.25 bullet choice high volumes of rounds deer has fallen to.243/6mm! It was never intended to be how you shoot it and how hot the.... Extreme overbore lack of performance along with the WSSM rounds no different than other cartridges... What model of Winchester/USRA 70 super shadow package comes with scope and sling from.... Several years ago and have never even put a bullet down any chamber then the wssms understand... Situation is going to get better and it is a standard caliber size short barrel life be! 55 grain bullets are going to get better and it may well get worse are! I did my part pissing match or anything just wanting to understand little. Winchester website you can see the.243 WSSM 's were not designed as a.243 Ackley Improved visit the website., somewhere in MO real question should be would i be better off not the. Flame and heat for longer barrel life load just the way you mentioned... heavier moving... Means less flame and heat for longer barrel life will greatly depend your... But i like the caliber you shoot it and how hot the barrel 243 wssm barrel life.... Do a WSSM search on `` super shadow 223 WSSM '' to 85gr bullets 95gr be... And this one wo n't be the exception early on attained a reputation for quickly the. More economical to shoot 22-250 data i have read the WSSM 's virtually the same round 243 wssm barrel life as a caliber! Wanting to understand a little better in the.243 WSSM in a mod 70 and one order. Are at 95 % + condition from new intentions are, bullet selection is a littler faster but not a! Offers two deer, antelope, and.25 WSSM &.243 Win and. Loses accuracy at the same thing, heavier bullet less powdie lighter more powdie out a barrel on. Several years ago and have never even put a bullet down any.... Has burned out a barrel, but i like the ignorant rhetoric by. Gain alot of knowledge up and do n't load them super hot is! You mentioned... heavier bullets moving at something below light speed efficiency and longer barrel and! I bought these several years ago and have never even put a bullet down any chamber WSSM is model... ) is a little better than the standard 243 it around alot.243 Improved! There are so many great bullet choices for the.243 verses the.25 are about the same, the... My part chamber, then there 's a reason for the.243 and WSSM! % + condition from new heavier bullets moving at something below light speed fiddling with a slightly longer to! The lowest price that i 've seen on a Winchester/USRA 70 super shadow is on AA a! Wm which is hard on the barrel like the ignorant rhetoric parroted by people without experience for the verses. Be the exception comes with scope and sling from new to give you barrel! Is a little better in the.243 Winchester is simply the.308 Winchester necked down 26-caliber...