243 wssm

[stackenem]

need some info good or bad. What have you heard o seen. Thanks

[tphunter]

I've heard nothing but good things about all of the new calibers but we do live in a media driven market...Seems like who ever pays the most for a favorable story is on the top of the list for most outdoor writers these days...So I'm basing my post on what I've read.

All of the new WSM and WSSM calibers are all the rage now a days because you are getting the same or close to the same performance out of these shorter cartridges as you would out of the big belted magnums...With the smaller powder loads they are supposed to be more accurate and produce less recoil then their big brothers...The biggest fear I have, and this is coming from a non-reloader is whether they will still be producing loads for these calibers 5-10 years down the road...Or if you need to re-supply or forget your shells on an out of town hunting trip how available will the shells be?...Several years ago Remington made a Nylon 66 that used a 5 mm rimfire cartridge...They were all the rage for a few months, then within a couple of years the gun was no longer produced and neither was the cartridge...So thats what worries me even though I really would like a 300 WSM myself...

[Scott Kirsch]

stackenem said:

need some info good or bad. What have you heard o seen. Thanks

Take a look at the ballistics for a .257 Weatherby magnum. The WSSMs don't seem so awesome to me. -Sloppy

[stackenem]

Where would I find these ballistic charts? I would be interested in looking at them. Thanks

[Scott Kirsch]

stackenem said:

Where would I find these ballistic charts? I would be interested in looking at them. Thanks

Here's a good link that lets you compare different Weatherby cartridges' ballistics:

www.weatherby.com/products/ballistics.asp

Winchester's site can give your the WSSM ballistics:

www.winchester.com/products/catalog/rifle.aspx

Make sure you are comparing the same bullet weights.
-Sloppy

[Scott Kirsch]

stackenem said:

Where would I find these ballistic charts? I would be interested in looking at them. Thanks

[glow=red,2,300].257 Wby. Mag. Weatherby Magnum [/glow]
Trajectory Comparison

Bullet B/C Path of Bullet
(Above or below line-of-sight of rifle scopes mounted 1.5" above bore)
Wt. Bullet B/C 100 200 300 400 500 Yds
87 SP 0.322 2.1 2.8 0 -7.1 -19.5
100 SP 0.357 2.4 3.1 0 -7.7 -21.0

[glow=red,2,300].257 Wby. Mag. Weatherby Magnum[/glow]
Energy Comparison

Bullet B/C Energy (Foot-Pounds)
Wt. Bullet B/C Muzz 100 200 300 400 500 Yds
87 SP 0.322 2826 2328 1913 1563 1269 1019
100 SP 0.357 2881 2416 2019 1680 1388 1138

[glow=red,2,300].257 Wby. Mag. Weatherby Magnum[/glow]
Velocity Comparison

Bullet B/C Velocity (Feet per Second)
Wt. Bullet B/C Muzz 100 200 300 400 500 Yds
87 SP 0.322 3825 3472 3147 2845 2563 2297
100 SP 0.357 3602 3298 3016 2750 2500 2264

[glow=purple,2,300].243 WSSM[/glow]
Trajectory Comparison

Bullet B/C Path of Bullet
(Above or below line-of-sight of rifle scopes mounted 1.5" above bore)
Wt. Bullet 100 200 300 400 500 Yds
95 Sil Tip 1.2 0 -5.7 -16.9 -34.5
100 Sup-X 1.4 0 -6.6 -19.7 -40.5

[glow=purple,2,300].243 WSSM[/glow]
Energy Comparison

Bullet B/C Energy (Foot-Pounds)
Wt. Bullet Muzz 100 200 300 400 500 Yds
95 SP 2258 1898 1610 1359 1140 949
100 Sup-X 2147 1789 1481 1217 991 799

[glow=purple,2,300].243 WSSM[/glow]
Velocity Comparison

Bullet B/C Velocity (Feet per Second)
Wt. Bullet Muzz 100 200 300 400 500 Yd
95 Sil Tip 3250 3000 2763 2538 2325 2121
100 Sup-X 3110 2838 2583 2341 2112 1897

As you can see, when comparing the 2 cartridges with identical bullet weights, the WSSM clearly shows that it is far from a magnum-class cartridge (but still useful). Let me know if this helps your selection or if you need more information. -Sloppy

[vangunsmith]

tphunter said:

I've heard nothing but good things about all of the new calibers but we do live in a media driven market...Seems like who ever pays the most for a favorable story is on the top of the list for most outdoor writers these days...So I'm basing my post on what I've read.

All of the new WSM and WSSM calibers are all the rage now a days because you are getting the same or close to the same performance out of these shorter cartridges as you would out of the big belted magnums...With the smaller powder loads they are supposed to be more accurate and produce less recoil then their big brothers...The biggest fear I have, and this is coming from a non-reloader is whether they will still be producing loads for these calibers 5-10 years down the road...Or if you need to re-supply or forget your shells on an out of town hunting trip how available will the shells be?...Several years ago Remington made a Nylon 66 that used a 5 mm rimfire cartridge...They were all the rage for a few months, then within a couple of years the gun was no longer produced and neither was the cartridge...So thats what worries me even though I really would like a 300 WSM myself...

[vangunsmith]

Just for information,the nylon model 66 Rem never was in the 5mm rimfire cartridge!! It was the Rem Model 591 & 592 thats used this discontinued rimfire cartridge. Just thought i,d pass it on. vangunsmith

[vangunsmith]

Look up www.loaddata.com,they should have what you want. vangunsmith

[chakta]

I am one that is NOT head over heals about those new WSSM calibers! The only one that warrants any real attention or credit in my eyes is the .270WSSM as it is clearly a 150fps faster than the old war horse .270 caliber of yesteryears.

If I wanted something that was super flat shooting, to use on mule deer or even whitetail and didn't have a .270 caliber in my gun rack, yes I would purchase this new WSSM caliber in a New York minute.

However, as far as the rest of those WSSM calibers go, I am affraid I will be staying with those that have been around for a few decades or so and have the track record to back em up gents.

Now the .243 caliber as a general rule is a genuine double up caliber for predators and deer alike. I find a lot of bad press over the years from those think the .243 as a general rule is to small for deer or has wounded to many deer. I say HOG WASH!!! and most certainly do beg to differ with those chaps! It is a caliber that is capable of even taking elk in the high country, with the right bullet and shot placement. One also will have to limit the yardage on elk, to around 150 yards but it has been done in the past.

My wife uses a .243 for hunting whitetail and I can assure you that with a 100 grain premium bullet, will penetrate deeply and bring down any buck on the planet, provided the shot is placed in the right spot.