Perhaps this horse is dead on its feet already, but....
Is there anything really exceptional about these cartriges(WSSM)? Factory ballistics for the 224 don't seem that much better than the 22-6mm and the 243 seems on par with a 6mm Ackley improved.
Wouldn't the _ X 57 brass be more common, cheaper and less action modification than the WSSM? Is it just for the fun of it?
TIA

I don't see anything spectacular about the WSSM cartridges, other than it increases sales of Winchester rifles.

[ 05-20-2003, 07:33: Message edited by: ricciardelli ]

IMHO the reason for these (WSSM) rounds is because of people like me. (?) I have been a hundgun only hunter since 1989 up until the .243WSSM I had no desire to hunt with anything but a handgun, granted some of my handguns streach that name but handguns never the less. I have placed an order for one of the new Brownings in .243WSSM. This will be my very first center fire rifle since I gave them up in '89 and it is strickly because of the .243WSSM that I'll do this . Now if and when the .257WSSM is released you can bet the farm that I'll be in line for one of those. Does this meant the end of my handgun days most likely not but there is going to be a mass sell off of handguns to make room for the new toys that have caught my interest. Will this new .243 round be "better" that my old .243Win, don't know but it sure got me to pony up with $1000.00+ of my dollars for a rifle and scope.

Well, MLC, another thing these new WSSMs do is give us something to "discuss". From Winchester/Browning's point of view, the idea is to sell new rifles. But I'm hoping Ruger and Savage pick up the ball, too, as these are worthwhile factory calibers. Yeah, there are wildcats that are as good or better, but not in factory ammo that Joe Hunter can pick up at Wal-Mart. The thing that I like most about 'em is the technology of short and fat powder columns. Seems fitting to me that they should at least be as good as the PPC/BR line of calibers. The .243 WSSM should be popular in some of the new ultra-light rigs for hunting. Lots of new dies to sell. Looks to me like they'll be "good for the sport."

Personally, I believe the WSSM is a sound design for a target cartridge, even though the brass is really too thick to my tastes. Still, I'll take factory brass, factory dies, standard reamers and no need to fireform over a wildcat, any day. JMO, Dutch.