Howdy! Last night I was talking to my little brother on the telephone (he lives in El Paso and I live in Grants, New Mexico) and I told him about an article I read in RifleShooter about the .223 WSSM. The kid was hooked right over the telephone. He is leaning toward a Browning Medallion in the caliber when it comes out (seems kinda self-defeating what with a 21-inch barrel and all, but to each his own). I know it is brand new, but has anyone here had any experience with this new cartridge, or, does anyone have an opinion on it. The rifle would primarily be used for p-dogs and coyotes and jackrabbits. Thanks for any input. Tom Purdom

The 223 WSSM would be more than adequate on prairie dogs,coyotes and jackrabbits. I also read an article in Rifle Shooter in which it was taken deer hunting(Maybe the same one). Though it wasn't the ideal deer gun, it did the job. The ballistics and accuracy look very good, and if I had the money and could find a rifle, I would probably buy one. I am waiting for savage to come out with a rifle that is available in my price range and in my neck of the woods.

All in all it looks like a great little round, as does the 243 WSSM. So yes I would buy one.

AXEL

You're probably not going to see any factory 223WSSM "Whizzum" rifles until the fall, but it is going to be a great little short fat round! Kind of like a "PPC" on steroids! Ballistics will be similar to 220 Swift in a comparable barrel.
Another option would be the 243WSSM "Whizzum" where you could shoot the 55 grain bullets for varmints and 100 grainers for Deer.

I just shot my 223 (24" barrel) this morning, and it runs 55 gr. factory loads out at a chronied 3807 fps --- not too shabby. Accuracy, however, was less than ideal, but that could be the shooter or the rifle. Should be a really nice long range round, although with the thick neck it has (.018), it's not going to be that easy to load consistently. JMO, Dutch.

According to the newest Hornady manual, the .223 WSSM showed signs of SIGNIFICANT barrel erosion in 350 rounds. To quote them "This cartridge is HARD on barrels" unquote. I think I will stick with the more normal cartridges, I have enough trouble keeping .22/250s from eating throats away, this thing would be a barrel eating monster.

Some of these new devices are getting the typical negative publicity that hit the .260 when it was introduced as a factory round. (Who needs another 7-08?, etc.)

While I do agree that 3800 is a tad excessive, the real problems are hitting the wild catters.

The 6.5WSM may be an example of this. A rifleman, who judgement I greatly respect, called this puppy the "barrel burner from hell!"

Too much of a good thing may indeed be too much!

On the other hand the 7mm WSM with the 180 VLD or the 6mm WSSM, may be real winners. Time will tell.

D.

[ 06-10-2003, 08:52: Message edited by: DMCI* ]

Hi
I like fast bullets as much as the next guy but I also put a limit on the distance I like to shoot at game. (350 yards)
Call me old fashioned, but rounds like the 243Win & 25-06Rem and 70 to 90 grain bullets absolutely flatten small game and are terrific on medium game. Barrels get good life and recoil isn't a problem. Brass and components are easily obtained and inexpensive. Most of my small game shooting is acheived with a 222Rem or I just shoot pest with my 270Win.(Good practice)
All told, allot of really good rifles are going to be traded on the new MAGNUMS ADVERTISING PACKAGE and allot of shooters are going to have to realise that they can't buy shooting technique so the effective shooting range and game performance will be the same as before but at a cost.
Positive note: I am always happy to purchase a used rifle in a perfectly adequate calibre cheaply.

Tom,

I agree with Glenn on this one. Be careful here. Browning has just announced that they are chrome lining the barrels on the .243WSM. I don't know what they are going to do with the .223WSM yet. These little beggars generate some fierce heat, and of course, heat is what burns out our barrels. They aren't chrome lining them for nothing. It's a wake-up call. The .243Win. is not a great caliber for barrel life itself. I've heard projections of 1000 shot barrel life. Do you really have that kind of money? I saved over a thousand dollars for one, then put my money away again until I see some conclusive results. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

thanks for all the input. it is really appreciated. Tom Purdom