.243 WSSM ?

[jmad_81]

Does anybody here have any experience loading for the .243 wssm? I have read a lot of reviews about winchester .243 wssm brass having some major qualitly issues.

Any info would be great, good bad or otherwise.

Thanks!

 

[nshunter]

I have had one for about 5 years now. There are a couple of issues I encountered along the way in loading for it. You will need to full length re - size every time, no neck sizing with these babies. I also had issues setting up my dies to properly re-size the cases, you will need your press to (cam over ) as I was told on the WSSM Zone to bump the shoulder back enough. The brass is thick and creates excessive neck tension which means no need to crimp, but if you make a mistake loading they are difficult to get apart with a hammer type pullet puller. Once you sort things out you should be able to get some pretty good groups with higher velocities than a standard 243. I have also heard of feeding issues but haven't had any in my rifle. You may have also heard they are barrel burners, well I say it is no worse than any other high velocity round, but if you plan to shoot a lot you may want to keep your loads a couple of grains below max.

 

[FOTIS]

Yes! (imagine that!)

Anyway Winchester 760 or its equivelant H414 with 95 gr BT. 3200 + fps and about .6". Ths was from my baby featherweight Model 70. I did not see the point to develop a varmint load in that pencil thin barrel.

 

[nshunter]

That thin barrel makes it light though, which makes it the perfect walking coyote rifle.

 

[FOTIS]

My thought exactly sir! :mrgreen:

 

[jmad_81]

Thanks! I have heard a lot about the brass being thincker and needing to FL size every time. I was more concerned about the brass quality. I have been reading a bunch of reviews about the winchester wssm brass having a lot (30%) split necks from the factory :shock:

I'm not to worried about it being a barrel burner. I think that if a guy takes care of it and doesn't shoot it hot enough that he could brand a cow, I should be able to get pretty good life out of it, I think :|

Fotis, was that 3200 a hot load or did you still have potential room to go? How long was your barrel? I'm getting 3140 out of a 95 VLD in my 26" barreled .243 win now, but it is at the upper limits I believe.

Thanks

 

[nshunter]

I have only reloaded brass that I bought as factory ammo and have only had a few that eventually split the necks after 5 or 6 firings. That's not too bad considering I keep my loads pretty close to max.

 

[FOTIS]

I partially sized them. About 1/2 of the neck was OK.

 

[DrMike]

Jake,

I never owned a 243 WSSM, but I have worked up loads for a few. They are fast, and they can be very accurate. As with all overbored cartridges, they can be barrel burners. However, the fellows that own these will know that and take appropriate action to avoid that problem. I never heard about problems with brass quality beyond what is normally encountered with Winchester brass. It is good brass, and will give you reasonable service, is my assessment. As with all brass, it will give longer life with partial sizing and avoiding shooting at maximum pressure. On the other hand, I'd think that to be a minor issue were I to own a 243 WSSM, since I would have bought it for the velocity in any case. It will reach out and touch those coyotes, though.

 

[nshunter]

I partially sized them. About 1/2 of the neck was OK.

Never did try to partially size mine, just got into the habbit of doing a full size and stuck with it. I may give it a try though. :idea:

 

[wildgene]

...tried neck sizing for my .25 WSSM, tight bolt, went back to the "cam-over"...

 

[SJB358]

So what are ya thinking Jake! Is it going to be a 243 WSSM! Man, I would just rebarrel to a 243 WSM and really put some 243 bullets down range in a hurry! Scotty

 

[jmad_81]

I was thinking about putting a 243 WSSM AR-15 upper on my lower, and selling my savage 243. But after shooting it today on the range, I'm just going to rechamber it to a 6mm AI, and get a "normal" .223 upper someday for my AR-15 itch.

 

[Woodycreek]

I have thought about getting an Olympic Arms 243wssm upper also. It would make for a great truck gun. That 6mmAI is going to be a smoking fun rifle!

 

[JMUPT]

I have a cooper 16, that I have only shot a few times but loading new brass I haven't had any issues. The only issue I have had with winchester brass is that out of a bag of 50 I had 5 pieces that say 25 WSSM, they are 243 WSSM just headstamped wrong.

 

[FOTIS]

I partially sized them. About 1/2 of the neck was OK.

Never did try to partially size mine, just got into the habbit of doing a full size and stuck with it. I may give it a try though. :idea:

All my brass is done like that.