25 WSSM thoughts......

[Toad67]

Can anyone give me some real world experience with a 25 WSSM please? I've read all about the feeding issues, and how the 25-06 has left it in the dust, and all of the other negative press regarding the chambering. A local one has caught my eye, a Winchester model 70 coyote, and it seems cheap enough, given it comes with brass, reloads and dies. I don't know much about it, but since it has a 24" heavy barrel, I'm assuming it is probably set up for more of a light bullet varmint use than a heavier deer gun. Am I correct on my thinking, and could anyone shed some more light/info on this for me please...TIA
T67

 

[Quintus]

I personally love the 25 Super Short. I have had 3 of them. A Browning FLD A-Bolt, Browning A-Bolt Varmint, and Winchester Featherweight. Super for a still hunting or mountain rifle to use wherever you would use a 25-06. The super short action doesn't seem like much as stats on paper, but they were the niftiest guns I have ever killed deer with. The varmint versions defeat the purpose, or negate the advantage from my perspective, but heavy or light, it is still very close to 25-06 performance. All of my super shorts (.223 and .243 included) have been very accurate stock rifles with only the triggers being adjusted.

 

[scope-eye]

All three of the WSSMs the 22, 243, and 25 did not last in the market place very long they had various problems, nobody chambers new rifles in them anymore so that says a lot, they are brutal on throats so no matter what the price is check that first. If the price is half decent and it comes with everything you need and are aware of it's quirks buy it, you can always rebarrel it when it finally gives up the ghost.

Dean

 

[Doublezranch]

I absolutely, positively love mine. No issues ever with feeding and is arguably one of the best antelope guns. Mine is a Win model 70 Black Shadow. Shoots the 115 ballistic tips fast and straight.
This is an excellent caliber IMHO.

 

[DNADave]

What's recoil like compared to a 25-06? I'm thinking of getting one for my dad who has had shoulder surgery on both shoulders and finds his 25-06 a bit more than he wants after the surgery (I know, the 25-06 is already pretty low recoil. He'll also be 80 this year).

 

[Doublezranch]

This is the caliber my dad pulls out of the safe every season. He is 71. I haven't shot a 25-06 so unfortunately I have no comparisons. My father fell in love with this caliber and uses it for goats and deer.

 

[Quintus]

What's recoil like compared to a 25-06? I'm thinking of getting one for my dad who has had shoulder surgery on both shoulders and finds his 25-06 a bit more than he wants after the surgery (I know, the 25-06 is already pretty low recoil. He'll also be 80 this year).

The sporters are pretty light and the stocks are ok at best. They will not give up any recoil to the 25-06. My Browning varmint and the M70 coyote (laminate) are pretty soft shooters, but noticeably heavier and less handy. Is your dad willing to shoot a brake?

 

[DNADave]

The sporters are pretty light and the stocks are ok at best. They will not give up any recoil to the 25-06. My Browning varmint and the M70 coyote (laminate) are pretty soft shooters, but noticeably heavier and less handy. Is your dad willing to shoot a brake?

He is willing to shoot a brake. Just looking for options that don't require one as his hearing is already pretty bad and any shots where he doesn't remember to put on his hearing protection would not be good.

Not trying to derail the OPs thread...

 

[Quintus]

He is willing to shoot a brake. Just looking for options that don't require one as his hearing is already pretty bad and any shots where he doesn't remember to put on his hearing protection would not be good.

Not trying to derail the OPs thread...

It applies, the 25 WSSM with a brake is ridiculously fun to shoot. 110grain Accubonds and some Walker Game ears and he can watch the bullet hit em. Deer killin perfection!

 

[Hairtrigger]

I have owned several 223wssm over the years and still do
Those that say barrel burners are simply uniformed old schoolers, just like 220 swift back in the day
I bought mine because I was a speed freak back in the day but I still really like it.
I guarantee you they're away more people that did not do a good job of cleaning their barrels and had copper following issues and accused it on throat or barrel wear

 

[2dognite]

Have a 25wssm in a Winchester Mod.70 Featherweight Compact. Great little light rifle and it shoots great. Makes little entrance holes and big exit holes.

 

[436]

I personally love the 25 Super Short. I have had 3 of them. A Browning FLD A-Bolt, Browning A-Bolt Varmint, and Winchester Featherweight. Super for a still hunting or mountain rifle to use wherever you would use a 25-06. The super short action doesn't seem like much as stats on paper, but they were the niftiest guns I have ever killed deer with. The varmint versions defeat the purpose, or negate the advantage from my perspective, but heavy or light, it is still very close to 25-06 performance. All of my super shorts (.223 and .243 included) have been very accurate stock rifles with only the triggers being adjusted.

Personally, I have used the .25 WSSM but I have used the 25.06 and the .257 Wby Mag and if the .25 WSSM is in their range great, but... I have used the .243 WSSM for both hunting and LR 1k matches, and it was a dream, it did everything I asked it to do with performance left over. So, I'd have a hard time not thinking the .25 WSSM wouldn't be a good cartridge in a descent bang stick. I've liked the short cartridges, I bought one of the first runs of 6.5 Rem Mags when it came out in the M700... I think in late 1967, 68, or 69 I'm telling you, I should have never sold it, possibly one of the best rifles/cartridges combos I've ever owned. Good luck

 

[scope-eye]

That cartridge came out in 2005 and FN under the name Winchester who was making they M94 and model 70 rifles as well as they ammo for it. They closed the plant in CT in 2006 that is less than a 2 year run more like a year and a half, so it is safe to say that it was not a success and no other MFG picked it up after that.

Just Sayin.

Dean

 

[oneeyejohn]

What's recoil like compared to a 25-06? I'm thinking of getting one for my dad who has had shoulder surgery on both shoulders and finds his 25-06 a bit more than he wants after the surgery (I know, the 25-06 is already pretty low recoil. He'll also be 80 this year).

I am also 80 and had a 6.5-06 built on a rem long action with a muzzle break. I have a shoulder problem but can shoot only on that shoulder because of vision. It is a sweet shooting rifle and has a minimum amount of recoil.