25 WSSM thoughts......

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
I love mine it is a HS Precision and it is very fun to shoot 100 Swifts at 3350 into 3/8 of an inch.
 
I have a 243 wssm Ar and had a 25 wssm AR. Great rounds imo. Brass has made a comeback in recent years and is available. I regret not buying a sweet little Abolt in 243 wssm years ago when a lgs was trying to give a couple away. They faded partly due to a patent infringement on short, fat cases. Look it up, I can't remember the dude's name but he's a well known writer who basically put the kabosh on Win's rights to their own rounds. Now that's over, so the ammo and brass have made a bit of a comeback.
 
I have some new Winchester 243WSSM brass for sale in the classifieds. It can be expanded up to run as 25WSSM. I've wanted to build one myself but went with a 25SST instead.

A8F2B73A-5C5C-4CFF-BCCC-BB5E7D3C35EC.jpeg

.223, 6.5Grendel, 25WSSM 131ACE, 300WSSM 215Berg, 6.5Creed 120SMK, 25SST 131ACE
 
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When the 25 WSSM came out my buddy got one. He has to have everything new that comes down the road and has the money to get it.

Testing it over the chronograph against a couple 25-06s shooting same bullet weights the 25 WSSM was just a little faster than one of the 25-06's and just a little slower than the other. As to accuracy the 25WSSM factory Winchester rifle was not even close to the two 25-06's because both were custom built rem 700. One had a Heart and the other a Shilen Select barrel.

In my thinking I would have to ask myself. Self, where are you going to find ammo or cases for a 25 WSSM? For a 25-06 if push comes to shove there are always some case in the 30-06 class to run into a 25-06 FL die and make a case.

As for recoil. For me it only happens when target shooting. Heck, while shooting game I am not even conscious of the sound of the shot unless it is a pistol or a rifle with a muzzle brake when I don't have ear protection on. LOL
 
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
Nailed it. Mine 25 wssm was an accurate little monster.
Then...the groups started to open. My gunsmith set mine back twice...lost interest and still have ALOT of brass.
 
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
Got a couple of 25 saum I would stay in the 25 creed to 25 saum relm. They are highly impressive and flat shooting as all hell. 25 prc as well. 25-06 are ok but might as well AI it.
 
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
I own 3 220 swift for just that reason. Bought em cheap, cleaned em up and shoot like new. I just don't like the twist rate.
 
The gun was used, but, a copy of a buddy's. So right out of the gate it was iffy. I looked at a rebarrel, but, my gunsmith talked me into the first set back.
It was cheaper, so, I did that. Right after I started load testing. I would shoot several 20 round sessions...5 per batch.

So after two years I was one on to the recipe. My guess.. initial development...600-700.

Then a few years of predator/varmits. My guess would be another 1000.

She started to open up. We tried to relap...terrible idea. Then after the 2nd set back...now she shot good again...but...after that (2nd set back)...in the interim... fell head over heels for 6.5-06AI.

Between some bad brass, scarcity of brass.. and it really being a single shot (due to that shoulder) I lost interest.

So just shy of 2k if I had to guess.
 
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Thanks, the one I'm looking at has close to 1,000 down the pipe. Thinking that maybe a 26-06AI might be the better route to take. I don't need, or want anything really, I'm just bored with what I have, and want something new to play with. I'm kinda like a rat, new shiny things always get my attention, especially when they go bang..
Thanks all for the replies..
 

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