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Winchester Super Short Magnum Ammunition: WSSM 223 And WSSM 243
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Published: August 13, 2007
Serious hunters seeking high-velocity firing from their rifle will want to look at the best cartridge for the job, if they can handle it. Wanting to improve on the concept of short magnums, namely from their Swift model, the rifle company Browning introduced the Winchester Super Short Magnum cartridge, or WSSM, in 2003.
Those who faithfully use Browning rifles have compared the WSSM favorably to their usual bullets, giving the varieties of the WSSM the thumbs up for a multitude of hunting applications.
The WSSM comes in three models: the WSSM 223, WSSM 243, and the newest model, the 25 WSSM. The WSSM 223 packs a mighty punch with 1,810 foot pounds of muzzle energy. The energy exerted by the WSSM 243 by comparison tops 2,000 foot pounds, but it is the 25 WSSM that exceeds both with 2,273 foot pounds of energy firing out of the barrel. WSSM cartridges are short action to better facilitate the high velocity shot they are known for. The recoil is not as harsh; the action is shorter, lighter and faster. This means the rifles firing WSSM rounds are easier to carry and fire a straighter shot. Rifle lovers will not have to compromise the lifespan of their weapon just because of these perks; naturally, higher velocity bullets will burn through barrels faster than other cartridges of average speed. However gun owners should not start saving for another weapon right away. Tests show the WSSM's wear performance compares to that of the 22-250 Rem, another model in the catalog of Browning rifles.
The WSSM will impress fellow gun lovers, but it is not much more than a display piece without the right Winchester ammunition. After all, the high velocity of the WSSM rifles is due to how the Winchester ammunition is constructed. Small bullets are set on top of short, fat cases; this allows bullets to tear out of the WSSM 223 at 3,850 feet per second and out of the WSSM 243 at 4,100 feet per second. WSSM cartridges are 2.36 inches in length, compared to the original 243 Winchester's 2.71 inches. The Winchester ammunition's short stature contributes to the improved accuracy and consistent results users will experience, shot after shot. One fan of Browning rifles was able to hit a prairie dog from 900 yards away using a WSSM 223. Another was able to hit several animals, including a deer at 125 yards. The hunter only spent one shot on each.
Precise and easy on the shoulders, the Winchester Super Short Magnums are also competitively priced. A 2004 study found WSSM 223 cartridges were priced in the $0.85 to $0.89 range, while WSSM 243 bullets went for $0.90 to $0.94. To see where this fits on the overall price scale of bullets, the cheapest ones were found at $0.02 and the most expensive bullets cost a hefty $4. At these prices, it is the big game in the woods that should feel the pain, not a hunter's wallet. Any hunter seeking a high velocity option should look into Winchester's Super Short Magnum series.
Sources:
Winchester Super Short Magnum. Browning.com. 1 January 2004. Browning. 30 July 2007. http://www.browning.com/products/features/detail.a sp?id=2.
Forker, Bob. "The .223 Winchester Super Short Magnum." GunsAndAmmoMag.com. 2006. Primedia Enthusiast Magazine. 30 July 2007. http://www.gunsandammomag.com/reloads/223wssm/.
"The Experts Agree: The WSSMs Are Winners!" Browning.com. 9 July 2004. Browning. 30 July 2007. http://www.browning.com/products/features/detail.a sp?id=73.
Metcalf, Dick. "Winchester's New .223 Super Short Magnum." GalleryofGuns.com. March 2003. Shooting Times. 30 July 2007. http://www.galleryofguns.com/shootingtimes/article s/DisplayArticles.asp?ID=4836.
"Shorter and Sweeter – Browning A-Bolt Rifles in New 223 WSSM and 243 WSSM Cartridges." Browning.com. 1 March 2003. Browning. 30 July 2007. http://www.browning.com/products/features/detail.a sp?ID=37.
Boughamer, Alex. "Factory Ammunition Prices." ChuckHawks.com. 2005. Alex Boughamer. 31 July 2007. http://www.chuckhawks.com/factory_ammo_prices.htm.
"WSSM Goes .25." RifleShooterMag.com. 2006. Primedia Enthusiast Magazine. 31 July 2007. http://www.rifleshootermag.com/wssm25_1119/.
Related Articles
The WSSM comes in three models: the WSSM 223, WSSM 243, and the newest model, the 25 WSSM. The WSSM 223 packs a mighty punch with 1,810 foot pounds of muzzle energy. The energy exerted by the WSSM 243 by comparison tops 2,000 foot pounds, but it is the 25 WSSM that exceeds both with 2,273 foot pounds of energy firing out of the barrel. WSSM cartridges are short action to better facilitate the high velocity shot they are known for. The recoil is not as harsh; the action is shorter, lighter and faster. This means the rifles firing WSSM rounds are easier to carry and fire a straighter shot. Rifle lovers will not have to compromise the lifespan of their weapon just because of these perks; naturally, higher velocity bullets will burn through barrels faster than other cartridges of average speed. However gun owners should not start saving for another weapon right away. Tests show the WSSM's wear performance compares to that of the 22-250 Rem, another model in the catalog of Browning rifles.
The WSSM will impress fellow gun lovers, but it is not much more than a display piece without the right Winchester ammunition. After all, the high velocity of the WSSM rifles is due to how the Winchester ammunition is constructed. Small bullets are set on top of short, fat cases; this allows bullets to tear out of the WSSM 223 at 3,850 feet per second and out of the WSSM 243 at 4,100 feet per second. WSSM cartridges are 2.36 inches in length, compared to the original 243 Winchester's 2.71 inches. The Winchester ammunition's short stature contributes to the improved accuracy and consistent results users will experience, shot after shot. One fan of Browning rifles was able to hit a prairie dog from 900 yards away using a WSSM 223. Another was able to hit several animals, including a deer at 125 yards. The hunter only spent one shot on each.
Precise and easy on the shoulders, the Winchester Super Short Magnums are also competitively priced. A 2004 study found WSSM 223 cartridges were priced in the $0.85 to $0.89 range, while WSSM 243 bullets went for $0.90 to $0.94. To see where this fits on the overall price scale of bullets, the cheapest ones were found at $0.02 and the most expensive bullets cost a hefty $4. At these prices, it is the big game in the woods that should feel the pain, not a hunter's wallet. Any hunter seeking a high velocity option should look into Winchester's Super Short Magnum series.
Sources:
Winchester Super Short Magnum. Browning.com. 1 January 2004. Browning. 30 July 2007. http://www.browning.com/products/features/detail.a sp?id=2.
Forker, Bob. "The .223 Winchester Super Short Magnum." GunsAndAmmoMag.com. 2006. Primedia Enthusiast Magazine. 30 July 2007. http://www.gunsandammomag.com/reloads/223wssm/.
"The Experts Agree: The WSSMs Are Winners!" Browning.com. 9 July 2004. Browning. 30 July 2007. http://www.browning.com/products/features/detail.a sp?id=73.
Metcalf, Dick. "Winchester's New .223 Super Short Magnum." GalleryofGuns.com. March 2003. Shooting Times. 30 July 2007. http://www.galleryofguns.com/shootingtimes/article s/DisplayArticles.asp?ID=4836.
"Shorter and Sweeter – Browning A-Bolt Rifles in New 223 WSSM and 243 WSSM Cartridges." Browning.com. 1 March 2003. Browning. 30 July 2007. http://www.browning.com/products/features/detail.a sp?ID=37.
Boughamer, Alex. "Factory Ammunition Prices." ChuckHawks.com. 2005. Alex Boughamer. 31 July 2007. http://www.chuckhawks.com/factory_ammo_prices.htm.
"WSSM Goes .25." RifleShooterMag.com. 2006. Primedia Enthusiast Magazine. 31 July 2007. http://www.rifleshootermag.com/wssm25_1119/.
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