ORIGINAL: coolbrze0
I'm interested in a Browning A-Bolt ($800)or Winchester Model 70 ($685) in .243which will be used primarily for deer hunting.I have no idea about choosing a .243, vs. a .243WSM vs. a .243 WSSM, can you enlighten me? I'm leaning towards the .243 WSSM, for no apparent reason besides newfound popularity. What are the ammo price differences?
It'll be Composite w/ a Stainless Steel barrel and I'll be mounting a nice (Leupold or Zeiss)3-9x40 on it. These are the two I'm considering:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2685129
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2685291
Listen up Cool...
These two guns are night and day, hear me...night and day. I own the .243WSSM and have NEVER shot a more balanced andout of the box accuraterifle in 25 years. The bolt on these rifles has three (3) locking lugs to securely hold the bullet in place. Rock solid performance. The average speed of your bullet ranges from 3250 to over 4000 fps, depending on bullet weight. At 300 yds it still retains almost 1400 lbs of energy! This rifle will sicken deer and bear. Don't know if I posted this on here or not but I recently shot a 200lb blackbear at 207 yards(rangefinder) and broke two ribs on impact, took out one lung and busted a rib upon exit!! This is absolutely a true account. My buddy was behind me with his spotting scope.
Oh and did I mention this gun is a tack driver?? Cloverleafs all day long at 100 yards. And this talk of the bullets jamming up at times, no such thing, EVER! Not with my rifle anyways.
Do yourself a favor, buy this gun. You will never look back.
BTW, I do like the model 70 Winchester, however I really like the Browning...ALOT!
Good luck