cuda67

I'm buying a deer rifle for my son to hunt with me this fall. Is there much difference in a standard 243 vs a 243 wssm? The gun we both like is wssm. Does it have the same recoil as a standard 243 not that these guns have a lot of recoil.

Chris W.

With factory ammo, theres only about 150 fps difference between the two cartridges, using the same bullet. Handloading could widen that velocity gap though.

http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog/cfrdetail.aspx?symbol=X2432&cart=MjQzIFdpbmNoZ XN0ZXI=

http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog/cfrdetail.aspx?symbol=X243WSS&cart=MjQzIFdTU00 =

hardcorehunter

I would get the .243, way more ammo choices and if you ever want to resale or trade you will find WAY more takers for it than a wssm. The wsm's have been great sellers but the wssm's have been a big flop in sales. Example; winchester mod 70's are still readily available in wssm's but try to find a mod 70 in a standard caliber sitting on a gun rack in your local gun shop, isn't going to happen. HCH

nchawkeye

I have used a .243 since 1980...no problems for deer sized game...
A few more fps still doesn't make a 6mm bullet good for elk sized game..
I just don't see the need for them...Unless a guy has lots of rifles, wants something different and reloads...Me...I have no use for any of the WSMs or WSSMs....In fact, the last time I checked there were still only a few different loadings for a .243 WSSM and all of them had bullets that were developed to be used at .243 velocities...

jbirdhaffield

Hey there let me tell you that I was in this situation about a month ago trying to decide which cal .243 or .243 wssm. When I saw the price of $25 dollars a box for the wssm vs $11 for the standard you can bet which way I went. Also the gentleman that wrote you and told youthat there is only a 150 fps difference is correct.I personally do not think that is worth it. Also one more good point is that I heard through the grape vine that the wssm catridge will NOT be around much longer. Think about it.

txmarshmonkey

I recently bought a .243 single shot for my son. What I need now is maybe a handful of recommendations on a "hunting load". I haven't even looked at what's out there,but I was hoping y'all could narrow it down a little for me.

Thanks

Ideaman

Short answer, 243 if i only had the choice of the two.He will need to practice, practice, practice, and at $25 a box that practice might be limited.

I will start a big arguement here, but considerwhere you hunt, what you hunt, you and your sons tracking skills, and how big of a gun your son can shoot comfortably before buying.

All firearms are lethal and I am very sure I could kill an Elk, Moose, or Polar Bear with a 243. but it would not be my first choice. I am very sure a 243 will kill any deer alive cleanly with a good shot. I am not so covinced a perfect shot will always be made or thatsome good shots will not end up in lost game due to possible lack of blood trail.

Only my opinion but go with the biggest caliber your son can shoot comfortably, and don't worry about speed. He should not be shooting over 200yrdsat a far outside and the ballisticsreally should not be that different in modern cartridges. I think you would be very surprised at howwell he may shoot bigger calibers with lighter weight factory loads, unless he is of small stature.

I honestly worry the most about noise with young shooters. That is not a hurt you can rub, and it WILL cause terrible shooting. Please wear muffs and plugs when practiceing.

If you do go with 243 or WSSM try to find a bullet with a heavy construction many factory loads are not acceptable for deer.

Again many will argue what I have just said, and thats why we discuss so you can get all sides.

What ever you take him hunting with you will both be better for it.

CtHunter8

Id go with the .243, alota choices there


-Travis-

cartman308

go with the standard .243. Ammo can be bought anywere, and cheap.

IMHO all the WSSM's will be handloader only cartridges in the not todistant future. The WSMs are here to stay but the SSM just took a good thing a bit to far.

Highpower

I've been shooting the .243 for 30 years now and rave about it's deer killing ability all the time on this forum but, I'd have to say that if I were in your situation and just looking at a new cartridge, I'd go with the wssm. I think the short fat catridges have it all over the standard cartridges. I'm not going out and trading off what I already have, but if I were buying new, I'd go with the newer rounds. Just my $.02