223 WSSM Bargain (WIn 70 Shadow)

[NC-Sniper]

:sniper: I was at Wal-Mart in Clayton, NC last week and ran across a deal on a Winchester Model 70 Shadow in 223WSSM with a Simmons 3-9 X 40mm scope already mounted for $398. I looked in the case and they had the Winchester 64 gr. bullets discounted from $15 a box (of 20) down to $7. Bought the gun and all 10 boxes of ammo they had left. Read up on the ballistics and was REALLY impressed. I saw a photo posted on the web of a 207 lb. whitetail taken at 125 yds with that caliber and bullet configuration. Thought some of you might be interested. They also had a Weatherby Vanguard w/black synthetic stock in .300 Weatherby Magnum for $388. I guess that'll be the next purchase. The clerk said they were discontinuing the 223WSSM from their line and closed them out at a good price. After I try it out I'll get back to ya. I got your 6. Blessings. -John (new member)

[kravman4]

Thanks for the heads up! If I had the money, I'd do it. I've been interested in the WSSM line of cartridges since I saw 'em advertised in the American Rifleman awhile ago.

Gotta git me a decent job!! ;)

BTW, feel free to post a pic in the gallery. I'd love to see it. :)

[adaman04]

The .223 WSSM is sweet! That fat, short case, with that tiny bullet. Can you say fast? I love the .223 round and when I first saw it in WSSM, I about flipped! Congrats!

[2rangers]

Originally posted by NC-Sniper@Jan 28 2005, 03:01 PM
:sniper: I was at Wal-Mart in Clayton, NC last week and ran across a deal on a Winchester Model 70 Shadow in 223WSSM with a Simmons 3-9 X 40mm scope already mounted for $398. I looked in the case and they had the Winchester 64 gr. bullets discounted from $15 a box (of 20) down to $7. Bought the gun and all 10 boxes of ammo they had left. Read up on the ballistics and was REALLY impressed. I saw a photo posted on the web of a 207 lb. whitetail taken at 125 yds with that caliber and bullet configuration. Thought some of you might be interested. They also had a Weatherby Vanguard w/black synthetic stock in .300 Weatherby Magnum for $388. I guess that'll be the next purchase. The clerk said they were discontinuing the 223WSSM from their line and closed them out at a good price. After I try it out I'll get back to ya. I got your 6. Blessings. -John (new member)
Nc-sniper-
The .223 wssm cartridge is awesome, performance wise. Just be advised, however, that barrel life will be short. I have been told, and read from extremely reliable sources that throat life of a .223wssm barrel is only about 300-400 rounds, :eek: and then throat erosion is significant. Just think about how big in diameter the case is, and how all those burning gases are funneled down to bullet diameter. Yeah, for varmints and such, it is def. a great, high-velocity cartridge. I prob. wouldn't use it as a range rifle, however. Just think of 220 swift, and magnify it's barrel-burner potential by about 2! :sniper:

[aban]

Just read article in shooting Times, you should get at least 1500 shoots before any erosion.

[texagun]

How would the standard .223 Rem compare to the .223 WSSM in terms of barrel erosion?

[2rangers]

Texagun-
It all relates to the quantity of powder burned in a specific volume. The barrel volume of a .223 Rem and a .223 wssm is the same, as long as the barrels are the same length. The .223 wssm holds A LOT more powder. All the volume of burning/expanding gases has to get "funnelled" down to the .224" groove diameter. As it exits the mouth of the case, it is very forcefully "blown" into the barrel. The throat takes the most beating, as the gases are still the hottest and traveling the fastest. It gets less intense as the bullet travels down the barrel, as the gases have more room to expand, and the temp. and speed get reduced slightly. One must remember, the .223 wssm is based on a necked-down .404 jeffries. I'm not saying that It's a bad caliber, loading, rifle, etc. Actually, if you are looking for perhaps one of the ultimate small-bore, high-velocity cartridges, this just may be the one. However, after reading Hornady's reloading tome, 6th edition, and personally talking to the chief technician on duty, about 3-500 rds are about it, and then throat erosion becomes significant enough to affect accuracy. I guess all I'm really trying to say is that I personally wouldn't use it as a range gun that sees 50-100 rds per range outing. Just my .02$ :sniper:

[texagun]

2rangers...thanks for the explanation and the info. What would the expected barrel life be for the plain-jane .223 Remington?

[2rangers]

Originally posted by texagun@May 4 2005, 03:22 AM
2rangers...thanks for the explanation and the info. What would the expected barrel life be for the plain-jane .223 Remington?
texagun-
There are so many variables, it would be really hard to give a def. answer. I would think the standard mini should last at least 5-10k rnds, and an AR w/ a chrome lined barrel even more. Then again, cleaning frequency, type and loading of ammo, rnds fired per session, etc. would come into play. Also, be advised most 5.56x45mm ammo(mil-spec) is loaded hotter than commercial .223 Rem ammo. :sniper:

[debo]

When you say after ~500 rounds that that accuracy will start to drop off I was just thinking that if the accuracy of the gun does start to decline it is probably a small amount and should still be quite accurate to about 1500 rounds like was mentioned. Maybe for the most serious shooter or competitor that isn't good enough, but for most people it will probably be good enough. I'm just speaking in a general sense and not from experience or first hand knowledge so I could be wrong here. It's just something to think about, that the average shooter might be able to get more mileage out of it.

[2rangers]

Originally posted by debo@May 9 2005, 01:54 PM
When you say after ~500 rounds that that accuracy will start to drop off I was just thinking that if the accuracy of the gun does start to decline it is probably a small amount and should still be quite accurate to about 1500 rounds like was mentioned. Maybe for the most serious shooter or competitor that isn't good enough, but for most people it will probably be good enough. I'm just speaking in a general sense and not from experience or first hand knowledge so I could be wrong here. It's just something to think about, that the average shooter might be able to get more mileage out of it.
Debo-
You are absolutely correct. The accuracy drop off would be slow and gradual. The average hunter wouldn't even really recognize it, at first. You must remember, when companies like bullet, powder, and firearm manufacturers test loads, they do so from a machine rest, or a modern-bond type receiver. There is no human factor in the mix. For them, they can notice changes imm., and the extent of those changes. A serious target or benchrest-type shooter would also be able to notice such changes. For the average hunter, those changes might not even matter, as the target area on an average sized deer might be a 4-7" area(heart, lungs,aorta, etc.) :sniper: