Hornady releasing 223 and 243 WSSM

[SUD1988]

Just got this email. I wonder what other loads will follow.

 

[rabbithuntr]

This make no sense to me but I could be missing something

 

[Steve300xcw]

But why?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

These cartridges are sponsored by the International Association of Rifle Barrel Manufacturers.

Might be interesting in the CZ 600 if they ever sort out the easy barrel swaps and “we’ll replace the barrel when it wears out.”


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[SUD1988]

If Howa put one in the Mini action I would give it a try.

 

[hereinaz]

Sweet! I picked up a basically new 243 WSSM on a whim for cheap a couple months ago.

Will be fun to play with it now.

 

[hereinaz]

If Howa put one in the Mini action I would give it a try.

That’s an idea. I liked my 6BRA in my Mini but dropped to 22 BR. Not sure if the bolt face is big enough, what’s the bolt face size?

 

[Sundodger]

Definitely surprising, especially from Hornady where they will compete with their new 22arc and 6mm arc they are trying to get off the ground.

But I welcome them, while I am not real familiar with WSSM's, seems like a great option for a mini action or ULUL. Wonder if they have extraction problems in a 300 solo upper like the arc's do...

 

[hereinaz]

Definitely surprising, especially from Hornady where they will compete with their new 22arc and 6mm arc they are trying to get off the ground.

But I welcome them, while I am not real familiar with WSSM's, seems like a great option for a mini action or ULUL. Wonder if they have extraction problems in a 300 solo upper like the arc's do...

I think they just know that there are rifles out there and they can sell ammo for them. And, the ARC are driven by AR sales. For that reason, I don’t think they will compete, these calibers have always been niche.

If anything I would say that it is more likely the extra production capacity invested into 22 and 6 mm bullets made them look for more ways to sell the bullets.

They can do one run a year and keep up with demand probably.

 

[BLJ]

I bet that 75 is moving.

 

[PathFinder]

It's basically a Creedmoor capacity case in a magnum bolt face and super short action. Dtech used to put them in ARs, not sure that has been common in a while. It would probably be really difficult to get the right combination of components to fit in a mini action.
They're probably targeting people that have WSSMs laying around and haven't shot them in years because no ammo was available.

 

[Sundodger]

I think they just know that there are rifles out there and they can sell ammo for them. And, the ARC are driven by AR sales. For that reason, I don’t think they will compete, these calibers have always been niche.

If anything I would say that it is more likely the extra production capacity invested into 22 and 6 mm bullets made them look for more ways to sell the bullets.

They can do one run a year and keep up with demand probably.

It's basically a Creedmoor capacity case in a magnum bolt face and super short action. Dtech used to put them in ARs, not sure that has been common in a while. It would probably be really difficult to get the right combination of components to fit in a mini action.
They're probably targeting people that have WSSMs laying around and haven't shot them in years because no ammo was available.

Solid points guys, I bet you are right. They have some manufacturing capacity, they see a need in the market, and I bet they can sell them at a pretty good profit margin given the lack of other factory load options. Just smart business.



It’s interesting that this indicates that they have some excess manufacturing capacity. While the COVID shortages have been resolved for a while, my brain still has a bit of that mentality left.

 

[hereinaz]

Solid points guys, I bet you are right. They have some manufacturing capacity, they see a need in the market, and I bet they can sell them at a pretty good profit margin given the lack of other factory load options. Just smart business.



It’s interesting that this indicates that they have some excess manufacturing capacity. While the COVID shortages have been resolved for a while, my brain still has a bit of that mentality left.

It’s hard to know exactly, but when you see $299 AR 15 the market is on the supply side swing. And, there is a Republican President.

Who knows… I was really surprised to see this post, and happy to buy some ammo for the fun little rifle I had basically given up. Even brass is hard to find.

 

[Pilsner]

Sweet! I picked up a basically new 243 WSSM on a whim for cheap a couple months ago.

Will be fun to play with it now.

What is the twist rate in that one? Could be a fun one if you can play with the long heavy pills.

 

[Pilsner]

It's basically a Creedmoor capacity case in a magnum bolt face and super short action. Dtech used to put them in ARs, not sure that has been common in a while. It would probably be really difficult to get the right combination of components to fit in a mini action.
They're probably targeting people that have WSSMs laying around and haven't shot them in years because no ammo was available.

I have always thought that a smedium sized manufacturer could make a good go of it by doing runs of "factory" ammo and new brass for niche and near-obsolete chamberings. There has to be a metric sh!t ton of old rifles out there that are sitting fallow due to lack of ammo availability. Entire families of cartridges could be resurrected in Dad's or Grandpa's old rifles like the WSSM family, the SAUM family, RUM family (the last two in their unpopular chamberings anyways), along with over a century of older but still viable chamberings like the unpopular members of the WCF family, etc.
I have also wondered why no one has ever sold a package deal of say 250 pieces of brass and a set of loading dies for these same chamberings. Then nearly anyone with a single stage press and access to YT could make a lifetime supply for feeding Grandpa's old rifle.
On the other hand I am a moron who thought my first wife was a good catch so...

 

[The Guide]

What is the twist rate in that one? Could be a fun one if you can play with the long heavy pills.

They were twisted 1 in 10" just like the 243 Winchester. It is one of the reasons for its down fall along with the poor feeding of the WSSM cases. The realistic velocity gains over the standard cartridges was only 100 to 150 fps. Cool cartridges but the execution was flawed. With heavy bullets, a fast twist, and properly sized and feeding action they would be interesting to play with.

Jay

 

[AZ_Hunter]

I think it would be cool if these made a come back.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Man I had both back in the day and they were interesting. My middle son shot his first hogs around 5 or 6 years or so old with the 223 WSSM. 3850 fps with factory ammo was just nuts, sounded like a high pitch lightning crack when shooting it.

 

[il_cop]

Definitely surprising, especially from Hornady where they will compete with their new 22arc and 6mm arc they are trying to get off the ground.

But I welcome them, while I am not real familiar with WSSM's, seems like a great option for a mini action or ULUL. Wonder if they have extraction problems in a 300 solo upper like the arc's do...

Yeah but the wssms pack more wallop. And like cowbells, everyone needs more wallop.

 

[khuber84]

The wssm case holds 2gr more than lapua and alpha creedmoor brass, so why? Plus the very short fat body with short bullets made them horribly reliable for feeding consistently. Hard pass.........