Target Cartridges for a Magnum Bolt???

[LHSmith]

If you don't mind lots of brass work why not do something along the lines of a WSSM such as a 30WSSM (think 30br) or 7mmWSM. The brass needs neck-turned to be very consistent and sorted but it could be fun and when care is taken these cartridges can be VERY accurate, maybe NOMAD will give his to cents as I'm pretty sure I read on here that he has/does own at least one 6mm WSSM.

Don't know how you can draw a relationship between the WSSM's and a 30 BR. The usable case capacity is 55 gr. vs. 35 gr. respectively. Most shooters that I know have long since gotten rid of their WSSM's as they couldn't get them to shoot and the brass issues.

 

[LHSmith]

I think the 6.5 WSSMs have done well at Williamsport.

You piqued my interest, so I checked the 2012 results. I was surprised that someone did campaign a 6.5 x .243 WSSM.....but I don't think 87th out of 130, 126th out of 130, 82nd out of 100, & 95th out of 124 is a particular good showing. Perusing through much of the 2012 IBS LR matches I could not find anyone campaigning a WSSM.
And I am 100% sure no one uses one in IBS santioned short range BR.
Kind of irrelevant anyway, since the OP was only interested in an accurate short range "Target" round, of which the WSSM is neither.

 

[jscandale]

OUCH!

 

[wvuredneck09]

While I realize there is no direct correlation between a 30WSSM and a 30br the idea is the same. A none-overbored short fat cartridge. the geometry is similar in every way just exaggerated on the WSSM.

 

[whiskey08]

Butch

you said the short mags arent good accuracy cartridges and asked what they have won. So i obliged.

P.S. my .300wsm will shoot quarter moa, granted it wont win a bench rest comp or is practical to shoot short range with, but I wouldnt call it inaccurate.

 

[butchlambert]

whiskey, I ain't going to get into a pissing match with you. Somebody won a belly shooting match with a short magnum. Your 30WSM is probably accurate, but it is not a quarter minute angle rifle. Go back what the OP said. He said shooting paper at short range. If he wants to do a good job killing paper a short or super short mag ain't the cartridge

 

[Nomad47]

Obviously, Butch, you have not worked much with the short & super short mags. And it doesn't look like you would have the patience to work with them either. No, they won't compete with the 6PPC at short range, but damn few cartridges will.

I have owned both short mags and super short mags. My 223 wssm would not shoot until I put a Krieger barrel on it. Then it would consistently kill groundhogs out to 800 yards. When that barrel got too much throat erosion at 1300+ rounds, it got a 30" Kreiger barrel chambered in 243 wssm. And that gun is accurate enough to kill groundhogs beyond 1000 yards.

I no longer own any of the short mags as I have gone a different direction, living in a motorhome and being somewhat limited on storage space. That direction is Savages with a .308 bolt face & switch barrels.

I also might add that it takes an open mind to work with the super shorts.

 

[butchlambert]

Bill, an open mind? and a lot of time spent on a cartridge? Sounds like you came to your senses.

 

[Nomad47]

My last 243 wssm was easily accurate enough for me. But it could have been even better by turning those thick necks and then going to a properly necked chamber.

I would still have it but I wanted to simplify my life in the motorhome. I'm down to three 6mm barrels and one 7mm barrel, one primer, three bullets, three powders.

The WSSMs got a bad rap early on because of the thick necks and guys weren't willing to have the patience to work with them. Winchester's labor problems at their New Haven plant sure didn't help things either. My first 223 wssm that I never could get to shoot came out of the Winchester factory without the chrome lining it was supposed to have. Probably why it never would shoot although nobody could say for sure.

 

[therifler]

cort alot of advice being given . you could close up the bolt face but then you would also need to install a sako style extractor . you could by a new bolt 300.00 . you could reduce loads and shoot the magnum . or sell the action then try and buy one with the 308 bolt face . if you have not bought the mag rec. yet i would say don't buy it . last but not least look for someone selling a 308 bolt on here and sell the mag bolt . T.R.

 

[Cort]

Michael,

Yes, there is lots of advice here.

I decided to pass on the rifle. The action is interesting because it is an older Remington 700 in almost new condition. I was hoping I could make something that I would use out of it. The rifle is currently a 7mm Remington Mag; more rifle than I need. Reduced loads is a thought but since I don't own the rifle, I will look for something similar in a .308 bolt face when I am ready to start a new project. I have three projects in the works now so I really don't need another one.

Thanks for all the information,

Cort

 

[whiskey08]

for someone not interested in getting in a pissing match you sure are quick to make bold statements discounting things you arent practiced with.

 

[butchlambert]

Would you repeat your post? I guess I don't understand it.

 

[jscandale]

Wow! This thread has evolved from a question about a short range plinker cartridge into much ado about nothing... Would you guys like a tape measure to see who's the champ?

JS

 

[LHSmith]

This website emphasizes accuracy as it's mission statement. Correcting the record with facts may prevent a member from investing a lot of time and effort in a rifle being built for a cartridge that has a poor reputation, and the likelyhood of it ever winning in competition is remote at best. The WSSM is such a cartridge. What good is a cartridge that is so overbore, that by the time you develop an accurate load for it, it's already time to chase the lands due to throat erosion? Not to mention the brass problems. The WSM is another story....as it does very well in LR BR and brass is available from multiple sources.

 

[JRS]

This website emphasizes accuracy as it's mission statement. Correcting the record with facts may prevent a member from investing a lot of time and effort in a rifle being built for a cartridge that has a poor reputation, and the likelyhood of it ever winning in competition is remote at best. The WSSM is such a cartridge. What good is a cartridge that is so overbore, that by the time you develop an accurate load for it, it's already time to chase the lands due to throat erosion? Not to mention the brass problems. The WSM is another story....as it does very well in LR BR and brass is available from multiple sources.

+ 1. This is one place we can agree LH 8)