Opinions on 25 WSSM

[jakeway]

I was at a gun shop this afternoon and they had a sale on Browning A Bolt Hunter in 25 WSSM for $429. Looked like a heck of a deal, but I don't know a lot about that cartridge, and I'm on a business trip and have to fly home. That rifle won't fit in my over-night bag.

But my grandkids will be hunting in a few years, and I really like the A Bolt, so I thought this might be a good addition to the gun case.

The mags claim it's got similar ballistics to the .25-06, with less recoil. I'd really like a .260 Rem, but they don't seem to be making that in very many guns lately.

 

[Tikkabuck]

The ammo is getting really hard to find and brass is way up there also. I made this same decision mine was between a 243 wssm and a 25. I went 243 WSSM just because of the ammo.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

I hunting buddy has one and he loves it. I have never hunted with one.

 

[megalomaniac]

Ballistically, the cartridge appeals to me. Practically, it does not... there have been issues with feeding in many rifles. It is a caliber destined to go the way of the Dodo...

Personally, I wouldn't buy unless you can get the gun for a song. I have no idea what an A-bolt hunter in a normal caliber sells for. But if it's 300-400 more than than the price you're quoted on the 25 WSSM, I'd be very tempted.

 

[Tiny]

Personally the WSSM didn't appeal to me all that much and still doesn't.However after looking at a good many rifles in them and my uncle getting one I have to say they are one handy bolt action rifle.

My uncle does have a 25 WSSM in an A-bolt stalker.So far with it, it is lookiing as if it will fall in the same ballistic range as the 257 Roberts and just a little short of the 25/06. His feeds ok,however some need the magazine lips filed off a little to smooth things up and avoid scratching cases.Accuracy is good so far avg. 1" across those loads he has tired so far.

This is his second 25 WSSM the other being a M-70 FWT,more on that in a second. Recoil on both is/was little a more than that with his M-70 in the 257 Roberts shooting the same same load in all. A note here is that the Stalker has a much harder pad on it while the FWT has a thin pad.With a thicker pad such as the declearator that is on some rifles form the factory should lighting the recoil up somewhat.


Now for the Big Note, IMO
I would advise CAUATION on buying any WSSM ,but as always if you like it and want it get it opinions be dang ;)

As accuracy issiues have been common place in both Brownings and even more so with Winchesters.The Above mentioned Winchester went back for barrel replacement and he was given the A-bolt in its place. Seeing as neither does not catalog the WSSM's this year any issuies with either could result in some promblems of the dis appointing kind depending on how well one likes the rilfe chambered for.

All that said If I find one one that appeals to me I would get it,assume the price isn't highway robbery.

I don't think ammo will be a problem any time soon for them a little hard to find likely.

I hope that they don't give up on the WSSM as they do have a place.

 

[jakeway]

Having a day to think it over somewhat, I'm going to pass on it. There are too many other rifles I've had an itching for, so I shouldn't let a good price influence me to take something farther down my wish list.

I've wanted a light-handling, smaller than a .270 WIN (what I currently shoot in my 1995 A-Bolt) rifle, and I've also wanted to start a relationship with a T/C Encore, so maybe I'll get the single-shot in a 7mm-08. Do they make the Encore in .260 Rem?