223 WSSM? 223 Rem? 204 Ruger?

[esheato]

I'm thinking of picking up a new rifle in a few months. Mostly paper punching, but the occasional yote and varmint shooting. The Rem 700 VS looks like a pretty sweet little rifle. The Savages with the new trigger are a nice idea too.

I was planning on the .223 Rem, but the .223 WSSM and .204 Ruger also look promising. Anyone own a WSSM out there? Is throat erosion really a problem with them? How's recoil with the WSSM? What's it compare to? I understand how they're supposed to work in theory, but I have no experience with the short/fat type of rifle cartridges.

I would be reloading for it, so I could always load 'em down to save barrel wear and tear.

Do either the WSSM or the Ruger have something better to offer than the .223 Rem?

Thanks in advance.

esheato...

 

[Sharpshooter223]

Don't want to down the others but I think the Rem 700 VS is a good choice. I doubt the ruger 204 will really take off and it may have too much speed to be really accurate. I've heard the WSSM does have really bad throat erosion but have never owned one or have cared to own one. But I do own a Rem 700 VS and it's one of my fav rifles. I have a harris 6-9 bipod and a Bausch & Lomb 4-16x50 scope on it and it's a very nice rig. It holds about a 1/2 inch group with about every kind of ammo I run through it. If you get it to reload then two of the loads you may want to try are the 55gr cheapo remingtons from midway I think they are like $7.00 for 100. They hold 1/2" and is what I deer hunt with. For accuracy try the 50 gr Hornady V-Max's Consistantly shoots 1/4" at 100.

PS. I've had very limited experience with the other two rifles. If anyone has had much experience with them please post results (especially ruger 204.) Thx.

 

[kimbernut]

Varmint /CoyoteRifle

Before locking in on the Rem. 700 VS Rifle you owe it to yourself to lookat/shoot if possible the Savage 12 Varminter. The Accu-trigger has to be experienced to be believed, it's that good.The .223 Rem. would be a good choice.I've fired the .223WSSM in standard weight Browning A bolts & Win. 70 . It's an accurate round but has nothing over the .22-250 which I would prefer if the Savage rifle comes in that caliber. Scoped with a Springfield Armory 4?-14x56 and in .308Win. it weighs in at over 11.5 lbs.
Not something you'd want to carry all day but for varmint shooting it's just right.

 

[esheato]

you owe it to yourself to lookat/shoot if possible the Savage 12 Varminter. The Accu-trigger has to be experienced to be believed, it's that good.

I already have and I was quite smitten by it. I have a Savage 11GL with the old trigger in .308 as my normal hunting rifle. I wish it had the new trigger. I really like the 10FP-LE2B with the McMillan stock, but alas, it only comes in .308 for now.

I really like how stiff the Rem 700 VS stock feels. The Savages don't feel as sturdy and I'd rather not have to replace a stock if I don't have to. That's why I was kinda leaning towards the Rem.

I'm still up in the air over caliber though. From what I've been reading the .204 Ruger seems to be a nice cartridge. I'll have to wait and see what guns are chambered in it though.

As far as recoil goes, what would you compare the WSSM to? .243?

Thanks

Ed...

 

[kimbernut]

.223 WSSM recoil

Recoil is actually more in line with the .22-250 which I would say is about half way between the .223 Rem. & .243 Win.
The Savage 12 Varminter comes with the Laminated beavertailed forearm stock.Quite heavy but very stable.

 

[Steve Smith]

.223 WSSM barrel life is going to be miserable, I think.