Anyone have a Model 70 in 243 WSSM?

[slowr1der]

So, I'm basically trying to talk myself out of this rifle. I was at a local shop and saw one on the rack. The tag said .243, but when they handed it to me it was a 243 WSSM. I'd have already bought it if it was a .243 Win, but I really don't know what I'd do with a WSSM. I feel like brass is going to be hard to find and expensive, and I'm just not sure that I'd shoot it that often. Do they perform a lot better than the .243 Win? How is the barrel life?

They told me they'd take $275 OTD with a Simmons scope on top which seems like a steal for a Model 70, but I'm just not sure if I really want one in this caliber. What do you guys that have them think? I also really want a Savage just for ease of barrel swapping, so I'm not sure if I should hold out for one of those or not.

 

[dprice3844444]

40 bucks a box

 

[slowr1der]

Exactly what I saw. I reload so I'm not super concerned, but I'm going to have to buy some ammo to get some brass, or empty brass which also doesn't seem cheap. It seems like either way to get started reloading I'm going to shell out a fortune for ammo/brass. That's another big downside I'm seeing to it.

 

[627PCFan]

Check that barrel for erosion. That's a hot round and might be why so cheap

 

[NCsmitty]

I actually like the WSSM line, and have loaded the 223 WSSM for a friend. The 243 WSSM will run around 100fps more than a standard 243 Win with the same bullet.

It's your call on it, but it's not a bad price on the rifle. Build up a supply of brass over time and you'll be set for quite a while.


NCsmitty

 

[slowr1der]

The barrel looked to be in really good shape with the naked eye, but I of course don't have a bore scope to look at it. It didn't look like it had been shot a ton. I really wish this thing was in a standard caliber. I keep going back and forth on if I should go back and get it.

 

[NCsmitty]

I checked the usual sites and brass for it is out of stock in the few that I checked, but this place has new Federal brass in that caliber. $68.60 a hundred and claim to have 11,000 pcs in stock.

http://store.iqmetals.com/243wssmbrass.aspx


NCsmitty

 

[sappyg]

275 smackers for an M70 is a good deal. However, this is very likely a reloading proposition.
I reload too but you gotta draw the line somewhere. I've bought rifles I liked just to have them. They are nice but sometimes not worth the bother. At least to me. In the long run ask yourself what the intended purpose of the rifle will be. If it's a curiosity then by all means have at it. For any other reason just let it go. It's only worth the cost of the action alone. Maybe a hunscky?

 

[Art Eatman]

I've used a regular .243 carbine for a long time. It's a tack-driving deer/coyote rifle. I'm not sure that there is all that much benefit to the WSSM version, really.

 

[Smokey Joe]

WSSM...

Slower Rider--You said,"I really wish this thing was in a standard caliber." I think that right there you've nailed it. The WSSM's are going to be barrel-burners, and do you NEED that extra 100 fps over a standard .243?

Ammo for this thing will always be expensive; brass will always be hard to come by if you reload. One more thing: Simmons 'scopes aren't exactly the greatest--They'll do if you don't work 'em too hard, but personally I would never buy one deliberately.

All in all, the rifle was such a deal @ yr LGS specifically because of its shortcomings. You may dream about it, but you'll be happier in the long run with a M70 in a more "standard caliber" and with higher-quality glass on it. Save up your $$ and do yourself a favor. And, Savage rifles are great, IMHO, regardless that some people think they're ugly. Just my opinion of course--It's YOUR money...

 

[Gtscotty]

For $250 - $275, it might be a prime candidate for a barrel swap project. Do the WSSMs use the same bolt face as the WSMs? Which iteration of the M70 is it?

 

[3212]

I have 2 standard .243's.An old model 70 and a newer Ruger.The model 70 has a 22" barrel and the Ruger a 16 1/2" barrel.The Ruger loses at least 300 fps,maybe more compared to the 70.My purpose in owning them is deer hunting.The Ruger is actually more accurate than the 70.I would not buy a wssm to get 100 fps.

 

[bscott29]

My buddy had one in 223wssm it was sweet.

 

[db_tanker]

I think the WSSM's and WSM's have the same bolt face.

and I agree with this being a good start to a project.

 

[dvdcrr]

Only 100 fps more than 243 puts it in the 6mm Rem velocity range.

 

[mudriver]

I bought one of these years ago and stuck a Leopold 4-12 on it. I reload and get consistent sub 1/2 MOA. I get a kick out of watching my 14 year old out shoot guys with high end guns/nightforce scopes with this rig. With 85 grain bullets we do well in long range matches to about 800 yds.

This might not be the most effective way to deer hunt, but the mod 70 and 243 SS is a good long range gun.

 

[rule303]

All the manufacturers have pretty much abandoned the WSSM calibers. Ammo and brass will probably be available for a few years, but you aren't going to find it on the shelf just anywhere.

 

[Laphroaig]

I'm a big fan of the US built M70's. You said you'd buy it if it was a .243 Win (for $275 who wouldn't?)

So look at it this way, throw away the scope and its still a $900+ rig (new) with the bases and rings. That's $625 to buy a stash of brass and dies with. With some money left over to help replace the scope if you want to.

If I wanted a 6mm rifle I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

Laphroaig

 

[hardluk1]

Buy the rifle if a 243 anything is on your want list and buy the reloading equipment you will need to start rolling your own .

 

[CoalTrain49]

I've never kept a gun very long that I had doubts about when I bought it and some I didn't have doubts about.