Browning A-Bolt 223 WSSM

[Mark8252]

Found a great deal today on a Browning A-Bolt 223 WSSM (Winchester Super Short Magnum) with the heavy barrel and Dura-Touch Armor Coated stock. I have not fired it yet.
Should make a pretty good varmit gun.
Bought from Galayan's Sporting Goods new in the box for $469.00
Anyone familiar with this rifle or load?

 

[Quintin Likely]

I'm not familiar with the A-Bolt, but I have read a little about the .223 WSSM. It's a barrel burner; Hornady reported significant throat erosion during their tests at around 800 rounds in their latest reloading manual. They were also throwing 75 gr. BTHPs at like 3200 fps with it though, that's kinda cool.

 

[Coltdriver]

I wonder how much throat erosion it takes to negatively affect the performance of the barrel.

I have a Ruger #3 in .223 and the throat is so eroded that to touch the lands the bullet would not be in the case more than a 1/8 inch. It still shoots great and is very accurate right out to the 235 yard mark.

I did not know the wssm's would push a bullet that heavy that fast! I wonder what the arc looks like and what the point blank range of the round is, anybody know??

 

[Quintin Likely]

I just rechecked my numbers according to Hornady's Sixth Edition reloading manual; it's not 800 rounds before significant throat erosion. They say 350. How bad it would be, I dunno. The average velocity seems to be in the 3100-3500 fps mark with the 75 gr BTHP and A-MAX bullets. I'd imagine "milder" loads and slower speeds would probably lessen throat erosion to a degree though.

 

[Marshall]

If you varmint hunt it's a nice gun at a good price, buy it.

I think too much is made sometimes about barrel erosion, you have to look at your own personal use. I have quite a few rifles that will never see 800 rounds through them. I hunt with them and only take high percentage shots. At the range, I shoot enough to make sure they are sighted in and I can hit what I want at different yardages. Beyond that, they pretty much sit until it's time for another hunt or another check. At any time I can I can go hit what I need.

If you're going to shoot a ton and are buying a gun to blast away with, buy a cheaper gun or a decent one in standard/easy caliber. But that Browning A-Bolt is a nice gun for a good price, I would pick it up.

 

[Mark8252]

223 Wssm

Thanks for the replies gentleman. I am not concerned about throat erosion at all. I have no intention of using it for plinking at nearly $1.00 a cartridge. For plinking I will use one of my many 22 rifles. I prefer to use my Henry Goldenboy for plinking.
This one is strictly a coyote rifle. I won't put 1000 rounds thru it in 20 years.
I do not intend it to be a hunting rifle and in fact it cannot be in Colorado.
Just another firearm I do not need because I am a gun addict. A safe and responsible one..... but an addict just the same. Yuk Yuk
You know your an addict when "Looks good in the gun cabinet" is a valid reason to buy a firearm.

 

[kimbernut]

Mark8252

You are going to enjoy that rifle. I've just begun reloading for the .223WSSM and have not yet fired any reloaded cartridges but the factory Winchester Ballistic Silver-Tips 55 gr. recoil is a little more than the .223 Rem. and a little less than the .243 Win. accuracy is 1/2 MOA on a good day and 1-1.25 MOA on a bad day. What's not to like? And you got a good price-particularly for an A-bolt.