What to do: Winchester Rifle in .223 WSSM

[Hawk in WY]

Have two of these at the ranch.

Not worth almost $2 per round for factory ammunition when you can find it.

Not sure brass and dies can be found to reload.

Not sure it's worth the $400+ to rebarrel.

Would appreciate any thoughts.

Thank you for any advice.

 

[spife7980]

Well if you don’t want to buy ammo, make ammo or change it to something that you do want to do either of those two with you can either keep it in the closet to collect dust or sell it.

 

[Hawk in WY]

Well if you don’t want to buy ammo, make ammo or change it to something that you do want to do either of those two with you can either keep it in the closet to collect dust or sell it.

Agreed but that wasn't what I meant to ask.

Which of these options would you recommend?

Thanks in advance.

 

[newguy2k3v2]

Is it even a standard short action? I had a Browning 223wssm and I'm pretty sure it was a "micro" action or something like a Remington 7. Not many if any options if it is having a Magnum bolt face.

 

[Hawk in WY]

Is it even a standard short action? I had a Browning 223wssm and I'm pretty sure it was a "micro" action or something like a Remington 7. Not many if any options if it is having a Magnum bolt face.

You're right. Rebarreling would require a new bolt. Guess that's out.

Thank you for that insight.

 

[steve123]

Yes you can find dies and brass. There's even some at our local sportsmans wharehouse.

If I were you I'd sell them....

The main thing for me is that the consistency of the brass was bad. I found necks that were .003 bigger on one side vs the other. Most flash holes weren't centered either. weights all over the place. I benchrest prepped the brass, weight sorted, and it did help accuracy.

A friend had your same rifle and couldn't get it to shoot well.

 

[demolitionman]

Aren't there a slew of SAUM's that are really stellar rounds? 6.5 Saum anyone? I think that a 65 saum would be worth the rebarrel cost? Then just learn how to handload for it eh?

 

[sandwarrior]

Yes you can find dies and brass. There's even some at our local sportsmans wharehouse.

If I were you I'd sell them....

The main thing for me is that the consistency of the brass was bad. I found necks that were .003 bigger on one side vs the other. Most flash holes weren't centered either. weights all over the place. I benchrest prepped the brass, weight sorted, and it did help accuracy.

A friend had your same rifle and couldn't get it to shoot well.

Agreed,. the last brass was really bad! I did happen to stock up on good (early) 25 WSSM brass and learned quickly not to shot it so hot. Slow powders helped a lot.

Also of note, Hornady is making WSSM brass runs now. I knew this going to end up as a reloader only round eventually.

 

[Hawk in WY]

Aren't there a slew of SAUM's that are really stellar rounds? 6.5 Saum anyone? I think that a 65 saum would be worth the rebarrel cost? Then just learn how to handload for it eh?

Best idea yet.

I already hand load for a dozen pistol and rifle rounds.

Is the Winchester action worth keeping or just scrap the whole thing?

Is there a chassis that will accommodate the Winchester action?

Is there a good smith who could do this project?

Thank you for the ideas. Keep them coming.

 

[cnwrobb]

Blue Ridge Firearms has 45 bags of new brass Winchester in stock now. I just bought a couple of bags to size up to 243 WSSM. IIRC it was less than $40/bag

 

[sgtsmmiii]

I'd rebarrel it with a fast twist ( 1/7 or 1/8 ) barrel in the same caliber. Clean up the case necks ( turned for consistency ), shoot 75 or 80 Amax's, and rock on. Like a lot of polished turds, mine's a hammer done this way.

 

[mcfred]

Yes, the brass isn't 100%, at least in the past. I've got a pile of .223 WSSM brass that I use for my 7mm WSSM wildcat. Turning and annealing the necks and weight sorting gets me some pretty consistent velocities and I shoot about .5moa or better prone at 200yards. My first barrel's got more than 2000 rounds through it (on one set of 50 brass no less) and it still hammers. For anything inside 450 yards the ES brass weight won't matter much, the WSSMs are very flat shooters. Just annealing the necks should help the with case life and velocities too. FWIW I did see 5 bags of 223 WSSM brass on the LGS shelf for 37¢ a case... It's not Lapua, but you can buy 3x as many and cherry-pick. There's 25 sets of dies on fleaghey right now.

I say shoot the M70s until they're torched (you'll get better bbl life with slower powders like Re-17) and then rebarrel to 7SAUM or 6.5 PRC that's better suited to what you're doing.

As a comparison the .220 Swift, 22-250AI, and .22 Creedmoor are all about the same thing. GREAT varminting rounds.

 

[308pirate]

Orpahn cartridge = sell it

 

[Dai Bando]

3" action makes it a great action for a 6.5 Gap.