The New 25 WSSM
(Winchester Super Short Magnum)
By Clay Oldham
For 2004 Winchester is introducing another member to their family of super short magnum cartridges, the new 25 WSSM (Winchester Super Short Magnum). The 25 WSSM joins the line up, along with the 223 and 243 WSSM and shares many of the same traits that make these little cartridges so unique. The stumpy looking 25 WSSM is based on the same case as its predecessors utilizing the “short fat case concept” and is belt less with a 30-degree angle on the shoulder. Making the round a highly efficient ballistic performer that should provide long case life. In addition the absence of the belt means the round will truly headspace on the shoulder, adding to the inherent accuracy potential of the round.
The 223 WSSM is
of course best suited as a varmint round, and one could make an argument either
way, varmint or medium game, for the 243 WSSM. I’m here to tell you the new 25
WSSM has Antelope/White-tailed deer round written all over it. Initially
Winchester is offering a 115-grain Ballistic Silver Tip as well as a 120-grain
Positive Expanding Point suited for hunting medium sized game. Along with an
85-grain Ballistic Silver Tip with a muzzle velocity of 3470 fps, now that
sounds like one fine Coyote round to me.
Having a C.O.L. of 2.36” allows the 25 WSSM to be chambered in the Winchester and Browning super short action rifles. Compare these rifles to the long-action rifles required for the 25-06 Remington, 257 Weatherby Magnum and even the 257 Roberts, and its easy to see the advantages. This gives the hunter a shorter overall length and lighter weight rifle. Which we all know a little can go a long way when having to cover a lot of ground or maneuvering the gun around in a box blind or tree stand.
I recently had the opportunity to shoot all of the above-mentioned loads for the new 25 WSSM in the Winchester Model 70 Super Shadow, the Featherweight and the Browning A-Bolt. All three of the rifles shot well, however I must admit, I spent most of my time shooting the Browning A-Bolt topped with one of the new 5x15-50mm Browning Sport Optics scopes. Once this combination was zeroed in with the 120-grain Positive Expanding Point load I found hitting steel targets at 450 yards relatively easy, not to mention a lot of fun! I am surprised at how smooth shooting of a little cartridge this is, in my opinion the recoil or lack there of, is about like a 243 Winchester in the same weight rifle. That is very impressive knowing that the 25 WSSM equals the performance of the 25-06 Remington, plus it does it in a smaller and lighter weight rifle. Making it one to consider for lady and young hunters without sacrificing performance.
For additional information on the 25 WSSM and other Winchester products checkout there web site at www.winchester.com.
