If I remember correctly, there are supposed to be gains in powder burn consistency and efficiency (that is, more velocity with less powder) with a short, fat case as opposed to a long skinny one. In addition a shorter overall length lets you use a shorter, more rigid receiver which should translate to better accuracy.
In the real world, I think only Browning came out with a super-short action for these cartridges with the A-Bolt. In addition with the velocities that these cartridges can run at, they got reputations for burning out barrel throats quickly. I know Browning started using chrome-lined barrels in their WSSM guns because of that.
If you're talking about target shooting when you say long range, the .223 and .243 WSSM ought to perform pretty well when you load them up with heavy-for-caliber bullets. These cartridges should be able to push the long 90gr .224 and 115gr .243 target bullets at pretty good velocities. In a standard short-action rifle there'd be plenty of room to seat bullets long and still fit them in the magazine. On the other hand they probably will burn up barrels quickly burning all that powder to get the velocities up. Hodgdon says you can move a 75gr A-max at 3376fps with the .223 WSSM, but you need 41.5 grains of H4350 to do it. That's a lot of powder for a .22 bore.
There aren't a whole lot of good .25 caliber bullets that can match the heavy .224 and .243 bullets, so out of the three the .25 WSSM would be my last choice for a long range gun.
