WSSM chambred rifles are worthless for now

[racenutz]

Can WSSM be formed from WSM cases?

 

[jim in Anchorage]

I just now ordered 400 .223 WSSM cases. They said in stock.
http://www.lohmanarms.com/product-p/winu223ss.htm

 

[Poper]

Can WSSM be formed from WSM cases?

Theoretically, yes. However, I have yet to find a source for forming dies for this application. I have contacted RCBS and Redding. Both say "no". I suppode it might be possible to find a machinist that would design and create forming dies as a one-off, but be prepared to spend some real money.

BTW, I have a Browning A-Bolt in 6.5 WSSM with 374 rounds brass I will sell to an interested home. Drop me a PM.

 

[entropy]

This is my opinion: They were worthless when they were introduced. I worked on many of them that had 'feeding problems', and the cause was usually geometry, as in the feed angles are absurd, the case shape encourages jamming, and the gains weren't worth all the hassle.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

This is my opinion: They were worthless when they were introduced. I worked on many of them that had 'feeding problems', and the cause was usually geometry, as in the feed angles are absurd, the case shape encourages jamming, and the gains weren't worth all the hassle.

s
I never had a feed problem with my .223 WSSM. Are you aware the M 70's had sheet metal extensions to the magazines to allow the cartridge to rise above the action feed rails when the bolt was opened? Similar to the rebated rim .425 Westley Richards?

 

[entropy]

Yes, that's usually what I re-shaped to get them to feed better. It was futsy work; bend, function check, bend, function check, etc. I still was not impressed with the results, though it did improve feeding.

I actually preferred the Remington RUM rounds for improvement of ballistics. The .300 RUM is a barn burner, and the .338 RUM even more so!
I will admit they have their own set of problems, though. Extraction was sometimes an issue.

 

[Poper]

I have 2 WSSM's. One Winchester Model 70 in .243 WSSM which feeds fine with no issues to date. The other is a Browning A-Bolt in 6.5 WSSM and it can be fussy. I've always thought it might have been caused by the geometry of the bullet, though I think it might help if it was released by the magazine sooner as the bolt moved forward.

 

[redneck2]

I've got an AR in .358 WSSM. My hunting buddy also has one. Zero feeding issues. The guy that made them supplies custom magazines.

 

[barnbwt]

However, I have yet to find a source for forming dies for this application. I have contacted RCBS and Redding. Both say "no".

Aren't they a straight-wall for the body? I wonder if you could just cut down a WSM die for a sizer. In any case, sounds like a massive marketing fail from the cartridge designers. It kills me how many folks think they'll make a killing selling brass to the masses of customers as a sole-source (or nearly so), when that very monopoly is the reason they stagnate; if you even dangle the possibility of them doing it themselves 'open source' style, you make even more money selling equipment to do so before making the same original money on ammo/brass sales when most folks realize it isn't worth the trouble over factory brass

TCB

 

[Poper]

Aren't they a straight-wall for the body? I wonder if you could just cut down a WSM die for a sizer. In any case, sounds like a massive marketing fail from the cartridge designers. It kills me how many folks think they'll make a killing selling brass to the masses of customers as a sole-source (or nearly so), when that very monopoly is the reason they stagnate; if you even dangle the possibility of them doing it themselves 'open source' style, you make even more money selling equipment to do so before making the same original money on ammo/brass sales when most folks realize it isn't worth the trouble over factory brass

TCB

No, you might just as well use the WSSM die if you want to try that route. I have the Redding body die and bushing neck die for .243 WSSM and there is no way to make the WSM cases into WSSM in a single pass. It will require two forming dies (at least) stepping down to shorter cases. I have no idea what the internal geometry of those dies would be to keep the brass from trying to fold over on itself instead of stretching out lengthwise. The necks will require reaming at the least and probably both reaming and turning to be useable. I'm guessing the cases would necessarily need be annealed at least once during the forming process.

 

[WestKentucky]

Look for .256 win mag...good luck...but there are guys out there shooting it...I'm one of them. You can certainly make some magic happen with your rifle, so don't give up. If you never figured anything else out you could always rechamber it and run it as a single action by loading it from the absolute rear...or by having a chamber adapter made to run something else through it.