SmallCaliberCentral

What is the fastest FACTORY ROUND comercially available today?

Call me silly, but I'd wager it's the namesake of the forum you're reading this on....... The Swift formally held the honor, but our 204R is now the fastest, unless something new came available since I went to bed last night......

17 Rem with 20 gr bullets is in the hunt as well....can go a touch over 4300.

the 223wssm is the fastest in my reloading book

Why? You racing someone?

Ah yes, the 223 WSSM. I had forgotten about that one....a real blunder by Winchester, and a failed marketing ploy. From the knowledgeable shooters I know who have any experience with this turkey, it is also Numero Uno Barrel Burner with an estimated barrel life UNDER 1,000 rounds. Too much powder for the bore size to be anywhere near efficient.

I doubt we'll see it around in ten years.

So is it a WSM? or a WSSM? Either way, holy $h1+!!!!

Bergcrane2: Yep, it IS WSSM alright (had to edit my blunder). About the only thing it has going for it, is with 60gr bullets for deer where legal, or in a fast twist rifle to take advantage of the .224" VLD's available from Berger for LR shooting. It would do well there, albeit with short barrel life with any load used.

Wasn't that a problem with all the WSSM? Short barrel life? I see the military is starting to use the 300WSM for a sniper cartridge now.

Berg2: Yep, all of the WSSM's have the same problem: grossly overbore case capacity. Another example of "The Laws of Physics are Strictly Enforced".

Military: I saw that too...they're using it on a trial basis, preferring the 300 Win Mag for now, maybe to be replaced with the 300 WSM someday. The .338 Lapua is getting a strong following now with our forces. The Canadians and Brit's have been using it for some time with excellent results. They call it the .338 Super Magnum. The 416 CheyTac and 416 Barrett are also up and comers too, and useful where the full force and fury of the .50BMG is not required. The .416's are ideal for soft targets, more accurate, but the .50BMG is preferred for hard targets as you'd imagine.

I have experience using the .50BMG on wooden boats and personnel, and the experiences gained with it are still very fresh in my mind, despite many years since the events took place. It is truly a round to be reckoned with on the receiving end, and not to be taken lightly.

Sorry for the off-topic chatter.

Rick in Oregon wrote:Ah yes, the 223 WSSM. I had forgotten about that one....a real blunder by Winchester, and a failed marketing ploy. From the knowledgeable shooters I know who have any experience with this turkey, it is also Numero Uno Barrel Burner with an estimated barrel life UNDER 1,000 rounds. Too much powder for the bore size to be anywhere near efficient.

I doubt we'll see it around in ten years.

I just entered a gun raffle and one of the guns is a 223WSM. Funny! I guess if I win it, I'll pawn it off as quick as possible!