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.223 WSSM Barrel-life Question

Kidd_C
I just purchased a Browning A-Bolt .223 WSSM. When I bought it I wasn't really looking for this cartridge, but I was lookig for a .22 centerfire, and with the wood it had, I hated to turn it down. Now that I am shopping for a scope, people are telling me about problems with the barrel life. I am a handloader and plan to eventually load for the gun. Is there reason for me to be concerned with the barrel life.

Thank you in advance for any information.
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • FrancF
    I have heard 50/50 Main thing I have heard is not to push the envelope on reloading as it will/may erode the throat.

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  • old06
    Same thing for the 22-250 and the 220 swift since you handload you could back of a grain or two and save the barrel. Run them red hot each shot and they all will give up the throat.

    psalms 16
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  • bambihunter
    Yep, if you run 'em wide-open all the time you'll need a new barrel in no time.
    Keep the loads within specs and you should be fine.

    It matters not how many times you've been knocked down. What matters is how many times you've gotten back up.
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  • Big Stick
    Barrel life depends upon muliple factors.

    Firstly,is your bore chrome-lined? It is my understanding,that such a process was bantied and I don't have one in hand to observe the final determination.

    If in fact it is chrome-lined,it is very much bulletproof,with the pun intended. They are difficult to harm,even if you want too.

    If not,it is subject to errosion,akin to how it is treated. Today's steels are vastly superior to those of old and there are many myths associated with "barrel-life",most of them associated with yesterday's metallurgy. Few folks actually shoot a barrel out.

    Now assuming a smidge of common sense and branding cattle with your new tube isn't on the menu,I'd say you'll play hell getting the goody out of that barrel. I've had numerous Swifts a pair of 22 CHeetah Mach One's,a coupla 22-250AI's and shot the snot outta them all.

    Keep the heat sane,keep it clean and enjoy it,without fretting dire consequences........................
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  • groundhog devastation
    Kidd C, I've seen a few of the WSSM's come into the local shop and the chrome lined deal that someone mentioned is apparent on the 243WSSM but not the 223WSSM. Load it with some sense and you will probably not "throat it"! Accuracy over velocity anyday within reason!!! Did your store have bases for it? The only bases I know of for the WSSM's are from Burris or Warne. Burris only offers 2 peice bases and Leupold told me that had no plans to offer bases for them at this time! Good luck with the gun! GHD
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  • Big Stick
    I don't savvy the stance of buying a firecracker,just to pour water on it?!!?

    Obviously,the appeal of the 224WSSM is raw speed and to negate that,is to have an expensive to feed 22-250. That personally,would not interest me.

    I'm in the middle of another moly experiment,with a 21" Hart barreled 233AI. I'm 935 shots through that tube,since it last saw as much as a patch and all pokes were with 30.0grs of H-335 in R/P hulls with a 50gr (my)moly V-Max. It is still hanging in the .3's at 100yds(#7 fluted tube,McMillan M40A1 heavy filled stock,700 short action,Badger from top to bottom and a Leupold 3.5-10x M1 LR). 'Tis a sound rifle,even on the long haul.

    Point being,that velocity threshold is typical of over the counter 22-250 fodder and equates to nearly 50 boxes of ammo without a bore scrubbing. It's a fair amount of shootin' and many would say that barrel is "ruined" or is "shot out". (Both humorous,to me).

    Saw a nice tidbit on the 223AI,that was the start of my yearning for the cartridge(Steve Timm's blue/white swirly stocked Walking Varminter,as reported in VH Magazine). He noted that he has over 20,000rds through that tube and it remains his "go-to" rifle for PD's.

    Saw another tidbit,in regards to a 308 USMC Sniper Rifle,by Chris Matthews at GA Precision. It was recently taken out of Service,for a new tube,because it would start to dip over the 1MOA accuracy barrier. Round count was 65,000rds and it was cut rifled.

    My point is,most are quick to speculate,without the trigger time to back it up. Barrels are far longer lived,than most would opine.....................
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  • snickers
    I heard Winchester is doing a recall on the 223WSM. A local dealer told me Hornady burned up a barrel in 67 rounds doing load development.

    MONEY TALKS mine says good-bye
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  • old06
    I just checked on that so called recall Winchester site has nothing about or either on www.firearmsid.com who handles all fire arm recalls. It just aint so wonder why that dealer is the only one with the info makes me take my money and talk to someone else who wont. Spread LIES!!!!!!!!!!

    psalms 16
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  • cletus85
    I told you not to worry about it, but I'm glad you joined up so we can talk guns on here.

    P.S. I know the Kid, but don't hold that against him [:D][:D][:D]
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