Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles 243 WSSM

Thoughts on a 243 WSSM on an Ar15 platform for prairie dog hunting. I know very little about them. My hunting partner is considering one for a hunt later this year.

I read an article where someone used it or the 25 WSSM to kill an elk. Probably be good on long range prairie dogs, or antelope.

6.5grendel no tweaking and fuss needed. JMHO

that's a lot of powder burned, for prairie dogs. But maybe you're looking for a long range rig.
Too many better, smaller, less powder burned, rounds to choose from for colony shootin'.

What would be a better cartridge choice for 500-600 yards?

500-600 .223 works fine. To many issues to deal with WSSM in an AR platform. I know a few can get it to work but to me its a bad choice.

Couldn't get whose WSSM upper to work?

I have never read a single comment from ANYONE who owned a D-Tech WSSM upper that had an issue with it. The only negative comments are about spotty brass quality. Hardly the guns' fault.

Also, 223/5.56 works at 600yd? Works for what?

A cartridge with zero nuts. It ain't got the gas to make a high-BC 6.5 sing. Neck it down to 243 and you might have something.

He said for prairie dogs. since appx 1994 the only round wife and I ever shot at 600 yards was 223. Worked very well in the wind, as well as any 308 on the range ever did.
Averaged groups from an AR around 2-3 inches, and a few choice tubes did better.

Wind drift equivalent to 308/175s with the right bullet/loads.

Never shot a PD, but suspect they don't take much killing.

Not an argument, just comments RE the 223 at 600. Ain't as bad as folks think.

You sure do know how to take stupid to all new levels. Go stand at the 600 yard line and let me know how it feels.

I know those PD are so tough to kill with their plates and helmets on!

Yeah my 6.5grendel really struggles to get to 1K.

I'd like to see the bullets and BC's you refer to. 77gr Sierras are 0.36, IIRC. M855 is 0.32. 75gr AMAX's are 0.435 an NOTHING that'll mag feed is close to that. PLENTY of 30cal bullets spank that, though there were far fewer in 94, but it ain't 94 anymore. Wasn't this thread about WSSM's?

"I feel like I'm playin' cards with my brother's kids"

Go ahead and skin that smoke wagon

Such a good movie!!

Your right, what the hell was I ever thinking???? Lets see more powder, shorter barrel life, less mag capacity, and all that for a little less drop and nothing else! makes perfect sense.

I'll take my 6.5G, but thanks.

The Grendel would be my third choice in an AR caliber.

5.56/77gr SMK is #1. If I want more zip than that I want enough to make a difference. Something that can exceed #1's 2800fps with an 18in barrel, pushing a high B.C. bullet.

The WSSM is the hot-rod, but has some trade-offs as you noted. Your Grendel is likely the perfect case, but, IMO, could stand to be necked down to 243. It'll be interesting to see what pans out.

You couldn't GIVE me a 6.8spc.

TAK what the grendel lacks in speed is pretty much made up with a 123gr Scenar with a BC of .527. I shoot a lot at sea level and it has done me just fine. Take it up in atlitude and it only gets better.

The grendel has more thump then your 5.56 77gr SMK at all ranges. Oh and wasn't it you that said the 5.56 was no good at 500 to 600 yards? The grendel is just warming up at 500 yards.

2500fps out of a 16" barrel is not a problem.

Without stepping up to the bigger AR 10 platform, right now the grendel is King in AR 15 platform.

I wouldn't turn down a 6.8spc you just have to know its role and limitations. If I needed a dedicated CQB I would take a hard look at it. But if I wanted/needed supressed then I think I would run .300.