I'm in the market for a light recoiling rifle for deer hunting. I occasionally take out new hunters and I feel my current rifle battery 270win and 223 rem is lacking in a light recoiling rifle. I have used the 223 with 60 grain partitions and I suppose I could come up with a reduced load for my 270win, but who am I kidding I just want something new. Besides, a 25-06 in a short action sounds appealing.
I have looked at several cartridges and I found the 25 WSSM to be something I'd consider buying. I have no expirence shooting a quarter bore and was wondering what your opinions on the caliber and cartridge.
Knowing Mule deer's affection for the 257 roberts, I was interested in how he would compare the 257 roberts and 25 WSSM.
Like it, hate it, or just another watered down cartridge?

A search would turn up a bit of discussion on the topic.......LOL!

The skinny is that the case capacity of the Roberts and the WSSM are within a percent or two of each other. The WSSM runs at higher pressure. Traditionalists don't like the case or the guns it is chambered in, but in my not so humble opinion, the 25WSSM is probably the best beginner deer chambering out there at this time.

Now, anyone seen my Nomex suit? It may be getting warm soon.... Dutch.

Duh, sorry guys, I got a little excited about hearing opinions of gunwriters. I'll do a search.

With a few exceptions, the 25 WSSM was pretty muched slammed here, it seems we all are eagerly waiting for a 257 WSM or RSUM, to match 257 weatherby ballistics. My personal feeling is when you buy the rifle buy lots of brass and store it because a few years from now noone will be manufacturing it (or any other WSSM for that matter).
my two cents
Martin
ps generally the group feels the same way about the 325 WSM

No argument on the 250, but if there's one on the gun rack somewhere, I haven't yet found it...... FWIW, Dutch.

May I ask why some of you consider a 257 WSSM or 308 a "good beginner's cartridge"?

This has me confused. To me, it suggests that they are okay to start with, but as one gains experience, he/she should get a "better" cartridge.

Steve:

The 308 is a great beginner's cartridge because it is avaliable in "youth size" rifles and Low Recoil loads are easy to handload or purchase.

THus, I can buy a Youth 308 and teach my kid to shoot with a reliable deer killer (30/30 ballistics). Then, when he is 16 or so, we can buy an aftermarket full size stock and keep on going. And because the youth rifles usually have 20" barrels, the kid has a great hunting rifle (20" barrelled 308s are my favorite-hunted with one this morning as a matter of fact).

Essentially, the 308 Win is a "lifetime rifle." (Don't forget cheap Mil-Surp practice ammo, also).

The same argument genearlly applies to the 250-3000. Although a good "youth" version is a likely to be a custom proposition. The 308 Winnie is "better" because of availablity and versatility for Big Game. But both are darn fine rounds.

Just my 2 cents,

BMT

I'm not a gun writer, but I'll respond. The 25 WSSM is a great multi-purpose chambering. Unfortunately it doesn't do anything the 257 Roberts and 25-06 can't do.

Had Winchester given us a cartridge that provides 257 Weatherby performance at a price palatable to the masses, then I would be excited.

I have been wanting a quarter bore magnum for a while and in fact had been holding off in anticipation of Winchester's new offering. Now I'll be forced to buy a Japanese made Weatherby Vanguard unless I choose to break the bank and go for a real Weatherby.

Okay, that's what I thought. It is a user or beginner friendly cartridge. I only asked because a good beginner's "anything" usually suggests that it's a stepping stone and not the final destination.

When hunting, I use either a 308 or 303 for the most part. In my particular case, long shots are not common, so I use those cartridges with great affect.

Safe Shooting!
Steve Redgwell
303british.com