Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles 243 WSSM and 300 WSSM

I've read that Olympic makes these uppers for the AR platform.

After reading about the elk hunt with the 243WSSM, might be interested in one of these platforms. Does anyone know about the quality, problems, etc related to these platforms? The 300WSSM from what I read is between the 30-06 and the 300WM in balistics.

Would it be better to go with 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel? I am intrigued by the 6x45 using the same case as the 223, but it never caught on. I also like the idea of a 7.62x39 upper, but I've heard it has feeding problems and I also have an SKS.

I just like the idea of the AR platform, and just changing uppers for various hunting conditions.

It might just be cheaper to buy An AR 308 platform.

I dont know that its cheaper to buy the AR platform, as an upper can be as much as an average deer rifle, but its sure a fun setup to run. ANd you end up with the same feeling from one round to the next more or less.

You could also look at chicoredneck's company http://www.verwoestpa.com/
and buy from him, the wait time is about the same as with oly.

My cousin has a 25wssm from oly and it shows promise but it took 9 months to get just the barrel and oly's quality can be hit or miss.

I'd prefer the 243wssm.

The 30WSSM or 30OSSM performance is closer to a 308. The advantage it has over the 308 is that it is held to a slightly higher pressure rating yielding higher velocities. While that kind of performance is impressive out of an AR15 sized automatic, your options are limited to hand loading with that caliber, thus eliminating any advantage you would have over a hand loaded 308. The other disadvantage is that due to the short magazine length of the AR15 you are stuck loading 150gr bullets or lighter unless you purchase a separate UMAR lower from Olympic arms. I use a UMAR for loading and long range shooting the 243WSSM with 105gr+ bullets. My one example is of fine quality.

From a practical standpoint, as of today, the 25WSSM is at the upper limits of the AR15 platforms capability without having to switch to a specialized lower. I don't want to dissuade you from a 30WSSM if that is what you want, I just want you to realize that your not going to be able to load 160gr bullets at 30-06 velocities and run them through a standard lower receiver.

chico- Any plans to offer uppers in 358 WSSM for the Hoosiers?

243 WSSM or 265 LBC/65 Grendel?

What do ya think?

I"d lean away from wssm personally, but no real solid reason other than I really like the grendel type round.

I could chamber one in that caliber fairly easily if someone was interested. At present I have not had any serious requests for that caliber to prompt me to offer it as a regular chambering, but I have the ability to do custom chambers and the reamer for the 358WSSM already exists.

Thanks, TWR

I believe I would just as soon go to an AR10 platform and shoot all sorts of neat rounds that it is built to shoot. Nothing wrong with having two different platforms AR15 and AR10.

After much thinking, the AR10 platform might be better cost wise. 308, 243, 260Rem, 7mm08, and 338 Federal, but the 358 wouldn't be hard either. All use the 308 case, no bolt or bolt carrier to change out. The 308 by itself isn't a slouch either. Everything from plinking 30 Cal carbine bullets, to 200 grain heavies. 220 is probably a bit much for the 308. Most everything can be hunted from the standard 110 gr to the 200 grain. From varmits to bears.

However I also think the 6.5 Grendal is probably the most efficient powerwise of and of the AR-15 rounds.

I must admit, the balance and ergonomics of the AR-15 are very attractive.

This...

Thanks for the info. I was curious...

Hey Pointer. Check out Dtech uppers. Not sure of the web address but goggle will POINT you in the right direction. Mike builds top notch guns I currently have one of his 243 wssm uppers and its a shooter. Last time I was on his site be was advertising an Indiana deer legal 358 upper. He is a member here and I'm surprised he hasn't chimed in yet.


Casey

I have an Oly 25 WSSM upper Dtech helped me get. It's a very good one I like it and it's very accurate. 257 bob territory with the 117gr bullets.

here's a target I shot a few years ago with it, just checking zero.



some load development

The 338 Federal is a good round in the AR10 with better performance than the 308 and larger bullet up to 225 gr. I got my white tail yesterday with mine and what a hole it makes with the AE 170 GR soft point. It hit some brush first and a 2 inch entry hole and 6 inch exit hole while removing ribs, half the heart and liver while sucking half the stomach out the exit hole. The only damage to the stomach was from a rib puncture. No meat damage other than ribs.

hope thats cause it hit brush, thats way to big holes for my taste. think if you hit shoulders like that...

I'm sure the brush caused it but it didn't deflect it.