Winchester and Browning collaborated to develop a new cartridge line, a shorter version of the then-popular Winchester Short Magnum case. The concepts for this new cartridge would be the same as those that had proved effective in their rivals’ bench rest competition, the 6mm PPC and 6mm BR Remington.
It released the first cartridge of this type in 2003. It was the 223 Winchester Super Short Magnum, 223 WSSM for short. Following this were a few more, including the 243 WSSM in 2003 and the 25 WSSM in 2004. This article will concentrate on the first in the series, the .223 Winchester Super Short Magnum.
Previously, Winchester had outperformed their long-time competitors, Remington, in several cartridge manufactures. One such example was the great debate between the .224 Remington and .243 Winchester cartridges, in which the 243 came out on top in both market share and comparison-bragging rights.
This was not the case with the Winchester Super Short Magnum. The 223 had a critical defect that set it apart from the rest.
The short fat concept was used to create the 223 WSSM. Short fat cartridges have properties that make them more efficient and precise. It produces a more uniform load density and ignition rate, resulting in a more stable combustion. Because of the more efficient use of propellants, accuracy would increase and recoil would reduce. This finding was the most recent advancement in ballistics technology, and it was a smashing success.
Its parent case is the 300 Winchester short Magnum, which has been changed to be shorter, measuring 1.67inches in case length. The bullet diameter is 224inches. Based on their mass, the bullets had varying ballistic capabilities. The 60 grain had an original muzzle velocity of 3733 fps, but this changed shorter version of the WSM exceeded expectations by being accurate and swift, measuring a muzzle velocity of 4600fps with its 45 grain, making it one among the quickest second only to the 220 Swift.
During the design process of the .223 WSSM, it was discovered that the initial 1:12 twist rate would not stabilize the 64 grain PowerPoint bullet. To address this issue, Winchester selected a 1:10 twist rate, which is suited for a wide range of heavy.224 caliber bullets.
The drawbacks of the fat and short idea were the 223 WSSM’s first defeat. The big diameter casings, 0.555inches around the base, resulting in lower magazine capacity and dependability, as well as a thinner bolt face, which may easily break under the strain of the cartridges.
Another flaw was discovered with the 223 WSSM, which was likewise found in its twin, the 243. Even before the cartridge was commercially available, it was stated that it would be exceedingly harsh on barrels, resulting in a limited barrel life. This allegation would propagate, resulting in the cartridge’s brief reign on the market.
The ammunition was believed to burn through the barrels in as few as 300 rounds. This was the deciding factor in 223 WSSM’s fated mediocrity. The 223 WSSM’s sales were stable, although it could never wrest control of most of the market from its competitors. Winchester folded two years after they introduced the final WSSM series.
