dude this is one of the best set ups i have seen for an AR, i have a .223 AR and am looking at building a .243 AR for coyotes. Wanda has given me some great ideas, thanks for the info on your weapon.
I love my 243 WSSM. Too bad that caliber didn't gain much popularity. I notice now in Sept2023 that even the reloading dies have been discontinued for it. Glad I bought plenty of ammo for it and the reloading dies back when this caliber first came out! 🙂
I like your 243wssm. I love mine just as much , I just need a can. I was mad ass hell when started breaking it in . It would not group, even tho i could hit crows all day at 200 300yds. I went with a new pill 85gr sir and what do you know.5 moa all day. Keep up the good work.
Thanks very much man...that means a lot. The more support we can get, the bigger we're going to become. We've got a LOT of stuff in the pipeline that is just going to prove once again, that we DEMAND to be recognized for hunting differently. We aren't just doing it to go against the grain, we've been doing it like this since we were little kids. The only thing that's changed, is that we're more organized and better equipped. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come.
No problem dude, if you don't ask, you'll never find out. The reason I chose this suppressor is because the two most common center fire suppressors are .224 Cal and .30 cal. For obvious reasons, you can't fire a .243 Cal bullet through a .224 cal suppressor. The bullet just won't fit. I could have had a dedicated .243 suppressor built, but I also have larger caliber rifles. (.7mm and .300) so I chose the 30 cal to use on my larger caliber rifles as well as the .243.
I can see why WInchester discontinued this cartridge. At first I thought it sounded amazing but you are only talking around 100 fps more with 105 grain rounds and only about 50 ft pounds more energy than a regular 243 win. So what's the point?
Sounds great. Sounds like you put a lot of work into this feature. I would be very interested in your product once it is completed. Keep up the great vids man!
Am I correct in assuming that your scope's been mounted a mil to a mil and a half down? It's definitely tilted for long range and the 105 A-max delivers around .357 power at 1000 yards with the .500 BC. I'm heavily considering them for the Rem 750 .243 I'm getting along with 95 grain berger hunting slugs for multipurpose (works real well for coyote in most any range but particularly within say 300-500 yards).
@Seal420123 no, the YHM 7.62 QD Phantom Suppressor mount threads onto standard 5/8 x 24 threads and does not have to be pinned or welded. The 5.56 model will thread onto 1/2 x 24 threads.
@theonlyrealcbass16 Have you had any trouble shooting the 105 grainers with the 1-9" twist? I'm looking to get a reloading setup for my Rem 750 .243 Win which has a 1-9.25" standard...but I've heard mixed opinions on the 100+ grain boat-tail/VLD types. Some swear by a 1-8" or less which I'd figure is probably a little too fast unless someone's looking to hunt in closer ranges with the VLD's, and then others who swear even a 1-10" will work with the 105 A-max so long as you pipe it around 3000+
It's getting a new barrel right now, but I will consider selling once I get it back, and re-painted. But in the current market, it's not going to be cheep.
@phoenix1916 it's a warm round...but not even close to as hot as a .22-250. Should be no reason you cant get 1500 rounds down a .243WSSM. As for mags...I have no idea what people are saying about getting them stuck. I modify PMAGs for my ammo, but all the places that sell WSSM uppers or complete rifles, they have their own mags that work just fine.
What about hunting on a fans land? Live in South Dakota but a ways north of you guys. Even if I didn't get to go with due to liability I would love to learn a bit from you guys about guns. Have you gotten that RAPTR grip on the market yet?
if you really can't figure it out, send me a message or join our Facebook page (linked in the "About" section) and I'll try working something out for you.
243wssm data can be found in any of a number of manuals or powder mfg websites (im use Hogdgon and Alliant) ...but data for the 105 bullets was all done by trial and error and asking for input on various forums.
I have a Browning in 243 WSSM. Deadly on deer here in Texas. Never understood why the 243 WSSM never made it big time. Since i don't reload I have a difficult time finding ammo.
I see this is quite an old video now, how long did the throat of the barrel last , I'd imagine it'd be comparable to a 243win in that respect from the numbers. Very nice looking rifle btw, I actually initially thought it was a high end ,self built chassised bolt action precision rifle when looking through the thumbnails, great to see your take on the project. The wssm calibres look like they really mean business don't they?
Hey mate, I just recieved my Nightforce Scope with the NP-1RR Recticle (by accident) and was wondering if you could do a quick run down tutorial on how to effectively use the recticle and i am thinking about keep the recticle isntead of spending the money to get it changed... Awesome rifle BTW!
Yes, my nomenclature/whatnot about the scope was off but you got what I meant anyhow about the scope's slant. As for shooting the 105 A-max from a 1-10" I've heard one other person say they had good results, so I guess it wasn't as outlandish as I thought. I was planning on opting for the 95 grain VLD Berger, I didn't figure the 105 VLD's would stabilize in the 1-9.125" .243 Win because of the milder velocity, and that twistrate is the biggest reason I opted for the Rem 750 over the BAR.
I've been checking out magnum ARs today and I saw this video and your vid on the .300 SAUM AR10. How do the two compare as far as accuracy, weight, and handling? They are both really, really cool.
The 300SAUM is about 2lbs heavier but they handle the exact same...but that's because I built them to. Accuracy is also about the same, 90% of groups are between .4 and .75. I use the 243 for antelope, coyotes and banging steel out to 1150...The 300 for larger big game and banging steel at a mile
Where on earth can I get that beautiful carry handle and what's it called. Searched for awhile and couldn't even find a pic. That's one great setup by the way
No ETA at this time. Still trying to decide if it's going to be polymer, billet or molded. Lots of work goes into product development. More than I ever thought.
I agree. for competitions, i wouldnt rule out the 6mmLBC because of superior brass quality, but if oal of a wssm with a high bc bullet is the only concern...i would wildcat the wssm about 1/4 shorter and 40 degree the shoulder, this gets you longer seating ability for 115 bullets, more velocity than the LBC, and more barrel lige than a wssm. I call that a trifecta
@IcabodCrane I have shot the 105 Amax out of a factory 1:10 twist .243 win with acceptable results and a 1:9 factory twist 6mm Rem. The 105 VLD is a different animal and even though they DO stabilize in a 1:9...I don't expect you'll have very good results in a 1:10. 1:8 is NOT too fast, and if I had to do it all over again...I would have chosen that twist rate. Even the 105 amax in a 1:10 will yield acceptable results without running them hot. Just depends...EVERY barrel is different
You may have already answered this but why are you using a .30cal suppressor for a .243? wouldn't it be too large. I am not educated in suppressors so i was just wondering..thx
Hey Joe, that rifle is amazing, love at first site to me. I was wondering if you could tell me an approximate price for that gun or maybe even put some up on the market. I know it's your personal rifle but all aside that is a great gun and there are probably other consumers besides me looking to buy it. Anyway have fun, be safe, and goodluck on your future hunts.
@BroadSideTV is hate to think about it to close, but you can't put a price on fun. The NXS is around 1800, and I've got about 1200-1300 into the gun I suppose. Glass is worth ever penny. I'll be building another one soon but with some knowledge and experience, I'll probably save 3-400 on a new upper.
I shoot Moa/moa, not mills, but I think your nomenclature is a bit off. My scope isn'n mounted down...its canted 20 minutes so I can utilize the available elevation the NXS has available. With the velocity I get in this rifle, I van deliver over 700lbs of energy at 1000.
Thanks man. I don't have an accurate quote on the complete build cause it was pieced together over almost a year...but Ive gotten quite a few requests like this so I/we are.considering having our own line built. Might take a while, but its in the works. They are expensive because they have custom gunsmith work done...but imo...its worth it.
Working on the 2nd version and hope to have a few in hand shortly. I made the mistake of letting the cat out of the bag to early on this and people got impatient and started making their own. From all the home made ones I've seen...I feel I still have a far superior design, and the new "Mod 1" will be even better. The one in the video was just a prototype to make sure it not only looked good, but functioned as well. I've tested it on 18lb long range rifles as well as 16" SBRs. Works great!
In all honesty, it's got a good chance of being up on the auction block soon. After about 2k rounds, I decided to re-barrel with a faster twist for the 105-107 bullets. It's not back from "the man" yet, but when it finally shows up, it's going to get fresh cerakote and might be up for sale. May or may not break in the barrel and work up a new load, haven't decided. Total investment NOT counting optics, is in the $2300 range. I have my 300 SAUM for ultra long range now.
@ruddert1112 "custom" means that I contacted the company and had them build it to my specs, however, I did additional mods to the rifle after I received it. I added the quad rail, RAPTR grip, threaded barrel, improved feed ramps, improved bolt lugs, threaded barrel and of course, the custom paint scheme. You could build/buy something very similar, but if I had to do it all over again, I would do it even better.
Have you ever used 6.5 grendel? Ive been thinking about building an AR in 6.5 and was wondering if you had any opinion on calibers in the AR platform for yote hunting.
1:8 will work fine for the 105-107 bullets and you'll have to single feed them if you want to run 115s. I don't believe Mike offers anything faster than a 1:8 so that's your best bet. You're also going to need to either run an Olympic Arms UMAR lower and their proprietary mags...or modify your own mags if you want to run those bullets to their maximum potential. You can run them in a standard mag, but you're only handicapping your velocity and ability to load near the lands.
Olympic Arms makes some stellars AR-15's. .22-250, WSSM's and even a .30 "OSSM" which is simply the WSSM shell necked up to a .308 caliber. I'm more fond of the classic .243 Win in an AR-10/Short chamber length configuration but you can't really go wrong with virtually any of them. .22-250 is an incredible cartridge, the .243 WSSM is just like the .243...has range that competes with a .300 win magnum without even half the recoil. Even a child could shoot it with precision and grace.
ok that makes sense. I looked up Yankee hill and think I found the suppresor you use. I just always thought u had to use a caliber specific suppressor, not that u could go big and use it with smaller calibers. Thanks for the input, ive always wanted one and with this knowledge my decision will be more educated.
I've read the super short magnum rounds are really hard in barrels. No that was Olympic Arms Barrels. I was speaking to a guy a while back that was shooting 55 grain 243 WSSM rounds through his Oly arms AR and had to replace the barrel after 300 rounds of the 55 grain factory stuff. I notice you mentioned shooting a higher grain bullet have you had accuracy problems after a few hundred rounds. This guy said he is getting 4350 feet per second from his with 55 grain. That has 2 b a barrel burnr
+ymp5000 9 twist is fine and dandy for the Amax, and it even did fine with 105 Scenar...but I changed to an 8 twist at 22" later on when I got a new barrel. I've since sold it and am now shooting a 6x284 with HBN coated 115 Dtec bullets.
@goatzega3006 those worked well for me too, but I shoot big game and long range more often than coyotes so I opted for the 105 amax and vld. A little less powder and a slower velocity should give me more barrel life and so far, things are looking good. I'm looking to build another in the next year.
The one thing you absolutely have to love about the .243/6mm bullet is that it's capable of outranging a .308 with half the recoil. So many people will try to call these "girls/kids" guns in .243 Win or even the WSSM...but these rounds have plenty of power, F-class/Benchrest DOMINATING accuracy...and they'll take any deer on the planet. Switch gears and you can varmint with flat shots way beyond any poodle-shooting .223.
You need to bump the shoulders back on your fired brass, not TOO much, but enough so they will chamber reliably. You need to experiment with an OAL that feed reliably, and still shoot acceptable. This can be a challenge. I modified my feed ramps, All places that build these uppers supply it with M4 (double stack) feed ramps...but the WSSM feeds out of a single stack, so they never really fully enter the ramp, unless you modify them yourself.
@zephyr1011 As Bass16 said they're most likely full of crap...but this also brings up a point that most people don't pay attention to. In terms of rifles, if you continuously punish a .243 WSSM/Win with the light-grain varminting rounds going in excess of 4000 fps then you will wear the pipe out quicker. Other than for quicker time-of-flight it isn't even necessary considering any decently thin-jacketed round going over 2400-2600 fps will fragment quite well if it's made to do so.
I’d like to test this very setup man…what an awsome soundin cartridge…I load my 6.5prc waypoint with many wicked rds lightest bein the 95gr v max@3600fps with h4350 br-2’s or rem mag primers…I’ve seen 1 ar chambered in 6.5prc and wouldn’t that be a blast…
I feel you on that, the 243wssm just needs a little bit changed. I was in iraq when i bout my upper i wish i would have had it made , with a 1-7 so i could rock the 115 berg. BUT hey thats life , i know whatto do next time.
I would, but unfortunately, I just had a guy offer to buy it and I had to let it go. I've got a new optic on order and I'll do a full review on that one.
It may just be me, but I'm surprised that the 6mm "LBC" (or AR as known to people prior to the Grendel) is getting as much attention as it is. The .243 WSSM fits in an AR, and other than using Ar-15 or .223 length chambers for competition I don't see why so many people don't just go for the tried and true .243 Winchester. It's cartridge taper is much more reliable out of a semi than probably any other .243 out there (AI included), and there's plenty of top class brass and micrometer dies for it.
The time it would take to film and edit a video for RU-vid wouldn't really be worth it in all honesty. The manual tells you exactly how to use it for ranging. However, if you do intend to change the reticle, you MAY have better luck selling it and buying a different one. The money you would lose in the sale would probably be less than the cost of upgrading the reticle. What did you intend to get and do you know how to use the option you intended on getting?
I'm still surprised to hear that the 1-10" will work a 105 Amax...they've got a tried and true 0.500 BC which, unlike Berger, do seem to be a bit more genuine in terms of realistic velocity ranges. Quite a few people have said they hit significantly higher on 1000 yard targets with heavy A-max than Berger VLD's with .030 higher BC's. As for me considering the 1-8" too fast, faster twists cause more resistance which can cut velocity off of the smaller varmint-style rounds on top of over stabilize
@theonlyrealcbass16 Agreed in terms of the 350-500 round comment. I could imagine a .243 pipe in either Win or WSSM burning up quicker if people were constantly slinging 58 grain or less bullets in excess of 4000 fps all the time (since 3000 fps tends to be the point where barrel erosion starts picking up), but if people stick to the heavier slugs (particularly in .243 win) with more modest velocities then I'd be surprised if they had to rebarrel even after 1500 rounds.
for your accuracy systems custom upper, when you say custom, what do u mean by that, did you design it or what and can you buy that exact upper from them if so can u private message me the same of it?
@ReeveKnivesdotCom Your concerns are understandable...so I'll just tell you what I KNOW FOR SURE, rather than what I'm not 100% on. a) I follow a lot of WSSM bolt action shooters at wssmzone.com and I've NEVER read about feeding issues in bolt action rifles. b) velocity increase is very dependent on powder, primers and bullets. Factory ammo can be as much as 100-200fps increase. Weather that's worth it is up to you. If you do not reload, then I'd stick with the .243 as ammo is all over.
The two calibers are completely different. That would be like suggesting a 308 vs a 300 Win Mag because the 308 is EASY to load for. It does absolutely nothing better than the 300 WinMag. It may or may not shoot better but in a custom rifle, they sure as hell both better shoot superb. If you're not an avid reloaded, or willing to learn how to reload for the WSSM, you may find it annoying. Basically its up to you. If you think you NEED the speed...buy what you want. If not, take his advice.
@zephyr1011 if anyone tells you 350-500 they are either using a really shitty barrel or they are down right full of shit. I'm a member on a forum board dedicated to the WSSM line of cartridges and many of those guys are shooting sub 1/2 MOA for the first 1000 rounds and then 3/4 for the next 500 before either rebarreling an AR or just setting back the barrel of a bolt action. The only WSSM that is "OVERLY HOT" is the .223WSSM with a light weight bullet going REALLY REALLY fast.
How much you want for that beast of a rifle? :) ...Don't ever let Wanda go. This is almost EXACTLY what I was planning on building (Aside from the RAPTR. That's some keen shit by the way). Do you happen to know your total investment (time & money) you have put into that rifle? I have never built a rifle, only small modifications to name brand weapons; So i have no idea what it would cost me in the end to make my own "Wanda". Thanks, ~Gaurdian~
R.A.P.T.R. Grip™ seems pretty self explanatory to me. You forgot the last word..."grip" is part of the product name. The word Rapter (bird of prey) was chosen because once attached to the rail, it won't let go.
