The Short Magnum Concept

Short magnum, centerfire, rifle calibers have been getting a lot of attention in the past few years. Using the same bullets, these cartridges attain similar velocity as their longer cousins. 

A much suggested benefit of the new cartridge design is improved accuracy. What comes to my mind first in this short cartridge line of thinking has never been labeled a short magnum situation, but the parallel between two old reliable calibers, the .30-06 Springfield and the .308 Winchester, cannot be overlooked. The .308 was adopted by the military in 1954 because it was shorter and faster in machine guns and semi-automatics.

The loaded length using a 150-grain, Boat Tail, Spitzer, Speer bullet in a .30-06 Springfield is 3.250 inches, and the .308 Winchester with the same bullet is 2.700 inches. The velocity of the two with the same 150-grain, Speer, Boat Tail, Spitzer bullet using IMR4895 propellant is 2,722 feet per second in the .30-06 and 2,776 per second with the .308. 

Advantages Of WSM

The .308, or 7.62 NATO as designated in military nomenclature for which it was designed, has two distinct advantages over the .30-06 Springfield. The advantages are the shorter case of the .308 will afford faster operation in fully and semi-automatic military firearms, and it is one of the most accurate calibers as has been proven over the years by its use and popularity in competition shooting at ranges up to 1,000 yards. Just a little historical food for thought as I proceed to the newer calibers.

The Winchester Short and Super Short Magnum calibers make available to us shooters some additional choices for hunting rifles. Choosing a WSM (Winchester Short Magnum) caliber is not too difficult if you are looking to purchase one for hunting as you can use the same criteria as with their longer and older cousins. If you hunt mostly whitetail deer, and want a new WSM caliber, you really don't need a 30-caliber rifle and possibly should consider the .243 WSM, 25 WSSM, or .270WSM.

To hunt elk or moose just as often as you hunt deer, then it is advisable to go with a 30-caliber. If the rifle is strictly for large animals, such as elk or large bears, look at the new 325WSM.

I have had experiences over the years with most standard calibers and a few short and super short magnums. I can honestly say that the 25 WSSM rifles that I have shot, Winchester and Browning, were nail drivers and they were easy on the shoulder. I can also say the same about the .243 WSSM, although a standard .243 Winchester is one of my favorites and as a hunter I could see little difference to choose from between the .243 WSSM and the standard .243 Winchester.

Little Difference In Performance

Example: the .243 Winchester with a 95-grain bullet is 2.71 inches long, has a muzzle velocity of 3,100 feet per second, with a 300-yard trajectory of 10.3 inches; the .243 WSSM is 2.36 inches long, has a muzzle velocity of 3,250 feet per second with the same 95-grain bullet, and a 300-yard trajectory of 5.7 inches.

I would not throw my old .243 Winchester in the trash and run down to my favorite gun shop to purchase a new .243 WSSM for hunting on the differences in case length or ballistics. However, if I was looking for a new rifle and a .243 was on my wish list I would surly look at the two and do some heavy thinking and contemplation before making a final decision. I would also like to shoot the two in the same rifle models if possible before making a final decision.

I am not picking on short magnums, but when you hit a whitetail deer with a 95-grain bullet it will never know if it came from a standard .243 at 3,100 fps or a .243 WSSM at 3,250 fps, it will stop in its tracks if the bullet is placed properly. The amount of meat you tear up will also be about the same and that is because of the high velocity and the design of the new bullets, not the caliber.

So neighbors, if you are looking to purchase a new rifle, by all means look into the new WSM and WSSM (Winchester Super Short Magnum) calibers, but do not forget the old favorites. They have been around so long because they have gotten the job accomplished for many years.