When the .243 Winchester Super Short Magnum (WSSM) arrived on the scene, it came with bold ambitions. It was part of a new wave of short, fat cartridges that claimed to offer high performance in compact packages. With a name like “Super Short Magnum,” how could it not be great? But as the dust settled, it became clear: the .243 WSSM might have promised the moon, but it didn’t even make it off the launch pad.
The Cartridge Nobody Asked For
Unlike some revolutionary rounds that answered a real need, the .243 WSSM felt like a solution looking for a problem. Nobody was clamoring for a round that offered nearly the same performance as the old .243 Winchester but in a much stranger package. It was like reinventing the wheel – except this one was rounder, fatter, and didn’t roll quite right.
It’s Hard to Find – And There’s a Reason
Even trying to get your hands on the .243 WSSM today is a scavenger hunt. Most retailers don’t stock it anymore, and even those who do probably wouldn’t admit it. The round is so obscure that people who already own it are clinging to their last few boxes like treasure. Reloaders have stepped in to keep it alive, but that path is anything but easy or cheap.
Designed to Ride a Trend
The .243 WSSM wasn’t born out of necessity. It was Winchester’s attempt to ride the momentum of short-action magnums. Around the same time, rounds like the .300 WSM and Remington’s short-action Ultra Mags were gaining attention. So they cranked out a few smaller cartridges to join the craze. But while the bigger magnums had real advantages, the .243 WSSM felt more like a marketing stunt than a ballistic innovation.
No Real Advantage Over the .243 Winchester
Ballistically speaking, the .243 WSSM didn’t bring anything new to the table. At best, it offered a tiny velocity increase – maybe 100 to 150 feet per second. That’s not a lot. In fact, most folks wouldn’t notice the difference unless they were looking at chronograph data. Compared to the original .243 Winchester, which has been around since the 1950s and is still going strong, the WSSM was trying to fix something that wasn’t broken.
Feeding Issues Galore
Even if you did buy into the hype and picked up a rifle chambered in .243 WSSM, you might’ve run into another problem: feeding issues. The round’s short, stubby case made reliable cycling a challenge in many rifles. Some versions of the cartridge, like the .223 WSSM, were even worse in this regard. The .25 WSSM did a little better, but the .243 wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. It’s hard to justify a cartridge that fights you every time you pull the bolt back.
Ammo That Vanished Overnight
At one point, ammo for the .243 WSSM was relatively available – until it wasn’t. As the cartridge fell out of favor, manufacturers dropped support. Retailers, stuck with unsold inventory, started clearing it out for bargain prices. Those who were paying attention scooped up boxes for next to nothing. But for most people, the realization came too late: the rifles were discontinued, and the ammo vanished from shelves.
Reloading the Round Is a Project
For those determined to keep shooting the .243 WSSM, reloading is the only real option. But it’s not simple. Making brass for the WSSM involves a multi-step forming process and sometimes even neck turning, thanks to the thick walls of the converted cases. If you’re a casual shooter, it’s more effort than it’s worth. Even experienced reloaders call it a hassle.
The One Silver Lining – Wildcats
Oddly enough, one of the more interesting things about the .243 WSSM was what came after it. A few wildcat cartridges based on the WSSM case actually performed quite well. The 6.5 Coyote, for example, pushed 140-grain bullets at over 3,000 feet per second. The 300 Olympic, based on the WSSM case necked up to .30 caliber, had some serious punch. In the hands of creative reloaders, the WSSM case proved to be a surprisingly versatile foundation.
Tiny Rifles with Big Potential? Maybe
Some saw potential in using the WSSM to build ultra-compact rifles, especially for youth hunters or those looking for lightweight backcountry setups. The idea was that a super short action could reduce overall rifle length and weight. But the execution fell short. Most of the rifles still had full-size stocks, and feeding issues didn’t help either. Even that supposed benefit couldn’t save it from fading into obscurity.
It Tried to Be the Future
What fascinates me about the .243 WSSM is how much it tried to predict the future – and got it wrong. It looked at the trend of short, fat cartridges and assumed this was where the world was headed. And in a way, it wasn’t totally off. Modern rounds like the 6mm ARC or 6.5 Grendel do rely on short, efficient designs. But they learned from the WSSM’s mistakes. Better feeding, broader support, and meaningful ballistic gains made those cartridges succeed where the WSSM didn’t.
If It Works, It Works – But That’s a Big If
The funny thing is, if you already own a rifle chambered in .243 WSSM and it feeds well, you’re probably doing just fine. The round can still take down deer and varmints like its Winchester predecessor. But if you’re just now thinking of jumping into the WSSM world, don’t. The effort it takes to find or make ammo just isn’t worth it. There are far better options today that do the same job, only with less headache.
The Lead Balloon Still Floats – Barely
At the end of the day, the .243 WSSM didn’t blow up the world of shooting sports. It didn’t outperform the classics, it didn’t revolutionize design, and it didn’t last. It’s become a relic – a curious chapter in the history of cartridge development. If you’re a collector or a wildcat reloader, maybe there’s still some fun to be had. But for most shooters, the .243 WSSM was just a loud promise that never quite delivered.
Just Let It Be Obscure
Some cartridges fade away because they get outclassed. Others disappear because they were never that great to begin with. The .243 WSSM fits squarely in the second group. It’s not awful, but it’s not special either. It tried to be new and exciting but ended up being a footnote. And maybe that’s where it belongs – tucked away in a forgotten drawer, next to some dusty brass and a rifle that nobody wants to reload for.
Gary’s love for adventure and preparedness stems from his background as a former Army medic. Having served in remote locations around the world, he knows the importance of being ready for any situation, whether in the wilderness or urban environments. Gary’s practical medical expertise blends with his passion for outdoor survival, making him an expert in both emergency medical care and rugged, off-the-grid living. He writes to equip readers with the skills needed to stay safe and resilient in any scenario.