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Winchester's forthcoming .17WSM

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 8:28 am
by fenring
Apparently another hotshot rimfire and faster than the HMR. WSM standing for Winchester Super Mag.

Dealers in the US are already listing 20 and 25gr loads for it. The info I have heard is that the 20gr load will be good for 3200fps.

http://www.varminter.com/winchester-wor ... ming-2013/

I would say that given the speed, this won't be a .22 Magnum derivative and nor will it be compatible with existing rimfire actions - except maybe the 77/22 Magnum which as many of you know can withstand Hornet and .17HH pressures.

Re: Winchester's forthcoming .17WSM

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 9:50 am
by 17hmr
and with hmr ammo being 25-30dollars a box, i would hate to think what these would cost

Re: Winchester's forthcoming .17WSM

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 6:24 pm
by andrewk
Awesome!! What the HMR should have been

Winchester's forthcoming .17WSM

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 9:59 am
by kjd
What's the advantage of it though?
I just don't get why you want a rimfire that should be a centrefire?
Can't reload it, will be expensive and loud.

Re: Winchester's forthcoming .17WSM

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 10:10 am
by Con
kjd wrote:What's the advantage of it though?
I just don't get why you want a rimfire that should be a centrefire?
Can't reload it, will be expensive and loud.
Plenty of 17HMRs initially sold as they 'reached like a 22Hornet' and were available on a Cat A license. For small game hunters with Cat A licenses, this was a significant attribute.

Personally ... the name 17WSM is attrocious. Better a 17WSR or something to differenciate it away from the WSM centrefires.
Cheers...
Con

Re: Winchester's forthcoming .17WSM

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 12:08 pm
by fenring
kjd wrote:What's the advantage of it though?
I just don't get why you want a rimfire that should be a centrefire?
Can't reload it, will be expensive and loud.
For those shooters that use a low volume of ammo and have no interest in reloading, it will have appeal I guess.

Re: Winchester's forthcoming .17WSM

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 9:41 pm
by kjd
I wonder as more rimfire cartridges become available that are more powerful whether that will force a rethink in firearm categorisation?

I think had Winchester made this cartridge in 20cal that they would have made it a huge success! 32gn projectile at 17hmr velocities. The 17hmr is too entrenched and I think that Winchester is making the wrong choice with the 17 cal over the 20 or even 22cal.

Unless they plan on bringing out all these cals basd on the same case as time goes on?

Re: Winchester's forthcoming .17WSM

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 5:27 am
by Chrispy
Any pic's of this new beastie?

Re: Winchester's forthcoming .17WSM

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 9:16 am
by andrewk
kjd wrote:I wonder as more rimfire cartridges become available that are more powerful whether that will force a rethink in firearm categorisation?
Con wrote: Plenty of 17HMRs initially sold as they 'reached like a 22Hornet' and were available on a Cat A license. For small game hunters with Cat A licenses, this was a significant attribute.
17HMR is cat B license here in South Australia fellas

Re: Winchester's forthcoming .17WSM

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 10:26 am
by Con
andrewk wrote: 17HMR is cat B license here in South Australia fellas
I'd move to Victoria.
Cheers...
Con

Re: Winchester's forthcoming .17WSM

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 11:50 am
by xa-coupe
Bit hard to comment without knowing exactly what they are doing .. but I won't let that stop me :D

I love my 17HMR but I fail to see the advantage it has over the 17 hornet except being cat A in Vic. It's cheaper to shoot the hornet not to mention more powerful. I enjoy reloading so it's not a chore and it, to date, gives me far better results than factory ammo.
I do like that I don't have to fossick for brass but I have more misfires in about 500 rounds of 17HMR in about 18 months than I have ever had with 22lr over 30+ years.
The new Winchester round has it's work cut out .... but it's great to see manufacturers trying new stuff.

Re: Winchester's forthcoming .17WSM

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 11:29 am
by fenring

Re: Winchester's forthcoming .17WSM

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 5:18 pm
by Flip
Based on the 27 cal Ramset cartridge., time will tell. About 4years to late I recon.

Re: Winchester's forthcoming .17WSM

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 5:22 pm
by Camel
You are probably correct about the time line there Flip, but then maybe they are just trying to ride the chrest of the 17 revival wave. Definately got their name out there in the varmint circles after being very quite for a long time.

Re: Winchester's forthcoming .17WSM

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 5:36 pm
by xa-coupe
I love the 17HMR but the cost will make a 17 HH attractive .. I would think that unless these are subsidised, they will cost more that the HMR .. if so, I recko game over before it started.