Standardized in 2004, the 25 WSSM was yet one more effort by Winchester to find traction with the super-short magnum concept. While this chambering was, like all other WSSM designs, an abject failure, with performance similar to the 25-06, it does have something to offer. Doubtless, the too-short neck will severely limit barrel life but, otherwise, the case design should promote good accuracy. This round, chambered in a conventional short-action, bolt-action rifle with a 22-inch, 8-twist barrel and loaded with the 135-grain Berger long-range hunting bullet and Rl-26 would be a fantastic compact combination for long-range hunting using an ultra-light mountain rifle. Put it in a folding chassis with a 28-inch barrel and things get even more interesting ballistically. Of course, today, cases are hard to obtain, to put it mildly. I bought the last I could find in 2010 for use in wildcat conversions. If you own a gun chambered for the 25 WSSM and have cases, it can offer significant performance in an interesting package. A final note, this round and the related 223 WSSM and 243 WSSM all directly infringe parametric SMc design patents. Amazingly, by being so poorly designed in all other ways, these rounds do so without providing any advantages the SMc concept offers — improved performance, increased barrel life, reduced barrel heating, reduced felt recoil, and improved accuracy! Design details matter. For this reason, this insult to the patent owners is less offensive than it otherwise might be.