.325 wsm??

[pburton]

I haven't been a member of this site for very long. But, in the time I have been here I have seen nothing about this caliber. I am looking for a bit larger caliber for elk, moose and bear. Anyone have any experience with this caliber? I know there are a lot of other calibers out there but I am down to the .325 wsm and the .338 wm. I know that the factory ammo for the .338 is more readily available. I don't reload. Maybe in the furture. Any info would be appreciated.

[Korhil78]

They are both awesome but I would definitely lean towards the 338 WM if you don't reload. Both will knock the stuffing out of an elk. I have loaded for a browning x bolt chambered in 325 WSM and it was a tackdriver with the 200 gr accubonds. I am sure that the 338 would suit you well for what you want and be just as accurate.

[J E Custom]

Originally Posted by pburton

I haven't been a member of this site for very long. But, in the time I have been here I have seen nothing about this caliber. I am looking for a bit larger caliber for elk, moose and bear. Anyone have any experience with this caliber? I know there are a lot of other calibers out there but I am down to the .325 wsm and the .338 wm. I know that the factory ammo for the .338 is more readily available. I don't reload. Maybe in the furture. Any info would be appreciated.

The 325 WSM is a 300 WSM necked up to .323 (8mm) and is reportedly has the same energy as
the 338 Win mag. It is close with the lighter bullets but not the heavy 338 bullets (250+).

If you don't reload, the 338 win mag would be the way to go.

If you like the short action, there is a new cartrige that IMO is better than the 325. It is the 338 RCM
(Ruger compact Magnum) It is the WSM necked up to .338 and the ballistic equal of the 325 wsm
with a better bullet selection.(.338 compared to .323).

Just a thought.

J E CUSTOM

[HAMMERHAND]

As mentioned the ONLY issue with the .323 calibers is lack of really high BC long range bullets. I shoot an 8mm Rem Mag. Definitely an overlooked and under-appreciated caliber. I've shot everything from prairie dogs to truckloads of antelope, deer, and elk up to Shiras Moose with it and it has been an outstanding weapon. I am a reloader, so it is easy to realize the full potential out of the gun. I could see with the proper bullet introduction that it could see a resurgence among some of the serious hunters. A few of my friends that guide in Alaska use the 8 mag extensively as back up guns for sheep and bear hunters. .338 calibers are awesome as well. For a dedicated elk gun I wouldn't drop below the .32 caliber mark, however that is just my opinion. I would say you could still eek another 150-200 fps with some of the newer magnum powders, but so little research has been done because there is little interest in the cartridge as a whole

With a stock 24" Barrel @55 degrees 4800 elevation I get the following with my worked up reloads, and none of them show any signs of excessive pressure and are "accuracy" loads.

160 barnes ttsx 3,470 fps
180 barnes X 3175
180 nosler ballistic tip 3212
180 nosler e-tip 3198
200 grain accubond 3015
200 grain matchking 3030
196 grain hornady match 3112

[pburton]

Thanks for the info. I like the idea of a short action magnum in something bigger than 30 cal. The .325 wsm just seems like it would be the perfect round for what I am looking for. I looked into the .338 rcm but I am less convinced that it will take off and as of right now it is limited to only Ruger building rifles for it. As far as I can tell. I am not a big Ruger fan. I guess that I will keep doing my research and get into reloading.

[Korhil78]

Well..the 325 WSM is no slouch for sure. I am planning on using it for a shorter range gun for a Montana elk hunt in a few years. You can buy loaded ammunition for the 325 WSM pretty easily right now. Just find some loaded ammo that it likes and buy a bunch of it so you have it. If you get into reloading then it is even better. I do recommend taking a look at te Browning X-bolt in 325 WSM. The gun that I have is really nice and accurate.

[Tikkamike]

My mom has a 325 in a christainsen rifle and we have it shooting 200 tsx very accurately, not sure how far you call long range, but for what I consider mid range (4-600) I think it would be alright. I doubt my mom ever shoots it over 400 but so far its been pretty good. She shot a cow elk at 350 ish yards last year through the shoulders and i recovered the bullet under the hide on the off side.