325 WSM for moose??

[buck5611]

I am new to this forum but was reading here for a while. As there are so much experienced shooters and hunters here, it his a bit intimidating for a newbie to ask a question. On the other hand, it is the best place to ask. I'm planning on buying a new rifle for deer on open field but mostly for moose. Here in the province of Quebec we get sometime the opportunity to shoot moose at 400 to 500 yards. This might not look far for most of you but for me, even if I have good experience with rifle, my shooting were always closer than 200 yards.
First. the rifle. I choose a Browning A Bolt composite stalker with the Boss system, mainly because I love Browning rifles and I was satisfied with two of them I own. A BLR in 308 and also a Bar in 308 wich shoot very whell for me. Remember that my evaluation of shooting is based on my hunting needs not for target. Also I'm not interested in modifying an existing rifle. My budget is not unlimited.
Second. the caliber. I choose the 325WSM after looking at balistic table and evaluating 500 yard energy and drop. In these table it was not far behind the 300 RUM. For me, it looks good but in real life I don't know what to really expect from this caliber. I also do some reloading and this might add some more bullet choices in 180. 200. 220gr from different makers. Recoil is not a problem for me.

How about the barrel life of a 325WSM?

With all tha new calibers today, it is likely that many wont last. Do you tink the 325 will last.

Keep in mind that it will be used for hunting only( deer, moose and black bear) and it will shoot less than 30 rounds/year.

Third. the scope. I plan to put a Bushnell Elite 4200 4x16x50 on it.

Your comments are welcome

 

[jjmp]

buck5611, welcome to this forum! your 325wsm is a fine choice.
the a-bolts are good shooters. your scope choice may be to long for your action. the way your going to shoot her she''ll last a long long time. try and fine a source for brass and you''ll be set, mite i suggest a scope with hold over retical....boonencrocket....balistic plex......etc...
regards jjmp

 

[davewilson]

Buck, welcome aboard. the 325wsm is a right potent round. only other round i can think of that's close is the new Hornady offering.or maybe it's Ruger, can't remember. it's a short mag in 338 caliber. sounds like you're pretty set on the browning. they're a great gun. don't know who chambers the 338hornady, but the bullet selection in 338 is much better than the 8mm and getting better all the time.

 

[sambo3006]

I have not loaded for the 325 WSM but most of what I have heard about it, plus my own experience with the 270 WSM would suggest that you won't be able to better the factory velocities, maybe fall a hair short with handloads. Having said that, it still seems like a nice round for all the critters you mentioned. It would be hard to beat in a short action. It is hard to say if it will continue to be commercially loaded say 20 years from now but brass should be available even if they quit loading it.

Welcome aboard and happy holidays!

Sam

 

[CapDog]

Been shooting and reloading for the 325WSM for a couple seasons now. It is an excellent cartridge, moderate recoiling (at least in my m70 that tips the scales at 6.5lbs without scope) I have found it very accurate and using the Leupold LR reticle it is exact out to 300yds and 3-4" low at the 400 and 500yd marks. (at least with my 220gr handloads) I have used it on both deer and elk and I wouldn't hesitate to use it on moose out to the ranges you are talking about, so long as you can put the bullet where it needs to be.

 

[buck5611]

buck5611, welcome to this forum! your 325wsm is a fine choice.
the a-bolts are good shooters. your scope choice may be to long for your action. the way your going to shoot her she''ll last a long long time. try and fine a source for brass and you''ll be set, mite i suggest a scope with hold over retical....boonencrocket....balistic plex......etc...
regards jjmp

First I want to thanks those who took the time to share their knowledge and experience with me. It is greatly appreciated. Second, beside learning a lot from you guys, it also give me the chance to practice my english.

Please can you explain more on how this scope could be too long for this action. Winchester brass are available in Quebec. I saw that Leupold have some good choice of reticule.

For CapDog.
Did you ever check the speed of your loads to compare with factory velocity?
Thanks. Buck5611

 

[jjmp]

buck, all i meant was your action will be shorter than lets say an 06 action,bushnells elite 4200 series is typicaly longer then other scopes.so when you put a longer scope on a short action it mite look abnormal. check out the optic zone and compare scope states.
hope this helped,regards

 

[CapDog]

Just checked my notes and with the 220gr Sierra over 61.5gr of H4350 I get 2735fps. Checking on the hodgdon site they show one of the new powders (IMR4007SSC I think it was) getting more. However that load in my rifle is an honest sub-moa load so I think I'll leave it. Sorry, but I've never shot factory loads to compare too.

 

[buck5611]

Thanks to all for your comments. Buck5611