.325 wsm at 1000yds?

[bellboy]

I am new to the longrange addiction. I've recently bought a Left-hand Browning a-bolt in .325 wsm with intentions of it being my hunting rifle. I was wondering what any of you think bout setting up this rifle for long range. I've shot it out to 400yd with nosler ammo (got a friend working there) and it shoots well. I guess what i'm asking is if it would be comparable to a remington action down range at 1000yds if i had it worked on, new barrel and everything. Being left-handed i'm limited on stocks. when shooting off the bench or a bipod, it is just as easy or easier for me to use a right-handed bolt, cuz my trigger hand never has to leave the gun. Maybe if someone else has tried this cartridge down range they could give me some in sight any information would be great. thanx
-jake

 

[Boss Hoss]

IMHO that cartridge will be a huge challenge for you at 1K. Using the heavier bullets the rainbow trajectory as well as the increased flight time will be a significant issue with drift at that range.

You will need to practice and learn to read conditions flawlessly if you want to be successful with that round. Just my .02..

I have been shooting the 338 Lapua family for almost 20 years and it is just about as small as I am confortable with.

 

[bellboy]

oh ok. is that mostly because pushing the 200 or so grns is harder to get faster muzzle velocities in the short mag cartridge or is it because the size of the bullet is more affected by wind resistance. i guess probably both. would something in the 6mm range be more effective. i guess i was thinkin of the down range knockdown power or energy. any cartridge you would suggest? like i said i am completely new to the technical long range shooting but i am very interested in it. i understand it will take LOTS of practice. i stumbled accross this sight and was amazed. some of the videos of the guys taking animals over 800 yds is very impressive. thanx for the info. i'm gonna keep reading up on it.
-jake

 

[royinidaho]

Jake,

Welcome aboard.

Keep reading, you'll get there.

I think that what we're getting at here is that the cartridge most probably has enough umph to take an animal out towards 1K.

The major consideration is the impact of the environmental condition on the bullet as it works its way to that distance. Time in the air (rainbow trajectory), ballastic coefficient (Short fat bullet), changes in shooting altitude (Density of air), Temperature (Density of air) and wind conditions are major considerations.

Gravity is constant so when you get the drop chart right its pretty much always right.

A heavy bullet with a good BC and some velocity will usually be the good performer.

I'd be for tuning up your current rifle, add a long term scope (as top of the line as you can afford, or save until you can) with target turrets and dive in a do some shootin'. You'll learn quickly enough what you will want your next step to be.

Good luck, have fun and shoot alot. It's the only thing keeping the economy going at the moment.

 

[Boss Hoss]

Roy---you are the man! Are you a Professor by any chance?? Very Sage Advice for the young man! Sometimes I take for granted that everyone has the background of a seasoned shooter even though he said he was starting out.

Bellboy----just practice and then practice some more! That will be the key and Make Sure That Your Shooting Mechanic's (hold, rest, loading techniques etc) are consistent so that when you are evaluating your shots there is as little variable as possible to account for!!

 

[ss7mm]

Professor???? Geez, now he's gonna have to go out and buy all bigger hats.

 

[Boss Hoss]

professor???? Geez, now he's gonna have to go out and buy all bigger hats.

OMG!!!!! What have I done??????

 

[ss7mm]

Only time will tell, but I've got a feeling something's coming from the Idaho Professor.

 

[royinidaho]

Hmmmmmm, humility isn't one of my virtues.......and that sure as hell didn't help

 

[ss7mm]

See...........I told you it was coming.

 

[Boss Hoss]

OH MY!!! The cardinal sin----I FED THE MONSTER!!!! Does this mean that I will get a lump of coal in my stocking?????

 

[sambo3006]

Roy pretty much hit on what I was thinking (and then some!). There aren't any 8mm bullets available that have a very high ballistic coefficient--I think the 220 gr Sierra is probably the highest at around .525 and it is too long to be efficiently used in that short case.

If you really want to stretch out your reach and are considering a rebarrel anyway, you might want to consider either the 7mm WSM or the 300 WSM and maybe a custom throat. There are excellent high BC bullets available for both of those calibers and I think you would find that they would have much less wind drift (most importantly) and drop than the 325 WSM and would arrive at the target packing a lot more energy at long range.

You could also consider keeping the 325, a nice caliber, and pick up an action cheap for a build from scratch in a better long range chambering on a long action.

Best of luck!

Sam

 

[Boss Hoss]

Dick---did you or do you know Bob Warren? He was in Yakima for years and wrote a good book on hunting Mule Deer or Elk (can't remember). He was the President of Dowty Decoto back in the late 80's and early 90's? Very nice guy btw we worked together on a big aerospace program.

 

[ss7mm]

Don't know him but I've heard the name around several times.