I just acquired a new Win 70 supergrade in 325 wsm. I wasn't really looking for this cartridge, but the price was too good to pass up.
I have no interest in factory loads, so what have you guys been loading for this cartridge? I'm thinking of using 200+ grain bullets, as my 300 win mag does everything I want from a 180 gr load. I also shoot a .375, so I am trying to fill that niche between the 300 and 375.Suggestions?

Bill

Our very own "djpaintles" (sp?) has posted some interesting load data, both accuracy and velocity wise. If he does not chime in soon - I'm sure he will - it may be worth employing the search function for his posts.

In terms of bullets, I would personally try a 200 grs Nosler Accubond or Partition, or a 180-200 grs TSX. I have gotten stellar accuracy out of the .323 cal, 200 grs AccuBond, and the Partition is a proven performer in the faster 8mm calibers. With a TSX, I'd personally be tempted to go to the 180 grs version, just to pick up a bit more speed.

- mike

Llamapacker,
I know you were looking for a load using 200 gr. bullets. I tried 180's and 200's. Stopped at 180 gr. ballistic silvertips over 67 gr. IMR 4831, 215m primers, 2.860 0al. Velocity @ +/- 2800 fps.


This is where I stopped in load development- results on paper


Field testing on axis stag +/- 180 lbs shot broadside behind shoulder, complete pass through


Field testing on Whitetail buck +/- 130 lbs shot broadside behind shoulder, complete pass through

Works for me
GWB

Mike (mho) has me figured out!

Here's some of the loads that worked for me:




Some of them might be too hot according to some of the newer manuals. I worked them up using a micrometer to measure case head expansion and watching velocity. So be careful working up and check all the lastest pressure tested data.

There are certainly other great 8mm bullets available but I can think of anything I'd hunt with my Montana that can't be cleanly taken with a 200gr TSX. It shoots plenty flat enough and has just enough extra bullet weight for me to prefer it over a 180gr 30cal if I were hunting where bears might be roaming........................................DJ

Than I know a standard .323 cartridge, which get over 2800fps with 200grs bullets and less powder in a much better feeding case! I think, that mho knows this cartridge!

The load used for the target on the top left would make me a little nervous --- 90fps is a lot of variation in muzzle velocity.

Loaders who use a micrometer to measure case-head expansion to measure pressure make me nervous -- it just isn't a reliable method.

A better method would be to shoot the same load in a single case at least 5 times and if the primer pocket gets noticably looser you have a load that's to hot.

Read this
http://www.shootingsoftware.co...20july%2019%2004.pdf

quote:

Originally posted by Monastery-Forester:
Than I know a standard .323 cartridge, which get over 2800fps with 200grs bullets and less powder in a much better feeding case! I think, that mho knows this cartridge!

Monastery-Forester is thinking of the 8x64S (I guess...). He uses VV N550 to get around 2840 fps with a 200 grs bullet (not sure of the barrel length?). He kindly shared his data, and I got great accuracy out of the same load, albeit at about 2700 fps out of my Blaser (22" barrel - approx.).

The 8x64S is a bit of an oddball caliber, though - even more so in the US. I seriously considered trying a .325 WSM barrel for my R93, but sadly Blaser decided not to offer this caliber after all. I could probably get more speed out of the 8x68S, but brass is extremely expensive and difficult to come by - even in Germanic Europe. Besides, call me a sissy, the 8x68S and the 8mm Rem Mag are just a tad lively for my taste....

I have been a ".30 cal man" all my shooting life. But since I started shooting the 8x64S, I have actually come to believe that there is something about the larger bullet diameters. The .323 calibers seem to offer a very sensible compromise of useable trajectory, reasonable recoil and killing power.

- mike

quote:

Originally posted by DB Bill:
The load used for the target on the top left would make me a little nervous --- 90fps is a lot of variation in muzzle velocity.

Loaders who use a micrometer to measure case-head expansion to measure pressure make me nervous -- it just isn't a reliable method
Lm
A better method would be to shoot the same load in a single case at least 5 times and if the primer pocket gets noticably looser you have a load that's to hot.

Read this
http://www.shootingsoftware.co...20july%2019%2004.pdf

I agree that case head expansion is not the best method of developing loads even though Waters made fine use of it for decades. I used it before data came out for the 325 wsm and hope that i made careful enough note for people to check the new data that has come out since.
90fps is too more variation than i like but my chronograph is old and occasionnaly gives odd readings, later results gave normal velocity spreads.
I shot a few rounds with RL 17 today. Velocity was good, spreads were low but 1st groups weren't as accurate.
RL-17 is worth a try in the 325 though, i'll mess with seating depths etc. To see if I can improve accuracy................dj

Thanks for the input, folks. I appreciate it. I am really fixated on using 200 grain or heavier bullets. I'm not sure what I would hunt with this gun that a 200 grain TSX wouldn't handle, but I'm curious if anyone is loading bullets heavier than 200 grains?

As mentioned previously, I have several 300 win mags and 300 WSM's that all shoot 180 grain TSX bullets very well. I can't see trying to duplicate that performance level in the 325. On the other hand, my .375 and .416 handle the really big stuff very well, so no need to get carried away with heavy bullets. Is the 200 grain bullet the best performer in this caliber? I really haven't read much "real world" feedback on the 325. I can be happy using 200 grain TSX's, just curious if I should be considering something else.

Thanks,

Bill

llamapacker ----- I have just completed shooting a Kimber .325 WSM with a 24" barrel for a hunting buddy. I used only three loads but came to an accuracy conclusion fairly quickly. First load -- 200 grain Nosler Accubond with 63 grains of H-414 Powder Win large primer (this is one of his loads, I use only Fed primers), two inch group, 2786 fps. Second load -- 220 grain Swift A-Frame with 61.5 grains of Win-760 powder and Fed 210M primer, two inch group, 2696 fps. Third load -- 180 grain Barnes TSX bullet, Fed 210M primer, 69 grains of Win-760 powder, .50 inch group, 3131 fps. It is obvious that this rifle liked the Barnes bullet the best on this day. I will confirm this with more shooting in the future. He will have to shoot himself and be happy before it becomes his final load. Hope this helps. Good luck and good shooting.

Phurley5,
Same as you, I had my best accuracy with 180 grain bullets.
GWB