The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Medium Bore Rifles 325 WSM vs 338WMGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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One of Us |
So there I was, trying to decide if I needed a 325 or a 338. All of my research suggested that the 325 WSM is almost as good as the 338. The 325 bullets have almost as good SD as the 338 and the BC is almost as good as well. The velocity on heavy bullets is almost as good as a 338. Everything about the 325 sounds really good and it almost measures up to the 338. So I got a 338. That was fun. | ||
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You won't regret it !!Try Nosler 210 Partitions and some IMR 4350. | |||
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I to had this choice,338WM coming soon. | |||
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You have done well for yourself 338 win is the real stuff good on you friend.  VERITAS ODIUM PARIT | |||
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Not being sarcastic, but will a .325 push a 250 grain bullet to 2750 fps? "Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming. Semper Fidelis "Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time" | |||
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Winchester's factory load claims to the contrary, the data I have seen suggests the .325 is pretty well maxed out pushing a 220 to 2750. I don't have a 325 to try it, but with the long bullet eating your powder space I figure 2600 at reasonable pressures would really be pushing it. 2550 would seem a reasonable goal. | |||
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You made a great choice. A buddy of mine got the 325 and we are finding it kind of a pain. The loading blocks barely hold them, the powder funnels I have won't fit around the case so I can't get the powder in the case. Couldn't use any of the shell holders that I had for sizing or in the hand primer. Don't get me wrong, it may be a great round but, if you already have a couple of magnums around, the 338 or 340 would be my choice first. (oh did I mention I have a 700LSS in 338  )______________________ Smedley  ______________________ From Audacity of Hope: 'I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.' B.H.Obullshitter ------------------------------------ "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill ------------------------------------ "..it does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.." Samuel Adams ------------------------------------ Facts are immaterial to liberals. Twisted perceptions however are invaluable. ------------------------------------ We Americans were tired of being thought of as dumb, by the rest of the world. So we went to the polls in November 2008 and removed all doubt.....let's not do it again in 2012 please. | |||
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Each line above, you mention that the 325 WSM is "almost as good as the 338".... Why have "almost as good as.." when you can just get the 'AS'... the 338.. Either a 338 WSM or a 338/06 if you are getting the rifle built... I have a 338/06 and wouldn't trade it off for ANY 325 WSM....convincing myself that the WSM was almost as good as my 338/06... My handloaded 338/06 is as GOOD as any Factory 338 Win Mag ammo.. I also have a couple of Factory 338 Win Mags... The 338/06 or the 35 Whelan, are the best hands down..... | |||
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You will not be sorry... The .338WM is the way to go. | |||
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I have 2 338 Win Mags, a Stainless Sako M-75 and a Custom Winchester. I took my last deer with a Kimber Montana 325 WSM. The Montana 325 WSM is far lighter than either of my 338 Win mags. It shoots 200gr TSX's or Accubonds into about 3/4" or less at 100yds. It feeds smoothly and handles far better than either of my 338 Win Mags. 338 Win Mag brass is some of the least consistant brass I've used. I've had the shoulders vary from headspace from -.010 to -.045. Yes it's supposed to headspace off the belt but it shoots more accurately if you headspace off the shoulder. Plus I think it's an expensive PITA to have to fireform factory rounds to get them to shoot correctly. Making a false shoulder for the 1st firing is also an extra step that shouldn't be needed. I don't plan on getting rid of either 338 just yet but I'm not so sure that the 325 in many ways isn't a better hunting round. Less problems with brass, less recoil, handier rifles, more than adequate power. It has it's disadvantages also such as smaller bullet selection but don't sell the new kid on the block too far short...................DJ ....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!.................. | |||
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And you will almost be able to find ammo for the 325 a few years from now  My personal thought is, in a fetherweight rifle, the 325 will have more recoil than I'd want to deal with, and in conventional weight rifle, I'd go with the tried and true 338 win mag. I look at the 325 as about as interesting as a 9/16 ton truck. Doesn't really offer anything over a 1/2 ton (equate to 30 cal) and still falls short of a 3/4 tone (equate to 338) __________________________________________________ The AR series of rounds, ridding the world of 7mm rem mags, one gun at a time. | |||
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You should shoot both so you won't just have to have a thought about it. The 325 recoils less than the 338. Almost everyone who has shot my 325 has commented on how it recoiled far less than they thought it would. One guy went straight from the range to the local gun store and ordered one. Part of the low recoil can be attributed to the Kimber Montana's excellent stock design and recoil pad but I've owned a bunch of 338's and though they aren't all that bad to do kick more than my 325.........................DJ ....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!.................. | |||
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Every comparison between the .325 and the .338 mentions 200 grain bullets. Who loads their .338 with 200 grain bullets? I think -- and this is my personal opinion -- that the .338 win mag was made to sling heavier lead like 250 grainers. It's in its element with the heavier bullets. The loads I use will push a 250 grain Partition Gold to 2750 fps. Can a .325 do that? I'm not being a wise ass, I really want to know if the .325 is capable...... Go .338, it's proven and almost as importantly, available........ "Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming. Semper Fidelis "Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time" | |||
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If you want to shoot 250gr bullets the 338 Win Mag is obviously the way to go. The next question should be "Do I really need 250gr Bullets and their extra recoil?", for some the answer is yes but I doubt there are many Elk that a 200gr TSX won't penetrate clean through even on quartering shots. I don't see the 325 as replacing the 338 Win Mag, I see it as a very useful new round that will kill the same animals equally well in a lighter gun with less recoil....................DJ ....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!.................. | |||
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Having seen too many chopped up Winchester featherweights, I'm not one to buy into the lighter and kicks less line of thought. Not a fair comparison, but the old 270 vs. 30-06 story comes to mind. My shoulder could never tell the difference, and in a nut shell that's why I own 30-06s. In my opinion there is a significant difference in recoil between the 7m/m Rem mag and the various 300s, but not so between the 300s and the 338. | |||
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But if we are going to compare the two rounds which is what we are essentially doing, then we need to factor in the heavy bullet capabilities of both cartridges IMHO. "Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming. Semper Fidelis "Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time" | |||
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Woodleigh makes some heavier bullets in .323 but I haven't tried them yet. I was shooting 2950fps with 200gr bullets and shooting them into 1/2" to 3/4" and decided that was good enough for now. Maybe I'll try the heavier bullets later.......Or maybe not...................DJ ....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!.................. | |||
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The 338WM kicks like a mean mother. Too much recoil for me. I could live very well with a 338/06 though, loaded to moderate velocities. Don | |||
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Stock design plays a big part in reducing recoil,as does the mind. | |||
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Waiting for recoil is like waiting for an erection....it can make you lose focus. Uh...thats what I heard.... | |||
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I have 6 338's five are Win Mags and one is a Lapua mag. If I had only one caliber to hunt North America (big game), the 338 WM would certainly get my vote. I have taken two Dahl Sheep, 8 Moose, 22 Caribou, 3 Black Bears, a few Whitetails and one Brown Bear with this caliber. The 325 WSM is a fine caliber, I personally prefer the 338 due to more bullet choices (type, Mfgs and grain choices). Besides "ole Killer" has never let me down! Recoil is only felt on the shooting range! Focus on the leading edge! | |||
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I have a .338 winnie and it's just an easier option !! | |||
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Absolutely correct about both. But, I've already torn a retina in my left eye from shooting big boomers, and don't want another retina tear. And, I'll be 73 in two weeks, so I'd prefer a lighter recoil rifle anyway, not considering the torn retina. But, your points are valid. Don | |||
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I wonder what you'd have if you took that basic WSM case and made it just a hair longer so you could get a little tiny bit more powder in and then found somebody to make a partition type bullet that measured exactly .330, and put it into a Kimber action. | |||
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22WRF, Kimber makes a rifle in 338win. I have a 325WSM in a Montana and its awesome!! I have a 338win and a 300win and thay are in the safe to stay. The 325WSM its my go to rifle. With 180gr TSX and 73gr of RL-19 its shoots 3130fps .5 moa at 100yds with mild recoil..  | |||
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Pretty good, its almost a 300 mag. | |||
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Yup you are right its almost a 300mag almost its just 1.5 lb lighter..  | |||
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Randy, not bashing Kimbers at all. They're very nice guns. My 338 is 8 1/4 bls with 2.5 x 8 Leupold. Not a flyweight but about right for a 338. The Kimbers are one of the only places I can see a WSM although not for myself. What does your rifle weigh with that scope? | |||
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Randy, what kind of knive is it on the pic. Look great and in the right size  Sauer and Zeiss, perfect match. Sherpi | |||
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MTM, The zeiss is not on it anymore. I have a leupold 2.5-8x36 on it with Talley lightweights and the rifle with leupold is 7 pounds on the butten with no ammo. Randy  | |||
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sherpi, The knife is a Steve Haff custom. Its a sweet knife. Randy.. | |||
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Beauty, the Montana's are super deluxe. Great to pack up into high places. I've only had one Kimber, just a little too small for me. The action didn't feel like a real gun. Still like my Mod. 70s best. As I said though if the WSMs make any sence at all this is the place for them. | |||
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Thanks MTM, I just wish it had a floor plate. Randy.. | |||
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Mustbhuntn, I believe you made the right choice, I sold my .325 and use my good old .338 again – Hits hard – Is accurate & reliable – easy to get ammo, all I need.   Roland | |||
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http://www.hunting-rifles.com/ballistics.html 350 howell...250@ 2750 rechamber a whelen use 30-06 basic brass. 340 howell 250's @ 2600 577 BME 3"500 KILL ALL 358 GREMLIN 404-375 *we band of 45-70ers* (Founder) Single Shot Shooters Society S.S.S.S. (Founder) | |||
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Boomy -- my .338 pushes 250 grain Partition Golds to 2750 no problem!  "Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming. Semper Fidelis "Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time" | |||
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Roland, very nice!!! | |||
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Roland Very nice rifle! Mine is a Mod 70 Win. and I am handloading 250gr Hornady SP. at about 2650fps. I wanted one gun to do it all and when I was standing in that grizzly track last fall and there was bear footprint all aroung my foot I wanted more horsepower than I had in my hands at that time. The recoil doesn't seem bad at all and so far my first groups are around an inch to an 1 1/4. I should be able to fine tune it a little more before I am done. I like the heavy bullets in this caliber. Happy hunting to all who have responded. | |||
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Mustbhuntn, I also have this Winchester pre 64 in .338 – I use 225 grain Accubonds and shoot one hole at 100 Yards. Try the Accubonds, you might be pleased.   Good luck and great hunting, Roland | |||
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There is no practical difference in these rounds...do you think anything is going to notice the difference between 13/1000 of an inch, 30 grains, and 100 fps Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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