I am curious as to the expeiences of those who have a .325 WSM. As points of reference, if you have also used a .300 Magnum or a .338 Winchester, your comparison would also be interesting. I am intentionally being a bit vague as I don't want to steer the direction of responses overly much.

Dave

lnb

I don't have one but a good mate does who has done a lot of shooting / hunting over 50 years - lots of deer, large game (Buffalo), pigs etc and just got back from Africa. He has used all sort of cartridges in the past, old English, new American et al.

He got one and swears by it. Drops all the big deer he shoots (Sambar etc) and has converted a few others who can overcome the 325 designation syndrome.

Hope that helps.

.

I have one and think it's a fine cartridge for elk or other such big game.

My brother has one in a lightweight Browning A bolt that is an absolute tack driver with factory ammo.
So far he has only killed a Wolf with it but it is a very capable round for all kinds of Elk Moose and Bear sized game. I think about 6 years ago on this forum there was a thread about some guys who went on Brown Bear hunts and I seem to remember they had pictures of MONSTER Bears and shot with the then very new .325 WSM.

I dont have one either, and Im not a "short fat" fan, but I really like the potential of the 325 for Elk and such. Something like that or an 8mm/06 AI comes real close to an "ideal" Elk round IMO.

Father in law has one in a Nosler M48. He loves it--he tells me its a African plains game worst nightmare--

Ed

i have a kimber getting 2834 with 220 GK and 2970 with 200 NP under 1 inch but i had to spend alot of time at the range i think it was mostly me because this is my frist real light gun.

I have shot a pig with my nephews 325WSM. I have shot several game animals with the lazzeroni short action 338 (8.59 galaxy) which duplicates a 338WM.

I can't tell any difference. If a 300 WM is great and 338WM is also great...how can something in the middle be bad.

As I have said on a previous post, if a 30-06 is the best all around NA cartridge but just a little too light for big bears and a 338 WM is great but just a little too much for everyday...how can something that splits the difference not be perfect.

Apply the first 1/2 of rule #3 below.

I purchased a Browning BLR in 325 WSM a few years ago. I installed the available quarter rib and a Leupold 2.5x IER scope for a scout configuration. I thought it would be handy for PG because it is a takedown and can fit in a suitcase, but I haven't done that yet. It is quick and accurate. I get consistent groups under 1.5". I consider it adequate for any PG up to and including eland. Just a case of too many rifles.

Let’s see,

Here is what Chuck Hawks has to say: http://www.chuckhawks.com/325wsm.htm

I’ve owned and loaded for 5 different .308 cartridges and 3 different .338 cartridges. The 325 WSM is the only .323 or 8mm round which I’ve loaded and hunted with.

I’ve owned two different rifles chambered in 325 WSM. The first was a Kimber Montana. I have a love hate relationship with Kimber. I love the ones that shot and feed well, I hate the ones that don’t.

This particular Kimber was basically a 1” gun. Now I’ll admit I didn’t spend hours at the bench trying all sorts of different loads and wringing it out to find the absolute best combination. Rather as I was to be shooting 180 gr. Nosler ballistic tips at hogs and deer, I chose a load right out of the Nolser Manual #6.

In my old age, and being primarily a meat hunter, I have found that muzzle velocity of 2600 to 2800 fps works well at ranges of 200 yds. and under (the range I take most game).
This velocity does not do the damage to meat that a bullet traveling over 3000 fps does, from my experience. Consequently I chose a middle of the road load density, being 67 gr. IMR- 4831 to use in the Kimber.



Here are the results in the field. Both animals were shot at distance between 120 and 140 yds. IIRC. The first is an axis stag that weighed around 160 lbs. I normally do not take axis stags when in velvet, but this would be the only opportunity to take this stag, and I wanted the meat. Upon impact, he humped up, walked about 10 yds and dropped.
The second is a smallish whitetail buck (my mistake, but that’s another story) he probably weighed around 110 lbs. He dropped at the shot.





Although I was fond of this Kimber, a fellow offered me a couple hundred bucks more than what I paid for it, so it followed him home.

Late last year I had the opportunity to reward myself for good behavior. Santa brought me a Nosler Custom Sporter in 325 WSM. I had sent my letter to the north pole, telling him I had bullets, dies, brass, even loaded rounds, but no rifle chambered in 325 WSM. Well surprise surprise. Dear old Santa came through.



Once again I picked out a mild load from the Nosler Manual.



One inch high at 100 yds, that will do.

Due to circumstances, I’ve not been able to bloody this rifle yet. But I believe it is going to work within the parameters I set for a hunting rifle. We will see what this season holds.

A couple more thoughts. I’m shooting the 180 gr ballistic tips and have found them to work well. I’m not maxing my loads. If I wanted 300 RUM or 338 RUM velocities, I would be using those cartridges. The 180’s do have a pop in a light rifle. But nothing like an unbraked 300 RUM or 338 RUM.
When shooting off the bench I notice a pop. When taking game I do not remember noticing the recoil.

I would not be in the least bit hesitant to load 200 gr. Accubonds if I were after larger game such as elk. I’ve no experience with African plains game, but I would venture that it would work just fine.

Is it better than the 30’s or 338’s, I doubt it. If you are like me though,
being just one rifle away from being satisfied, it gives you another opportunity to feed your addiction.

Best

GWB