Does anyone know why Winchester came out with the 325 WSM instead of a 338 WSM ?

They still have a great business with the 338 Win mag....never prematurely kill a good product, rule 1 of product management.
Bob

IIRC Winchester couldn't duplicate the ballistics of the .338 Win Mag in the WSM case. The .325 WSM more closely duplicates the .338 WM from what I've read. Unfortunately the bullet selection isn't that great for the 8mm cartridges.

I have a buddy who uses one and he loves it and usually just uses factory ammo because he doesn't shoot it often enough to reload for it. His best luck has been with Federal Premium and Barnes bullets. He loves all the short mags, he has the .270 and .300 WSM as well all in Browning A-bolts.

Because of current bullets styles the 338 wsm needed to have its shoulder set back just like the 338 win mag does and that didnt leave enough powder capacity to come close to 338 win mag ballistics. IIRC.

They technically DID make a 338wsm, in fact a few people have die sets from just before it was to be released. With light bullets, it matches the 338 Win Mag. But, stoke up some long 225's *like the AccuBond* and you're cramping into powder space. 250's, are right out.

The other WSM's, fire the light, common and heavy weight bullets right with the parent cartridges, or juuuuuust behind. And frankly, not enough to worry about. But the .338 250's are just too long.

quote:

Originally posted by RMiller:
Because of current bullets styles the 338 wsm needed to have its shoulder set back just like the 338 win mag does and that didnt leave enough powder capacity to come close to 338 win mag ballistics. IIRC.

That was the same story i received from a Win rep. when I asked the same question.

IIRC, the M70 wsm action allows 2.90" without any mods, even a fraction more.
Thats enough to accept .338 plastic tip bullets seated to the cannelure.
All WSM and 300RCM factory ammunition is loaded shorter, probably to accomodate the shorter magboxes of the A-bolt,Ruger and Rem short actions.