The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Medium Bore Rifles 325 WSM Chambered By KimberGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
| 325 WSM Chambered By Kimber | Login/Join |
| one of us |
Kimber has announced the 325 WSM in the 8400 model. Kimber 325 WSM I have a 8400 Montana and at 6.3 lbs it's a half pound less than a M70 Featherweight and quite suitable as an all around rifle. | ||
|
one of us |
Absolutely!!  I personally think that cartridge is going to sell like crazy. I know others don't agree, but the way I look at it, it fits between the 300 mags and the 338 mags nicely. | |||
|
| one of us |
What a neat gun for black bear at all ranges. I would have the 13.66 LOP cut to 13.375" and use it with the 24" barrel. I like the Montana verson and it may go only about six pounds sans sights. What a powerful rifle that would be! Last year I passed up a shot on a black bear as it was too far for the 7mm-08. Now that calls for at least one new rifle don't you agree? | |||
|
| one of us |
Rats, I thought that I was getting ahead on the Kimber collecting and now another one for the wish list  . They are just too nice of rifles to not have a nice selection of calibers in........DJ | |||
|
one of us |
Cool. | |||
|
one of us |
Quote: WOOHOO!!!!!    | |||
|
| one of us |
So for all those who are scorning the 325WSM and wanted a 338WSM, what would the 338 WSM do that the 325 doesn't? I am completely baffled how as ballistically close the 338WSM would have been to the 325WSM that a reasonable person can deem the 325 a loser. For those that say the 325 doesn't give you anything over the 300WSM, could you not argue that the 300 WSM doesn't give you anything over the 7MM WSM by applying the same logic? What would the advantages of a 338 WSM have been over the 338 WM? Seems there is more redundancy in a 338WSM than a 325WSM. Someone please show me how wacked out my thinking is, because I ain't reading the 325 as a monumental blunder. | |||
|
| one of us |
I keep reading about 150 - 220 gr bullets in this round. The .300 already has those bullet weights well covered. Nothing there that the .325 has to offer. Wildcat Junkie mentions a 250 gr Woodleigh. NOW we're talking. Here, at last, I can see something the .325 has to offer that the .300 doesn't. HOWEVER, the .300 is a more than adequate elk round, so I still don't see a .325 in my future. | |||
|
one of us |
I recently bought one of these. Montana 8400 in .325 WSM Tell me if my problem is unique: When the safety is on, the bolt rattles in the action, annoying when close stalking. I suspect a design fault??? ...."At some point in every man's life he should own a Sako rifle and a John Deere tractor....it just doesn't get any better...." | |||
|
| one of us |
Tracker, I didn't notice anything like that on mine but I'll double check it when I get back home. A thought I had was that if mine were doing that I'd probably lube it pretty thickly with a high quality gun grease on the lugs, shroud threads and safety notches. It might slurry it up enough to prevent rattling but still keep it smooth. The Shooter Choice red stuff in the syringe or the like might be worth trying................DJ ....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!.................. | |||
|
| one of us |
Shouldn't have to do that in a spendy rifle like the Kimber. Will be real interested if yours does the same. Is fine when the safety is off, but that's not how I like to stalk. ...."At some point in every man's life he should own a Sako rifle and a John Deere tractor....it just doesn't get any better...." | |||
|
| one of us |
Shoot 250, 275 and 300 grain bullets? | |||
|
| One of Us |
If I wanted to use bullets that heavy I would use a 9.3 or .375........  | |||
|
| one of us |
The 338 made most of its reputation with the 250 grain bullet--it's a basic weight for the caliber, roughly equivalent to the 180 grainer in the 30's. Most bullet makers stop at 220 grains for .323 bullets, which you can get for your .300 mag as well. The only mfg who makes a 250 gr .323 is Woodleigh, and that bullet requires such deep seating in the .325 that it far underperforms the .338. A lot of people like to think they are equivalent rounds, but if you look at them closely they are not. Both are plenty for elk, to be sure, but they are not the same. I went through all of this myself when I was tempted by the .325, and decided it offered nothing useable over a 300 mag. No flies on the .375 though. If you really want more than a 300 mag will give you, I say go for it. | |||
|
| one of us |
Boddington got it right: The .325 is about upper end versatility. If you hunt primarily large game like elk and moose, w/ the occasional deer thrown in, if you hunt in an area where there is the chance of an interior Grizzly, but that is NOT what you are loaded or hunting for, the .325 is excellent. The .325 will shoot 180-220 gr. bullets 100+ FPS faster than the .338 WSM. It is not a .338 Win Mag, especially w/ 250+ gr. bullets. Yet, that doesn't detract from it; it may be a bonus. Compared to the .325, the .338 WM is a superior close range powerhouse w/ those big bullets. However, if I'm primarily carrying for coastal bears, I'd feel more comfortable w/ a .358 or .375. For elk/moose (or African plains game) the .325 WSM gives better trajectories than the .338 WM. It has a larger frontal area than .300 (which is one of the reasons many elk hunters like the .338 bore over the .30s). This is definately and excellent cartridge. Sadly, American's have an infatuation w/ .30s and a prejudice against metrics ("325"=.323=8mm). The rest of the world loves 6.5s, 7mm, 8mm and all the rest. We only like "english" calibers (with the occasional exception for the 7mm Rem). | |||
|
| one of us |
How do you figure? The factory Winchester data give the .325WSM and .338WM identical trajectories with 225grain ammo (and this is with a new round they are desperate to promote). Most accounts I've seen online have indicated actual velocities from 325wsms well under stated factory specs. The truth is that handloaders can safely get 100-150fps increases over .325WSM velocities with any of the lighter bullet weights, and with the heavies all bets are off. The role I see for the .325wsm is with the shooter who wants a very lightweight elk and bear gun. There is a market for that sort of thing of course, but not with me. | |||
|
| One of Us |
hello dont see something new with 325 wsm ... i mean on the market you have the 8 mm remington magnum and 8x68 Schuler they re great and efficient .... hope everybody can fill his drean with combo/cartridge but nothing new for me at least .... | |||
|
| one of us |
Tracker, I finally made it to the house and checked out my 325 Montana. It rattles a bit in the action. I also checked several other rifles including other Kimbers, Model 70's and pre-64 Model 70's. They all rattled in the action though the Montana seemed the loudest, probably because of the stiff, light stock. I've filled in some other lightweight stocks with expandable foam to deaden just such noise before. I think that this is going to be an issue with most rifles that have a safety that cams the striker off the sear. I suppose you could fiddle with the cam to make it barely leave contact with the sear but I would rather not. I think what I'll do when stalking is instead of having my index finger resting just outside the trigger guard I'll rest my index finger on the side of the stock just nudging up on the bolt. This not only keeps your finger off the trigger but will completly deaden bolt noise. On the rear position of a 3 position safety the bolt won't come up. I'm glad you mentioned this problem, it gave me time to think out a good solution..............DJ ....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!.................. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Put a few shells in it and shake it, it wont rattle when ammo is in the belly. Mine did the same empty. | |||
|
| one of us |
AlaskaCub, Thanks! I just went and tested with ammo in the belly and you are absolutely right! My finger can go back to the outside of the trigger guard........................DJ ....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!.................. | |||
|
| One of Us |
That AC always seems to have the right answer! Good catch and solution. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Not a problem guys. I have been through every square inch of this little rifle, after getting to know her ins and outs I am becoming quite fond of her. And her shooting this good with factory ammo makes it all even better. At 100 yards Federal barnes 180 TSX's  At 225 yards Federal barnes 180 TSX's (perfect Point Blank Zero)  I am digging her big time! | |||
|
| one of us |
Well I must have the Friday night or Monday morning production model. It rattles badly with a full mag (3) and one up the spout. I have 4 other brands of bolt action rifles in my cabinet, none of these do this. I find it quite annoying when stalking. Design fault I reckon. ...."At some point in every man's life he should own a Sako rifle and a John Deere tractor....it just doesn't get any better...." | |||
|
| one of us |
Sorry that yours does it loaded. I tried it on mine and it didn't when it was loaded. I don't think it's a design fault if yours is the only one whose does it, production fault maybe.................DJ ....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!.................. | |||
|
| One of Us |
my stock rattles, underneath the barrel. maybe its a new zealand thing! can you consistantly shoot under an inch with it @ 100yards? | |||
|
| One of Us |
oh yeah, my bolt rattles when it isnt fully cocked. thats normal isnt it? | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Medium Bore Rifles 325 WSM Chambered By Kimber
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia