Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting 325 WSM or 338 WM?

Yup! Tried reloading for a short period but my ADHD azz couldn't do it, lost interest almost immediately!

I really like the production-line tedium of it. Good for burning off stress. There's been plenty to burn off these last few years... A retreat to the loading bench is a welcome thing...

Besides, reloading is simple you just fill the case with powder and stuff a bullet in there... Don't you? ;-)

Reloading can be almost as much fun as shooting, especially when you develop a good, accurate, fast, load or you kill a nice animal with a handload.
It is a good feeling.

338 WM with 250's! Awesome combo!

Ed

My first deer fell to a factory load. So did the one I killed with my hundred year old .32ws, since I knew it was a one-time deal. That rifle is basically toast <g>.

Everything else has been handloads. You are right Tim- it feels good!

Ed,
My 338WM sure likes the 250gr partition with H4350.
Not killed anything with same, but I bet it hits like a freight train!

Thats what they say, but after loading like a 100 shells and not being able to match factory accuracy it was not fun anymore. I invested near a grand $$ in all the chit I bought too, sold it all and used the money to stock up on that which works well for my guns in factory fodder. Killed lots of criters in my life and not a one has been with a reload. I figure as long as I have the money to buy it and its available I'm good. I am not into shooting near as much as I am hunting though so thats probably why I am not driven to reload.

AC,
That is interesting; most guys I know that get into reloading never look back.
However, it is obvious that your way works(and works well) for you.
Again, each to their own.

BTW, Merry Christmas to you and yours, AlaskaCub.

You too buddy!

I haven't matched the factory TSX 100's yet but I'm close. But the 85 gr. BT's will damn near shoot the teets off a fly.

What was that you said about nobody using magnums as bullet-testing platforms? There at least two here who do.....

Tim: Cause I've long since been through the "try this caliber and that caliber stage" and completed the process years ago, so I don't want a lot of calibers around. Within broad categories,they are pretty much the same,so why have a bunch?Besides, above 30 cal, you need even fewer I DO like the 375 Ruger; but it's identical to a H&H; both are excellent and with the H&H you pull the bolt back 1/4" more. Big Deal.

I would build the short action into a 300 WSM,if I wanted a short action M70 on a WSM caliber for elk. I have killed three good sized bull elk with the 300WSM and it certainly works fine.

The 300 WSM has been a commercial success and rifles are selling well according to some retailers that I know,the 325 is much less likely to be around a decade from now IMHO.

If I wanted a long action elk,moose and big bear rifle,I'd go with the 338 mag. If trips to Africa were in the works,I'd prolly make it 375 Ruger and call it good.

In the final analysis,I don't see the 325 doing anything better than the more commonly available 300 mags.They have proven to be perfect elk rifles for me,don't see why you need anything bigger on an elk.

I killed my first bull elk with a 270 with a 130 grain bullet,it hit the ground so hard it practically bounced,the 300 mags are a big step up in power from a 270 and you surely don't need anything bigger on any bull elk that walks.


RD

Bob,
Frankly I am, and have been, intrigued by your idea for a while. I've got a .338 WM, but is a heavier rifle than a Ruger African. Anyone heard if Ruger is considering offering their 250 grain X as a TSX or TTSX? The 235 TSX probably makes my idea a moot point, but I would like a bit more BC than the 235. Sorry for this temporary thread hi-jacking.

Expat

I recently got another 375 H&H, Bob( a Remington XCR) and am looking forward to putting it though its paces come this Spring.

BTW, Merry Christmas, Bob!

I agree the 300 WSM, especially in the Kimber MT, is a dandy round for elk. Thing I like is with the Kimber platform, the over-all length of the rifle is still relatively short yet it has a 24" barrel... and it's light! The 300 WSM is less caustic to shoot and is quieter than the bigger 300's and 338's. I've taken good care of my hearing and plan to do whatever it takes to keep it intact.

I plan on getting away from TSX's and am going to try 200 grainers in my 300 WSM... 2,800 fps for a 200 Accubond or Partition is going to be a great elk, moose, whatever load, near or far.

I sure like the 200gr partition in my 300RUM, Brad.
It is a excellent Muley thumper(ok,big time overkill)

Tim, i didn't even know you had a 300 RUM you loony you!

What sort of speed you running the 200 NP at? 3,100-ish?

Brad, yeah, I certainly am a loony!


I am getting around 3180 with 95 grains Retumbo(Noslers book max) over my Oehler 35.

It kicks, but boy does it shoot nice(usually well under an inch.)

Jeff-O, What load are you using with the 175 Sierra Pro Hunters? I have several boxes of them but have had a hard time finding data.