Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Winchester Coyote Lite - 300 WSM or 325 WSM?

I really like the Winchester Coyote Lite model. I would love to have the gun in 300 Win Mag but apparently this is a short action model only. The 300 WSM gets legitimately close to the Win Mag up to 180s. However, the 200s start to fall off. They offer the Coyote Lite in 325 WSM. I have never owned an 8mm/.323 cal. Those of you that own the 325 WSM what velocities are you getting? Is the wiki page correct? Load data for the 325 WSM seems elusive.



325 WSM wiki page

Application?

Without knowing any more(planned use) I'd still have to vote 300WSM.

Predominantly Elk hunting. I handload so off-the-shelf ammo availability isn't much of a concern to me. Although, I certainly hope the 325 WSM sticks around.

The 8mm was never in the race,if only in fairness,but there's a plethora of chamberings in this World and upon a myriad of platforms. I'd default to the original Coyote being a better option,but it's not like it can't be topped.

What is the appeal of the 'yote to you,as Elk are concerned?

I am mainly drawn to the medium sporter barrel rather than the standard light sporter barrel typically fitted to hunting rifles. The synthetic stock is actually not a preference of mine but I'd live with it. I am was shopping for a Winchester EW 300 WM and handled the Coyote and really dig the barrel contour. The 2" shorter barrel is a plus to me for this particular rifle purchase.

All barrels shorten. Fixate ergo's,balance,handling,weight,twist and throat.

.............Of the two, I`d go with the 300 WSM. The 300 WSM will be a little better as a flatter shooter and will do anything a 325 can do.

When using bullets heavier than 180 gr. the 300 WSM doesn`t fall hardly behind the 300 Win at all, and certainly not enough to make any practical difference in the field.

If you were to look in the 49th Ed Lyman manual under 300 WSM, they say that according to their ballistics testing, the 300 WSM averages 30-50 fps behind the 300 Win. 24" barrels are listed for both rounds.

It is absolute fallacy (a fallacy started by gun writers after the 300 WSM first appeared because of its smaller case), that when using bullets heavier than 180s, a 300 WSM falls way behind the 300 Win.....It does not.

I smell someone's Imagination working overtime(again). Gotta love a gal quick to cite a manual!

Hi Fifth,

I'd suggest a different model entirely. Boxer really is helping you.

At 7 1/2 lbs naked, that's a pretty heavy rifle to tote around for elk--especially given the availability of other WSMs and SAUMs out there. The medium sporter barrel doesn't offer any accuracy advantage, just more weight. There are lots of WSM's and SAUM's by Remington and Kimber out there for less money than you'd have in that Winchester.

I'll let others who are more well-versed than me talk to you about cartridge selection. But a well-balanced lighter rifle that shoots well sure makes a guy smile.

Good luck in your search!

The 325wsm will run the TSX 180's @3100fps and 200's @2950fps. Really good elk rifle....

As compared to what? A 35WSM?

STA,

But I think the argument is that the 325 doesn't have a good selection of bullets and that the ones that exist are low BC.

I just took a quick peek at Midway's list of 8mm bullets and, in addition to the TSX you mentioned, the only 180 gr bullets they offer are: Nosler eTips and BT's (and the BT that Nosler makes for Winchester). If the TSX doesn't shoot well out of your rifle, the remaining choices aren't super attractive--and I am more forgiving of BT's than most.

But, if the OP wants one, he should get one. I suppose many animals die each year from .325 WSM wounds. I just wouldn't get Win. Coy. Lite.

While there is no doubt the selection for 30 cal is far superior there are very solid solutions for the .323 cal. I'm not a huge fan of Sierra but the Game King 220 has a great B.C.(.521) & S.D. (.301). The Barnes 200 is no slouch either. I've not found a round nose other than the "semi-round" Woodleigh 200/220/250.

Now, in the 300 WSM/WM I would be using mainly 200's. An example would be the Nosler Accubond with B.C/S.D. of .588/.301
A non-boattail averages ~.556/.301 (Speer Hot-Cor)

I'm comfortable with the bullet selection, or lack there of, for the 325 WSM. My main concern or question is more about hands on experience & performance from 325 WSM owners.

If you could slum a 'Yote M70 you might as well get a Sako A7 in 300WSM.
It's light and handles well.

And Stick thinks they're the chit but he would never admit it.....grin

Yep, that's right.

Where .325 falls flat is at extended ranges. At around 450, 500 yards the much higher-BC bullets really do better. If you have any aspirations towards shooting that far at game, the 300 WSM can be set up to significantly outperform the .325.

If you DON'T intend to shoot further than that, the .325 will flatten elk with authority. I like the 200-gn Accubond. It holds together, penetrates like crazy, and creates a devastating wound channel with the frags it spins off. The 180 or 200 TSX would rate a try too- they shoot very well in both my .325's.

In the end though the 300 WSM with a 200-gn will still scare 2900 fps, and while I'm just guessing, my guess would be that the terminal effects on elk would be very similar. Flight ballistics, ammo (or component) availability will be better with the 300.

If a .521 BC is "great",something good would freak you out.

I'm thinking one in a 7mm WSM would be perfect! I had one in a 300 WSM and wish I still had it, it would shoot 125gr-130gr bullets into one ragged hole at 3,550ft/s. I would get the 300 over the 325! BTW the Coyote Lite feels and balances great.

For a hunting bullet a BC of .521 is fantastic.