Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Let's talk some more about the 325 WSM

Different strokes for different folks Tom, I have never owned a 30 calibre rifle and never will (not intended to start a flaming crab session folks)I have .rifles in .284, .311/.312 and .323 how weird is that?

If we were to limit ourselves to practical and sensible calibres we would not have gotten past the .22lr, the .222 rem and the .30-06 for 95% of all North American hunting. It is the enthusiasm and passion we have over .020, .003,.015 of an inch or 100 fps that makes this hobby really interested and why I think Barness started calling himself and others of the same ilk loonies.

Yup I am a loony, many my of decisions regarding firearms and calibre are anything but logical or sensible but I do have fun. GRF

i have never seen anything in a 325 in my area, nor have i run across one during my annual trips out west for elk. no doubt a 325 will kill stuff though. it seems to be one of those rounds that is fully capable, yet lacks a significant following because of other established cartridges like the 338. i'm glad the 325 is out there, and i hope everyone who has one is also buying a hunting license each year.

Hotsoup I think you hit the nail squarely on the head. GRF

I understand the loony thing. I bought a Whelen as my first bought-by-me rifle. I just bought my first '06 at age 42 or so. So naturally, I would pick up a .325 before a .338. Heck, I may build a .338-06 before I buy a .338 WinMag. Two of my .270s are going to end up as something else, probably 6.5-06 (the blue one) and .338-06 (the SS one). I'll probably leave the Rem 725 unmolested.

I like .325. It did very well for me on a couple elk. The 200-gn Accubond is an excellent bullet.

As far as accuracy I also had good luck with 180 & 200-gn TSX's and the 200 NP and 195 Horn. The 175-gn Sierra PH is a fun bullet to load mild, 30-06 level stuff with.

Thought about getting one but, with a Big 8 in the battery. I just couldn't justify it. Might in the future if I find one I really like the looks of. Glad they introduced it because the 8mm bullet selection really improved.

I'm a closet 8mm fan. I love the 8x57, and I have an 8mm/06 that was loaned to me for testing purposes. If I found a 325WSM in a rifle that suited me, I'd buy it and not look back.

We built a 8x300WSM before the .325 came out by Winchester.
I`ve not seen a production rifle I like in that cal.
Were I to do it again, I would built one, a LA 700, and cut the chamber/lead so you can seat thoses longer 200 grn pills out where they need be.

GRF, very informative thanks!!

I fall further and further in love with my 325 WSM year after year.
I am now loading 200gr TSX's with Winchester LRM primers and 67gr of Win 760 powder.

Purchased a new 325wsm HS Precision Pro Series 2000SPL with pencil fluted barrel & muzzle brake. I adjusted the trigger to 2lbs., installed a limb-saver, NF rail with NF30mm ultralite rings and NXS 5.5-22
Rifle weighs 6 lb. 8 oz without the scope.

Fireformed 300wsm NORMA brass, Federal 210M Magnum primers using Redding dies.

My best load todate has been the Barnes TTSX 160 @ 50 thou. from rifling with 69.5 gr. RL17 @ 3200 fps
RL17 outperformed IMR4350 providing single digit ES SD readings.
200gr. Nosler AccuBonds have to be seated deep in order to function in the rifles clip and might be the reason for poor accuracy.

I've only been shooting this rifle for the last few weeks and havnt settled on the ideal load but am leaning toward the 160TTSX @ 3200 fps and high .400 BC which showed huge potential during the ladder testing.
Meantime I am very impressed with the rifle's trigger, lack of recoil, great accuracy and surprisingly little muzzle blast from the muzzle brake.

I've shot 308 for many years and have always used SAKO rifles.
This .325 is a great calibre and the HS Precision has all the features that I'm looking for in a hunting rifle.

...another .020" and I'd say you'd have something

The 325 WSM can be a great niche gun IMO. For me a 5.8 rifle all up with 3 in the mag is a great bear slayer pushing 220 grainers at 2700 fps in a handy short brush gun. Can't swing that with a 30-06

I have a BLR in .325. Had the trigger worked over by Neil Jones... a whole bunch of fast-repeatin' whupass in a light, handy package.

The only real negative to .325 is that in general the bullets have a relatively poor BC. If you keep shots inside 400, 450 yards it's irrelevant. Stretch it further and you'll see it.

I have hunted with the 325 WSM for the last 6 years or so. They can really shoot pretty good. I've had good luck with the Barnes 180 TSX's and shot Vermont coyotes to Alaskian moose with them. A coyote probably ran the farest, 25yds or so. The lack of bullets selection is what kills the 325!!

325WSM is an exciting calibre for alot of reasons. Here's some of those reasons and I'm sure I've missed a few them...please add yours !!

- SHORT action faster to repeat then longggg action
- SHORT cartridge typically more accurate then longggg cartridge
- LESS recoil then 338 or smaller 300Win mag
- LESS muzzle blast then 338 or smaller 300Win Mag
- BULLET choices are sufficient from the BIG FOUR manufacturers
- BURNS LESS powder to achieve higher degree of performance
- 325wsm suited for all medium and dangerous game
- 325wsm is suited for long range 1000 yd. distances
- 325wsm factory ammo is available at the BIG stores
- 325wsm recognized for BIG bullet energy and BIG knockdown
- 325wsm is "fun" and "effortless" to shoot all day long
- 325wsm is "UNIQUE" and "SPECIAL" not many seen in the field.

lol

Yiiiikes!

If it was all you had, you'd do fine with it. So many better choices now.

I just a got a 325 custom from DIXIE this year. Love it, I believe it does give you alot of flexability as it is easy to go from 160 to 220 grainers. Are there plenty of other calibers out here that are as good, sure, but I like it alot. I think the best way to summarize it is as slightly less recoil and energy than the 338 and more versatile than a 300 win for hunting purposes do to the heavier bullet options.

Be safe all. Spence