The 325 WSM

Eagleye

Eagleye

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Well, I have finally got my Winchester M70 "Ultimate Shadow" in 325 WSM bedded into a
Laminate wood stock, and am now ready to see if it shoots as well as it did before.

To that end I loaded some 196 grain Oryx, chased by Norma MRP, some 200 Speer Hot-Cors
chased by IMR 4831, and some Hornady 195 grain Interlocks, chased by Reloder 23.

Before the stock change, the Oryx were shooting under 1 moa, flirting with 3000 fps.
The Norma 196 Dual Core were also very accurate, but I will not hunt with them in this
rifle, since they are just a bit fragile at 325 WSM velocities.

I still have some 200 gr. Partitions and 200 gr. Accubonds to try later. Also have 200 gr. A-Frames,
but they are better suited for the 8mm Rem Mag.

I'll report back later. Dave.
 
Im about to load 200gr accubonds and 180gr tsx's in my 325 wsm winchester extreme weather. IMR 4350 and RE17 will be tried out first. Looking for an accuracy load then perhaps later ill play with velocity.
 
Same bullets and powders I use in my 325. For the 180gr TSXs, mine shot similar accuracy but RL17 got the nod due to 100+fps speed advantage. With the 200gr ABs, it was still faster but the IMR4350 had notably smaller groups so it got the nod...Both at max loads...
 
So, I had the 325 WSM out today, and was very pleased with the results.
The 196 Oryx shot about the same as before the stock change, under moa,
and i only had to adjust a bit to the left and up 2" to be on target [+3" @ 100]
The Speer 200's with IMR 4831 clocked 2890, and shot right at 1moa.

The Hornady 195's with Reloder 23 shot just under moa for 3 at 100, but exactly
3" to the right of the other two bullets I was shooting, so unless I wanted to
shoot only the Hornady, I will set them aside for now.

Had my Lazerguard out as well, and it is doing its works very well also. 3 loads with
different powders AND different bullets all shoot to the same POI at 100, and all
groups were 1 moa or less.

Just received a "new to me" M700 270, so it will be the next to play with. Dave.
 
The 325 is a serious "thumper" that many have overlooked. Not really needed for most big game, but a big bull elk
might qualify for that much power in some circumstances. I think it would be ideal Bison/Grizzly Bear medicine.
It is fun to play with this "orphan"

Last range day, I was asked what I was shooting. When I replied "325 WSM" he says: "What in heck is that...never heard of it."
But he was impressed with how well it shot, so I let him try it. He was a bit less impressed with the recoil. [It has a decelerator
on it] I don't find it particularly punishing, but it does get one's attention.

I will try it on something this fall, and see how it works in the field. Dave.
 
Eagleye said:
The 325 is a serious "thumper" that many have overlooked. Not really needed for most big game, but a big bull elk
might qualify for that much power in some circumstances. I think it would be ideal Bison/Grizzly Bear medicine.
It is fun to play with this "orphan"

Last range day, I was asked what I was shooting. When I replied "325 WSM" he says: "What in heck is that...never heard of it."
But he was impressed with how well it shot, so I let him try it. He was a bit less impressed with the recoil. [It has a decelerator
on it] I don't find it particularly punishing, but it does get one's attention.

I will try it on something this fall, and see how it works in the field. Dave.
Click to expand...
I can imagine it would have been even more eye opening for the test run with the big 8.

Glad the loads are working out for you!
 
Eagleye said:
The 325 is a serious "thumper" that many have overlooked. Not really needed for most big game, but a big bull elk
might qualify for that much power in some circumstances. I think it would be ideal Bison/Grizzly Bear medicine.
It is fun to play with this "orphan"

Last range day, I was asked what I was shooting. When I replied "325 WSM" he says: "What in heck is that...never heard of it."
But he was impressed with how well it shot, so I let him try it. He was a bit less impressed with the recoil. [It has a decelerator
on it] I don't find it particularly punishing, but it does get one's attention.

I will try it on something this fall, and see how it works in the field. Dave.
Click to expand...


From personal experience, the 325WSM is a serious "thumper" at both ends.

To much recoil, for me personally and I developed a nasty flinch. It now resides with a good friend who thinks recoil is a wonderful experience.

Darn good cartridge though.
 
Dave; I'm glad the .325 is working out well for you.

I have shot more game with the .325 WSM than any other calibre. It was used on two trips to Africa; Namibia in 2009 and RSA in 2015, on game from springbok to eland. I have used the 180 gr TSX, 180 gr Nolser BT, 195 gr Hornady and 200 gr A-Frame on game.

From use on game I found the 180 gr BT to be good for deer but the 195 gr Hornady a little too fragile for my liking on deer. As expected the TSX and A-Frames worked very well and are the bullets I have used the most.

I also did a bunch of testing of 8mm bullets in wet paper and would not use the 180 gr TSX past 375ish yards as it was just opening up at 385 yards.

No experience at all with the Speer or Norma bullets.
 
GRFCal said:
Dave; I'm glad the .325 is working out well for you.

I have shot more game with the .325 WSM than any other calibre. It was used on two trips to Africa; Namibia in 2009 and RSA in 2015, on game from springbok to eland. I have used the 180 gr TSX, 180 gr Nolser BT, 195 gr Hornady and 200 gr A-Frame on game.

From use on game I found the 180 gr BT to be good for deer but the 195 gr Hornady a little too fragile for my liking on deer. As expected the TSX and A-Frames worked very well and are the bullets I have used the most.

I also did a bunch of testing of 8mm bullets in wet paper and would not use the 180 gr TSX past 375ish yards as it was just opening up at 385 yards.

No experience at all with the Speer or Norma bullets.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! I will probably not shoot the TTSX, but the 180 BT I do have, and the 196 ORYX [Norma] is a tough, bonded bullet.
Out of curiosity, I shot 3 - 195 Hornady IL bullets into wet catalogues from my 8mm Rem Mag at 3250 fps. They completely disintegrate!!

The A-Frame, of course, needs no introduction....just a great bullet that can be depended on to do the job. Dave.
 
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