.325 WSM for elk?

6mm Remington · Mar 30, 2014

Knappy that is a great cartridge for elk! I load for a buddy who has a Winchester Model 70 in 325 WSM. He shoots both the 200 gr. Partition and 200 gr. Accubond and has taken several nice bulls with that cartridge and load. It's very pleasant shooting and I don't feel it kicks any harder than my 30-06. It was very easy working up a load for his rifle and both loads I have for it shoot under an inch at 100 yards - 3-shots with most being about 3/4" groups. I used IMR4350 and it worked very well for both of those bullets.

Musket Man · Mar 30, 2014

The 325WSM is supposed to combine 300 WM trajectory with 338 WM energy. It should be a great elk caliber and have plenty of energy for elk out to 500 yds.

Joseph · Mar 30, 2014

Since I use a 270win and find it does the job I'm sure the 325wsm will be very effective as long as you can put the bullet where it needs to go.

Musket Man · Mar 30, 2014

Do you already have the 325? IMO the 25-06 is on the lighter side for elk but it can certainly get the job done too. I shoot a 270 Win.

Musket Man · Mar 30, 2014

IMO 25-06 would be plenty for pigs. Dont know where you will be hunting them but pigs are generally not to far of shots. 30-30 win in a lever action is as good as it gets for most pig hunting IMO.

HuskyMusky · Mar 30, 2014

I'm sure it would do the job well,

I'd probably just get a .300wsm, much more popular I believe, here to stay, at least for a while. Worst case get some 200 or 220gr 300wsm loaded up for you, but I think 165 or 180gr 300wsm would do the job on an elk well in most situations.

If you want more than a 300, I'd look at a .338win.mag. or .340weatherby (225grs@3100fps Tipped TSX)

WY ME · Mar 30, 2014

I like Husky's choice of a .338 win mag or 340 WBY if you're looking strictly for an elk gun (I shoot the Weatherby). I've seen a big difference in how animals react when smacked with a 270 or an .06 versus a big gun. I switched from a 30.06 to a 340 twenty years ago on the advice of an outfitter friend of mine. I was blown away when I shot my first elk with it at 300 yards and watched it do cartwheels down the hill. My .06 never got a reaction like that from any animal. I like 210 Nosler Partitions but may like the Accubonds after I get more experience with them. The only downside of the magnum calibers with quality bullets is the cost of the ammunition.

For an all around western hunting caliber I would get a 300 WBY (I wish I had one), a 300 Win mag or the 300 WSM.

I have break on my 340 but never use it when hunting. If you feel you need a break check out Vais Arms, they make an excellent recoil reducing break that is not as loud as some others so I put one on my youngest daughter's 270 win. and it shoots like a BB gun. They are a bit spendy.

There is no such thing as overkill...dead is dead.

CrossCreeks · Mar 31, 2014

I agree with Husky Musky, my brother shoots a 300. wsm and loves it, if I were ever to switch from my 300.wm for elk it would be for the 300 wsm.

Hilltop · Mar 31, 2014

Knappy said:
Is anyone using the .325 WSM for elk?

I tried doing a search here in the forum but I keep getting an error message.

Thoughts? Pros or cons?

Knappy,

I am 6' 2" and 250 pounds and I hate recoil... not sure about you. It sounds like you want a 0-500 yard elk gun. IMO there are gobs of calibers that will work great but you decision should be based on your comfort. .270-.338 ultra mag will all work 0-500 yards on an elk. I like less recoil and shoot a 30-06 with good loads. I am just under 2900fps with a 165 grain bullet. Below is a comparison of the 30-06 load I shoot, the 300 Mag with a 165 grain, and the 325 with a 200 grain. All are sighted in at 250 yards and sea level for the ballistics calculator.

30-06 - 165 grain 2890 fps
500 yards bullet drop = -35.4" 1516 foot pounds of energy

300 magnum - 165 grain 3100fps
500 yards bullet drop = -30.3" 1782 foot pounds of energy

325 WSW - 200 grains 2900 fps
500 yards bullet drop = -35.2" 1852 foot pounds of energy

Not that much difference to me. I am more comfortable shooting the 30-06 without a muzzle break. I can buy my ammo much cheaper as well. Just my 2 cents...

Musket Man · Mar 31, 2014

IMO caliber is really more a personal preference then anything. There are lots of them that will get the job done. It also can depend on what gun you want it in and how important a good selection of factory ammo is to you. If I were buying a new gun I would get a WSM because they fit in a short action and a lighter gun then something like a 300 WM or UMAG.

libidilatimmy · Mar 31, 2014

Musket Man said:
IMO caliber is really more a personal preference then anything. There are lots of them that will get the job done. It also can depend on what gun you want it in and how important a good selection of factory ammo is to you. If I were buying a new gun I would get a WSM because they fit in a short action and a lighter gun then something like a 300 WM or UMAG.

+1 on this. Pick something you want, choose the proper bullet that shoots well in your rifle, and practice with it.

Cobbhunts · Apr 1, 2014

Pretty much what MM said. There's a lot to like about the .325WSM and I wouldn't hesitate to shoot or own one.

Here's your problem.....ammo availability. Even with the more popular .270 and .300 WSMs, ammo for them is slim pickings and expensive. Even reloading is expensive for that matter. Where as if you went with a .300 Win Mag you'd have a lot more choices in ammo at the local sporting goods store. And look at what Hilltop said above.....pretty close numbers between the two.

Cabelas online right now:

.300 Win mag - 21 choices

.325 WSM - 1 choice (Nosler TG)

.300 WIN mag similar ammo to the Nosler TG - $52.00

.325 WSM Nos TG - $68.00

Just for another comparison, there are 12 choices for .300 WSM on cablas, and the Nos TG is $58 a box.

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Cobbhunts · Apr 1, 2014

Oh, and the 1 choice they had for the .325 -- is on back order. Great round that was designed well. Just didn't turn out as popular as it should have been. What would happen if you were on a hunt and somehow lost your ammo (airline or whatever). You wouldn't be able to find any easily for the .325WSM. That's seriously my only ding in the caliber. I think its great other than the ammo situation.

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shootbrownelk · Apr 1, 2014

Cobbhunts said:
Oh, and the 1 choice they had for the .325 -- is on back order. Great round that was designed well. Just didn't turn out as popular as it should have been. What would happen if you were on a hunt and somehow lost your ammo (airline or whatever). You wouldn't be able to find any easily for the .325WSM. That's seriously my only ding in the caliber. I think its great other than the ammo situation.

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It's my opinion that the .325WSM will go the way of the 5mm rimfire,the .17mach2, the 8mm and the .218 bee. Into oblivion. Get a 30.06, you can find ammo anywhere and in a wider selection than any calibers mention. And try not to shoot at elk at 500yds.

Cobbhunts · Apr 1, 2014

Tis' also my opinion SBE. Unfortunately there's too many other calibers that it has to compete with that are either close in performance, or exceed the 325. If you just want to buy expensive hard to find ammo, and knock the sh&# out of what you're aiming at, get a .340wby lol

The .340wby happens to be one of my all time favorite rounds and I'll own one before I die!!

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.325 WSM for elk?

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