325 Wsm

[ksubuck]

Planning my next rifle purchase for a possible hunt in Alaska next year. The girlfriend's dad wants to take me, probably to dispose of my body in as remote of a location as he can find. We will likely hunt caribou but possibly moose. I have a 7mm Rem Mag but would like to take a step up into a caliber capable of larger game but also reasonable for elk.

I've considered a 300 WM, 300 WSM, 338WM, and now the 325 WSM. Rumors have the 325 being nearly as capable as the 338 especially with similar bullet weights.

I appreciate anyones thoughts or experiences about the 325. Thanks.

[BILLY D.]

'Splain to me why a 7 Rem Mag is not reasonable for Elk or even Moose? I don't think it would be my top pick for BIG bears, but it would take the rest in the bunch.

With reasonable ranges and the right bullet, no problem.

Bill

P.S. If your G/F's Dad buys you an antler hat I'd be real suspicious if I were you.

[L. Cooper]

I feel the .325 is a solution looking for a problem. It does nothing that can't already be done by other rounds that have established themselves and will be here for a long time to come. Why risk ending up with a sem-orphaned round like the 8mm Rem that it basically duplicates.

There are several "new" rounds that do nothing except sell a few rifles to hunters that think they are getting something special. I look at the .325 as one of them.

And you should 'splain to me too why the 7mm you have is inadequate.

[muskrat30]

'Just Because' can be a good enough reason to get a new rifle. If you reload or not could be a factor. Two years ago I wanted to step up some from my 308's & got an A-Bolt 300WSM. I didn't get it because I thought it was better than a 300 win mag, or that the 30-06 wasn't enough. I got it because I wanted to. I reload virtually all my ammo & have enough supplies for close to forever. My handloaded 180 grn partition worked superbly on my black bear hunt last Fall. It may of been more than I needed but it all worked out.

Consider if recoil is much of a factor. Unless your after some Alaskan bear I doubt you need to go above any of the 30 cal magnums. With the prices of a grizzly hunt I think I'll pass. If it was me I would look to the 300 win mag & 300WSM for your hunt & if you want a new rifle.

[ksubuck]

I think I agree with everyone about the 7mm, its more than capable with judicious shots. But Muskrat gets it. I want to buy a new toy whether or the 7mm is capable or not. Its time I support the local gun dealer again.

Looking at my "arsenal," I have a varmint gun (22-250), a tweener that'll do varmints and deer (243), and I have a deer/elk gun (7mm RM).

I think the 300s are very close to the 7mm so I ought to take a step further up. So the question is really would I rather get a tried and true 338 WM or a 325 WSM.

The 325 is intriguing and I was wondering what experiences others had with it. I've shot a 338 and if I can get similar performance from a 325 I'll take the recoil reduction if it is real.

Thanks for all of your responses.

[L. Cooper]

Of course, if you want a new gun, get a new gun. Lord knows lots of us have done it. But your original post sounded like you believed you NEEDED a new gun to go on the hunt you have planned.

I don't think you need anything more than the 7mm Mag you have. If you want something more, my vote goes to the .338. It is absolutely capable of taking anything that walks in N.A., has a wide range of loads available, has lots of tested loads and components for reloaders, and would be easy to sell later if you should choose to do so.

[M.T. Pockets]

I've been looking at the .325 WSM since it came out thinking it would be one fantastic elk rifle.

It looks like the .300 WSM has legs and will be around from now on. I'd want to give the .325 a little time to make sure factory ammo is readily available in years to come. The 8 mm is a good example.

If you want to go bigger I'd go with a .338. Finding .338 ammo in Alaska, or elk country is like finding 12 guage ammo during pheasant season in South Dakota. That's worth something. Plenty of factory rounds to choose from too.

I'd be more concerned that your scope is waterproof and can handle the wind & rain it will likely see.

Speaking from experience hunting Alaska, I'd save the money you'd spend on a new rifle and get the best rain gear & footwear you can find. Practice shooting a lot out to 400 yards with good, heavy bullets and you'll be as deadly with your 7 mag as anyone out there. Bring shooting stix, the last shot I took in Alaska the wind was blowing 40 mph and there aren't many rests in the tundra.

[Flfiremedic]

You should consider the 35 Whelen as well. Makes a huge hole, good access to factory ammo, and reasonable recoil.

[RagingBullPa]

one of the best allaround calibers there is you can take any thing on the northamerican continent when using the right grain bullet and even in Africa too why kill your self with a bigger caliber when its not needed remember a bigger caliber won't make up for por marksmanship