325wsm

[skeet]

You are right Larry. A couple of 10thousandths make a big difference. They also make a difference in pressures. I had one 22-250 that shot faster than the other.. Both Rugers. Accuracy was about the same but with the same load..one would almost lock the bolt. Very stiff lift. The other was fine. Same load and almost a grain under max book loads..Velocities were not even close... more than a 100 fps difference higher with the maxed out rifle.. but with all that said..the shorter bbls usually shoot slower. sometimes quite a bit in the smaller bores. My 243 is a 22 inch one. and will not reach the manual speeds..close but no C gar

[scalerman]

That makes sense. I have always been under the impression that all else being equal that a longer barrel will produce faster velocities than a shorter barrel. Am I mistaken in that assumption?

[skeet]

Quoting(all else being equal that a longer barrel will produce faster velocities than a shorter barrel) . That assumption is correct all else being EQUAL.. longer will trump a shorter one every time.. But remember..different powders even with bbl lengths can make a big difference. Everything you change will make a difference. Seating depth the leade in the chamber the case the primer the bullet itself. All that being said..Sometimes many things will not make a big difference. Primers is one thing that quite often make little difference..as long as you use a standard primer for a standard. Other times it can make a much bigger difference. Handguns and magnum primers can make a BIG difference between loads. And then sometimes you have to use a mag primer..many factors make either small or large differences. That is why we call it load development I guess.

[scalerman]

Well guys I got my 325 WSM. My wife brought home an X-Bolt in 325. While this was not my first choice in firearm, my search for an 1885 in that calibre was not meeting with any success. I loaded some shells for it and went out to shoot. I can honestly say that I have never had more fun shooting a rifle in my life. The recoil is not as bad as I thought it might be. It drives tacks. I get a huge smile every time I pull the trigger. I think I am in love. The fact that she brought home a White Gold Medallion model I'm sure helps with that. I am so looking forward to working up a load for it and taking it out to hunt elk this fall. I am beginning to think my wife might be a keeper.

[scalerman]

I took my 325 out to the range and shot several different loads out of it. It shot them all very accurately. They weren't all to the same point of impact but the groups were impressive. I took it out hunting yesterday and dropped it from a height of about 18 inches onto the recoil pad and broke the stock. To say I am pissed would be the understatement of the century. I am going to send it back to Browning for a replacement. The rifle slipped out of my hand as I was putting it on my shoulder and dropped to the ground. I heard a click when it hit the ground and thought maybe the metal sling swivel had hit the stock or something. When I picked it up it came in two pieces. I felt sick to my stomach. If Browning will not come through for me I am not sure what I will do.

[Rapier]

If you have not sent the X Bolt into Browning yet, you might consider buying a decent stock you can finish yourself. I only say that because I absolutely hate the Browning poly finish, I remove it from ever shotgun and rifle I own then refinish them in oil. Everything and anything those poly stocks touch leaves a gray spot on the finish, looks like they have been left in the rain (water spots) after a while.

Oh, if you want to get the best results, accuracy and velocity from a WSM, try VN-560. It will get you that extra 100 fps normally missing from the WSM. There used to be a Short Mag forum on the net and I found and long thread about 560 on that thread. My 300 WSM 180 gr loads with 560 went with me to Africa.
Ed

[scalerman]

I have been looking at different stocks in the event that Browning will not come through for me. Any suggestions Rapier?

[scalerman]

I ended up buying a laminated stock from Boyds. Holy crap what a difference. I was concerned that I would not like the gun as much with the new stock. I took it out to shoot and found that not only is the recoil much reduced from what was already a light kick but it also shoots much more accurately than it did before and it was no slouch before. I am so impressed with this gun it is ridiculous.