300 Win Mag or 325 WSM

[Tanks]

The 300WSM was an answer to a question no one asked.
If you try to load it up to 300WM speeds with 220 grain pills, you run into OAL issues.
...

Well, that is why I am getting a 300 RUM built as a any distance, anywhere PG rifle. Also, don't need a 220 grain bullet, that rifle will have only one bullet for anything. A 200 grain bullet at 3,100 fps should take care of anything from a dik-dik to an eland.

 

[BeeMaa]

Well, that is why I am getting a 300 RUM built as a any distance, anywhere PG rifle. Also, don't need a 220 grain bullet, that rifle will have only one bullet for anything. A 200 grain bullet at 3,100 fps should take care of anything from a dik-dik to an eland.

I have a friend with a 300RUM he's used for Elk a few times.
He loves that rifle.

Have another friend trying to buy it from him to start a 404J project.

The 200 grain pill will certainly get it done.
Post some pics when you get it.

 

[lwaters]

How does the Rum do on a chronograph?

 

[Newby]

If you already have a 30 caliber like a 308WIN or 30-06 save your money.
Put a little more horsepower in that punch with a 375H&H.
After all, a 30-06 and 375H&H is a classic African 2-gun battery.

Thank you. My R8 has (or will have) barrells in 30.06 and 375H&H.

I'm secure enough not to need validation for my choices , but it is nice to be agreed with occasionally (even if my children don't )

 

[BeeMaa]

Thank you. My R8 has (or will have) barrells in 30.06 and 375H&H.

I'm secure enough not to need validation for my choices , but it is nice to be agreed with occasionally (even if my children don't )

We have an R8 as well and are waiting on some other parts to arrive.
With the COVID19, I fear it may be quite a while.
We currently have a 300WM and 375H&H with my PH stock.
Waiting on my wife's Intuition, the 416RM barrel and a few other items.

With the 30-06 and 375H&H, you are in there.
But not that you need to be told that..unless maybe, it was from your children.

 

[dchamp]

I've noticed this cartridge alot in my loading manuals. If you reload my be the best of the short mags. The only thing a 338 has on it is the 250 gr bullet. The 200 220 grain bullets beat everything else.

Woodleigh makes a 250gr bullet in 8mm. I use in a 8x68s which is very similar in performance to the 325WSM. I like the 8x68s very much, but here in the states at least, it is a hand loaders proposition. The only factory ammo I know being offered in the U.S.A. is RWS from NECG.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Thank you. My R8 has (or will have) barrells in 30.06 and 375H&H.

I'm secure enough not to need validation for my choices , but it is nice to be agreed with occasionally (even if my children don't )

My two favorite calibers. Only mine are Winchester’s.

 

[Dr Ray]

For the many reasons mentioned above, I'd go with the 300WM.
The next obvious step up would be the (previously mentioned) 338WM.
My only other suggestion is why not a 375?

If you already have a 30 caliber like a 308WIN or 30-06 save your money.
Put a little more horsepower in that punch with a 375H&H.
After all, a 30-06 and 375H&H is a classic African 2-gun battery.

EDIT - Damn, I just realized this thread is 7 years old.

Agreed

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

yeah I had never heard of it until 2 or 3 years ago ,quite a few houndsmen over here are starting to really go for it generally in a browning lever action , and it seems that its becoming more and more popular.
im hearing you on the classic calibre , which also the in betweeners are starting to kick in around here aswell.
from the little ive seen of the 325 short its very effective on our deer .im told its got a lot to do with the ultra slow burning powders that are now available for the reloading
but I will be sticking to my 30.06 for hound hunting .

Bluey
A mate uses the 325 wsm in a BLR on camels and reckons it's devastating.
Cheers blue
Bob.
What part of OZ are you in, sounds like Victoria.

 

[Major Khan]

I would agree with the others and opt for the .300 Winchester magnum calibre , as well . It should be able to tackle all of the African plains game with ease ( although it might be just a tad bit on the lower end for dispatching those huge 2200 pound elands ) .
I am certain that the .325 Winchester short magnum calibre is an excellent 1 as well. But the .300 Winchester magnum is a time honored classic .

 

[Vinootz]

325wsm is a great cartridge. There are quite a few places to get ammo online. Winchester and Nosler have it every so often. Selway,Hendershots, Winsconsin cartridge Corp, Double Tap ammo,Pendleton and others have it. It’s not cheap or practical. But if you own one you know how good the cartridge performs. I own two 325wsm rifles and love them. But I love all my firearms- lol. Good to see folks posting about it.

 

[Vinootz]

Hey I bought two 325wsm just to add two more rifles to my collection. My ABolt titanium and Kimber super America in that caliber are beautiful, accurate rifles. The negative thoughts of the comments by some don’t come into play for me. When I’m in the mood to buy a new rifle or two I buy them. This uncommon cartridge has turned out to be a great performer and a whole lot of fun. I always get compliments on them too. It must make some folks feel wise to bring out the negatives. Personally I prefer reading the comments of people that own a rifle in the cartridge. Lol

 

[CBH Australia]

The .325 I’m sure it’s performs well but I’ve had a .300wm and hope to get another. But i only have common chamberings easily sourced ammo.
I have a mate who is a keen deer hunter in Australia.
He uses a .325wsm and likes it. In fact he has owned 2 , long story he got one cheap and worked on it.
He is a .220 swift fan so he doesn’t mind the less common stuff for the gain in performance. Or perceived gain whatever it is. It works for him.
He has a .308 for backup and others to use,

 

[Viral_SIGness]

Hi everyone,

I am booked in to do a plains game hunt next year just wondering what callibers people are using. My main animals will be kudu zebra eland springbuck gemsbok and so on. I want to get a 300 win mag but the gun i am after i am having trouble getting it. There is a 325 wsm in the same make of rifle that i like but would like to know what people think of the 325 over the 300. And is the ammo for the 325 easy to get over in Africa (Namibia) just incase things go missing in transit.
Cheers in advance
Clint

I had one of the first .325 Wsm's that came out. I liked the rifle a lot, but it is not a power house. The reason it wasn't a .338 WSM is that there was not enough powder space to get it even close to a .338 Win Mag.

I shot a deer with a 180 Ballistic Tip, and it worked very well, but I'd take a .300 Win Mag with a 200gr bullet over it any time. That or grab a .338 Win Mag, and use a nice 225 grain bullet.

As much as I enjoyed the .325, bullet selection is not great. I know Hammer bullets was making a sleek .323" bullet. Not sure if they ever released it. I would look away from the .325 for African PG, but that's just my two pennies.

 

[krish]

Get both and be happy.

 

[Viral_SIGness]

Get both and be happy.

Can not argue with this logic.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

The .325 I’m sure it’s performs well but I’ve had a .300wm and hope to get another. But i only have common chamberings easily sourced ammo.
I have a mate who is a keen deer hunter in Australia.
He uses a .325wsm and likes it. In fact he has owned 2 , long story he got one cheap and worked on it.
He is a .220 swift fan so he doesn’t mind the less common stuff for the gain in performance. Or perceived gain whatever it is. It works for him.
He has a .308 for backup and others to use,

CBH
Chris
He could always get rid of the little 300 and the bit bigger 325 and just get a good Whelen and load it with 225grain Woodleigh PPSP @2950 fps and out do both of them. It's hard to beat a 225 grain 35 cal with 4,300fpe of energy.
I know you'll like my joke m ate
Bob

 

[krish]

Or get a Ruger express 77 mark ii 300 win mag. I like it. Hard to find Nib

 

[Viral_SIGness]

Or get a Ruger express 77 mark ii 300 win mag. I like it. Hard to find Nib View attachment 346097

The RSM rifles are $2000 pieces of beauty. If I was going for one of those, it would be a .375 H&H or .416 Rigby.

 

[Viral_SIGness]

CBH
Chris
He could always get rid of the little 300 and the bit bigger 325 and just get a good Whelen and load it with 225grain Woodleigh PPSP @2950 fps and out do both of them. It's hard to beat a 225 grain 35 cal with 4,300fpe of energy.
I know you'll like my joke m ate
Bob

I'd use a slingshot before I'd touch anything based off the Turdy-OTT-Sux.

OP, if you go .35 cal, use a .358 Norma, or neck the .375 Ruger case to .358". Leave the .35 "Leavin' " alone. They call it that, because if you hit an animal with it, it is leaving the zip code before it drops