well, i have been on the fence about this for a while and i know lots of pple on here have 300wsm and some pple have 325 wsm. i cant really decide on what one to get. will be hunting everything from deer to brown bears
can't decide
- Thread starter vermilion
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LuJon
Moderator
Do you reload? Ammo options are much better for the 300 than the 325.
323
New member
Very true... Looking at 325 the other day very very limited and expensive. Versus 300 wsm plentiful and not too expensive.
northwindtraveler
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IMO neither is absolutely optimum for brown bear so all things considered I'd go with the 300wsm. You may have some feeding problems from your factory weapons but a good gunsmith should be able to help you. 
323
New member
325 all the way then... Shoot either 200gr accubonds, partitions or barnes tsx your set for whatever in Alaska.
For what its worth i love my 300wsm. It is a browning gold medallion A-Bolt, with the factory muzzle break and it's a tack driver with factory ammo. I got it back in KS because it was too good to pass on. The 325 vs the 300 would be a tough choice though. Either way I don't think you'll dislike either of them. BTW i don't think the ammo for either is what id call affordable though.
MyTime
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I say get both but start with the one that meets your next hunting adventure first. The 300 will carry farther out but the 325 has about 300 FPE more energy (ish). This decision is not as clear cut as choosing between a 45-70 and a 223. It all depends on what you need it for.
As for the reloading, I'm a believer. It'll cost you some $$$ to start off but if you shoot often it's a real smart move. I used to own a 300WM. When I saw hunting ammo going for nearly $60+ after tax (NC at the time) I decided to reload. I sold that rifle and bought a 308. Lets talk about the cost of the 308. $27 for 20 cartridges (before shipping) is about as cheap as I know about...that's 1.35 each (plus shipping). The biggest cost/factor in reloading is the bullet. Brass can be reused so if you pay 40 cents each and reuse 8x then the cost drops to 5 cents per load. So, brass (5+ cents), primers for about 3 cents each, powder for about 13 cents brings you to about 21 cents before you choose your bullet. Reasonable bullet options are 45 cents and up. So, it's conceivable for a 308 that you can pay <75 cents per cartridge versus the low-end of 1.35 each for factory ammo. My math is fuzzy but you get the idea. If you get the equipment to reload then the cost of ammo becomes a non-issue. In fact, I'm looking at a 375 Ruger and if I get that, I can reload for just a small bit more than my 308 cost. Another thing...velocity consistency can improve too so your accuracy gets more consistent.
I say you'll be happier if you get both and reload. But then again, there's no real answers from us, just opinions.
MyTime
As for the reloading, I'm a believer. It'll cost you some $$$ to start off but if you shoot often it's a real smart move. I used to own a 300WM. When I saw hunting ammo going for nearly $60+ after tax (NC at the time) I decided to reload. I sold that rifle and bought a 308. Lets talk about the cost of the 308. $27 for 20 cartridges (before shipping) is about as cheap as I know about...that's 1.35 each (plus shipping). The biggest cost/factor in reloading is the bullet. Brass can be reused so if you pay 40 cents each and reuse 8x then the cost drops to 5 cents per load. So, brass (5+ cents), primers for about 3 cents each, powder for about 13 cents brings you to about 21 cents before you choose your bullet. Reasonable bullet options are 45 cents and up. So, it's conceivable for a 308 that you can pay <75 cents per cartridge versus the low-end of 1.35 each for factory ammo. My math is fuzzy but you get the idea. If you get the equipment to reload then the cost of ammo becomes a non-issue. In fact, I'm looking at a 375 Ruger and if I get that, I can reload for just a small bit more than my 308 cost. Another thing...velocity consistency can improve too so your accuracy gets more consistent.
I say you'll be happier if you get both and reload. But then again, there's no real answers from us, just opinions.
MyTime
This is very true, the one thing that I like about the 300wsm is that there are so many different types is bullets made. The one main problem I have with the 325 is that it is an 8mm bullet........ Because you know it would have been way to easy to make it into a .338
I would go with whichever has more ammo available. I think you are on the right track being inquisitive about two good rounds. And nice job changing your 'i's to 'I's. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
hoose35
Well-known member
I don't think you can go wrong with either. If you want more factory ammo options, get the .300. If you want a little more punch, get the .325 I have the .325, and I don't buy into the story that you need a bunch of different ammo options. One load/bullet type, IMO, for calibers this large, is all a guy really needs. A 210gr nosler partition in my .338 is all I need. For smaller calibers, then I like a variety, such as a .243 or .270, but for the big bangers, one is good
i know this don't answer the question but if it says WSM after the number i wouldn't buy either...seen to many in the field with clients jam and all the ones i've shot have jammed. i know this isn't the case with everyone, but once bitten twice shy as they say.
hoose35
Well-known member
Out of curiosity, which brands/models? I have a Browning a-bolt .270wsm that I have shot hundreds of rounds through without a single jam, I have heard about the problem, but I have not experienced it and a friend with a kimber has not either. I am just wondering if it isn't isolated to a particular brand
What made you decide on a WSM? just curious, You say you want one rifle for deer all the way up to brown bear, For me I would go with a longer action, for alaska one rifle , probably a 300 WM, 300 RUM, or 338. maybe even a .375, What BRWNBR says has happened to most WSMs, I hunted with my Nosler 270 WSM and never had a feeding problem, could be a manufacture thing. If you know someone with a WSM,go shoot it first and see if you like it.
323
New member
No that was Great White... Were these rifles on push feeds? Savage and winchester had to make a crpf (controlled roundfeed push feed) to get the ultra mags and short mags to feed. Remington didn't do anything...
hodgeman
New member
I was on this fence too and still occasionally wish I'd bought the .325, but I've been very happy with the .300WSM. I'm sure if I'd picked up the .325, I'd have wished I'd bought the .300 though...performance-wise I'm still not sure you'll see much difference in the field under most conditions using equally appropriate bullets. My 300s with Accubonds have been extremely efficient with a string of one shot kills up to moose.
I've had three rifle from three different makers and all of them performed very well. Although my Kimber sample didn't show it, I think CRF can feed these a little rough due to the short case. At any rate the makers should have it figured out after 10 years and if they didn't a gunsmith or the maker can fix it easily enough. . Neither my Tikka nor my Nosler have any issues feeding them. Maybe its not a fair comparison, but my Nosler feeds them like corn through a goose.
If you change your mind though, its as easy as swapping barrels in the future. In fact, when my barrel goes on the Nosler its equal odds it won't come back as a .325...
I've had three rifle from three different makers and all of them performed very well. Although my Kimber sample didn't show it, I think CRF can feed these a little rough due to the short case. At any rate the makers should have it figured out after 10 years and if they didn't a gunsmith or the maker can fix it easily enough. . Neither my Tikka nor my Nosler have any issues feeding them. Maybe its not a fair comparison, but my Nosler feeds them like corn through a goose.
If you change your mind though, its as easy as swapping barrels in the future. In fact, when my barrel goes on the Nosler its equal odds it won't come back as a .325...
akgun&ammo
New member
I jumped on the 300 WSM bandwagon, BECAUSE its a compromise cartridge. You get most of the energy of the Win Mag, and the recoil of the 30-06. And reloading options from 40 grains to 220 grains. As for feeding, I have only had one issue- and that was throwing the expended case from a Remington Nitride Rifle. I have multiple 300 WSM's- Tikka, Sako, Kimber, Remington, just to name a few. My partner at the shop believes I went a little overboard. :lol: I have found that most of the 300 WSM's will shoot a 180 grain projectile into the smallest group. I have harvested Whitetails, Black bears, moose, Blacktail deer, ect with my rifles. I'm happy with my choice.
That said, I do not conform to the one gun man syndrome. I shoot firearms from .17 to over 50 cal.
If you are limited to one gun, get the 300 - more commercial ammo choices, more reloading options.
If not, get what feels good to you now, and enjoy.
Chris
That said, I do not conform to the one gun man syndrome. I shoot firearms from .17 to over 50 cal.
If you are limited to one gun, get the 300 - more commercial ammo choices, more reloading options.
If not, get what feels good to you now, and enjoy.
Chris
