325 caliber

[Bob33]

It might have more "appeal" than a 338 because it is new and rarer.

[Curly]

Wonder why they went with the 8mm bullet instead of doing a .338 WSM?  Seems like it would have been a better cartridge with all the .338 bullets available out there.

[bobcat]

I think with the case capacity, even the 325 is stretching its potential. I read somewhere that the 300 WSM case was designed to be most efficient with the 30 caliber.

[Curly]

Found some interesting reading here
.

The most recent short magnum cartridges, as of this writing, are the .300 and .338 Ruger Compact Magnums (RCM). These .308 length offerings, developed by Hornady for Ruger, are based on shortened .375 Ruger case. This is a beltless bottleneck case with a rim and head diameter of .532". The RCM's were introduced in 2008.

Hornady offers .300 RCM factory loads with 150, 165 and 180 grain bullets; 200 and 225 grain bullets are offered in the .338 RCM. The performance of the .300 RCM is comparable to that of the other .300 short magnums, while the .338 RCM--a true medium bore cartridge--is comparable to the .350 Rem. Mag. and superior to the .325 WSM.

In the same class as the .300 short magnums is the .325 WSM. This cartridge came about as the result of a failed attempt to create a .338 WSM. The .325 WSM is intentionally misnamed to make it sound bigger than it is. It actually has a .315" bore diameter and should have been named the .315 WSM. It is an 8mm cartridge and its performance is nearly identical to that of the .300 WSM. The most important difference between this cartridge and the .300 WSM is the relative scarcity of 8mm bullets for reloading. Another drawback is its vicious recoil in the light Browning and Winchester rifles supplied in .325 WSM, recoil comparable to the .338 RCM and in excess of the .350 Rem. Mag.

The .338 RCM is offered factory loaded with 200 and 225 grain bullets, which is fine as far as it goes. It is an excellent elk cartridge. Unfortunately, the long 250 grain bullets that made the .338 Win. Magnum's reputation as a slayer of giant animals takes up too much powder space in the short RCM case to be practical. That leaves the .338 RCM a definite step ahead of the .325 WSM, but clearly infrerior to the .338 Win. Mag.

So, if you want a new and rarer cartridge, consider the .338 RCM.

[Kazekurt]

I love my Kimber 325!  I Used to own a Browning 300 WSM, but sold it shortly after acquiring my 325.  Both great guns, I just like the 325 a little better.  I Find my Kimber and Nosler trophy grade anmo in 200 Accubond  to be a deadly combination As it has produced tight groups on the range, and also quickly dispatched two caribou and two mule deer for me last year

[coachcw]

best elk / grizz/ moose . .338 ultra mag with a break shooting 250 accubonds !

[Wacenturion]

It does quite a bit more, especially when it comes to say grizzly and moose. On par with the .338 Win Mag, in a light, short action gun.

 

[Wacenturion]

If I wanted more power than what a 300 WSM provides, I would go to something with more case capactiy, and more velocity, like a 338 Win Mag.

I only say this because the original post was asking about a rifle for the "elk committe." And that would be my recommendation for the perfect elk cartridge- the 338 Win Mag.

I remember reading the early reviews of the 325 WSM from a collective group of sportswriters....Wayne Van Zwoll and others who were on a elk hunt together.  All elk were killed with one shot at varying distances.  Everyone was impressed and agreed that it was one fine elk cartridge.   

[Wacenturion]

Wonder why they went with the 8mm bullet instead of doing a .338 WSM?  Seems like it would have been a better cartridge with all the .338 bullets available out there.

Winchester tried....could not make it work.

[RadSav]

best elk / grizz/ moose . .338 ultra mag with a break shooting 250 accubonds !

Only draw back is if you are not a Marine or a pack mule you won't want it strapped to your back for a week in the high country.  I'd rather pack the two gallons of water that weighs about the same.  But hey, that's just me and my broken back talking

[splitshot]

i think i will go for the 338 as first choice and a 325 for second.  just found a donor who wants to sponser a rifle and he will do the 325.  i am getting stoked cuz i luv rifles and i luv game boards with rifles on them.  lets go get your money out.  mike w