Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Skillet on February 24, 2014, 02:50:52 PM

Title: 338 WSM
Post by: Skillet on February 24, 2014, 02:50:52 PM: Why isn't there one? Seems like it is a no-brainer. Winchester made the 325 WSM (which looks to have flopped) instead of a 338 WSM. Anybody know why? Anybody wildcat one?
Title: Re: 338 WSM
Post by: JKEEN33 on February 24, 2014, 02:53:18 PM: I read an article on it once. Can't remember all the details. They had issues getting it to work. The 325 is actually a great caliber.
Title: Re: 338 WSM
Post by: Curly on February 24, 2014, 03:13:50 PM: Good question.

I also wonder why no 25 WSM or 6.5 WSM? :dunno:
Title: Re: 338 WSM
Post by: yorketransport on February 24, 2014, 07:22:39 PM: The 338 WSM couldn't match the performance of the 338 WM with any bullets over 200 grains. The problem was having room to seat the heavier (225+ grain) bullets to feed from the magazine. They're just too long.

It's a neat caliber, but the 338 RCM will pretty much match it. I know a guy up in Alaska who runs a 338 WSM out of a Savage Striker. It works great for him because he typically runs the lighter bullets anyways.

Andrew
Title: Re: 338 WSM
Post by: Pete112288 on February 24, 2014, 11:11:19 PM: Quote from: Curly on February 24, 2014, 03:13:50 PM
Good question.

I also wonder why no 25 WSM or 6.5 WSM? :dunno:

they do have the 25 WSSM...
Title: Re: 338 WSM
Post by: Curly on February 25, 2014, 08:32:30 AM: Quote from: Pete112288 on February 24, 2014, 11:11:19 PM
Quote from: Curly on February 24, 2014, 03:13:50 PM
Good question.

I also wonder why no 25 WSM or 6.5 WSM? :dunno:

they do have the 25 WSSM...

Yeah, but the SSM isn't close to the performance that the WSM would be.
Title: Re: 338 WSM
Post by: Skillet on February 25, 2014, 02:51:19 PM: Thanks for the feedback, fella's. Makes sense that the short action mag box would be a limiting factor for the round with higher weight bullets with even a halfway decent BC.

Curly, I'd have to think you'd be looking at some serious throat erosion on a 25 WSM, considering how bad the rep the .264 mag's rep is for that.
Title: Re: 338 WSM
Post by: Curly on February 25, 2014, 02:54:25 PM: yeah, but probably not as bad as a .257 Wby......
Title: Re: 338 WSM
Post by: Skillet on February 25, 2014, 03:18:16 PM: Good point. It would be a hotrod, for certain.
Title: Re: 338 WSM
Post by: Pete112288 on February 25, 2014, 05:52:42 PM: throat errosion? Elighten me if you would be so kind :dunno:
Title: Re: 338 WSM
Post by: D-Rock425 on February 25, 2014, 06:00:05 PM: The 325 has had my interest in the past.
Title: Re: 338 WSM
Post by: superdown on February 25, 2014, 06:19:05 PM: I have taken 1 whitetail and three mule deer with my Browning A-bolt II in 325wsm with the winchester 220grn power point load and none of the deer took a step after being shot. The whitetail was shot at about 80yds and the mule deer were shot at 309,300 and 264yds respectively. It is a impressive preforming cartridge to say the least.
Title: Re: 338 WSM
Post by: splitshot on March 02, 2014, 09:14:21 PM: if you did not shoot them in the head did you have any meat damage? I left the 7 mm mag for deer and went to a 25-06 cuz a 7 really blew up a deer. even big deer. sometimes a head shot is not there. mike w
Title: Re: 338 WSM
Post by: JKEEN33 on March 02, 2014, 09:34:39 PM: Quote from: splitshot on March 02, 2014, 09:14:21 PM
if you did not shoot them in the head did you have any meat damage? I left the 7 mm mag for deer and went to a 25-06 cuz a 7 really blew up a deer. even big deer. sometimes a head shot is not there. mike w

All depends on the bullet and weight used. Problem with the 325 is the limited factory ammo. I load my own and really like the caliber.