Hunting Washington Forum
Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: kselkhunter on February 02, 2018, 04:07:29 PM
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With Browning discontinuing production of the 325WSM caliber in their rifles, I did a wider search, and it appears the only factory rifle I can find now chambered in 325WSM is from Winchester.
Question to the forum: Do you think the 325WSM caliber will survive as a factory offering? And long term brass supply?
I started reloading last year, so can keep it fed as long as I can continue to get enough brass and bullets. My concern is supply of brass long term. Nosler is the only brass I see currently. Winchester, Nosler, and DoubleTap are the only ammo I see, and all brands are unavailable/out of stock on Midway. Hmmmm.
My 2018 plan for new rifle was to be a BLR stainless in 325WSM. So with the discontinuance, I would have to go the used route now if I chose to continue down that path. But I am taking a step back and re-assessing the caliber choice now. Thought I'd ask the forum for inputs.
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I suspect Winchester will be the only mfg to chamber for the 325WSM. My guess is that brass will become more difficult to obtain over time so if you choose to chamber buy 100 pieces of Nosler brass now and don't worry about it. If you're set on a short action magnum consider the 300WSM. Since you handload, you can step up to 200 - 230 grain bullets in the 300WSM. It will do all and more than the 325WSM. If you go custom have your builder throat the chamber for longer bullets so you don't sacrifice case capacity. You'll get close the 300WM velocities but with the better accuracy of the WSM.
Edit: fixed some typo's
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Thanks CaNINE. Good points about the 300WSM. I've been on the medium bore and heavy for caliber track lately, and was going between 325WSM and 358Win in the BLR originally. But stepping back and looking at the heavier bullet options in the 300WSM...it would meet my goals for this rifle just fine with those 200+gr bullets.
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I forgot to mention that you can always neck 300WSM brass up to 8mm. So that is a long term brass option should 325WSM headstamped brass become obsolete. And 300WSM brass isn't going anywhere.
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I have the 325wsm. Would go 300 wsm or 338 norma if need big.
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I love my .325 and am disappointed it never caught on better. That said, I don’t think the brass or ammo will dry up any day soon and as CaNINE pointed out 300 WSM is easy to convert and it’s popularity will out live us.
If it were me though I would go to a different caliber and probably the .358 in the BLR.
