Keep or ? 325 WSM

[FuzzT]

I inherited a 325 in a model 70 that is unfired. I have 100 rounds of Winchester brass, dies and some .323 bullets in 170 Speer and 220 and 250 grain Woodleighs. I don't have any big love for the round due to lack of bullet choice. I am trying to decide what to do with it? Rebarrel it to something else? And if so what? Our local range goes out to 1600 yards so it would be fun to try some long stuff but I am not interested in match shooting. I do not need another big bore as I have that pretty well covered between a 35 Whelen, 375 Weatherby and a 411 custom.

 

[B Nettesheim]

I built one in 300 wsm off the same action and it is the most accurate and repeatable rifle I’ve ever owned period

 

[FuzzT]

So if I did have it rebarreled how long and what twist should I get?

 

[Orr89rocz]

Id sell it. Unless you like the gun and action and could rebarrel it.

I have no idea why winchester made 325 instead of a 338. Guess to not take away from their own 338 win mag. Hell they could have done a 358 and it be better than the 8mm

 

[msalm]

I’ve been using those for rebarrel to 35 WSM. Makes a great IA legal deer rifle.

 

[B Nettesheim]

So if I did have it rebarreled how long and what twist should I get?

9tw 26”

 

[RustyPin]

Excellent Hunting Cartridge. You'd be happy with a PRC in .... wait for it.... 6.5mm.

 

[moondog]

My Elk rig was a 325 WSM years ago. Absolutely devastating on big game.
Very easy to load, very accurate rig for reasonable distance shots. Quit Hunting, rechambered it to a 7 SAUM match rifle.
I think I still have a bunch of hunting bullets if anyone wants em.

 

[Kurz]

I have no idea why winchester made 325 instead of a 338. Guess to not take away from their own 338 win mag. Hell they could have done a 358 and it be better than the 8mm

Winchester did a limited Beta-Testing run of .338 WSM brass. I still have 100 pieces from the original batch I received to test. It would overlap some of the other market available cartridges and simply become another mediocre .338 cartridge.

Had Winchester released a .35 WSM it too would have failed like so many other niche cartridges with a microscopic demand from the public. Yes, all the 35 Whelen fans would bought it then all that fanfare would have disappeared like rain in the desert.

Excellent Hunting Cartridge.

This is where the .325 WSM shines, slightly heavier bullets and moderate ranges for hunting. Mine, with a shorter barrel (23") is good for 600 yards and lots of remaining energy for up to Elk. It fulfills a hole in the list of the then available WSM cartridges.

After reading your initial post a couple more times, I suggest just selling it and start fresh with what you feel fulfills you wants and needs. It is basically new and unfired so the condition is prime for selling. If you were in the Lower 48 I would make an offer...

 

[Vinootz]

Only you can decide. Personally, I’m not in the business of helping people make up their minds. Never have, never will. All I can say is I have two rifles chambered in 325wsm and have no intention of getting rid of them.
Pros: great cartridge that will handily kill elk and moose out to 600 yards. It can kill any animal on the planet. It’s a thumper with very respectable ballistics. Somewhat awesome.
Cons: not a popular caliber in the states,and the cartridge hasn’t caught on(virtually dead) , so availability is poor and ammo has gotten horribly expensive.

 

[Ray123]

Since ya don't need another big bore sell or trade it immediately for something You like...You'll be much happier, with it gone, and fondle that new toy, You, simply adore...emotionally guaranteed. Like that first date, with that new unbelievably beautiful teenage queen, of years gone by...exactly like that!
Why wait?..make the date!