browning 325 wsm..x bolt vs .338

[srupp]

I am looking for my one last rifle (giggle ya sure )I already have a browning .270..now am looking at the browning X-BOLT...what say ye shooting gods???I was thinking (never a good thing with me) about the .338 and then saw this 325 wsm..which Browning claims shoots as flat hits as hard as the .338

So this is for BIG moose..and G bears..what do you think Ruttingbuck??Boo et all Gatehouse

325 WSM in new x config ss??or .338

Appreciate your views..

Steven

[Cariboo]

The wonders of statistics .................... you can manipulate the data to show any result you want.


The 8mm Wizzum - aka the .325 Winchester Short magnum - is a great cartridge but it is not a 338 Winchester. When comparing bullets of similar weights and sectional density the .338 Winchester does show a definate edge over the .325. In truth the 325 WSM turns in real world performance which is almost identical to the .338-06 (That is not faint praise btw)


For most hunters who have moose as the largest critter on the menu I would have no problem recommending the Short Mag. In your case where you chase those big coastal G-bears however I would definitely go to the larger round. In fact I would go so far as to suggest you take a long hard look at a .375 H&H.


The X-Bolt should be an OK rifle that will in all likely-hood be a real tack-driver like most Browning's. The new detachable magazine is a definate improvement over the old floor-plate/magazine system. Browning however could not stop at simplifying their design and complicated things by drilling a great bloody hole in the bolt handle right at the point where it takes most of the strain. I would let the design be field tested by others for a year or so before buying one especially if your idea of a test is hunting Bella Coola bears.

[srupp]

Thanks BOO

Steven

[Pat Brennan]

Steven, you have to ask yourself why a 325WSM? Lots more ammo/bullets available for the 338 caliber, rifles and ammo much more common and well proven, and it will be with us for our lifetime and then some.
Only question I really have is, how big a rifle can you shoot well? If you can shoot them well, a 338 or 375 would be hard to beat for your intended use, in a proven rifle design. Then try handling several and see which one fits you best.

[srupp]

Thanks Pat ....sage advice...appreciated it.

Steven

[44maguy]

The lack of ammo or bullets for the 325 is a bit of a myth actually.
Yep its a bit limited for factory ammo but latest info is its the 2nd highest seller of the short mags just a little behind the 300WSM. So that won't last much longer.
If you handload theres a ton of bullets and weight ranges!
125, 150, 170, 175, 180, 185, 195, 200, 220, and 250! With the 250 Woodleigh or a prmium 220 gr it is totally adequate for big bears. If the 35 Whelan is recommend by Phil Shoemaker as a fine Brown Bear round then the 325wsm is right there too.
On the other side of the coin I truly believe you should go with as much rifle as you can accurately/comfortably shoot on the Big Bears.
Many have fallen to the various 300 mags where bullet selection is very critical on up to the Ele cartridges. From here on up all will work assuming the shot is well placed. Its the peace of mind factor that effects most peoples decisions re the Bear gun and they tend to go too much gun for what they can handle. This has a tendancy to cause poor shot placement on account of the recoil fear factor.
Phil simply says go with what you can shoot well and use a premium bullet, heavy for caliber...I completely agree.

[44maguy]

I agree with Boo tho in that the Browning X bolt is an unproven rifle as yet and I would not put my faith in one as a DGR till its been around for a while.
The new Ruger 338 RCM should be along in a couple months and it looks to be pretty ideal blend of ballistics and real world shoot-ability. They have announced a rifle for it and I think it will be pretty close to the Alaskan package but without the Hogue (disposable ) stock.
A little food for thot.

[bjjzak]

I remember the quote attributed to the late Elmer Kieth when the 8mm Rem Mag came out, "What the Hell good is it?" as being between the 300 mags and the 338 mags, it was an answer to a question nobody really asked.
The 325 reminds me of the same question. The 338 has been around and proven for years, if you want a short mag with 200 gr bullets, go for a 300 WSM. Out of the recent crop of shorties, this and the 270 WSM are probably the ones that will survive, or be viable into the future. Ruger's up & comming shorties could be interesting, but how many variations do we really need, or can we support?
Or end the argument completely and go 375, and answer all the questions at once. Ditto on waiting to see how the new Browning holds out. If youre going to be a test pilot, haveing a test medium of the non chomping variety is a good idea, IMHO. Good luck!

[srupp]

i have been looking at "makes" of rifles..and the one so far I liked was the
SAKO 85 hunter in synthetic stock and stainless barrell...anyone have any experience with the 85 Sako?? or Sako itself $1500 aproxx in .338..

I am only looking at synthetic and stainless..

thnaks all keep it coming I appreciate it..

Steven

[bjjzak]

Most of my stainless experience has been with Savage, Remington and Ruger rifles. All are pretty good, each has it's own little quirks. I do recall some issues with the Sako 75, but haven't heard anything yet on the 85. Good idea to stick with something Stainless out there though. I've bought 2 blued steel guns lately from the "Wet coast" and had to spend a chunk of time cleaning them from minor rust problems. Watch out on some of the stainless guns though, as not all stainless is created stainless, some use regular steel in some parts, others use nickle plating, or alluminum alloy. Ie: Rem bolt heads are regular metal, so are some Savage bolt & trigger components, the Ruger is the only one I can recall being stainless on the steel parts, but alloy on the floorplate though.

[44maguy]

Steve
The Sako 85 is a total class act rifle.
I spent quite a bit of time looking over a 375 H&H in Granlunds last year almost bought it. Strike killed that idea. In 338 it will do yeoman service for you.
It is a universally praised rifle I don't think you could go wrong with that set-up.

[srupp]

thanks 44MAGUY...I spent over 10 hours reading anything I could on the stainless steel and .338 for dangerous game and the Sako 85 seemed to stand out...

The only compitition my be a custom one from Alberta tactical...

Steven

[25tikka]

I have a win mod 70 stainless in 338 that shoots extremely well. I have had a few rifles in this caliber and love it. I have hunted with a friend with the 325 and see no real field difference. A big difference is finding ammo in small northern towns as 338 is everywhere and some places have said 325 what??
I have recently moved to the 375 h&h for big bears and moose in the big bear areas and actually find it easier to shoot well partly to do with the rifle weight as both are mod 70's. If you are looking for a 338 I have one that is collecting dust (what a shame). I am sure you will love either cal when you find the right gun to shoot it out of.

[srupp]

Thanks 25tikka...I really do appreciate the expertise..I have only used the .338 onone animal..an enraged grizzly...I usually used a wicked little rust covered Rem .350 magnum as my "guides backup weapon..however on the one clients hunt I was forced to borrow a .338..and the clients fir4st shot wasnt exactly BUTTER..and the bear started towards us..one shot with the .338 and that was that..I guess due to the situation I didnt notice the recoil..not sure what 20 shots at the range will be like...lol

I had a gernman made custom 300 win mag stolen and am only now getting around to replacing it..so the money is there for the fifle...

Does anyone have anything negative about Sako 85??

Steven

[44maguy]

Steve
FYI... You know that Ruger makes a rifle in 350 Rem mag in SS synthetic.
Heres a link to the new Ruger compact mag the .338 RCM would be a nice rifle too.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FA-Type-RI.html