325wsm load test

[chet]

Got up early this morning to shoot before work.
64grs of IMR430 - 200gr PT
I pulled the second shot - it went 6" to the right. damn coffee :lol:
62 degrees f
no pressure signs
accuracy is fair (much much better than the factory stuff I broke the gun in with.)
Pretty dissapointed with the velocity and the SD.

 

[6mm Remington]

Chet every gun is so individual, and I've seen exact same makes, models, and barrel lengths shooting the exact same load have 100 fps or more difference between rifles.

I load for a friend and use 64.5 grs of IMR4350 with the 200 gr. Partition for 2812 fps. His OAL with the Partition is 2.865.

The 200 gr. AccuBond is loaded with 65.5 grs of IMR4350 for just a bit more fps and OAL is 2.900. I'm using Federal LRM primers and Winchester brass.

The Partition is hitting 1.5 inches high at 100, and the AccuBond is hitting 2.5 inches high. Dead center on the windage. Pretty lucky that they shoot so closely together so you don't have to worry about adjusting your sights if you change bullets. To be honest, that 325 WSM is a nice rifle and it does not recoil nearly as badly as I thought it would.

 

[chet]

recoil was quite pleasant - no where near as harsh as the 220gr PP loads.

 

[DrMike]

chet,

You'll perhaps see measurable increase in velocities after a couple of hundred rounds. In the interim, you can perhaps carefully work up in half grain increments to boost velocity. I find that I get higher velocities with Big Game than with IMR 4350. I would observe that a 200 grain PT at 2700 fps is still an awesome and lethal projectile.

 

[chet]

mike,
I don't think I'll be able to break 2800 safely with IMR4350.
I have some RL17 that I'll try - or do you think I'd be better off buying some Big game?
Of course I would like to tighten the group up as well.....
range time is becoming quite limited.

I do know that this load will work quite well for mr bullwinkle!!! but a little tighter and faster sure wouldn't hurt! 8)

 

[DrMike]

Chet,

I've had my best success (and most consistent results) for the 200 grain PT with Big Game. ReLoder 17 hasn't worked well for me in this particular cartridge. I suspect that were I shooting 180s (E-Tips or TSX) or 185s (Core-Loks), it would perform better.

 

[corbin9191]

chet,
I have tried Hunter in my short mag (7mm) and it did boost the velocity with the bigger bullets. I think it would be worth a try in your rifle. But as stated before, that load will sure put a hurting on any animal within reasonable shooting distance.

 

[DrMike]

I can tell you that I've dropped two elk and a moose with my 325 WSM so far, and it definitely thumped them with authority. The moose was at 60 yards, and he dropped right smartly. One elk was at about 110 yards, and at the shot he stumbled and staggered around for a couple of seconds before toppling over. The second elk took a couple of shots to convince him he was dead. At the first shot, about 100 yards, he was definitely rocked back on his hooves. Then he lurched forward a couple of steps and stood unsteady on his feet while trying to decide whether to run or drop dead. A second shot convinced him to stand where he was and expire. These were all with the 200 grain PT and Big Game at about 2800 fps. I have been favourably impressed with the 325.

 

[chet]

mike and 6mm,
any bullet recoveries? bullet recovery is my favorite part!!!!!
I jump and scream like a school girl if I find a mushroomed PT!!!!! :lol:

 

[DrMike]

Relax. No need to scream just yet. No recovery, yet.

 

[efw]

Chet,

I had excellent results from RL17 w/ both 180s & 200s in my 325 Wizzum. Can't remember the charge but I wasn't running NPTs... SMKs worked GREAT accuracy-wise with a max load, but didn't chrono.

Are you running magnum primers? Some good potent Federal Magnums might help there.

RS-Hunter would DEFINATELY be worth your while in this cartridge. Mine didn't produce good groups with it, but I didn't devote much time to it, either.

Good looking development. What you lookin' to take down with that monster?

 

[SJB358]

Any updates on your 325WSM Chet! Scotty

 

[6mm Remington]

mike and 6mm,
any bullet recoveries? bullet recovery is my favorite part!!!!!
I jump and scream like a school girl if I find a mushroomed PT!!!!! :lol:

Chet my friend Jeff just shot a nice 6x6 bull this year at about 70 yards. Shot him 4 times before he tipped over with his 325 WSM and 200 gr. AccuBond. He said he recovered two or three of the four but could not find them when I was at his house. If he can scrounge them up I'll take some photo's and post.
David

 

[chet]

efw, mainly devolping for a shiras moose hunt in sept. CCI-250



On my way home from scouting yesterday, I stopped by Cabelas and bought some Hunter and Big Game. Hunter will supposedly provide the best velocity, but Big Game will supposedly provide the best accuracy........ I'll try them both.

 

[FOTIS]

Weird,
My boy's Savage 325 WSM does 2910 fps with the 200 NP's.

 

[chet]

Pop, I'm starting to think that my can of IMR4350 is from a slow lot.....
this same 8 lb can gave slower than expected speeds in 3 other rifles. 25-06, 300winmag, and 7mm rem mag......

 

[FOTIS]

It is possible, or you have a "slow barrel".

My Savage and Sendero 300 rums ran 140 fps faster with the exact same loads (same brass powder primers and Lot #'s) than my bud's Sako 300 RUM.
Go figure.

 

[wildgene]

...I'm getting 2900fps w/ the 200gr. NAB's/ 63.5grs. of RL-17, 2800fps w/ the 220gr. Sierra SBT/ 63grs. RL-17.Went w/ the 220gr. Sierras for elk hunting, out there where things start getting interesting the 220grs. deliver. Couple 3 shot groups...

 

[DrMike]

That's what we like to see, wildgene--target porn.

 

[SJB358]

Very nice. I hear great things about that 220gr Sierra. Supposed to be a very good bullet and since it was designed for the 8mm RM it should be nothing less than awesome at 325 speeds. Scotty