.338 wsm

yellow dog

Beginner
Sep 17, 2012
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nothing from the .325 wsm

why did Winchester not build this cartridge, I know the 8mm makes more sense but with all the .338 bullet options and its undeniable popularity.


I'm sure this has been built but have any members built one? If so what did you think.
 
Could not distinguish itself from other offerings in .338 calibre. The 325 WSM delivers virtually identical performance. Velocity sells, and that killed the 338 WSM. Those that have built a 338 WSM seem happy with the cartridge--it kills cleanly, as does the 325 WSM. Just can't get the velocity that Winchester thought it should provide.
 
I always wondered as well but when you get over .308 caliber it's pretty hard to tip the 338 Win Mag off its pedestal. As much as a nut I am about different cartridges the 325 seems like a great cartridge. Although, I wouldn't turn down the chance to run a 358 WSM if I had the chance.
 
Now that 35 is the one I keep thinking about. I have that 270WSM Sako 75 that I could turn .... I already have a 338Federal so it keeps getting into the way.
 
Anyone wanting a 338 short magnum should take a look at the 338 RCM. It will not tolerate 250 grain bullets, so it won't topple the 338 WM from its perch, but with 200-225 grain bullets, it will definitely drop elk. For anyone just having to have a 338-300 WSM, RCBS does make case forming dies. A 338-300 WSM would get about 2650-2700 fps with a 225 grain bullet. That is essentially identical to the velocity anticipated with a 325 WSM and a 220 grain bullet.
 
Sometimes the creation of new, just for the sake of new, is not a good thing.
The .338 Win Mag and .325 WSM will suffice in my book. :)

Vince

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
 
Supposedly anything larger than 325 was unpredictable (for factory loaders) with occasionally occurring pressure spikes. The original intent was a 338 but the engineers weren't happy with it.

I think the 35 Sambar would be a cool one to have.
 
I think a 9.3mm WSM would get some attention.

JD338
 
with all the popularity, and massive bullet selection the .338 seems like it would have been the bullet to go with.

7mm rem mag has the 7mm wsm
300 win mag has the 300 wsm
270 has the 270 wsm
seems to me the 6.5 wsm would have had better ballistics.
.338 win mag no .338 wsm.
even the .223 .243 .25 got a wssm


If I was the .338 I would be pissed.
 
DrMike":ull5kzpi said:
Anyone wanting a 338 short magnum should take a look at the 338 RCM. It will not tolerate 250 grain bullets, so it won't topple the 338 WM from its perch, but with 200-225 grain bullets, it will definitely drop elk. For anyone just having to have a 338-300 WSM, RCBS does make case forming dies. A 338-300 WSM would get about 2650-2700 fps with a 225 grain bullet. That is essentially identical to the velocity anticipated with a 325 WSM and a 220 grain bullet.
Heck a standard 35 Whelen will get better velocity than that with a 225gr AB according to Nosler.
 
yellow dog":2n5o1tfu said:
with all the popularity, and massive bullet selection the .338 seems like it would have been the bullet to go with.

7mm rem mag has the 7mm wsm
300 win mag has the 300 wsm
270 has the 270 wsm
seems to me the 6.5 wsm would have had better ballistics.
.338 win mag no .338 wsm.
even the .223 .243 .25 got a wssm


If I was the .338 I would be pissed.

As a proud 338 Win Mag owner I can tell you mine doesn't care :lol:

I do like the 270 and 7mm WSMs a lot and believe I would really like a 325 someday I can't see ever feeling rooked without the 338 WSM. I think it would be a cool cartridge if it was built and a guy could probably mimic the 338 Win Mag with the right action, but the original 338 designed in 1958 is just plain cool. I'm pretty jaded though as I just love my old old Alaskan.
 
truck driver":vsx75cu2 said:
DrMike":vsx75cu2 said:
Anyone wanting a 338 short magnum should take a look at the 338 RCM. It will not tolerate 250 grain bullets, so it won't topple the 338 WM from its perch, but with 200-225 grain bullets, it will definitely drop elk. For anyone just having to have a 338-300 WSM, RCBS does make case forming dies. A 338-300 WSM would get about 2650-2700 fps with a 225 grain bullet. That is essentially identical to the velocity anticipated with a 325 WSM and a 220 grain bullet.
Heck a standard 35 Whelen will get better velocity than that with a 225gr AB according to Nosler.

I'm just guessing but I'd bet you'd get over 2700 with the 225's in a 24" barreled 338 WSM. It has the case space if set up on the right action.

The only way to settle this is for Yellow Dog to build one up! :grin:
 
SJB358":3vwkic3s said:
I'm just guessing but I'd bet you'd get over 2700 with the 225's in a 24" barreled 338 WSM. It has the case space if set up on the right action.

The only way to settle this is for Yellow Dog to build one up! :grin:

Now you're talking! :grin:
 
mamas mad that I bought a .325 Xbolt. might have to hold off on that one until I cant control my self.

I cant wait to get home and shoot that sucker!!!
 
Sweet. I'm looking forward to your range report. The 325 is one I've always been interested in. I'm a huge fan of the medium bores.
 
The WSM cartridges were never about BEATING the velocities of the existing standard magnums.

They were all about doing it with a modern cartridge design that fit in a short action. Ended up delivering excellent velocity for the powder burned and superb accuracy.

I know a fellow out in Cody, Wyoming, who very quickly bumped up his .300 WSM to a .375 WSM. It's a bit of a beast, and he's taken game with it. Moose as I recall.

FWIW, Guy
 
I believe the .338 Redneck (300WSM-338) has been done for a while.

If I recall, a lot of .338 bullets don't have the ogive to match the case mouth in the .338WSM but wouldn't match .338WM speeds at any rate.

I did talk to a guy who built one, pretty much a hot .338-06 in a short action. Not a bad thing at all, but not .338WM levels either.
 
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