.35 WSM or 8mm WSM???????

[Lawdog]

I personally like the idea of a .35(.350, .358 or whatever) WSM but I got this off another forum and it makes one wonder.  I went to the web site posted in the story and there is nothing there.  Just asks you to sign up for their news letter.

NEW- 8MM WSM from Winchester!

Copied from; www.theoutdoorwire.com

"Winchester Expands The Winchester Short Magnum Line

Shooters and hunters who like bigger bore rifles for large
game hunting are expecting Winchester and Browning and
Winchester Firearms to finally make the move to bigger
bullets in the WSM line for 2005. They are right, but they
may be surprised.

Winchester recognized the need for a cartridge capable of
launching 200 plus grain bullets with high inherent
accuracy, energy capable of stopping the largest North
American game, and lower perceived recoil. Winchester
engineers considered several different calibers during
development and determined that the .325 caliber was the
best performer in the WSM platform. This new cartridge
delivers similar energies as a .338 Win-Mag in a much
smaller lightweight package.

The platform of the "Short-Fat" cartridge design has for
years consistently produced very accurate cartridges. Since
their introduction, the Winchester Short Magnum and the
Winchester Super Short Magnum calibers have all
produced exceptional accuracy. In addition to delivering
excellent ballistics, the .325 WSM also exhibits exceptional
accuracy, a real plus in this large caliber cartridge.

Initially, three loads will be available in the .325 WSM.
Winchester Ammunition and Nosler, Inc. developed a 200
gr. Accubondr CT in the Supremer line and in the Super-X
line, Winchester Ammunition developed a 220 gr.
Power-Point bullet. Both of these loads utilize bullets
specifically designed for use in the .325 WSM.
Additionally, a 180 gr. Ballistic Silvertip in the Supreme
line will be available. Additional loads are expected in the
future.

The 325 WSM is the ideal package for the serious elk, bear,
moose or other large and dangerous game hunter where a
lightweight short magnum rifle is desired.

Please see the preliminary ballistics for the 325 WSM
below.

.325 WSM

Preliminary Downrange Ballistics

(Note: These numbers are informational only and have not
been finalized.)

Velocity (fps)
Muzzle 100 yards 200 yards 300 yards 400 yards 500 yards
180 BST 3060 2817 2586 2367 2158 1961
200 AB-CT 2950 2736 2532 2338 2151 1974
220 PP 2840 2657 2481 2313 2150 1994

Energy (lb-ft)
Muzzle 100 yards 200 yards 300 yards 400 yards 500 yards
180 BST 3742 3170 2673 2239 1862 1536
200 AB-CT 3864 3324 2848 2426 2055 1730
220 PP 3939 3448 3007 2612 2258 1943

Trajectory
Muzzle 100 yards 200 yards 300 yards 400 yards 500 yards
180 BST -0.9 1.7 0.0 -7.0 -20.1 -40.8
200 AB-CT -0.9 1.9 0.0 -7.3 -21.0 -42.2
220 PP -0.9 2.0 0.0 -7.7 -21.8 -43.6"

With the history of 8mm failures here in the U.S. it makes one wonder what Winchester would be thinking if the story is true.  What is everyones thought on this?  Lawdog
 

[Rummer]

Conceptually, I think it is neat.  Bullets in the .32-.35 caliber class are excellent game killers (the 8x57 is one of my favorites). I can definitely see the appeal of a magnum rifle in this caliber range

Commercially, I don't know how well it will fare.

The article gives the the bullet diameter as .325" not .323" (8mm).  This will prevent winchester from selling rifles to handloaders, at least initially.  From a business standpoint, I think it would be better to go with either an 8mm or .338 rather than .325".  

What winchester may do is a limited run of the rifle and then adjust their production based on how well it sells.

John

[onesonek]

I wonder if ain't just a name, like the 340 Wby. But still use .323 bullets. I just can't see them going that far out of the ordinary.

[Con]

Lawdog,
Perhaps Nosler's expansion of the Accubond range to include an 8mm supports the validity of Winchester introducing this cartridge. Personally I'd love to see it as it'll give me more bullets to play with in my 8mm Remington Magnum... As a marketing move can't see it being sold to the crowds already buying 300WSM's, pretty much similar bullet weights. The quoted ballistics also seem optimistic given they're pretty close to factory 8mm Rem Mag levels. I think it would be a dud cartridge.
Now the 35WSM.... is Winchester bold enough to take on Remington with there 350 Rem Mag (Model 673-butt ugly) and Whelen (7600 and some CDL's) and bury it with the 35WSM?? I doubt it given that they're mostly bean counters that make these decisions. Load a Power-point 200gr soft for deer (from the old 358Win), a premium 225gr for elk, with the option of a super-premium FailSafe at 250gr for bears or Africa and this cartridge would rock! For Winchester it could knock Remington to their knees with their 35 offerings and fill the void left by the 358Win when Winchester dropped it.  Either way would I be correct assuming a larger WSM then 30cal will be aimed in the States exclusively at elk hunters, who probably want more than a 30cal anyway??? Vote 1 - 35WSM!!
Cheers...
Con

[Lawdog]

Con,

Vote 1 - 35WSM!!

Make that 2!!  If Winchester does decide to go with a .35 caliber WSM they got one sale already.  Lawdog
 

[Lawdog]

Found this http://www.gandermountain.com/news/newsitem.asp_Q_id_E_1810
that may just confirm the news about Winchester's new offering.  Lawdog
 

[Con]

Lawdog,
Some of the reasoning behing the 325WSM sounds identical to the 8mm Remington Magnum. I'm rubbing my hands with glee because firstly it means new projectiles for my 8mm Rem Mag and secondly it may convince Remington to re-introduce the 8mm Rem Mag in their rifle range.
Cheers...
Con

[Patriot_1776]

Make that a possible 3!  I have been wondering what to trade my '06 Rem 710 in for, and this is added to my consideration list.  But, I may just sit back and watch how this new design kicks off when it comes out.  I thought just as highly about the RUMs when they arrived, but as do many new introductions, they slacken off overtime.  Either way, those ballistics are pretty complimentary to my 300 Weatherby.  I like the idea of having two different cartridges that can handle one side of the table, and the other handle the opposite.  I hope it will come to it's proper place, as the other WSMs and WSSMs have.  Patriot

[RaySendero]

.35 WSM or 8mm WSM?

Name something that one could do that the other couldn't?

[Buckeye]

I can't beleive this ,I guess they feel a .338WSM couldn't compete with the 338 Win. & the 35 WSM couldn't compete with the 350rem. So they split the Differance , Now with a Odder ball caliber .325!  Well years ago Winchester came out with a odd ball caliber that done fairly well THE .270!!
Maybe they feel lighting may strike twice ??!

Buckeye

[Buckeye]

I hope it uses .323 bullets and not .325 ,That would make to many 32 bullets
.318
.321
.323
& now a .325

I guess I'll pass on this one too !
No WSM for me !
No sir  No way ,Well May-be ?
no

Buckeye

[RaySendero]

I hope it uses .323 bullets and not .325 ,That would make to many 32 bullets
.....

Buckeye

I hope it's a .323!  I reload for my 8mm Mauser and more .323 bullets to choose from will be a good thing.

[Buckeye]

How bout a 9.3 WSM , A true Med. Bore !    


Buckeye

[kombi1976]

How bout a 9.3 WSM , A true Med. Bore !    


Buckeye

I love that idea!  :grin:
BTW, the .325 is a 8mm WSM.
And I reckon Con is right.
The Whelan is an unshakable monument to the popularity of older cartridges.
And since the .350 Rem has been a bit of a no-show I doubt that Winchester will make a similar mistake.
But if we go a 9.3 WSM we'll soon have calls for a .375 WSM.....in fact I believe folks have already begun whispers on this one.
Personally I think that the .325 may be the biggest effective cal to use in this case.

[stork]

How bout a 9.3 WSM , A true Med. Bore !    


Buckeye

I love that idea!  :grin:

Me too!  If they came out with a 9.3 WSM I would buy one.

I really like the idea of expanding the WSM line of cartridges.