I wouldn't dismiss the .325 yet either. It has just gotten started "out of the gate" and it is catching on with its intended market. That being those out west and those who buy new rifles to hunt out west. If you are a fan of the 180grn out of a 300mag look at what the 180s do from the 325! The 325 WILL do something that a .338 WONT and that is carry in a light, short overall rifle. We have a .325 at work in the Browning Hunter Field edition and let me tell you that thing feels GREAT. Points like lightening and is MUCH better feeling than ANY .338 I have ever picked up.

I am not saying they are ballistically superior to ANYOTHER like size mag (yeah I am sure that their advertising would like for you to believe otherwise, but realize that they ARE trying to sell you something!) I am just speaking from a comfort and ease of carry perspective. A half pound/full pound or 2" shorter barrel doesn't sound like much but after a week @ 10k feet I can assure you it DOES make a difference!!!

Short, lightweight magnum guns are NOT a new thing. I can remember a buddies old 18.5" barreled Weatherby Vanguard in 7RemMag. It carried like lightening but damn the thing would ROAST anything within 5ft of it from the flame it would throw when you fired it. Not to mention that it kicked like a mining company pack mule. That doesn't happen with a 20" barreled 300WSM that weighs 6#s. I aint sayin it doesn't kick, but it's not that bad and certainly more manageable.

Good luck,
RA