Trigger Talk Courant Article May 2019: “New and Improved”
I have noticed a lot of new cartridges being introduced lately, often with exotic sounding names to match their impressive performance claims. Do you have an AR15 in the new 224 Valkyrie or 277 Wolverine yet? If not well you better run right out and get one and then ditch those old “regular” Semi-Auto rifles.
Rifles get much of this attention as everyone thinks they can get a little better performance with a slightly heavier/longer or lighter/pointier projectile. Perhaps a 1 in 7 twist versus a 1 in 8 will be a tiny bit more accurate with 75 grain bullet versus a 72 grain bullet. The possibilities are endless, all you need is time and a lot of money.
Frequently the new cartridge is closer to a tweak of an old classic versus an “All New” innovation. Improvements in bullet aerodynamics and materials as well as new more efficient propellants can indeed wring out a little more oomph from an older design. So that new 6.5 Creedmore that everyone is raving about is actually just a face lift to a 104 year old cartridge design called the Savage 250-3000. Designed for the Savage 99 lever action rifle designed in 1899. And is a kissing cousin to the 257 Roberts or 250AI (Ackely Improved).
Sometimes the new cartridge releases seem to be legitimate due to changes in laws and regulations. In recent years more and more states which previously only allowed shotgun hunting for mid sized game such a White Tail deer are now allowing rifles chambered in straight wall cartridges up to a certain max. case length.
Last night I got an E-mail from a Gun Manufacturer proclaiming that their newest gun offerings were now being offered in the “All New” .350 Legend. My first thought was “ A What?” Turns out Winchester has designed and released this new cartridge to be used in straight wall cartridge states for hunting instead of shotguns. Investigation reveals it is a .358 diameter projectile in a non rimed (rebated) straight wall case.
The 350 Legend’s performance is approximately the same as the venerable 30-30, the old 35 Remington and other mid level rifle cartridges, but is in a straight wall cartridge that meets the new hunting regulations. Other choices could include the 357 Magnum, 44 Magnum often available in Marlin and Winchester Lever action guns, the new Ruger Ranch Rifles and various bolt action guns.
You may find excellent examples of the classic chamberings I have mention for sale used, but the “New and Improved” chamberings do give you an good excuse to get a new rifle!