Do we need more new "Factory" cartridges?

[venomballistics]

A guy or gal with a 22, a 12 gauge, a 30'06, and either 357 or 45 ACP handgun remains well-equipped for North American game.

That's all well and good ... But what about the Easter egg hunt?

 

[vinn]

I agree ! it's bad enough as is.

 

[Llance]

I have to wonder, how many of the new calibers are in fact a match for so many of the old calibers? The older cartridges may not be American but could well be of a foreign nature, ie. has anyone here really tested the 8X52 Siam round. Can't get cases for it, try using 7.62X54 Russan and fireform after cutting back two millimeter. It works fine in my 8X52 Siamese rifle. I load it up a grain or two over 45 gr of IMR 4064 and a 180gr bullet. The bullet leaves the muzzle stout enough to match any .30-30 I've ever fired. Mine was by the Arisaka factory in Japan and they made one of the strongest bolt actions of WWII. Normally I load it down with only 42 grains of 4064 so my wife can shoot it and not have the rifle beat her up with recoil.

That is but one example, and there are many more that with enough looking one will find a European cartridge which will match or come darn close to any of the "modern" makes.

What really makes the 30-06 so popular today and yesterday is not the cartridge but the versatility of the cartridge. Everything from 110gr bullets up to 220gr and even heavier. Maybe that is why I own so many, (at last count 5) or it could be I enjoy having so many different actions, everything from a 98 Mauser to Mod 70 Winchester to US Caliber 30 M1.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Like Llance said, those European guy probably did it first. When I came to 6.5mm and 6 mm, Mauser and Mannlicher have it pretty well covered!

As far as 8x52R Siam, there is also 8x52R Label (France) It is much easier to form up the Siamese round than the French one (much fatter case)! The 7,62x54R Russian also gives us 8x50R Austrian, and a short case for 8x56R Hungarian. The German and Austrian small shop gunsmiths made dozens of unique/Wildcat rounds based on the Mauser "A" case, mostly in the Black Powder era. Look at how many of our cases are based on 44, 45, and 50 Caliber Sharps cases. Remington would make a "New" national cartridge for anyone with cash! And of course make guns in said national cartridge.

Ivan

Ivan

 

[johngalt]

I'm one of those that tends to not get all excited when a new cartridge is announced. However the 6.5 Grendel intrigued me when I first heard about it. Supposedly all I need is an upper and it will work with my 5.56 AR. But then I looked at my ammo stash and decided I didn't want to stock up on yet another cartridge. My rifles just punch holes in paper, 5.56/.223 is up to that task.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I'm one of those that tends to not get all excited when a new cartridge is announced. However the 6.5 Grendel intrigued me when I first heard about it. Supposedly all I need is an upper and it will work with my 5.56 AR. But then I looked at my ammo stash and decided I didn't want to stock up on yet another cartridge. My rifles just punch holes in paper, 5.56/.223 is up to that task.

I agree about the 6.5 Grendel, but my best friend is super snobby about new cartridges. He took to the 6.5x39 Grendel like a duck to water. He was an Army armorer and really likes how a 6.5 G upper competes with a good 223/5.56 upper!

Since I have an AR in 308, 300 ACC Blackout only interests me in Sub-sonic loading, (but I already have a quiet can) I think a 7.62x39 upper would be far more affordable to shoot as a 30-30 replacement, than supersonic 300 BO!

Ivan

 

[SMSgt]

I'm one of those that tends to not get all excited when a new cartridge is announced. However the 6.5 Grendel intrigued me when I first heard about it. Supposedly all I need is an upper and it will work with my 5.56 AR. But then I looked at my ammo stash and decided I didn't want to stock up on yet another cartridge. My rifles just punch holes in paper, 5.56/.223 is up to that task.

Barrel, bolt, and mags are different than any run-of-the-mill AR-15.