Thread: overlap between cartridges

[QUOTE=Micky Duck;1467332]

From my perspective much of the faster twist rate phenomenon relates to shooting heavier, longer, high BC bullets at very looooong range. A lot of these bullets aren't hunting bullets but are highly accurate, slippery missiles optimised for hitting steel or paper with great reliability way out there. Often these are launched from rifles bearing only superficial resemblence to typical hunting rifles.
I sort of agree with your argument that smaller calibres able to shoot heavier bullets via faster Twist Rate barrels may be a close match for the next cartridge or two up the calibre table but optimal performance may be possible only with bullets specifically for long range shots, and not optimised for killing game. In my mind at least I see two different scenarios. One is the assortment old, standard, proven hunting cartridges, still plugging away and downing game at distances as far as typical guys can confidently shoot, and these cartridges holding their own despite all the recent newcomers crowding into the available market space. The other scenario is all the new fangled cartridge offerings that kinda matches up with all the new techno gadgetry that supports all the current fascination with ultra long range shooting. Personally I'm not into this side of things but don't knock it. There are benefits. Creative manufacturers successfully stimulate market hype that keeps the whole industry rolling along and that's a good thing. Without the high level of user participation we wouldn't have the endless range of product availability ( primers the current exception ) at reasonable costs that we do today that allows many joe average guys to also participate without bankrupting themselves to do so. I would say we shooters have never had it as good as we have over the last 20 years probably.
Another thing happening as an offshoot of the very high BC long range bullet development is that the design concept is being seen more and more in pure hunting bullets ( actually maybe this has been happening for a while ) that are flattening the flight path trajectory of the older designs. My own experience with a couple of the ELD-X bullets ( not necessarily a pure hunting bullet ) is I found it easier and faster working up good handloads for hunting. I realise manufacturing tolerances probably contributes here also.
I'm not worried about the older, well established and proven cartridges disappearing any time soon. Many now are the stuff of legend and have been doing the job of hunting well and reliably. And often, loaded with new powders and bullets they take a step up in performance. On the other hand several of the newer cartridges are likely to disappear as has already happened with a few. I guess the 6.5 Creedmoor is a big exception but it had heaps of support in ammo availability and different manufacturers rifles, different manufacturers reloading componentry so it was easy for joe shooter to get on board. Not every new cartridge has been similarly supported which will doom some to the rubbish bin of history.