Thread: Calibre Choice in the 1970's

Many of the cartridges that were popular in the 70’s have stood the test of time and are as popular as ever 50 years later. 243, 270, and 308 are still hugely popular, and the 30/06 to some extent as well. The 7mm REM Mag is still going strong too. The 7x57 has fallen by the wayside but through no fault of its own, it’s just that the 7mm08 offered the same ballistics in a short action. Same deal for the 6mm REM vs the 243. The 222 is hanging in there but is semi-obsolete due to the 223. The 303 is obsolete but not really; there are still truckloads of SMLEs out there so it’s probably more popular than what you think

When you think about it, much of the true innovation in ballistics over the last 50 years has been in high BC projectiles and twist rates; and to a lesser extent shorter and fatter cartridges designed specifically to allow these high BC pills to be seated out. And you can throw some improvements to propellants in there as well. But the designers of the 30/06 and 308 were certainly onto something for both of them (and their derivatives) to remain so popular many decades down the track

Originally Posted by 7.62

Many of the cartridges that were popular in the 70’s have stood the test of time and are as popular as ever 50 years later. 243, 270, and 308 are still hugely popular, and the 30/06 to some extent as well. The 7mm REM Mag is still going strong too. The 7x57 has fallen by the wayside but through no fault of its own, it’s just that the 7mm08 offered the same ballistics in a short action. Same deal for the 6mm REM vs the 243. The 222 is hanging in there but is semi-obsolete due to the 223. The 303 is obsolete but not really; there are still truckloads of SMLEs out there so it’s probably more popular than what you think

When you think about it, much of the true innovation in ballistics over the last 50 years has been in high BC projectiles and twist rates; and to a lesser extent shorter and fatter cartridges designed specifically to allow these high BC pills to be seated out. And you can throw some improvements to propellants in there as well. But the designers of the 30/06 and 308 were certainly onto something for both of them (and their derivatives) to remain so popular many decades down the track

If you have a look at the new Remington website they are now making the Model 7 in 6mm REM with a 1:9 barrel.