.338 Norma Magnum
Things in the cartridge world are changing, for sure. In the last decade, we’ve seen cartridges get smaller, bullets get longer and the overall mentality change. So, what’s the deal? Exactly what is the mind set? Let’s take a look at some of the modern cartridge developments and the school of thought.
Federal Premium 6.5 Creedmoor
The modern family of cartridges began – sort of – with the 6.5 Creedmoor. Some are sick of hearing about its virtues, and some are completely unfamiliar with the design. Nonetheless, it is a sound design, even if its father has faded into obscurity, but I believe we should begin with this cartridge. Based on the .30 T/C (which in turn was purported to give true .30-06 Springfield velocities from a short-action cartridge) the 6.5 Creedmoor filled a niche: it delivered an unprecedented trajectory from a cartridge that fit into the AR-15 magazine. Once the shooting world saw how well the Hornady-developed cartridge performed in the gas guns, it was no time before the cartridge made its way into the bolt guns. Accuracy was fantastic, and the twist rate that was the usual offering for the 6.5mm cartridges gave amazing performance downrange; the Sectional Density (S.D.) and Ballistic Coefficient (B.C.) of the 6.5s are unparalleled.
Now, let me say this: the 6.5 Creedmoor is no miracle wrought in brass; the formula has been with us since the 19th century in the guise of the 6.5×55 Swedish Mauser and 6.5×54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer. From the inception of the bore diameter, the twist rate has been one which would handle the 156- and 160-grain bullets, which are both very long for caliber, and in modern bullet profiles will offer an excellent B.C. Compare those bullets to those suitable for
