How Do Modern Cartridges Stack Up Against Old-Timers?

Nonetheless, some commenters felt compelled to defend their favourite cartridges (an honorable impulse), and several other argued that these newfangled PRC’s and Creedmoor’s and ARC’s are all hat and no cattle. They don’t truly outperform tried-and-true designs—they’re simply meant to fleece the looking public for extra money and provides gun writers one thing to spill ink on.

I don’t agree with this solely, but it surely received me questioning whether or not these Fudds (who I really like) might need some extent. It’s onerous to argue that trendy cartridges don’t have something to supply, however are these advantages price, say, the price of a brand new rifle? Are they far and away higher than the old-timers or simply marginally simpler?

To reply this query, I pulled ballistic knowledge for every of the ten cartridges I named within the earlier article and matched them up towards older however comparable cartridges. I attempted to select matchups that used related calibers and weights of bullets (although some comparisons are extra pure than others). I additionally tried to pick consultant examples of every cartridge. Any cartridge may be sped up or slowed down on the reloading bench, and even manufacturing facility choices provide a spread of velocities. However I attempted to select a best-case-scenario for each cartridges and never stack the deck in somehow.

The info speaks for itself, however I’ll say this on the outset: the Fudds might need some extent.

Dan Hogan, the daddy of MeatEater’s Greg Hogan, poses with a Willamett Valley blacktail buck and his dad’s rifle (1968).

This matchup typifies the “outdated vs. new” paradigm. The 243 Win. gives extra velocity and a flatter trajectory out to 600 yards, however the 6mm ARC overtakes it from an power perspective by 400 yards. The ARC’s high-BC bullet can also be much less impacted by wind at each distance, and it almost closes the speed hole by 600 yards. Whichever facet of this debate you land on, the information on this matchup gives proof to again you up.

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The 6.5 Creedmoor is most frequently in comparison with the .308 Win., however those that actually need to take the Creedmoor bros down a notch convey up the 260 Remington. The Remington has the identical bullet diameter because the Creedmoor, and on this matchup, the trajectories are almost indistinguishable out to 600 yards. By 500 yards, the Creedmoor has a slight edge in velocity, power, and wind drift, and that benefit grows for those who transfer previous 600 yards or for those who use the 147-grain match bullets for the Creedmoor. However at commonest looking distances, you gained’t discover any distinction between the Creedmoor and the Remington.

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This comparability is rather less pure than the primary two because the PRC is meant to imitate a magnum cartridge and it makes use of a barely narrower bullet than the .270 Win. However as you may see, the bullet weights and muzzle velocities are almost similar, and the .270 Win. deserves an opportunity to greatest certainly one of its newer counterparts. The trajectories are almost similar out to 600 yards, however the PRC opens up a 100 fps and a 130 ft.-lbs. hole regardless that the bullets start at virtually the identical velocity. As with most trendy cartridges, it additionally strikes much less with a ten mph crosswind, on this case about 4 inches (20 vs. 24 inches).

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When the 28 Nosler was launched in 2015, the advertising and marketing supplies made it sound like nothing prefer it had ever been completed earlier than. However ol’ Roy Weatherby would disagree. He put out the 7mm Weatherby Magnum all the way in which again in 1947, and its ballistic properties are just like the a lot newer cartridge. However “related” isn’t “similar.” The 28 Nosler (additionally a 7mm bullet) enjoys a 100 fps and 200 ft.-lbs. edge on the muzzle over the older cartridge, and people gaps stay constant via 600 yards. That permits the Nosler to keep up a flatter trajectory and hit 9 inches larger at that vary, and it strikes about 4 inches much less. You’ll have higher luck discovering high-BC bullets with the newer Nosler, however for those who already personal a 7mm Weatherby Magnum, I wouldn’t really feel an enormous must exit and get a 28 Nosler.

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I selected a heavier, 175-grain bullet for the 7mm Rem. Magazine. on this comparability, and it struggles to stick with with the 7mm PRC. The PRC beats it in each class at each distance out to 600 yards, and a number of the gaps are important. The 7mm Rem. Magazine. does a little bit higher utilizing the 163-grain bullet, however if you wish to use that heavier, 175-grain capsule, the PRC is a transparent winner. You’ll be able to most likely discover a 175-grain bullet that performs a little bit higher within the Rem. Magazine., but it surely’ll be robust to compete towards the PRC’s velocity benefit, all else being equal. Of the ten trendy vs. conventional comparisons, I feel that is the clearest trendy winner.

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He wasn’t utilizing a rifle, however this photograph of the grandfather of MeatEater’s Hunter Spencer is just too good to not share. He’d lately returned from World Warfare II’s European theater, and determined to get a photograph after a terrific day within the squirrel woods.

The 300 Winchester Brief Magnum guarantees 300 Win. Magazine. energy in a short-action bundle. As you may see within the comparability beneath, it delivers on that promise out to 600 yards. The Win. Magazine. holds a slight benefit in each class, however I wouldn’t say it’s sufficient to make an entire lot of distinction. Many hunters will fortunately commerce rather less velocity and power for a lighter rifle with extra capability, which is what the WSM was designed to supply.

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The 300 PRC was billed as a contemporary model of the 300 Win. Magazine. It’s a quick, magnum cartridge that does certainly surpass the 300 Win. Magazine. in velocity, power, trajectory, and wind drift. Its 212-grain bullet is shifting precisely the identical velocity because the 300 Win. Magazine.’s 200-grain bullet, which provides it an power benefit out of the gate. Nevertheless it will increase that preliminary benefit downrange, and by 600 yards, it’s hitting with virtually 300 further foot-pounds of power. It additionally strikes about three inches much less in a ten mph crosswind at 600 yards, and has a barely flatter trajectory, as well. Win. Magazine. followers will say that these slight benefits don’t truly matter a lot within the subject, since most pictures within the subject are taken effectively inside 600 yards; PRC followers will argue that they do, and that the PRC’s actual advantages don’t kick in till previous 600 yards. Either side have some extent, and thus the talk continues.

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The 338 Federal is one other cartridge that was launched particularly to enhance upon an current possibility. The Federal makes use of a .308 Win. case however necks it as much as settle for a .338-caliber bullet. It guarantees extra power heading in the right direction with out the related recoil of a magnum and whereas sustaining the .308’s compact dimensions. As you may see from the charts beneath, it does certainly make good on that promise. It pushes a 200-grain bullet 2,700 fps, which is 100 fps quicker (someway) than a .308 can launch a 178-grain bullet. In a task reversal from the outdated vs. new matchups we’ve seen thus far, the .308 truly overtakes the 338 in velocity and power between 300 and 500 yards. Trajectories stay similar to about that distance, however the .308 drifts considerably much less within the wind. As you may see, the .338 is a contemporary cartridge that bucks the trendy cartridge pattern. It gives extra energy and velocity and shorter distance, which, if we’re being trustworthy, is the place most hunters are taking pictures, anyway. That’s nice for moose and elk hunters who would possibly desire a little bit of an edge with nothing greater than a barrel swap.

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I had essentially the most hassle discovering a superb comp for the 350 Legend. I assumed concerning the 45-70 Authorities, but it surely hits with a lot extra energy on the distances you’d truly shoot these cartridges. I feel a greater straight-wall comparability is the 44 Rem. Magazine. The 350 Legend flies quicker, however the 44’s heavier bullet means power heading in the right direction is comparable at each distance out to 600 yards. However the 350’s velocity provides it a flatter trajectory, and at 300 yards you solely have to return up 30 inches as in comparison with the 44’s 53 inches. Whether or not your rifle can shoot precisely out to 300 yards is a distinct story, however the bullet may have drifted about 10 fewer inches in a 10mph crosswind, in order that’ll assist, too.

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This one is fairly easy. The 375 Ruger’s barely bigger case capability provides it a velocity benefit over the H&H that it carries with it all through its 600-yard journey downrange. It hits with extra power, shoots a little bit flatter, and is rather less impacted by the wind. You’ll be able to take these benefits to the financial institution, or you may money them in for a rifle with a shorter barrel however equal efficiency to the tried-and-true H&H. The H&H’s resume is over a century outdated, so we all know what it will possibly and may’t do. With the 375 Ruger, you may mimic that efficiency–and profit from the related peace of thoughts–whereas utilizing a 22-inch barrel somewhat than 24-inch barrel. Once more, not an enormous distinction, however for those who’re operating a suppressor, the 375 Ruger rifle will likely be a little bit extra handy getting out and in of the safari Jeep.

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Picture by way of MeatEater’s Matt Miller.

Trendy cartridge aficionados would possibly take subject with the truth that I restricted the vary to 600 yards. If you happen to lengthen a shot out to 700 or 1,000 yards, the marginal benefits you may see within the charts widen considerably. However it is a record of looking cartridges, not competitors ones, and 95% of hunters won’t ever (or ought to by no means) take a shot previous 400 yards, not to mention 600.

Nevertheless, it’s additionally true that velocity, power, trajectory, and wind drift aren’t the one components to contemplate. These charts don’t embrace recoil and accuracy, two key elements to creating an efficient shot. Whereas older cartridges aren’t essentially much less correct, you’ll have higher luck in that division with a manufacturing facility rifle chambered in a contemporary cartridge. The tolerances are a little bit tighter, so I’ve discovered they often shoot higher teams out of the field.

Backside line? This debate will proceed for the foreseeable future as a result of each side have some extent. Trendy cartridges aren’t the perfect factor since sliced bread. That 6.5 Creedmoor/260 Rem. comparability reveals that somewhat than reinventing the wheel, the Creedmoor simply rolled a wheel down a hill whereas individuals have been wanting to maneuver some furnishings. If you happen to suppose your hunt’s success will come right down to 4 fewer inches of wind drift at 500 yards, it is best to most likely rethink your technique.

Nonetheless, many trendy cartridges do provide actual benefits. They use powder extra effectively, hit with much less recoil, and do a greater job in windy circumstances. These benefits may be marginal at frequent looking distances, however for those who may give your self a slight edge within the subject, why not take it?

Characteristic picture by way of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Wikimedia commons.