New Rifle Cartridges – A Look At What Fuels Modern Development

By Philip Massaro

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.

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 …Read the Rest

Source:: Guns and Ammo