Brad:



What is quite amusing to me is the (somewhat widespread) opinion that another .015" (.308 to .323) would make little diference performance wise while adding another .015", (.323 to .338) would make signifigant gains.



There is no doubt that in a large capacity case, the .338 would surpass the .323 by a signifigant margin. But are we really talking large capacity with the WSM case?



I just feel that Winchester put a lot of thought into what combination would give the best compromise of MV, ME and low perceived recoil in a light weight rifle for packing into (and out of)remote locations such as might be encountered by Elk hunters.



I think it took some courage to risk this decision to introduce what somebody in the corporation felt was the right choice albeit maybe not the most popular one.



On a global scale I would bet that the 8mm bore is second only to the .308 or possibly the 7mm would be second. Anyway the 8mm would be in the top three, far ahead of the .270. After all how many different (proven) cartridges are there in .277?



I just feel it is a shame that in America the 8mm is shunned so. I suspect that this is because of the pitiful U.S. loadings for the 8x57 Mauser (can you say 32 special ballistics). European factory loads reach close to 2700fps with a 200gr bullet. Indeed Breneke reaches something like 2,740fps with a 198gr pill. I doubt that the ol "06" can do any better than that. I can easily get over 2800fps with a 180gr BT in the 8x57 without generating any more pressure than the run of the mill "06" factory load.



If the American public and maybe more importantly, the "gun scribes" can keep an open mind long enough to give this a chance, many people might be pleasantly surprised. After all when Remington introduced the 7mm Mag way back when, 7mm was not all that popular here in the States. I think Remington now has their name on something like seven different 7mm chamberings.

In MY best Homer Simpson voice: Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Kimber 8400 in 8mmWSM. Droooooooool.

Hey I can dream can't I?

[quote
And what about the 270WSM? You didn't adress that brain fart by Winchester/Olin? If they were going to come out with the 7mmWSM anyway. (with the largest selection of avaiable bullets for reloading) why in the world did they develop a 270WSM. I repeat, there is no balistic advantage there whatsoever. < !--color--> Grandpa had a 270 Win so I'm gonna get me a 270WSM. .007" is splitting hairs.

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By George, you've got it. It is marketing, pure and simple. Nothing wrong with that as Winchester is in business to sell guns and make money.

Jeff

I went through the posts pretty fast and I can't see any mention of the Remington geniuses that came up with the .280 Remington renamed 7mm Express Remington then returned to the .280 Remington. This is the kind of thing careers are made of!