Hello:

One would argue that the .308 is inherently more accurate than the '06. Hooray for US miltary and 30 years of work. The next step up from .30 cal for long range seems to be the .50. Has anyone ever exactly scaled up the .308 case dimensionally to a .35, .375 or .40 caliber? Wouldn't physics dictate the same inherent accuracy? OK, I realize that a primer size change would not be included. Perhaps a slightly larger primer hole, or tapered hole in the case to compensate for the unchanged primer geometry.

Or, take one of the new large case, short sub-30's and scale it up to .338, .35 or .375. This given all of the recent work on slower burning powders.

Regards-Dave

.338 Lapua Magnum. Sean

Sean:

I checked the latest Sierra book. It is the same shoulder angle. I didn't calculate the ratios, though they seem similar. Also, the book said about the .338 Lapua Magnum... "While it hasn't been officially embraced by the military, rumor has it that it has seen action in the hands of some special operations troops". My guess is that these are Europeon special forces.

With the .50's is it the bullet availability that is wagging the dogs tail? If it must be so, then back-design from a .416 or .375 bullet to .308 case geometry for your heavy hitter round.

Just a Mechanical Engineer that's been relaoding since '72 ruminating on a newly-found website. Rain/snow here in NY this time of year will do that.

Regards-Dave

How about the .408 Chey-Tac then. The problem I see with the 50 BMG and the reason most often given for developing alternatives to the 50 is the size/weight/expense of suitable actions for the BMG. Both the Lapua and the Chey-Tac fit in magnum actions like those for the 416 Rigby et al. While not as inexpensive as a .308 action they are much cheaper than a McMillan or Barrett. Sean

The use of the .338 LM by Special Operations personnel is an accepted fact in Europe (Royal Marines Snipers). However, recent information shows that these same folks are switching to the 300-338 LM as it outperforms the 338 ...

Regarding the 408 CT, if you take the engineering approach:

308 Win, base OD 0.4709", length 2.015", bullet 0.308"
50 BMG, base OD 0.8030", length 3.9100", bullet 0.510"

Average of those two
AVG RND, base OD 0.637", length 2.9625", bullet 0.409"
408 CT, base OD 0.6400", length 3.1500", bullet 0.408"

No real magic there ...

If you read the assessment of the 375 Dakota in COTW "Combined with some of the superior bullets now available, this cartridge can rival the long-range trajectory of the best 270 Winchester loads"

Those case dimensions are:
308 Win, 0.4709" Base, 2.0150" long, .308 bullet
374 DAK, 0.545" base, 2.5700" long, .375 bullet
Ratio of bullets diameter 1.2175
Ratio of base OD 1.1574
ratio of length 1.275

Just about what you were suggesting, so based on the information available, you're absolutely right!

BTW the PROPER 375 version would be a 375 Lapua Magnum, the 338 version would be the 338 Win Mag and the 35 version would be the 358-404 ...

It all depends on what you are hunting. For people the .30 does fine the bigger cases just give better range.
Jason

MartytW, wrote "The use of the .338 LM by Special Operations personnel is an accepted fact in Europe (Royal Marines Snipers). However, recent information shows that these same folks are switching to the 300-338 LM as it outperforms the 338 ..."