Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Smokeless powder was certainly a major turning point in the history of firearms. In the late 1800’s, militaries around the world, but initially mostly in western Europe, raced to take advantage of this new technology. Smokeless powder and strong actions allowed for much higher velocities and smaller projectiles, which in turn allowed for greatly flatter trajectories. The initial theory was that these new weapons would result in combat at far greater ranges than before. Cartridges and rifles of that time reflect that dogma. Large case capacities and sights graduated out beyond 1000 yards were the norm. The adoption of spitzer bullets only served to reinforce these beliefs.
Going into the Great War (Later to be called WWI), most of the involved nations were solidly onboard with the dogma of combat at long ranges. Cartridges such as the American .30-06, the British .303, the German 8mm Mauser, the Russian 7.62 x 54R and others support the conventional wisdom of the day. When that horrific global conflict was over, about the only nation with the economic ability to adopt a new main rifle was the U.S.A. There wasn’t a huge rush to adopt the .276 Pedersen, but it was a step in the direction of reducing the length of the primary military cartridge. General MacArthur put the brakes on the adoption of a new cartridge, and we retained the .30-06. (massive amounts of stockpiled ammunition and a later economic depression showed that decision was a wise one). The M1 Garand would be chambered for the existing .30-06 cartridge.
Even before the second world war was over, it was painfully obvious that the extreme performance levels of the long cartridges were just not needed. The longer cartridges were not bad, they were just far more cartridge than necessary. There are significant advantages to adopting a shorter cartridge and that is what happened.
Ultimately the T-65E cartridge became the basis for the 308 Winchester and the 7.62 NATO (The commercial 308 Win actually came out first in 1952 ).
The 308 Winchester went on to become an enormously successful cartridge and for good reason. The 308 Win. (or the 7.62 NATO) delivers outstanding performance. Yes, if the ranges are really long and you’re using bullets over 180 grains – the extra case capacity of the .30-06 allows you to take advantage of those heavier bullets. But inside of 600 yards, with bullets around 150-170 grains, the 308 will do everything the .30-06 will do.
Almost immediately after the release of the 308 Win, we got the 243 Winchester and the 358 Winchester (both in 1955). The wildcat 7mm-08 and the 6.5-08 both eventually became legitimate commercial cartridges. The 338 Federal rounds out the cartridges that made the leap to legitimate commercial cartridges from the 308 Winchester.
I make no effort to conceal my admiration for the short actions. My admiration for the short action cartridges does not require the disparagement of the long action cartridges.
Not only did the 308 Winchester become the basis for 5 other commercial cartridges (and undoubtedly some other wildcats) it is the epitome of efficiency. The 308 Winchester is an incredibly versatile cartridge. The 7mm-08 is a close second in performance and the modern-day stand-in for the 7mm Mauser. There’s a LOT to like in the 308 Winchester.
Going into the Great War (Later to be called WWI), most of the involved nations were solidly onboard with the dogma of combat at long ranges. Cartridges such as the American .30-06, the British .303, the German 8mm Mauser, the Russian 7.62 x 54R and others support the conventional wisdom of the day. When that horrific global conflict was over, about the only nation with the economic ability to adopt a new main rifle was the U.S.A. There wasn’t a huge rush to adopt the .276 Pedersen, but it was a step in the direction of reducing the length of the primary military cartridge. General MacArthur put the brakes on the adoption of a new cartridge, and we retained the .30-06. (massive amounts of stockpiled ammunition and a later economic depression showed that decision was a wise one). The M1 Garand would be chambered for the existing .30-06 cartridge.
Even before the second world war was over, it was painfully obvious that the extreme performance levels of the long cartridges were just not needed. The longer cartridges were not bad, they were just far more cartridge than necessary. There are significant advantages to adopting a shorter cartridge and that is what happened.
Ultimately the T-65E cartridge became the basis for the 308 Winchester and the 7.62 NATO (The commercial 308 Win actually came out first in 1952 ).
The 308 Winchester went on to become an enormously successful cartridge and for good reason. The 308 Win. (or the 7.62 NATO) delivers outstanding performance. Yes, if the ranges are really long and you’re using bullets over 180 grains – the extra case capacity of the .30-06 allows you to take advantage of those heavier bullets. But inside of 600 yards, with bullets around 150-170 grains, the 308 will do everything the .30-06 will do.
Almost immediately after the release of the 308 Win, we got the 243 Winchester and the 358 Winchester (both in 1955). The wildcat 7mm-08 and the 6.5-08 both eventually became legitimate commercial cartridges. The 338 Federal rounds out the cartridges that made the leap to legitimate commercial cartridges from the 308 Winchester.
I make no effort to conceal my admiration for the short actions. My admiration for the short action cartridges does not require the disparagement of the long action cartridges.
Not only did the 308 Winchester become the basis for 5 other commercial cartridges (and undoubtedly some other wildcats) it is the epitome of efficiency. The 308 Winchester is an incredibly versatile cartridge. The 7mm-08 is a close second in performance and the modern-day stand-in for the 7mm Mauser. There’s a LOT to like in the 308 Winchester.
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