heck i need one.
i'm just not dropping the coin to get one.
i don't see it doing anything my 375 win, 32 win, or 30-30 don't/can't already do.
it's a neat smooth looking little round, maybe if i can find a CVA single shot or something like that for 3-400 bucks, but [shrug] my 357 lever rifle is coming up behind it while staying @ 5K under the rifles capabilities.
Still trying to objectively achieve/maintain a SMALL personal battery, much of my thought and comment regarding this is likely influenced heavily.
This is a personal objective, not meant to prove a point to anyone else of influence anyone else, because I enjoy the "thrill of the chase" yet, even though it only happens occasionally any more. The 375W/38-55 and this new round DO tempt me. If I sound like I'm contradicting myself every other post,... well, I probably am. This IS a cool cartridge concept, but I don't NEED it, but dang, man, it's cool, useful, fits a lot of holes I try to fill when making my personal decisions on what few cartridges will do the most for me.
Two things in particular influence me toward something like this: 1) that it would potentially "fit" the Contender, because I love the compactness and light weight of the platform, and 2) it fits the 1.8" rule, which doesn't even affect me. I'm not out to get every last psi/fps out of the Contender I can, as I prefer the milder cartridges - sometimes good enough is good enough. The LIMITATIONS, based on one's perspective won't make sense to everyone, but it adds a challenge-element to do more with less. Like mastering ways to get closer to your quarry in deference to mastering long-distance shooting, which is NOT meant to be a moral argument, but simply an alternate type of challenge.
My chosen main long-arm caliber is "35." I can shoot 38s, 357s and 357 Max on one platform/two barrels. I COULD do it with ONE barrel (the 'Max), but the vast majority of my shooting is with the 'Mag, and usually at 38 Spl-levels. BUT, I have the flexibility to do more if I want/need. I won't be shooting varmints at 400 yards, but that's a rare opportunity anyway. I'll try to get closer or wait for a day when the varmint slips up and gets closer. So, moulds, dies, powders, primers and cases, to a degree are pretty universal for me. There is bot economy and challenge in that.
I also keep a 30/30, because it fits the platform, is useful and an ubiquitous cartridge/case. The 375W/38-55 idea fits into this concept with similar considerations to the 35 caliber idea mentioned about. The 360BH would too IF the cases are not specialized to a degree that regular old 30/30 cases don't work - while still improving (if that is true) over the 357 Max. The 360BH could possibly expand the versatility of a limited range of components and tooling for me. So, yes, it's tempting.
Definitely not a NEED, because I have had my 357 Max barrel for 3 or 4 years now and haven't gotten around to shooting it yet. All my 'Max experience (still not extensive) was with a few H&Rs and it was all good. So, I'm not quite fixin' to "fall off t he wagon," regarding my small personal battery concept, but things like this do make me stop and take a closer look.
The best outcome (for me) would be that Remington ends up pulling a Winchester on it and it becomes a distinctly different brass. Speaking of which, while looking for 357 Max brass, several years ago, I e-mailed Starline and asked "c'mon, guys, what do you have against the 357 Max?"
Hunter Pilant sent me a nice reply, stating first nothing," and going on to explain that they would be SOON, because the 300 BLK was now economically fit to commit production to. BUT, they would not commit to a new brass unless they could get multiple cartridge designs from one new item of raw material, and that you can't make 357 Max brass from 357 Mag raw material, because the composition was different. Because the 300 BLK and the 'Max shared the same raw material, they could, and would make 357 Max brass. Sure enough, a month or so later, there it was. So, if the new 360BH is more like either 375W (higher pressure) or more like the 30/30, it is likely they would support the new cartridge IF it sold well enough. The difference in cost between 375W and 30/30 brass is significant, even though they outwardly appear (certain dimensions) similar.
i don't need or want a new caliber. heck, i'd be happy with the 7 Mauser and 175gr RN factory load. the last time i bought a "new" cartridge was about 8 or so years ago and that was the 20 Vartarg or the 500 Linebaugh? if you really want to get on me, i bought a Remington m14 in 30 Remington. oh, the 1891 Argentine Mauser in 7.65x53 is another one thats moving up on the charts, just you wait and see!!! that one is going to be a barn burner!!!
