Originally Posted by
Big Bullets
Stapher1,
There is no comparison. The .308 was and is a military round and, as such, was bound to have an extended life in that role and thereafter as a surplus round. While is is not too different on ballistics to the 30-06, it has a life of it's own.
So your saying, nobody in the 50's that said there was no need for a 308 win when they got a 30.06. And didn't the 308 replaced the 30.06 as a military round. For the reasons you've just stated.
The short magnums differ in minimal ways from the original round and cost much more. Where is the appeal?
IF you buy off the shelf...yes, if you reload...no. My ackley cost way more to reload.
Eventually, people who own the short rounds will fade waway and new buyers will see the wisdom of sticking with the parent round. You will see many inexpensive short magnum rifles on gun shops racks looking for new owners.
There is nothing wrong with the short magnum rounds. They just do not provide any special reason to buy them. I now see them an attempt to boost rifle sales.
If someone wants one, great but, they must be willing to pay more for the ammo and accept less availability as time goes on.
After 10yrs and shelves full of used "old" school magnums at my local gun shops and other forums like this that either guys shoot competition or long range hunting with the short mags makes me doubt that. It's not like gun companies are making you get rid of your mag, it's that the short mag is another option if don't already have a magnum. Plus if that many guys were that worried about prices, then the weatherby mags would have disappeared.