Originally Posted by
stapher1
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.
IF you buy off the shelf...yes, if you reload...no. My ackley cost way more to reload.
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.
If you had a 30-06 in the 50s, there was no reason to buy a .308 due to their ballistic similarity. In fact, '06 ammo was surplus and cheap while .308 was commercial and relatively expensive.
You are correct but, most hunters do not reload.
The .308 replaced the '06 simply to make NATO ammunition common to all members. There was no other "benefit".
Weatherby is different because they have a true speed advantage if you feel that is helpful to you as a hunter.
In the end, some people just have to try the latest thing, or just want one of each or can afford to indulge wims. My postiion is that, if you look at real needs, it is superfluous to have both the parent and short magnum. I would rather spend the money on something entirely different to ad to my collection. Whatever floats your boat.