The 7mm and 300 are non-performers in that neither cartridge equals the ballistics of the 7mm Rem Mag or 300 Win Mag. But you'd never know that based on all the hype.
For many of us it's not all about the velocity of the bullets they push out the end of the barrel. They do offer something that the other magnums do not. The give you magnum performance a sleek non belted case, shorter actions for better use in "mountain" rifle and compact rifles, lighter weight for those that "watch their weight"
, a bit less recoil given the same weight and design of stock.
What doesn't work for me is the limited selection of .323-cal bullets.
With the introduction of this cartridge I guarantee you that there will no longer be a limited supply of .323 diameter bullets. I am quite sure that you will se a very substantial jump in abailable bullets of all types of construction and weights.
If half of the comments I've heard and stories I've read about the short fatties jambing are true,
There wera a few stories about the WSM line early on but to my knowledge that has been totally resolved. I have heard many more stories about the WSSM line of cartridges as they are so short and fat that they do not guide themselves into the chamber as well as they should.
I'd really like to see cartridges based on the same dimentions as the WSM cases but steched to 30-06 lengths. As much as I like the WSM's these would be some very nice cartridges in a smooth bottle necked case with no stupid belts.