CGS371
Well-Known Member
I wanted to start a discussion here, because you all are way smarter than me on this stuff and I'd appreciate your insights and to watch the discussion.
Last year, I helped a buddy put together a 300 WM that shot the off the shelf Berger ammo with 215s extremely well. (One benefit is relative ease of finding 300WM in travels, though not likely Berger). This was terrific. He had accuracy, increased range and say what you will about other Berger bullets, this 215 has pretty well proven terminal ballistics.
Fast forward to this fall when Berger discontinues the offering, as I understand it, because it did not meet SAMMI specifications for 300WM. My initial thought is that we lost something pretty great due to the fact that Berger became part of a bigger company and that bureaucracy, lawyers, and insurance took it away from us. Then, I thought, well SAAMI needs to relax or change spec, or is out dated. Well, both those thoughts are about measures in place to make us more safe. (And less inoperable - have you ever tried to buy 8X57?) And I don't expect them to change, perhaps as much for liability issues as much as safety.
The point or question - Is the only large scale way forward for over the counter ammunition taking advantage of newer projectiles going to be new SAMMI cartridges? I am speaking off the shelf ammo and rifles. Yes, Federal has a Berger 215 offering that I know little about - but does it really optimize the 215 if it is crammed way down in the case? (For now, the answer seems to be handloading and custom rifles. So, is the bigger picture/longer term answer that we need new cartridges? New SAMMI cartridges?
Last year, I helped a buddy put together a 300 WM that shot the off the shelf Berger ammo with 215s extremely well. (One benefit is relative ease of finding 300WM in travels, though not likely Berger). This was terrific. He had accuracy, increased range and say what you will about other Berger bullets, this 215 has pretty well proven terminal ballistics.
Fast forward to this fall when Berger discontinues the offering, as I understand it, because it did not meet SAMMI specifications for 300WM. My initial thought is that we lost something pretty great due to the fact that Berger became part of a bigger company and that bureaucracy, lawyers, and insurance took it away from us. Then, I thought, well SAAMI needs to relax or change spec, or is out dated. Well, both those thoughts are about measures in place to make us more safe. (And less inoperable - have you ever tried to buy 8X57?) And I don't expect them to change, perhaps as much for liability issues as much as safety.
The point or question - Is the only large scale way forward for over the counter ammunition taking advantage of newer projectiles going to be new SAMMI cartridges? I am speaking off the shelf ammo and rifles. Yes, Federal has a Berger 215 offering that I know little about - but does it really optimize the 215 if it is crammed way down in the case? (For now, the answer seems to be handloading and custom rifles. So, is the bigger picture/longer term answer that we need new cartridges? New SAMMI cartridges?
