30July04

Ammunition:

My friends in the ammunition business tell me that new lines of "hi gh-energy" rifle ammunition are the direct result of new propellants and loading techniques, neither of which are available to hobby reloaders. For example , Hornady now markets a 30-06 round that nearly duplicates 300WBY ballistics! Enhanced performance is accomplished via, as noted above, new propellants a nd a compressed-powder technology that requires a die that encloses the entire c ase as the powder is being added and the bullet seated. This is necessary to keep the case itself from bulging during production.

Years ago, we were told that the 308 was "ballistically equivalent " to the 30-06. That was, of course, little more than wishful thinking. Maybe now,

it can actually come to pass. Who knows? This new loading technology may be used someday to actually make the 223 into something other than a prairie-d og round. However, ammunition cost and production complexity will be greatly " enhanced," along with performance.

In the same vein, I also have been told that the Army's new rifle and cartridge project is now on the "fast track." Pardon my cyn icism, but we've been told that for the last thirty years! Getting anyone entrenched in the Pentagon bureaucracy to actually make a decision is a noteworthy event inde ed.

/John