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338 Winchester Magnum Ballistics

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338 winchester magnum ballistics

338 Winchester Magnum Ballistics Info:

Officially introduced to the public in 1958 by Winchester, the .338 Win Mag is an excellent, flat shooting, accurate, hard recoiling rifle cartridge capable of taking any sized game in North America to include polar and grizzly bear.

Hunters looking to take bigger animals like elk at longer distances will favor the most popular bullet weight, which is the 225 grain bullet. It offers good ballistic profiles by many bullet manufacturers with a high energy retention at 500 yards making it suitable for any North American game.

Hunters will want to maximize the cartridge’s performance with a longer barrel of 26 inches in length with a heavy profile. The extra weight associated with the longer bull barrel will help mitigate felt recoil a bit.

The 338 Winchester Magnum is an accurate round, and many 225 grain bullets are launched at 2,800 feet per second and still deliver over one ton of energy at 500 yards. This rifle/cartridge combo is not for the feint of heart or the recoil sensitive shooter.

338 Winchester Magnum Barrel Specifications.

Common Barrel Twist Rate – 1 in 10″.
Bore Groove Diameter – .338″.

338 Win Mag Cartridge Case Dimensions.

Neck Diameter – .369″.
Shoulder Diameter – .491″.
Base Diameter – .513″.
Rim Diameter – .532″.

338 Winchester Magnum Reloading Specifications.

Bullet Diameter – .338″.
Maximum Case Length – 2.500″.
Trimmed Case Length – 2.490″.
Primer Size – Large Rifle, Type – Magnum.
Maximum Cartridge Overall Length – 3.340″.

338 Win Mag Loading Data Hints.

The 338 Winchester Magnum with a 26 inch barrel length will come to life with the slow burning powders like IMR4350 and IMR4831 when using 225 grain weight bullets the full devastating power potential of this cartridge can and will be realized.

 

.338 Winchester Magnum Ballistics

 This is a down range trajectory chart for the 338 Winchester Magnum cartridge with the scope mounted 1.5 inches above the bore center line plus if you were using this load, its effective hunting bullet energy range with well placed shots on,
Deer size game, such as Antelope, Blacktail, Hogs, Javelina, Mule, Whitetail.
Elk size game, such as Caribou, Black Bear, Sheep.
Moose size game, such as Brown Bear, Grizzly Bear, Polar Bear, Bison, Buffalo.
Bullet diameter .338″
Bullet weight 225 grains
Bullet ballistic coefficient .515
Bullet velocity 2,840 feet per second

 

Range
100 yds.
200 yds.
300 yds.
400 yds.
500 yds.
+
+ 1.7
0
– 7.3
– 21.1
– 42.3
3539
3097
2700
2344
2025
 Deer
+
+
+
+
+
–
 Elk
+
+
+
+
+
–
 Moose
+
+
+
+
+
–

 

Make sure you look at our in depth rifle ballistics chart with many more calibers on it.

444 Marlin Ballistics Chart

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The 444 Marlin cartridge was introduced to the public in 1964 in a collaboration between Remington and Marlin. The 444 Marlin cartridge is a semi-rimmed, tapered, straight-walled cartridge that is an excellent short to medium range rifle round that is capable of taking all of the north-American game animals within its big bore range capabilities.

Marlin introduced this new cartridge in their ever popular model 336 lever action rifle design which featured a 24″ barrel and a very slow 1 in 38″ rifling twist rate.

The Marlin model 444 rifles today have a twist rate of 1 in 20″ to better stabilize heavy bullets. 444 Marlins are notorious for their outstanding accuracy potential, allowing shooters to try a whole host of different bullet weights and designs till they find one to their desire.

Remington originally factory loaded the 444 Marlin with a 240 grain soft point bullet to 2,400 feet per second with 3,070 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle of a 24 inch barrel.

Today Remington offers a soft point bullet with a ballistic coefficient of .146 loaded to a velocity of 2,350 feet per second with 2,942 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle of a 24″ rifle barrel. Either load gives good ballistics for the 444 Marlin out to 150 yards for hunting in north America with a remaining bullet energy of 1,334 foot pounds.

Hornady has been making ammunition that boosts the performance level of many old favored cartridges and the 444 Marlin is no exception.

Hornady’s 444 Marlin 265 grain flex-tip bullet in their LeverEvolution ammunition line sports a ballistic coefficient of .225 and is loaded to a velocity of 2,325 feet per second with 3,180 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle of a 24″ rifle barrel.

This gives excellent ballistics for the 444 Marlin out to 250 yards for hunting in north America with a remaining bullet energy of 1,344 foot pounds.

Note: Hornady’s patented Flex Tip (FTX) bullets are safe to shoot in tubular magazines rifles.

444 Marlin Ballistics:

This is a ballistics chart for the 444 Marlin rifle:
Rifle barrel length: 24 Inches.
Ammunition: Remington 240 grain Soft Point bullet.
Bullet diameter: .430 inch.
Bullet weight: 240 grains.
Bullet ballistic coefficient: .146.
Rifle zero: 150 yards, 2″ mid-range rise.
Range Muzzle 25 yds. 50 yds. 75 yds. 100 yds. 150 yds. 200 yds.
Bullet Velocity: 2,350 fps. 2,208 fps. 2,072 fps. 1,941 fps. 1,815 fps. 1,582 fps. 1,378 fps.
Bullet Energy: 2,943 ft.lbs. 2,598 ft.lbs. 2,288 ft.lbs. 2,008 ft.lbs. 1,756 ft.lbs. 1,334 ft.lbs. 1,011 ft.lbs.
Bullet Drop: – 1.5″ + 0.1″ + 1.3″ + 1.9″ + 2.0″ 0 – 5.4″
This is a ballistics chart for the 444 Marlin rifle:
Rifle barrel length: 24 Inches.
Ammunition: Hornady 265 grain FTX bullet.
Bullet diameter: .430 inch.
Bullet weight: 265 grains.
Bullet ballistic coefficient: .225.
Rifle zero: 160 yards, 2″ mid-range rise.
Range Muzzle 25 yds. 50 yds. 75 yds. 100 yds. 150 yds. 200 yds.
Bullet Velocity: 2,325 fps. 2,233 fps. 2,144 fps. 2,056 fps. 1,971 fps. 1,807 fps. 1,654 fps.
Bullet Energy: 3,181 ft.lbs. 2,934 ft.lbs. 2,704 ft.lbs. 2,488 ft.lbs. 2,286 ft.lbs. 1,922 ft.lbs. 1,609 ft.lbs.
Bullet Drop: – 1.5″ + 0.1″ + 1.2″ + 1.9″ + 2.0″ + 0.6″ – 3.5″

218 Bee Ballistics

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218 bee ballistics
Photo credit: Sportsman’s Guide

.218 Bee Ballistics Chart:

Detailed factory ammunition ballistics information for the; 218 Bee, bullet velocity, bullet energy and bullet drop.

.218 bee Ballistics were derived from a 24″ rifle barrel length.

Winchester, Super-X, 218 Bee Ammunition:
Winchester
Bullet Type:		 Bullet Weight
Grains		 Bullet Ballistic
Coefficient		 Bullet Muzzle
Velocity Fps.		 Bullet Muzzle
Energy Ft. lbs.
Hollow Point 46 .130 2,760 778
Bullet 100 Yd.
Velocity Fps.		 Bullet 200 Yd.
Velocity Fps.		 Bullet 300 Yd.
Velocity Fps.		 Bullet 400 Yd.
Velocity Fps.		 Bullet 500 Yd.
Velocity Fps.
2,104 1,555 1,158 961 850
Bullet 100 Yd.
Energy Ft. lbs.		 Bullet 200 Yd.
Energy Ft. lbs.		 Bullet 300 Yd.
Energy Ft. lbs.		 Bullet 400 Yd.
Energy Ft. lbs.		 Bullet 500 Yd.
Energy Ft. lbs.
452 247 137 94 74
Rifle Zero
100 Yds.		 Bullet Drop
200 Yds.		 Bullet Drop
300 Yds.		 Bullet Drop
400 Yds.		 Bullet Drop
500 Yds.
0 – 6.6″ – 28.1″ – 75.4″ – 160.2″
Bullet Drop
600 Yds.		 Bullet Drop
700 Yds.		 Bullet Drop
800 Yds.		 Bullet Drop
900 Yds.		 Bullet Drop
1,000 Yds.
– 293.5″ – 486.2″ – 750.9″ – 1,103.7″ – 1,563.0″

Not many stores carry .218 Bee, Sportsman’s Guide seems to have the best price on it.

Cabela’s has .218 Bee in stock from Hornady for a decent price, and it’s one of the only places I’ve found that carries it.

If you want to see the rest of our rifle ballistics chart, there are many more calibers on it.

38 Special Ballistics Chart

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38 Special Handgun Cartridge:

The 38 Special cartridge was designed by Smith&Wesson; and was then introduced to the public in 1902. This cartridge is the most popular handgun cartridge in the world. The 38 Special is very easy to reload and can handle many tasks, for the handloader this cartridge can be reloaded to handle many jobs from plinking to target shooting to small game hunting to home defense.
Reloading Information:

Bullet Diameter: .357 Inch.
Maximum Case Length: 1.155 Inches.
Trimmed Case Length: 1.145 Inches.
Primer Size: Small Pistol.
Maximum Cartridge Overall Length: 1.550 Inches.

38 Special Ballistics:

Handgun Barrel Length: 4 Inches.
Ammuntion Used For Ballistics: Hornady 125 grain XTP.
XTP: Extreme Terminal Performance.

This is a 38 special ballistics chart.
Bullet diameter: .357 inch.
Bullet weight: 125 grains.
Bullet ballistic coeffecient: .151.
Bullet muzzle velocity: 900 feet per second.
Bullet muzzle energy: 225 foot pounds.
This is a bullet velocity chart for the 38 Special handgun cartridge:
Range
25 yds.
50 yds.
75 yds.
100 yds.
150 yds.
200 yds.
Yards
Bullet Velocity:
877
856
836
817
781
748
fps.
This is a bullet trajectory chart for the 38 Special handgun cartridge:
Range
25 yds.
50 yds.
75 yds.
100 yds.
150 yds.
200 yds.
Yards
Bullet Drop:
0
– 2.0″
– 7.0″
– 15.1″
– 41.2″
– 81.5″
in.
This is a bullet energy chart for the 38 Special handgun cartridge:
Range
25 yds.
50 yds.
75 yds.
100 yds.
150 yds.
200 yds.
Yards
Bullet Energy:
214
203
194
185
169
155
ft. lbs.

To see more handgun cartridge ballistics, check out our in depth chart.

357 SIG Ballistics

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357 sig

357 Sig Handgun Cartridge:

The 357 Sig cartridge was designed by Federal Cartridge and SIG arms as a joint venture and was then introduced to the public in 1994. The sole purpose of this bottle-neck cartridge design was to create a larger case capacity to launch standard 9mm bullets at an higher velocity, subsequently this also increases muzzle blast as well, which is an undesirable feature for this cartridge.

Reloading Information:

Bullet Diameter: .355 Inch.
Maximum Case Length: .865 Inch.
Trimmed Case Length: .860 Inch.
Primer Size: Small Pistol.
Maximum Cartridge Overall Length: 1.140 Inches.

357 Sig Ballistics:

Handgun Barrel Length: 4 Inches.
Ammuntion Used For Ballistics: Hornady 147 grain XTP.
XTP: Extreme Terminal Performance.

This is a 357 sig ballistics chart:
Bullet diameter: .355 inch.
Bullet weight: 147 grains.
Bullet ballistic coefficient: .212.
Bullet muzzle velocity: 1,225 feet per second.
Bullet muzzle energy: 490 foot pounds.
This is a bullet velocity chart for the 357 Sig handgun cartridge:
Range
25 yds.
50 yds.
75 yds.
100 yds.
150 yds.
200 yds.
Yards
Bullet Velocity:
1175
1132
1094
1060
1004
959
fps.
This is a bullet trajectory chart for the 357 Sig handgun cartridge:
Range
25 yds.
50 yds.
75 yds.
100 yds.
150 yds.
200 yds.
Yards
Bullet Drop:
0
– .8″
– 3.3″
– 7.6″
– 22.1″
– 45.2″
in.
This is a bullet energy chart for the 357 Sig handgun cartridge:
Range
25 yds.
50 yds.
75 yds.
100 yds.
150 yds.
200 yds.
Yards
Bullet Energy:
451
418
390
367
329
300
ft. lbs.

Check out our handgun ballistics chart for more in depth info.

357 sig ballistics

Shotshell Reloading Equipment

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Shotgun Reloading:

The purpose of this guide is for all those who would like to start reloading for their shotguns either for economy or better selection of shot and wad, that don’t know where to start when buying reloading equipment. This guide will show you everything that you need to start reloading your own top quality shotshells.

The first press is one that I recommend to all that aren’t sure if they really want to reload their own shotshells, but it is one that will last a lifetime for the average shotshell reloader wanting to save money in both finished quality reloaded shotshells and equipment expenditures.

Lee Load-All Reloader
The Lee Load-All (pictured above) loads shotgun shells that look and shoot like new – without a big investment. You can load just as fast as other reloaders and still get all the velocity and uniform patterns. Twenty-four of Lee’s famously accurate, molded shot and powder bushings are included.

Features include: built-in spent primer catcher with easy-empty door; recesses at every station for speedy shell positioning; easy and economical gauge conversion; and receptacle for primer feed.

Available for: 12, 16 and 20 gauge.

Recommended add on – The Lee Primer Feed will provide faster, more convenient reloading. Transfers primers directly from box to feeder. The advantage of this add on is quite simple if you handle primers with your fingers it is possible to contaminate the primer with the oil from your skin causing your loaded shotshell to possible hang-fire or not fire at all. The above press and add-on cost less than $80.00.

The shotshell presses below are very good at loading shotshells in volume, and are excellent upgrades from a starter press.

The MEC 600 Jr. Mark 5 can load eight to ten boxes per hour, and can be upgraded at a later date with the 285 CA primer feed. The press is adjustable for 3″ shells, and is available in 10, 12 16, 20, 28 gauge and .410 bore.
Die sets are available in all gauges.

Note: MEC’s best selling press.

The MEC 650N works on six shells at once. With every stroke, a reloaded shell is completed. The MEC 650N does not resize except as a separate operation. This is the ideal press for the person who wishes to resize and inspect their shells as a separate operation.

The MEC SuperSizer is recommended for your resizing needs. The Automatic Primer feed is standard. Available in 12, 16, 20, 28 gauge, and .410 bore.

Die sets are not available.

MEC 9000GN High-speed, high-volume reloading plus automatic indexing and finished-shell ejection for quicker and easier reloading. The Auto-Dex™ automatically moves the shells through each reloading stage by simply returning the handle to the top of its stroke. Accurately resized shells are achieved with each stroke. Finished shells are automatically ejected from the shell carrier after final crimping. Finished shells with every stroke. Available in 12, 16, 20, 28 gauge and .410 bore.
Die sets are not available.

MEC 9000E Combines speedy 9000GN with innovative Auto-Mate. With push-button simplicity, shells are produced with unmatched consistency. New MEC Progressive Primer Feed included. Finished shells are ejected and slide into your container where they can be boxed simply by pushing a button.
Available: 12 gauge.

Here are some other shotgun resources:

Steel VS Lead

How to Pattern a Shotgun

Choke Tube Selection

Shotgun Recoil Calculator

 

Shotgun Choke Tube Selection

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Shotgun Comeback
Shotguns

With all the variables in shotshells today choke tube selection has become almost as an important issue as shotgun fit which is quite critical when trying to hit something with your shotgun. Having the right choke tube for the right situation is a critical part to shotgun shooting.

Whether you are hunting waterfowl with steel shot or turkeys with lead shot, choke tube selection is very critical.

When you look at all the different materials that shot is made from it only stands to reason or common sense says that not all shot is going to react to the same choke tube the exact same way. Angle of choke is somewhat different and the lead or parallel section of the choke tube may need to be longer or shorter to accomplish a good pattern for the shotshell and shot material you’re shooting.

For the average person who has purchased a new shotgun realizes that his or her new shotgun came with several choke tubes and they will work for almost all shotshell and shot combinations to a certain degree and they are happy with their purchase, however to someone who shoots their new shotgun a lot or starts to pattern test it, soon realizes that better performance from the choke tubes would be advantageous for their shooting skill.

Current Choke Tube Choices, Constrictions:

.000″ Constriction = Cylinder Bore.
.005″ Constriction = Skeet Choke.
.010″ Constriction = Improved Cylinder Choke.
.015″ Constriction = Light Modified Choke.
.020″ Constriction = Modified Choke.
.025″ Constriction = Improved Modified Choke.
.030″ Constriction = Light Full Choke.
.035″ Constriction = Full Choke.
.040″ Constriction = Extra Full Choke.

Current Choke Tube Choices, Various Performance:

1. Standard Performance.
2. Improved Performance.
3. Special Purpose.

Now lets look at the line up of choke tubes from one of the best known choke tube manufacturers here in the U.S.A.

1. Standard Performance: Carlsons Factory-Style choke tubes; These factory-style flush mount replacement choke tubes feature corrosion-resistant, 17-4 hardened stainless steel.

Lead shot, Steel Shot, Copperplated Shot, Nickel Shot, Hevi-Shotshells™, and Buck Shot can be used in these shotgun Choke Tubes.
For use with lead shot in all constrictions.

Warning – Steel shot larger than #BB should not be used in any choke tighter than modified, BB and smaller size steel shot may be used through full choke constriction.

2. Improved Performance: Carlsons Extended sporting clays choke tubes; These Sporting Clays Choke Tubes are made from 17-4 hardened stainless steel and precision machined to produce a choke tube that patterns better than standard choke tubes.

These choke tubes feature a 25% larger parallel section in the choke thus throwing more consistent patterns than conventional choke tubes.

Each choke tube is knurled on the end to allow for quick and easy removal. Each choke tube has the constriction laser marked on the end for easy reference.

Lead shot, Steel Shot, Copperplated Shot, Nickel Shot, Hevi-Shotshells™, and Buck Shot can be used in these Sporting Clay Choke Tubes.
Actual Performance Improvement: These Sporting Clays Choke Tubes will throw tighter/denser patterns than Flush Mount Choke Tubes due to a longer parallel section in the choke tube.

Warning – Steel shot larger than BB should not be used in any Sporting Clays Choke Tube tighter than Full Constriction.

3. Special Purpose; Steel Shot: Carlson’s Extended steel shot choke tubes; These choke tubes feature a longer parallel section allowing for less flyers, denser patterns and extend 3/4 ” outside the shotgun barrel eliminating damage to your barrel caused by prolonged steel shot use. The longer parallel section allows for use of larger steel shot in tighter choke constrictions. They are made of 17-4 stainless with a knurled extension and a blue finish.

All steel shot sizes may be used in the close and mid-range shotgun choke tube.

Close Range Extended Steel Shot Choke Tubes – for hunting over decoys, throws tightest pattern up to 35 yards.
Mid Range Extended Steel Shot Choke Tubes – for those situations where you are shooting 25 to 40 yards.
Extended Range Steel Shot Choke Tubes – for taking shots 40 yards and up.
Warning – Do not use steel faster than 1550 FPS or steel shot sizes larger than BBB through the Long Range choke tube.

3. Special Purpose; Lead Shot: Carlsons Ported turkey choke tubes; These super-full choke tubes have been specifically bored to deliver dense, full patterns at both short and long ranges.

Knurled for easy installation and removal.

These Extended Turkey Choke Tubes feature a long 1.050″ parallel section to produce the optimum pattern with your shotgun.
These choke tubes are ported to let gases vent quickly, greatly reducing recoil and muzzle jump. Crafted of blued aircraft stainless steel.

3. Special Purpose; Hevi-Shot: Carlsons Hevi-Shot dead coyote choke tubes; For use with Hevi-Shot, Bismuth or lead, this high performance choke tube has been specifically designed for the coyote hunter to deliver devastating downrange patterns upwards of 70 yards when shooting larger shot sizes.

Produces very dense patterns when ultilizing T and Buckshot loads.
Great for waterfowl and predator hunting.
Warning – Not for use with steel shot!

3. Special Purpose; Flite Control Wad: Carlsons Black Cloud shotgun choke tube; This Extended choke tube is constructed of a Titanium-coated steel, the titanium coating helps the uniquely designed FliteControl Wad in the Black CloudT ammunition perform downrange with less build-up in the choke and allows the Flitestopper shot to do its job.

While these choke tubes are specifically designed to get the most performance from Federal’s new Black CloudT ammunition, they perform extremely well with other steel shotshells.

The Mid Range model can be used with all steel shot sizes, and with ammunition that exceeds 1500 fps.
Note: Black CloudT ammunition has been designed to be used with choke tubes that do not use porting or wad stopping devices.

Warning – The Long Range model can be used with all steel shot sizes, except T & F, and with ammunition performing at velocities below 1550 fps.

Which shotgun choke tube is your go to, and for what purpose? Let us know in the comments below.

History of Colt

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In 1855, Samuel Colt incorporated his business in Connecticut as the Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Mfg Co., with an initial issuance of 10,000 shares of stock. Sam Colt retained ownership of 9,996 shares and gave one share to each of four business associates.

By 1856, the company was producing 150 weapons a day; and the reputation of Colt firearms for exceptional accuracy, reliability, workmanship, and design had spread throughout the world.

Samuel Colt died on January 10, 1862, at the age of only 47, having produced in his lifetime more than 400,000 guns. His estate was reportedly worth $15 million, a fantastic sum for the time. Following Sam Colt’s death, control of the company remained in the capable hands of Mrs. Elizabeth Colt and her family until 1901, when the company was sold to a group of investors.

By 1955, the company was losing money so, Colt’s board decided to seek a merger partner. They found Leopold D. Silberstein and his company, the Penn-Texas Corporation, a new type of holding company called a “conglomerate.”

Changes came again in 1964, when the parent company reorganized under the name Colt Industries and the firearms subsidiary became Colt’s Inc., Firearms Division.

Another significant event in 1986, however, was the commencement by the United Automobile Workers Union of a bitter strike, which began on January 25, eventually, the strike was brought to an end in March, 1990, with the sale of the Colt Firearms Division to a three-party consortium that included private investors, the union employees and the Connecticut State Employees’ Pension Fund.

Just two years after the sale, Colt firearms was bankrupt and it entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization proceedings in March, 1992. Litigation commenced over rights to the Colt name and trademarks.

Despite bankruptcy and litigation, however, the business of the company somehow progressed. In 1994, while still in Chapter 11, the company closed the Hartford Armory and relocated the entire business to the West Hartford manufacturing facility from which it operates today.

In September, 1994, a new group of investors purchased the company and Colt finally emerged from the eight-year period of turmoil that began with the January, 1986 strike.

The most significant event of 1999 was the arrival of Lt. Gen. William M. Keys USMC (Ret.) as President and Chief Executive Officer. A decorated combat veteran of the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm, Gen. Keys took the helm of the company at a critical time.

Dozens of municipalities around the country had brought lawsuits against Colt and other leading handgun manufacturers, distributors and dealers and the cost of defending the litigation threatened to bring the company and the other manufacturers to their knees.

Gen. Keys shepherded Colt through the legal thicket and presciently and successfully reoriented the business back toward military and law enforcement customers.

Those efforts culminated in the 2002-03 spinoff of Colt’s military and law enforcement rifle business to Colt Defense and the establishment of the Colt M4 carbine as the standard-issue combat rifle of the United States Army and Marines. As a combat veteran and an avid shooter and collector himself, Gen. Keys has provided the company with a leader who appreciates and understands firearms as few others do.

The year 2005 marked the 50th anniversary of the Colt Python®. Highly embellished with gold inlays and select walnut grips, the 50th Anniversary Colt Python was a smash hit with collectors.

In 2007 they leaped back into the concealable carry market with the Colt New Agent® pistol. 2007 also marked the end of the 4,000-unit run of the model O1911. In its place, the O1918 WWI Black Army was introduced. A limited run has been placed on the O1918.

In 2008, Colt brought back the Frontier® Six Shooter and Sheriff’s & Storekeeper’s models for collectors. The Combat Elite® also was reintroduced in 2008, offering an upgraded XSE package that provides users with options above standard XSE series guns.

For 2009, the company has brought back the 10mm Delta Elite®. A competition model for the avid shooter, the 10mm retains its original design with a forged stainless steel frame, slide, slide stop, and barrel.

Fast forward to 2017, Colt’s Manufacturing brought back the first snake gun after decades of being gone, and this year the first magnum version.

6.8 SPC Ballistics

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6.8mm Remington SPC:

The 6.8mm Remington SPC / 6.8x43mm SPC was conceived by a U.S. Special Operations soldier. The 6.8mm Remington SPC is based on the old 30 Remington cartridge case, the case was necked down to .27 caliber, shortened, blown out and given a new shoulder to maximize case capacity.

Remington began to develop the 6.8x43mm back in 2002 and is officially introducing it to the public as the 6.8mm Remington SPC. Initial factory loadings were with a 115 grain bullet with a ballistic coefficient of .344.

The 6.8mm Remington SPC has a bullet trajectory almost identical to that of the .308 Winchester using 125 – 150 grain bullets, less chamber pressure than the .223 and fits into the M16 magazine. In addition to any role the 6.8mm Remington SPC will have as a military cartridge, it may well have or establish a small following as a hunting cartridge for small- to medium-size game at ranges out to about 250 yards.

Remington is now producing the 6.8mm Remington SPC ammunition in four loadings, all with 115-grain bullets. Open Tip Match BC 0.344, Metal Case BC 0.292, Boat Tail Hollow Point Match BC 0.333 and Core-LoktŪ Ultra Bonded BC 0.295.

Remington has already chambered and sold rifles for the 6.8mm Remington SPC in their model 700 SPS in which it is sporting a 26″ length barrel with a 1 in 9″ twist rate. Recoil for this cartridge in this sporting rifle is very low and quite manageable.

6.8 Remington SPC Barrel Specifications.

Common Barrel Twist Rate – 1 in 10″ – 1 in 9″.
Bore Groove Diameter – .277″

6.8mm Remington SPC Reloading Specifications.

Bullet Diameter – .277″
Trimmed Case Length – 1.676″
Primer Size – Large Rifle

6.8mm Remington SPC Loading Data Hints.

The 6.8mm Remington SPC cartridge responds well with H322 powder delivering good velocities and accuracy.

6.8 SPC Ballistics info

 

 This is a down range trajectory chart for the 6.8mm Remington SPC cartridge with the scope mounted 1.5 inches above the bore center line plus if you were using this load, its effective hunting bullet energy range with well placed shots on,
Deer size game, such as Antelope, Blacktail, Hogs, Javelina, Mule, Whitetail.
Bullet diameter .277″
Bullet weight 115 grains
Bullet ballistic coeffecient .344
Bullet velocity 2,625 feet per second

 
Range
100 yds.
200 yds.
300 yds.
400 yds.
500 yds.
+
+ 2.3
0
– 10.0
– 29.6
– 61.2
1437
1163
932
740
584
 Deer
+
+
+
–
–
–

View more rifle ballistics here, on our chart.

25 WSSM Ballistics

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.25 WSSM:

The 25 Winchester Super Short Magnum is a newer center fire rifle cartridge developed in partnership with Browning Arms Company and Winchester ammunition, making its debut and introduced to the shooting public in 2004.

The new .257″ short magnum cartridge debuted chambered in Winchester’s Model 70 bolt action rifle. The 25 WSSM is a commercial cartridge based on the 404 Jeffery cartridge case, shortening and necking down to .257″ caliber and sharpening the shoulder angle to 30 degrees the new 25 WSSM cartridge has more than enough case capacity for its intended dual purpose use.

The 25 WSSM cartridge achieves its useful purpose as a very flat shooting varmint cartridge and as an excellent deer cartridge, .25″ caliber is a time proven caliber for deer size animals.

The 25 WSSM factory loadings show a velocity of 3,470 feet per second for a 85 grain varmint round and 3,060 feet per second for a 115 grain bullet for deer hunting and this translates to very low recoil for the shooter with plenty of bullet energy at the 700 yard mark for varmints and predators and the 450 yard mark to harvest any white-tailed deer size animal.

The 25 WSSM cartridge is a well thought out cartridge as Winchester is no stranger in .25″ caliber cartridge development. Winchester has developed 4 cartridges in this caliber over a 111 year time span;

(25-20 in 1893),
(25-35 in 1895),
(256 Winchester Magnum in 1960) and
(25 Winchester Super Short Magnum in 2004).

The 25 WSSM cartridge, chambered in a super short action light weight rifle may well be the ultimate combination for the 1 gun hunter of strictly varmints, predators and white-tailed deer size game.

25 WSSM Ballistics:

This is a ballistics chart for the 25 Winchester Super Short Magnum rifle:
Rifle barrel length: 24 Inches.
Ammunition: Winchester 85 grain Ballistic Silvertip bullet.
Bullet diameter: .257 inch.
Bullet weight: 85 grains.
Bullet ballistic coefficient: .333.
Rifle zero: 200 yards, 1″ mid-range rise.
Range Muzzle 50 yds. 100 yds. 200 yds. 300 yds. 400 yds. 500 yds.
Bullet Velocity: 3,470 fps. 3,309 fps. 3,155 fps. 2,864 fps. 2,590 fps. 2,333 fps. 2,090 fps.
Bullet Energy: 2,272 ft.lbs. 2,067 ft.lbs. 1,879 ft.lbs. 1,548 ft.lbs. 1,266 ft.lbs. 1,027 ft.lbs. 824 ft.lbs.
Bullet Drop: – 1.8″ – 0.1″ + 0.9″ 0 – 5.1″ – 15.4″ – 32.2″
This is a ballistics chart for the 25 Winchester Super Short Magnum rifle:
Rifle barrel length: 24 Inches.
Ammunition: Winchester 115 grain Ballistic Silvertip bullet.
Bullet diameter: .257 inch.
Bullet weight: 115 grains.
Bullet ballistic coefficient: .446.
Rifle zero: 225 yards, 2″ mid-range rise.
Range Muzzle 50 yds. 100 yds. 200 yds. 300 yds. 400 yds. 500 yds.
Bullet Velocity: 3,060 fps. 2,951 fps. 2,845 fps. 2,640 fps. 2,444 fps. 2,256 fps. 2,077 fps.
Bullet Energy: 2,391 ft.lbs. 2,223 ft.lbs. 2,066 ft.lbs. 1,779 ft.lbs. 1,525 ft.lbs. 1,300 ft.lbs. 1,102 ft.lbs.
Bullet Drop: – 1.8″ + 0.5″ + 1.7″ + 1.0″ – 4.8″ – 16.4″ – 34.9″
25 Winchester Super Short Magnum Reloading:

Bullet Diameter: .257 Inch.
Maximum Case Length: 1.670 Inches.
Trimmed Case Length: 1.660 Inches.
Primer Size: Large Rifle.
Maximum Cartridge Overall Length: 2.360 Inches.