I appreciate the different companies (Hornady, Marlin, Nosler, Ruger,et al) producing new rifles and cartridges. It keeps things interesting and gives each generation of new hunters more variety to choose from, which, in my mind, is a good thing. I loved it when Remington brought out the first Model 7's, Ruger introduced the American and Compact models, Hornady paired up with several to introduce new cartridges, etc. though many criticized them unduly. I remember Finn Aagaard saying he saw no use for something like the Model 7 with an 18 1/2" barrel and I have heard more negative than positive about the Ruger Compact (which my son has and we both love dearly).
I was one of the ones who drank the .338 RCM Kool-aid a few years ago. For me it seemed like the perfect elk rifle for where I used to hunt. While it ultimately wouldn't do anything my old '06 wouldn't do, it WAS shorter and lighter (making it a real joy to hunt with) which when combined with .338-06 performance I was in love. Sadly, probably more to do with me than anything, I never could get it to group consistently and case life was 3 loadings so it went on down the line and I am still hunting with my '06. Eventhough it didn't work out for me the process was fun and I would do it again. The rifle really was a dream to hunt with and would love to have another in any number of different chamberings.
To me the biggest negative to the "new" is that brass or factory ammo can become nearly impossible to find. If I could've reliably found brass for my RCM I would probably still have it but I was running out of cases to work with and didn't see that changing anytime soon.
For me, the super-hot chamberings have no appeal because my shooting ability doesn't extend beyond 400 yards...and only then in perfect conditions.
Last edited by PastorDan; 11/06/14.
