The industry is now offering cartridges and rifles that correspond to new bullet technology (heavy for caliber, high BC w/ faster twist) to entice long range hunting and capability. For competitive shooters it makes a lot of sense. Given that most will never utilize the benefits of this technology in shooting game at 700-900 yards it makes little difference as its a shiny new toy that outperforms the old toy. But does it? Not really when it comes to real world conditions and field application. Most elk are shot inside 300 yards and a great majority of those shots are inside 200 yards. Whitetails are typically inside 200 yards, mule deer and antelope well inside 400 yards and usually much less, moose inside 200 yards. Any 1-10 twist 270 WCF would be just fine and is nearly 100 years old. The 270 Wby, WSM or 6.8 Western would show no discernable difference out at 500 yards. They all work the same. Same for the 308 Win, 30-06, 264 Win Mag or any of the very old Weatherby chamberings from 240 Wby-300 Wby on up. In fact the need to advertise the new unbelted over the dreaded belted mags has got folks believing the belted mags are somehow inferior and not accurate. I'll bet the 30-378 Wby with 1-8 and 250 grain projectiles would out perform the new shiny 300 PRC in the hands of a pro. But who needs that kind of chamber or recoil and performance in the field when chasing game, no one except the hunter wishing to take a stab at shooting game at 1100-1300 yards. In most cases no difference under field conditions using a 300 Win Mag, and typically a 30-06, 1-10 twist, 180 grain load would suffice just fine in the field. I'm all for the new creations in bullet design, barrel twist and cartridge design. It appeals to many both old and young, but mostly young as some become enamored with ballistic numbers and tables that indicate wind drift benefits at 600+ yards, etc. Again all fine, but is it needed to kill game in the field? In most cases never. Is it needed to keep rifle purchases up, competitive shooting interest up, after all these are follow ups to the bullet designer's and cartridge manufacturer's creations. Hornady, Nosler and Winchester have to keep swimming or they will drown, even Wby has gotten into the act with the 6.5 craze, and don't forget the gun rags and their writers, they certainly need something new and shiny to write about.
