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Alright, I'll apologize up front in case this comes off as too snippy or whiney. Let me also state that I am not one of the Ross-lovin' Dave-haters. I actually enjoy them both, but...

Reading Dave Scovill's column in the November 2005 "Rifle" left me a bit in disbelief (disappointment?). To put it simply: he should know better.

1. He tells us the swift Scirocco "emulates" the AccuBond. If I'm not mistaken, it's completely the other way 'round (by a few years, no less). What's more, on the very page those words appear there is a half-page ad for Remington Premier ammo loaded with the Scirocco wherein the following is written in big black letters: SCIROCCO The Original Bonded-Tipped Bullet! Hello?

2. He claims the Remington AccuTip is a bonded bullet. Well, if that were the case, why the hell would Remington be selling ammo loaded with the Scirocco??? Isn't the AccuTip actually the non-bonded Hornady SST in Remington uniform? Yes, it is.

3. Then he proceeds to educate us on the Speer Grand Slam, apparently oblivious to the fact that they changed the design to a mono-core years ago. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Maybe I'm wrong, but when a mere hobbyist like myself seems to be more up to speed on things than the editor of my favorite magazines, well that saddens me, a bit.

RSY

Right on all points. That's why I am not a subscriber.

Welcome to the club! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Ted

I stopped reading Scovill years ago. Got burned out reading .375 Scovill this and .375 Scovill that. I fast forward to the writers that know what they are writing about.

ZM

Ditto! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Its amazing that we as mere hobbyist can easily see these things, but yet a guy who earns his living off of his writings is totally blind to this.

I have seen quite a few "gun writers" print stuff that was not only wrong but not even close. Were all human and we all make mistakes but isnt that why they have proof readers and fail safes to prevent mis-information? I dont know it just seems like no one cares about quality any more, it is sad.....

Write Scovill and tell him what you just posted here. Or e-mail him.

MD

It's got to be really difficult being a gunwriter or a politician what with the internet.

Mule Deer does a really good job here and keeps his cool.

If you read my posts, for instance, from a couple of years ago and today you will find that I have changed my mind on some things.

The other thing is that some jump too fast on others and take things out of context. When I got Scoville's mags I liked him. Oh well.

I don't read the Rifle mag today. I do have boxes of them here somewhere however.

RSY,

IIRC, Dave also gave credit for the development of the bonded core bullet to Jack Carter and his Trophy Bonded bullets. Actually, the reason that Jack got into making his own bullets was that Bill Steigers of Bitterroot Bullets didn't make a bullet bigger than the 375 at the time. I really don't know who first developed the bonded core bullet, but the first one that I ever heard of and used was the Bitterroot.

I don't know anything about the Remington AccuTip bullet but they do make a bonded core bullet, the Core-Lokt Ultra. To my knowledge, that's the only bonded core bullet they make.

By the way, I received a press release yesterday announcing a "new" cartridge from Federal called, not surpisingly, the 338 Federal. Apparently it is a 308 case necked up to a 338 bullet.

At least is isn't another Short or Short-Short!

Tom

The first mistake is to lend any credibility to these hacks. Most of them really have little background in firearms.
Another example of a poor article ; Handloader Dec had an article on the 6mm Lee. In it it was claimed that the caliber was selected because of "fixation on the Metric system".
The truth is that it was selected as it could penetrate the armor on Torpedo Boats. Gil Sengle had to fill a column and he filled it with speculations.
Good Luck!

Yeah, accountability; what a horribly unfair concept!

Yes, Mule Deer does keep his cool. That's not hard to do when you do as good a job of backing up your writings with solid homework and research, as he does. Note to aspiring writers (and veteran?): That's how it's done. That's also why his stuff is so enjoyable to me; he doesn't rely on the stand-alone statement to make his case (i.e. Haviland talking about boattails slipping their cores in the same issue).

And John, I will send something to Dave. I should have done that to begin with. My apologies to him for the impropriety. My initial post was submitted under the influence, perhaps, of a bit too much NyQuil. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

RSY

Turp,

Did the press release mention if any of the rifle manufacturers are going to chamber for the 338 Federal?

Chris

SAKO for a start:

http://www.federalcartridge.com/default....5&year=2005

.....maybe Tikka, too.

Ted

Ted,

Thanks for the info. I will be watching this one.

Chris

If the ballistics in that press release hold up under general production, then sign me up.

" The .338 Federal delivers the only modern .338-caliber load that isn�t a magnum configuration. " This is one line from the release. I wonder if they are aware of the 338 A Square?

hawkins-
That is a really fascinating fact. Could you kindly supply a reference for that - I'd like to read more. Thanks.
--Bob

Well, I couldn't find any email address for the Editor in the magazine or website. All I found were a few for circulation and advertising.

Apparently, if it doesn't generate revenue, it doesn't rate a public email address.

RSY

338 Federal, now that sounds like a neat round. I am really liking anything based off of a 308 lately. Not sure what void it fills though.

RSY--

If you send an e-amil to wolfepub@riflemag.com, addressed specifically to Scovill, it will be printed up and put under his nose.

MD

RSY,

What MD said. The few times that I've sent an email to this general address, and put attention to the editor, I've always gotten a reply from him pretty pronto.

Jeff