I was a guide in the Northern Rockis for many decades. There is nothing I would rather do at the end of the day than sit around the fire and talk about hunting and rifles. Love your show Bro!

One more for the Ackley is that you can shoot the original parent cartridge in the improved chamber with a little loss in velocity. But then you reload the improved brass.

@texpatriot8462

11 ай бұрын

280 Remington ammo is probably now harder to find than 280AI. I haven't seen any on the shelves.

@fuzztsimmers3415

11 ай бұрын

@@texpatriot8462 Thats cause it isnt popular anymore. Which is a shame cause i only hear good things about it besides availability

@texpatriot8462

11 ай бұрын

@@fuzztsimmers3415 when I built my 280AI, I expected 280 ammo to be more plentiful than the AI version. Nope.

@fedup3582

10 ай бұрын

I would like to know where all the 280 AI ammo is. I had one, ammo was scarce and expensive. I would like to get another but I haven't seen any ammo in a year or two now. It is a shame because the cartridge is one of the best balanced cartridge out there.

@texpatriot8462

10 ай бұрын

@@fedup3582 it is definitely a reloader's cartridge. I roll my own.

My gunsmith years ago convinced me that I should go with a 280 and not a 7mm remmag. He pointed out that you have much less recoil, muzzle blast, barrel wear with a minor loss in velocity. I didn't end up buying either at the time. But it always made sense to me.

At the time that the H&H came out it’s mu understanding that the cordite powder that was used in the cartridge made the long sloping case necessary as the powder was actually full length sticks of powder.

I built a 280AI about a decade ago because they weren't as common as today. I absolutely love that gun, so impressive yet so simple. PO Ackley was way ahead of his time. Thanks, Ron, for posting this video.

These are the videos I wish I had the time and skill to make. I love cartridge history and these videos are the highlight of my day! Thanks Ron.

I’m a old school fan and own a couple of 375 H&H rifles. There are plenty of upgraded, improved, and newer 375’s every few years but I like the original because of the history. I’m also a fan of the 7x57, the 30-06, the Super 30, the 257 Roberts, and a few more golden oldies because they simply work fine within ethical hunting distances. At 3-400yds and closer, a deer that’s hit in the heart and lungs by a 30-06 will dirt dive as surely as one hit with one of the newer improved 30’s. Besides, finding ammo for standard hunting calibers is pretty easy, not always the case for new and improved stuff. Great video!

This was some great stuff. I still love my 270 winchester 😊

@traviskuntz7503

11 ай бұрын

It's still an excellent cartridge. I own a 6.8 Western, but I still suggest 270 Win to friends who are looking for a medium range hunting rifle to do everything inside of 800 yards

@galenhisler396

11 ай бұрын

I also have a 270 wsm just curious what grain bullet do you shoot your 6.8 ?

@traviskuntz7503

11 ай бұрын

@@galenhisler396 I have loads developed for 170 Berger EOL and 145 gr ELD-X currently. Looking at a copper bullet next along with 165 ABLR for further load development. I've also shot factory loads with 175 TGK, 165 ABLR and 162 copper extreme point, but Winchester can't seem to load factory ammo that shoots well in my gun. All handloads have been under 1 MOA

@donrofkar946

11 ай бұрын

Maybe we should rename it so it doesn’t bounce off game? 6.5 Jack O’Connor? If we could get it featured in one of the video games popularity would really take off! Lol

@toddjohnson271

11 ай бұрын

@@traviskuntz7503 Like 30-06...the 270 will usually get the edge with availability.

On the topic of the .375, I own a Ruger guide gun in the .375 Ruger. While it is overkill for whitetail hunting, there is load data to download it to an equivalent of the 375 Winchester. So a very effective caliber, capable of 1900-5400 ft-lbs of energy depending on what load you want to carry.

@recoilrob324

11 ай бұрын

I have a Ruger #1 in 375 H&H and have researched why the cartridge was made as it is. Main reason is Cordite powder is long spaghetti like strands that fit in the case with a full charge, plus the taper meant easier extraction out of the double rifles where it was often used.

@whyareusobad3528

11 ай бұрын

1900-5400!? That’s a huge difference depending on how you load it

@andrewcleveland

10 ай бұрын

I hunt whitetail with my 416 Remington and 416 Taylor improved. I don’t download them, I actually max them out but use the lighter bullets 300-350 grain from 2640-2800 fps. Actually still plenty flat enough to 300 plus yards so far practicing. It’s a lot of hunt using the old dangerous game rifles on deer. You can get a lot of practice in with them for sure.

@whyareusobad3528

10 ай бұрын

@@andrewcleveland I wouldn’t know although I have used larger game rifles before I find it most fun to hunt with older surplus rifles m1903 Springfield lee enfield No4 and my mosin M44 are usually what I use when hunting And when you use older rifles you want to be very careful with how much Max pressure you have when firing and that your ammo doesn’t reach pressures it wasn’t meant for and sometimes you need to even get your ammo down to lower pressures then it was rated for

@andrewcleveland

10 ай бұрын

@@whyareusobad3528 completely understand. I also have an old 98 mauser rechambered in 9.3x62 that I hunt deer with. I had XS ghost ring rear sight installed and use it hunting pine thickets around here. My 416 Taylor improved is a commercial mauser, but still a wildcat with no load data. I had to use 1970’s 416 Taylor data and increase loads until pressure signs were reached then back off. Definitely a little nerve racking going that route 🤣. I missed a deal on a sporterized 03 Springfield years ago, still hurts to think about it.

Funny thing, I've hunted with a 7mmRM for years. But I picked up a new 45-70 and am in love. It gets all my attention and will probably follow me to camp this fall

Love it when Ron uploads

@rob6850

11 ай бұрын

Always learn something new

Love your channel. So informative. I've learned a lot and I'm 56 years old. Never too old to learn something new. Thanks Ron for such a great channel.😊👍

Hard to believe that the shoulder not being enough for headspacing but that belt is enough. Great video Sir.

Excellent explanation about the change in cartridge philosophy between the 270 WSM and 6.8 Western. Once accurate laser rangefinders became readily available, it was possible to know the exact drop and concentrate on heavier, high BC bullets for less wind deflection and more retained energy at long range. There was less need for the light-bullet, flat-trajectory design to minimize the consequence of mis-estimating the range.

@Fuzzybeanerizer

11 ай бұрын

As a military veteran who does not hunt, I tend to look at things from a military point of view, and the longer, high-BC bullets are really appealing to me. But on the other hand, maybe for the average hunter the philosophy represented by the older .270 Winchester with 130 grain bullets is still very valid. Get that high initial velocity, and long "point blank" range, and don't concern yourself with what happens at 500 or 700 yards. Because most people can't shoot well enough under field conditions to ethically take shots at deer-sized animals at ranges beyond 250 or 300 yards anyway! There is also the question of if the average hunter owns/carries a laser rangefinder, and can he make use of what it tells him? Often all he knows is the gun shop sold him the gun that is trendy at the moment. So yeah, on one hand I'm all in favor of the newer trend, but on the other hand I wonder if it is realistic for hunting?

@OldSchoolParatrooper

11 ай бұрын

​@@Fuzzybeanerizer As a military vet who does hunt, I think your perspective is very valid and mostly very accurate. Most hunters will never take a shot over 400 yards, and those who do will do so rarely unless it's the only option to get to the game animal they are trying to harvest due to terrain. The average army grunt isn't terrific at shooting past about 250 historically. Marine infantry is just a bit better due to regular training at longer ranges.

@Fuzzybeanerizer

11 ай бұрын

@@OldSchoolParatrooper I'm definitely not trying to brag up the shooting ability of the average soldier, but aside from specialized snipers the key difference is that in the military there is no concern about making clean and humane kills. If you can wound the enemy anywhere on his body, that is great, and if there is a 50% probability or 10% probability of wounding him anywhere that is great too. If you can even SCARE the enemy, that is well worthwhile. So those 1200 yard bullets really pay off in a military context, whether the shooter is a great marksman or not. I'm not that great of a shot myself. I've competed in some DCM matches and encountered a few people who make me look like Primitive Pete. But I think I do shoot better than average, and would consider shooting at a deer at 400 yards, under typical field conditions, as really irresponsible for myself. So while I'm sure there are people who can reasonably take such shots, I think they are a small minority of the population. Yeah, thinking of pistols, I see any number of guys with KZread channels who are at least 3 times as skilled as I am. Yet I took CCW classes locally a couple times and I'm like the star shooter of the group. Same thing in the Army, we organized a battalion pistol team, and I was the best shot there. But still never got selected to move any higher!

@OldSchoolParatrooper

11 ай бұрын

@Fuzzybeanerizer yes, in combat, keeping heads down and wounding the enemy is good. And I think this is the advantage of longer range accurate fire ability. Facing a couple MG crews with PKMs that can accurately out range your 240 is a real pi$$er. Being able to keep the enemy pinned down at a longer range where they are less accurate and less able to maneuver while getting mortars and air assets on target is a great advantage. Just my opinion here on hunting, if you are a practiced shooter/hunter and your cartridge has the power at 400 yards for an ethical kill, I have no problem with a person taking their shot. I may feel it's a little less sporting than a spot and stalk into 200, but to each their own. It is interesting that in basic training they preached "one shot one kill" so much. Then in training in the 82nd it's "hit whatever part of them you can" or "accuracy by volume" then the hunting contrast back to "one shot, one kill" The regions I hunt, it's rare to get a shot presentation over 250-300 yards. But I still like to know that I'm accurate to 600 with my rifles to a 3 inch group or less.

@soonerfrac4611

11 ай бұрын

It’s been touched upon in other explanations about the 270WSM but never really expounded on. Apparently there was a patent infringement lawsuit against Winchester in regards to the 270WSM.

I shoot several Ackley improved cartridges, I’m not so concerned about the added velocity but it definitely improves case life and also takes some of the load off the action since the straighter case grips the chamber walls better. To me it’s an all around win!

The 280 Ackley is amazing. I left my Hornet stock and built a 221 Fireball instead of making it a K hornet. I think the 375 Ruger is about to make my short list.

@msa4548

11 ай бұрын

I love my 375 Ruger, and I'm currently looking for a rifle chambered for 280 AI.

@HondoTrailside

11 ай бұрын

@@msa4548 I don't have sales numbers, but they seem to be being dropped basically from when they came out. That was the high water mark for ammo, and brass. Never see it any more. Oddly all the new rifles we can get are lefties. I was a stupid concept from the get go. You have an elephant gun that weighs a few ounces less, gotta get me one of those.

@kurtwpg

11 ай бұрын

Damn we're on the same page. 221 Fireball seems perfect to me, want a 280AI and a 375 Ruger. My 7mm08 is nice but I do have a bit of buyers remorse now as I look at the AI.

@snookmeister55

11 ай бұрын

Hornet to K Hornet is on my list but maybe I'll get a 222 instead.

375 Ruger is pretty cool, wish it was available in a semi-auto. Browning needs to put the 6.8 Western in the BAR, makes a great hunting rifle.

Always something more to learn. Thanks again, Ron!

Always good stuff for those of us that have spent many hours lost in reloading manuals

It has been my experience that Ackley Improved cartridges are definitely superior when you compare their data and numbers to their non-improved counterparts, but when you head to the field and put it all in practice they don't really offer anything significant over the standard cartridges they're based on. On the contrary, those sharp shoulders don't feed as smoothly and reliably (I believe I read once that it's impossible to chamber an autoloader in an A.I cartridge) and for reloaders dedicated brass is near unobtainium. There are some hardcore benchrest shooters and professional hunters that no doubt have something to gain from the potential benefits A.I cartridges offer, but a slightly flatter trajectory past 300 yards and a trivial increase in inherent accuracy isn't something thats worth the hassle of trying to find a rifle and components for an A.I cartridge for the everyman. Just my 2 cents.

@HondoTrailside

8 ай бұрын

It is the kind of thing that appeals to fiddlers, who spend more time in their basements that outdoors, and rock on. But if you are that guy, you might appreciate higher resale from a wider market, so when you move onto the next project you can actually unload the AI rifle. There is this one I am looking at in 338-06 AI. Looks like a good deal. Comes with a ton of brass. But it won't sell, and part of the reason I don't snap it up is nobody has beat me to it, if you can appreciate that logic...

@GibsonTick

4 ай бұрын

I have a 280 AI, and it's super easy to find brass for. All the local gun shops carry it. Yes, it has feeding issues, but I had it tuned up by the local smith and now it feeds like silk. It's a fantastic round. Oh, and, I spend plenty of time in the bush, thanks! 🙂

That was GREAT!! A long shot for me is 150 yards where I hunt, but I still love this type of video. So cool!

And don't forget the cartridge that the 22-250 is based on, the 250 Savage. It was a phenomenal cartridge equal to the 243 Winchester (even better with heavy bullets) which sadly faded away while the less-versatile wildcat based on it carries on to this day.

@shawntailor5485

11 ай бұрын

For some reason newton's work seems to get glossed over . I believe there was politics involved just as tucker faced with the big three in Detroit. Savage went from the bottom to the top and powerful people have always had issues with underdogs . Bring back the 300 savage !pleazzzzzzzzzze

@shawntailor5485

11 ай бұрын

My bro inherited an original 250 3000 . I grew up with the 300 savage that was grandpa's, dads, then mine at twelve . Luckily I bought ammo every season but only used 1 or 2 ,plus zero check , we loved shooting each others 99's but never quite enuff to trade . My 300 still shoots straight and true .

@mattalley7646

11 ай бұрын

​@@shawntailor5485 my first deer rifle was a model 99 300savage! I love that gun I still shoot it today!

@shawntailor5485

11 ай бұрын

@@mattalley7646 do you have a preference for bullet wt.? The 180 were getting hard to find quite a while ago . I have a 99 and an 81 wood master in 300 sav. I love both but you really gotta bare down on the remintons short barrel whereas the 99 practical aims itself.

@mattalley7646

11 ай бұрын

@Shawn Tailor I generally just shoot 150gr bullets out of it. Prior to covid I was able to purchase 500 of Winchester's PowerMax Bonded which is what I shoot in my 308win and they perform very well in the 300 Savage

Awesome video Ron! Thanks for sharing a lot of great information and your explanation of BC was the best I’ve ever heard

One thing you missed in this episode. Tapered cartridges do feed better with less jamming. So those old guys made a perfect round for hunting and not perfect sofa-guns that never see dirt or bushes competing with the brass while trying to enter the chamber.

Great comparisons, Sir! You always have good info and cover a lot of different calibers. I am, however, in the camp of old duffers who prefer the more gradual shoulder profiles. I totally get where you're coming from as far as the longer case life and improved performance goes. My hesitation to hop aboard the improved cartridge bandwagon goes back 25-30 years to when I couldn't stop reading about the bears in Alaska and the Yukon, and the people they sometimes ate. I had several books on this adrenaline pumping subject. Talk about not being able to get to sleep! There were heaps of stories involving Hunters of all sorts. Sometimes, when a hunter was being confronted by one of these furry monsters and the pucker-factor was off the scale, their rifle would jam when working the bolt after the first round failed to stop the assault. What I noticed after about the third or fourth time that I read about this happening, was that it was only happening with Weatherby calibers. At that time, the sharp angle of their cartridge shoulders was the first thing that came to mind, and I decided then and there that, while I would love to own one of their amazing rifles, I would stick to non -Weatherby calibers, and the same goes for other cases that have similar sharper shoulders. Not that I'm scared of bears. Thank you again for your super videos!

We do love to perfect the wheel. As we should. Great calm video, Ron.

Thanks Ron ! Have watched many of your videos and just want to say that I now know what it must have felt like during the gold rush back in the day, i.e. I keep 'panning' for a nugget of gold as I listen to you and usually find at least one nugget! Today's nugget was about 'the donut' that forms at the neck inside the case. I feel rich now!! Yea, I know that this kind of knowledge isn't going to get me a free cup of coffee at the diner but to undersrand such aspects of cartridges and their history, to me, is worth at least as much as a free steak dinner!!! You are a rock star in the hunting world!!! Thanks!!!

Great video, always learn so much from you. Keep it up!

The hornet works really well for culling within game camps. Silencer and headshots work very well on smaller game.

Love your content!& your vast knowledge!!👏👏👏

Great assessment towards the end of your video - explaining the development & evolution of improvement over time.

I totally agree. Ron is a treasure trove of knowledge and information. Been following him for a long time !

I hope the 6.8 western sticks around. It has a great potential.

@geothunder1971

10 ай бұрын

Unfortunately, there's a lot of competition now. Shooters have their pick of so many long range calibers nowadays

@TMar129

8 ай бұрын

I'm a 270 wsm guy 100%, but I don't see the 6.8 western really thriving unfortunately. Too many ammo companies have their own cartridge that's too similar to it and I don't see it picking up widespread production. I think the next best new cartridge will be the 7 Prc.

@geothunder1971

8 ай бұрын

I really think Winchester dropped the ball on this, they basically stopped making 270wsm ammo everywhere and from what I'm hearing sales for the 6.8 are dismal. I'm keeping my two 270wsm's got lots of ammo and can reload, and if I wanted to shoot heavier bullets change out the barrel to a 1:8 twist and shoot the 170gr Bergers EOL's. A faster load than the 6.8 western by 200fps, it makes me wonder who's calling the shots at Winchester nobody with common sense obviously. @@TMar129

@nathanmccullough7755

5 ай бұрын

@@TMar129 I'd bet money you are right. Hornady seems to be driving the cartridge development space and as soon as the 7 PRC was announced, I figured it was a winner. A 7mm rem mag for the modern hunter is all it really is and that is a good thing.

Thanks for sharing your videos and keep them coming please.

Thanks, Ron. I really appreciated this episode. I hope you do more. 6.5 & 7mm especially!

@whyareusobad3528

11 ай бұрын

IMO .264 win mag is far superior to most modern 6.5

Excellent presentation as always. .280 I believe was made more popular after P.O got done with it than before. Definitely underrated. Now let's talk about the 8mm Rem magnum. Your thoughts?

@Fuzzybeanerizer

11 ай бұрын

Maybe there are better powders or something today, but I remember back when the 8mm Remington Magnum was first introduced I was impressed how inefficient it seemed to be. It seemed to consume a remarkably large amount of powder for hardly any gain over the .338 Winchester Magnum.

RON, YOUR WORK IS ALWAYS SOUND AND USEFUL. YOU PERMEATE IT ALL WITH LOGIC AND REASON-- 2 THINGS WHICH ARE INCREASINGLY RARE IN OUR SOCIETY. THANK YOU FOR THAT!😂 BECAUSE OF YOUR SKILLS I WANT TO APPEAL TO YOU FOR AT LEAST ONE VIDEO ON HEADSPACING!!

I love your explanation of how some of the cartridges came to be. I did not know how some reached us today. I picked a couple of guns that I would be grate to shoot. I will tell you of two ! So the first one was a revolver. It was in 30 carbine made by Ruger. Wow That gun was grate to shoot. A few years ago I could not get ammo for it. I took it to a gun shop & sold it. Now the ammo is just coming back. The 2nd one is wonderful. It is a marlin mxlr. I could not believe how accurate it is. My club had a gong At about 150 yards. Well I picked a booth to shoot. The man in the next booth had a 3006. He only missed about 2 shots. Now on my mxlr I did not miss not even one. He put his rifle down to look at my mxlr. He asked what it was. I told him it was a marlin. He said it was impossible as they are out of busses. I said I got it serval years ago when I retired. I let him shoot a couple of rounds & he never missed. I also said the ammo is almost impossible to get ammo for it. He asked me if I wanted to sell it. I said no because once it is gone there is nothing to replace it. So they are still experimenting with guns & ammo. so if you find one don't sell it.

I was taught how to use a mil dot scope as a range finder which can be pretty accurate if you know the average size of your target, long before laser range finders were affordable.

@RonSpomerOutdoors

11 ай бұрын

Yes sir, that style of bracketing does work fairly well.

@Freezer003

11 ай бұрын

It amazes me that more scopes are not mil or moa dots! BDC, dead-holds, windplex are all stupid. Just go mil dot

Great vid as usual Ron, I am a big 7mm fan from STW TO 284 TO 708. Love them all.

Honestly, you make the best videos with the least amount of crap. Love ur channel, god bless!

RE: 375 H&H. I prefer the classic case because the taper of the round gives more reliable feeding of the second and third round.

@brianleverich4467

11 ай бұрын

Yes and what about the.375 improved

@Fuzzybeanerizer

11 ай бұрын

Yes, I think the tapered case is a plus under African conditions with such dangerous animals. Similarly the tapered 7.62x39mm case might be part of why the AK has a better reputation for reliability than the AR with its more cylindrical cartridge case.

@kingduck3192

11 ай бұрын

You African hunters are like people who climb Mount Everest you act like you are doing something difficult. When in reality you pay your money a guide points to the animal you can kill and you take your pictures while locals do all the work

@brianleverich4467

11 ай бұрын

@@kingduck3192 I’ve wanted to go to Africa but haven’t had the chance but in America the .375 is more than enough for any North American big game and I believe the recoil is more of a shove than some hard kicking.30 cal. It may not be fast and flat shooting but it’s still classy . I’d rather be driving my 66 chevy truck also

Great video Ron - thanks for the lesson.

The 22 Creedmoor is what the 22-250 AI should have been. And the 7mm PRC is the nail in the 6.8 Western’s coffin. Love your videos.

@nathanmccullough7755

5 ай бұрын

Agree on both fronts and have made the same statements. Though i admit, the 7 PRC in many ways shouldnt be a direct comparison due to action length. I think a challenge the 6.8 faces is that it hasnt had the bullet development support that the 6.5s and 7s have. It's better than it used to be but a fast 7 just makes so much more sense to be than a fact 270.

Very true, it’s all about progression on cartridges. And more today it’s the chambering and twist. And marketing! Think 260 Remington versus 6.5 Creedmoor.

As always great stuff Ron. I can't tell you how much you remind me of my late grandfather. In my opinion thev280 ai is one of the best all around cartridge. Sleak heavy bullets with the fps to back it up with mild manageable recoil. Boys the best rifle I'd the one that will hit the vitals Hunt Honest and Shoot Straight.

Ron I really like your videos. keep up the good work.

Great info. One of these days when i have more time and space to immerse myself in gun projects, i am going to have my Contender barrel and my dies reamed to K-Hornet. I have been interested in the 280 AI for years. Very efficient, and should work well for anything in the lower 48. Can always use heavy 7mm bullets for bears if you have to. The 375 Ruger is a great modern improvement, if i ever hunt big stuff (like AK bears). Unlikely, but good to know it is there. As someone pointed out, it can be downloaded somewhat for deer/elk. I guess i need to start actually hunting. Lol

Good stuff, Ron!! Thanks much👍

Nice video Ron...Thanks for sharing

Evolvement was the key in development and yes I love shootn the old stuff. It's interesting to see with now, computerization, on how if it could be perfected even further whether in old or new designs ....Thanks Ron..

Love the information and the channel 👍🏻🇺🇲

My magnum cartridges are so old they have suspenders instead of a belt.

A fine video......Thanks young man Ron.... Old Shoe🇺🇸

I am disappointed that the WSSM223 is defunct. It is the most accurate rifle I’ve ever shot. It pushes a 55gr. Bullet @ 3945fps With half inch groups, Sighted in @100 yards, one inch high at 200yds. Winchester rushed the rifle to market and had to recall them for flaking chrome ( bad plating job) That killed the cartridge. I have shot hundreds of rounds with no throat erosion but the market makes or breaks cartridges. I still shoot it; I saw the writing on the wall and bought 500 empties. I love it. 🤩

I was waiting for the 30-03 and 30-06!

I would love to hear your thoughts on the comparison between the 300 sa um and the 300 wsm and why you think the saum didn't stick around

I wish that Remington had kept the 7mm Express name instead of going back to the 280 headstamp. 7mm Express just sounds cooler. I remember reading articles in Outdoor Life when I was little back in the early 70's about how the 7mm Express was one of the best all-round cartridges made. And it is a great cartridge. Just like the good ol 270 Winchester and the 30-06. At reasonable distances there's not enough difference between the three to even worry about. I like a 165 gr bullet in the '06,a 175 gr bullet in the 280 or any standard length 7mm and a 140 gr bullet in the 270. For some strange reason I've never liked a 150 gr bullet in any caliber and I don't know why. I've thought about it countless times and still can't figure it out. I've always wondered why nobody ever loaded a 165 gr RN in the 30-30. I think that would be an absolutely perfect round for woods hunting deer and even elk out to around 100 yrds, where most woods hunting takes place. If I was a reloader,I hate to think what strange and unusual cartridges I'd come up with. They wouldn't be practical or even ever chambered in a barrel, but they would definitely be conversation pieces. Maybe someday I'll be able to get a good reloading setup and make weird cartridges just for fun. I wouldn't even use any powder or primers, just neck up and down, lengthen and shorten, change shoulder angles and taper and just be a Frankenstein tinkerer. That actually sounds like a blast and who knows, I might just create a great new cartridge 😂

Absolutely love my 375 Ruger, what a beast! 🦣

I'm probably wrong but seem to remember a story about the development of the 375H&H cartridge. I think the belt was needed because the manufacturer was unable to use a steep shoulder due to the powder available at the time. The powder available back at the turn of the century was manufactured in long continuous strands not conducive to loading in straight wall cases without jamming during loading. The tapered case with only minor sloped shoulders worked for loading the long strand powder but inadequate for head spacing the case in the chamber. The belt on the case solved the problem. I think this is what I read..... My gripe and my elimination of belted magnum calibers results from case weakening and thinning leading to case separation above the belt after a few reloadings.

The reason they didn’t “make it that way in the first place”: For Ackley shoulders is the unacceptable loss rate in manufacturing 40 degree shoulder brass cases. 375 H&H was made for cordite powder.

@chucksherron

11 ай бұрын

Some questions just don't need to be answered.

Would be interesting to hear your comments about the 7x57 Ackley improved and how it stacks up to the newer cartridges

Hi Ron, I enjoy your videos and the thorough manner of the research and presentation. I wonder what your two bits are as far as a detailed comparison between the 7mm PRC and the 28 nosler.

@StiltzMK1

11 ай бұрын

Yes! I am also interested in this showdown!

@Not-the-only-one

10 ай бұрын

28 Nosler has about 30% more recoil for a gain of 175 fps. The juice isn’t worth the squeeze for me. And the 28 Nosler has to have a magnum action to boot.

I lament that I only discovered your channel a few days ago. But, now that I have, I won't miss another video. They are a pleasure to watch. I was enamored with the 6.5mm caliber back in the day, and in particular, the 6.5mm/06 wildcat. But, being a newly married 18-year-old, money was always a little tight, and custom-built rifles being a little expensive, I had to settle for an off-the-shelf Remington M700 in 270win. I am wondering, did Ackley ever make an improved version of the 6.5mm/06? With the current popularity of 6.5mm cartridges, why didn't someone standardize a 6.5mm/06 Improved cartridge? I understand that it won't fit in a short action, but I've never really understood why that's an issue in a hunting rifle. Isn't the advantage of a shorter round really for cycling through a semi-auto or a full auto more quickly and for reducing the weight of the ammo a soldier must carry (example: the 7.62mm and 5.56mm Nato rounds)?

Good presitation Ron, but, they did have target turets back then. And even farther back. I have a Unertel and a old Mossberg that have them also. One thing to mention is also how much powder has evolved since then.

Another great Ron Spomer video.

Just fantastic content. Bravo!! 👏 👏👏👏

@RonSpomerOutdoors

11 ай бұрын

Thanks Dan.

I have 280 in a Browning Xbolt 26”barrel. I hand load for it and nothing has ever gotten up afterwards. Five round groups usually 3 touching and the other 2 within 3/4”😊

Great video! Thanks Ron. I’m not sure about the K Hornet. I think the 22 Hornet should be appreciated for what it is - a varmint cartridge with little to no recoil, low report and high accuracy. If you’re that desperate for improved performance on the 22 Hornet, then go and pick up a .223. Similarly with the .22-250. I just love it as it is.

@tonyzila5071

11 ай бұрын

I agree I just love my little hornet ruger 77 sporter if I want more I take the 22/250

@matthewknight1910

11 ай бұрын

@@tonyzila5071 great choice 👍🏼

@Fuzzybeanerizer

11 ай бұрын

I think you are missing his point. If the Hornet had been like the K-Hornet in the first place, you'd still be just as happy as you are now, but it would be less fussy to reload as well. Aside from any brass-stretching issue, most comparisons I've read say the K version (or the .218 Bee) is easier to find accurate loads for in the average rifle. The "K" improvement does add a little velocity boost, but comes nowhere near a .223 or above in either performance or noise.

@mikespangler98

10 ай бұрын

I bought a Savage Walking Varminter in 22 Hornet with the intent of reaming it out to K-Hornet. It shoots so well I was never willing to take the chance of messing it up, so it's still a standard Hornet. The Hornet sits really nicely in the gap between the rimfires and a 222 or 223. My hand loads are 45 gr bullet at 2600 fps. It's really cheap to shoot too. Less than 10 gr of powder per round.

I had a Bushnell yardage pro rangefinder early to mid 90s. Here is a quote: “Our primary intention was for hunting,” said Jason Seeman, director of sales for Bushnell Golf, a pioneer in golf rangefinders. “Then the thought was, 'This could work for golf as well,' so in 1995 we introduced our first rangefinder for golf, the Yardage Pro 400.” It May have been available as a hunting range finder earlier. I was competing in 3D archery and having a rangefinder to practice with was great.

Ron, you do a great job of explaining these things to the average and experienced alike. P.O. Ackley was indeed way ahead of his time. It's too bad a major manufacturer didn't just adopt all his cartridges, it would have progressed modern ballistics by decades. The 6.5-06 AI and the 280 AI are the two best adaptations on the venerable 30-06. Hornady with their Creedmoor and PRC cartridges have set the modern standard. I'd like to see you do a video on the 25 Creedmoor. I punched way above it's weight class and with a fast twist barrel and the heavy for caliber bullets it's perhaps the best of the Creedmoors.

Great video Ron once again...

Ron, that was fun. Hindsight being 20/20 is a great thing. As much as I like new rifles and new cartridges, I would be ok if cartridge development ended 80 years ago. Are any of the new wiz bangs doing much that wasn't being done with the 250 Sav, 257 Roberts, 220 Swift, 270 Win, 06, 30-30, 300 H&H, 348, 375, 470 and quiet a few more? I don't really think so. But I'm glad the hot rodders (wildcatters) and engineers tinkered around. You nailed by saying it's the "evolution " of the cartridge/rifle industry. And it's been a long, strange, interesting, often frustrating trip. Thanks for the information that an "improved" style case, with the steeper/sharper shoulder will have a longer usable case life. I never knew that, but your explanation makes perfect sense. You threw a curve ball on the 375 H&H. I am aware of your affinity for the 375 Ruger, I thought you were going to highlight the original 375 "IMPROVED". Yep, the 375 Weatherby. Blow out the tapper, sharper shoulder, add 200-300 fps and change the name. Keep well and keep the videos coming. Cheers, Jeff

@Fuzzybeanerizer

11 ай бұрын

I was recently looking at data for the long-forgotten 6mm Lee Navy cartridge. Can you imagine a 6mm cartridge pushing long 120-grain jacketed "pencil" bullets at respectable velocities, getting officially adopted by the military, in about 1895? Just 30 years before, they were muzzle-loading black powder and .58 Minie balls! The 6.5 Swedish is another example... considering ease of manufacturing, smoothness of feeding, etc. I'm convinced it is as good of a cartridge case design as any, right up to the present day.

Very good as always!

Ron: always a pleasure listening to your presentations.... You speak knowledgeably and with clarity.... much appreciated. I'd like to see you do a similar review of US military cartridges adopted from Civil War to present? I personally feel they have made several mistakes, mostly based on 'politics' rather than performance.... (IMHO).

@RonSpomerOutdoors

11 ай бұрын

Thanks Hugh. Yes, the military has and often does make big mistakes based on politics.

Ron, I have had a love affair with the 22 Hornet since I was 7 years old when my grandfather's neighbor introduced me to it with a Winchester Model 54. That was over 65 years ago. Now I have a 54 and a Kimber Model 82 in 22 Hornet. With Hodgen Lil' Gun powder and James Calhoon 30 gr bullets, I'm getting 3,000 fps! No need to chamber for K Hornet. That Kimber has a two-digit serial number and, conservatively, it has taken well over 5K prairie dogs. You are spot on with the 22-250. I am having one of mine bored out to Ackley Improved. What the 22-250 really lacks is a good twist rate for heavier bullets. Once I burn the barrel out, I plan to re-barrel with a 22-250 Ackley Improved in a 1-8 twist. LOVE your channel. Keep up the excellent work.

@RonSpomerOutdoors

11 ай бұрын

That sounds like a fun 22!

It’s also worth pointing out that, so far, no one has sued Winchester over the 6.8 western. Also, I always wondered why all the belted magnums? But then it occurred to me that headspacing on suspenders would be much more difficult.

If you haven’t already, I’d love to see the pros and cons of a 45-70 vs 50-110. I still love the oldies.. it fits me well, being an oldie myself.

@whyareusobad3528

11 ай бұрын

45-70 good round for hunting about anything and defending against most things 50-110 good for obliterating everything and defending against anything armored or not (Assuming you have modern tolerances with a handload)

@terrydunn5784

11 ай бұрын

Or, the 45 -120 in a strong action like a Ruger No. 1 - more case capacity than a 458 Lott

I had a K hornet once, It took about an extra grain of powder from memory. Which in a small case was very significant.

I absolutely love my Schultz & Larsen Victory with one of the switch barrels (& bolt) chambered in .375 Ruger. Noticeably faster than my old .375 H&H & reliably sub MOA out to at least 200m (longest range I've tested it at).

I agree 100%, Ron.

Thanks for sharing

Couch couch boom boom. Dear Ron hasnt got off his couch in years ❤

That was very instructive! Thank you so much. I learned a lot. You have to know that here in Germany you get very little information about ammunition. That's because guns are almost considered indecent here.

Love my 7X64 Brenneke! CZ 557 Lux.

Another thing driving case design back then was military use. Parent cases for standard calibers started out as military cartridges. Tapered cases were more reliably extracted, especially in fully automatic weapons.

I load a .257 AI for my son, fantastic round and super accurate, best part is if he pounds off a round in the morning frost I always know its him. The round has a very hollow tube "ka-thump" sound that no other rifle makes. And yes using original. 257 Roberts ammo is a plus as well, a dandy round in itself.

I really enjoy all the comments and ammo comparisons. I'm getting too old to purchase the newest, fastest, and maybe better engineered products, however, if the shot is clean, and the kill is quick, I'll stay with all my old rifles and keep on enjoying them. In many ways, I simply enjoy the look of great figured walnut, shooting an old cartridge, yes, I'm getting old.

@RonSpomerOutdoors

11 ай бұрын

You are not alone.

I want to forget my age, but I 'up gunned' starting 50 years ago. 300 Win Mag, 375 H & H, 264 Win Mag, and lighted my load a little bit with the 280 Rem (I meant to move it to 280 AI). I loved the 22-250. I was a varmint hunter foremost and a bean field deer hunter. I needed the reach out, and finally moded the 264 with a long barrel and one decent Accu Trac scope 6-18X for 5-600 yard varminting (100 grain Hp). With newer cartridges already set up by the major manufactures now, this should be the heyday for shooters!

I love my .280. Wouldn't change it if I could.

375 Ruger is a fine wildcat idea for people who need something different, but I think it is ridiculous as a replacement for an Africa gun. Elk or something domestic, it makes sense. 1) Ammo availability even in Canada is almost non-existent. Zero in Africa, compared to the H&H, which is the best for ammo of any legal big 5 cartridge, other than maybe the 9.3 where it is legal 2) Belt actually is useful for ensuring headspace in a dangerous game gun. Not sure it would be included today, but it can save your bacon in a nice free flowing chamber. Obviously useless if you have a match chamber in your DG gun. Belts got a bad rep because of their lack of utility in guns that are not DG guns, could even be at the opposite end like a 243 Weatherby. Some of the advantage may be for worn guns which can be a reality in Africa, but are not likely to be taken over by hunters. 3) The whole idea of a lighter action to save a few ounces in a DG gun, is novel... 5) I do think bolt throw is an issue, even K. Bell said it threw him off. He may even have been talking about long action rounds, let alone magnum action rounds. But I think we are in a different place at this point. Very few people have grooved their stroke with masses of ammo shot in military practice or combat. Bolt throws are the exception, not the rule. So if you are going in an African direction, why not work with the longer seal slick cartridges that are more likely to dominate, and make yourself an expert with them?

@HondoTrailside

8 ай бұрын

I should have also dealt with the greater velocity claim. Why? The H&H is perfect, anything more and you are stepping on the advantage of a .375, which is shootability. Also in reloads, or even factory ammo, the smaller case of the Ruger is just going to raise the issue of pressure in a hot climate. I would never say something is perfect and can't be improved, but even if the H&H is imperfect, it can't be improved. A lot of this stuff is just stateside dreaming. It is not going to mater a jot when you actually get over there, and fitting in with expectations is an advantage. Say your rifle gets damaged and you borrow a loaner .375, now where are you? Your Ruger is not going to be an understudy for the loaner, you could have been practicing with all along. Now you have that longer bolt throw, and you are going to blow a reload. Or they lost your ammo... Right now the CEO of Ford is driving across the West in an electric pickup, and finding he can't find charging stations. Sometimes it pays big time to fit in.

Great to learn what the purpose of the belt in belted cartridges is for! I hadn't really thought too hard about it but always thought it was something to do with allowing higher pressure - never occurred to me it had the same function as a rim, just in guns where a rim would cause issues.

Hard to beat 270wsm never had a 🦌 get away. I believe alot of the new bullet. Barns the barrel out to fast. Have a great day thank you.

I love learning the history

If you’d done 6.5x55S into 6.5 Creedmoor or PRC, it would’ve been a fun trolling of the 6.5 naysayers. 😅

Feeding the KZread algorithm. Informative video. Thanks.

I forgot about the old 22/250 had a nice weatherby in that cal nice shooter

When my wife wanted to get into deer hunting, and I was looking for a different rifle, I went 308 for both of us. Recoil she can handle, both rifles can share ammo, overkill for deer but decent on black bear, and if I ever get a once in a lifetime hunt for moose the round will work under 150 yards. Is also reasonably affordable for target shooting for her to learn center fire rifle thanks to surplus ammo, and that ammo allows me to keep my skills sharp. It is not good in the wind. It doesnt shoot fast enough with anything over 165gr slugs. But for our needs, it works.

I imagine Remington didn't imagine the 280 AI because they were chambering rifles in their pump and semiauto lines that would feed the tapered case and "softer" shoulder angle of the 280 Rem/7mm Rem Express more reliably.

Great video Ron