Cartridges That Became What They Should Have Been

Welcome to Ron Spomer Outdoors! In this episode, we discuss the cartridges that became what they should have been. We will be taking a closer look at the upgrades, changes, and alterations that cartridge companies have made for the better. What cartridges do you think got a deserving facelift?

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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion – the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me – from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.

Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.

[HobbitHomes]

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!

[navveteran]

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.

[paulsimmons]

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!

[williammills]

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.

[peterhessedal]

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.

[Insubordinate]

When I started reloading some 15+ years ago, the history of ammunition absolutely fascinated me and this is the reason why I love videos like this.

[robspath]

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.

[msa]

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.

[donaldslayton]

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

[dwaynek.]

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.😊👍

[jfess]

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.

[sundanceseven]

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.

[danielrobey]

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.

[galenhisler]

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

[danielrobey]

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!

[turdferguson]

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.

[darrellmorse]

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.

[ryanthornton]

My Cape buffalo dropped to a 375 Ruger with 300 gr. Peregrine Bushmaster bullets. As a lefty it won me over for it's availability from the get-go. I picked up an early Ruger Africa in it in 2012, got a better stock and dropped my giraffe with it in 2013. It went back to drop buffalo, a Rowland Ward class black wildebeest, blesbok and a steenbok in 2021 (supposed ro be 2020, but things happen). The Ruger has got it done for me.

[uralbob]

The original Hornet case dimensions were scaled to the .375 H&H Mag.
I’ve owned 4 Hornet rifles, two of which I rechambered to Kilburn Hornet.
I worked up 45 gr. K Hornet loads to exceed my 50gr. .222 Rem velocities.
These small caliber loads are really fun to experiment with!
One bonus to the K Hornet is that the cases load much easier with less damage.
It’s the most fun you can have at a loading bench!
Great episode Mr. Spooner!

[brucehudson]

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.