Two questions about this cartridge (.308/762 nato), as it is going to be the cartridge of my next rifle (first rifle other than SKS).
1. Lyman's reload manual says that it's probably the most inherently accurate cartride of the .30 cal family. True?
2. Is the popularity of this cartridge big-time declining for some reason? Yes, we all know if you get an M1A or other military-type semi-auto battle rifle, it's 308, but when it comes to bolt actions, they seem almost non-existant. I went to a huge sporting goods store. They had exactly one bolt-action rifle in 308, among many dozens. Wal-Mart now has NONE on hand in the store. Until about 6 months ago, they had one. Last two guns shows I went to, I scoured the entire show for a bolt .308, and found exactly NONE in either show (BTW also not a single Glock 17 for sale - strange). The NRA sweepstakes fundraiser thing I got in the mail today has a variety of bolt guns you can win as prizes. Here's how they break down: .300 Win Mag (two), 30-06(two), .270 (two), 7mm rem mag (one) - very unscientific, but it accounts for general popularity to some extent. The local gun shop has one or two 308s in bolt guns, but several more choices even in .280 Rem (has another name, too- 7mm express?), which I don't believe was ever that popular before. What gives? Are we as a society (not TFLers) succumbing to the bigger (i.e. 300win mag) must be better, without thinking of the job(s) the gun is designed for? Therefore, the 308, like the 9x19 in pistols, is somehow "anemic" (yeah, right), and you're not a man if you shoot anything that can't bust 3000 fps when hunting?
[This message has been edited by Futo Inu (edited September 17, 1999).]
1. Lyman's reload manual says that it's probably the most inherently accurate cartride of the .30 cal family. True?
2. Is the popularity of this cartridge big-time declining for some reason? Yes, we all know if you get an M1A or other military-type semi-auto battle rifle, it's 308, but when it comes to bolt actions, they seem almost non-existant. I went to a huge sporting goods store. They had exactly one bolt-action rifle in 308, among many dozens. Wal-Mart now has NONE on hand in the store. Until about 6 months ago, they had one. Last two guns shows I went to, I scoured the entire show for a bolt .308, and found exactly NONE in either show (BTW also not a single Glock 17 for sale - strange). The NRA sweepstakes fundraiser thing I got in the mail today has a variety of bolt guns you can win as prizes. Here's how they break down: .300 Win Mag (two), 30-06(two), .270 (two), 7mm rem mag (one) - very unscientific, but it accounts for general popularity to some extent. The local gun shop has one or two 308s in bolt guns, but several more choices even in .280 Rem (has another name, too- 7mm express?), which I don't believe was ever that popular before. What gives? Are we as a society (not TFLers) succumbing to the bigger (i.e. 300win mag) must be better, without thinking of the job(s) the gun is designed for? Therefore, the 308, like the 9x19 in pistols, is somehow "anemic" (yeah, right), and you're not a man if you shoot anything that can't bust 3000 fps when hunting?
[This message has been edited by Futo Inu (edited September 17, 1999).]