Gunslinger
Moderator
To better articulate my question let me begin by giving my reason for asking.
I am currently building a custom S&W 657 for personal use. I am leaing toward rechambering it to accomodate a hybred .44 mag. cartridge necked down to the standard .41 mag. diameter.
I know there are advantages to be gained in knecked cartidges in terms of increased velocity resulting in greater energy.
Now the question. Why?
It seems simple but once the dynamics are actually considered the reasons, at least to me, aren't so simple.
Prior to the introduction of smokeless powder a large case volume was required to accomodate the black powder needed to produce "magnum" level loads. However with the advent of smokeless powder the added case volume is not needed or used. To use the modern .308 for example. The .30 caliber case could easily hold sufficent (smokeless) powder to power the bullet to the same performance levels if it was *housed* in a straight case design.
What am I over looking?
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Gunslinger
We live in a time in which attitudes and deeds once respected as courageous and honorable are now scorned as being antiquated and subversive.
I am currently building a custom S&W 657 for personal use. I am leaing toward rechambering it to accomodate a hybred .44 mag. cartridge necked down to the standard .41 mag. diameter.
I know there are advantages to be gained in knecked cartidges in terms of increased velocity resulting in greater energy.
Now the question. Why?
It seems simple but once the dynamics are actually considered the reasons, at least to me, aren't so simple.
Prior to the introduction of smokeless powder a large case volume was required to accomodate the black powder needed to produce "magnum" level loads. However with the advent of smokeless powder the added case volume is not needed or used. To use the modern .308 for example. The .30 caliber case could easily hold sufficent (smokeless) powder to power the bullet to the same performance levels if it was *housed* in a straight case design.
What am I over looking?
------------------
Gunslinger
We live in a time in which attitudes and deeds once respected as courageous and honorable are now scorned as being antiquated and subversive.